Galapagos Grand Majestic Cruise

AM: You will arrive at San Cristóbal island in the morning. After passing through immigration and baggage claim, you will be met by a Grand Majestic staff member and transferred to the yacht. You will be shown to your cabin where you will have some time to settle in before lunch and a welcome briefing.

PM: Located in the highlands 12 mi (19 km) from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, El Junco is located in the caldera of an extinct volcano. Rainwater feeds the lagoon. There are many farms and ranches in this area of the island, and sometimes cows can be found near the lagoon.

• Activity:Arrival, sightseeing.
• Meal:Lunch, dinner.
• Accommodation:Double or single cabins.

AM: Land on a beach where an 18th-century wooden barrel serves as an unofficial mailbox, a custom still cherished by Galapagos tourists. After Post Office Bay, venture to Baroness Viewing Point, once inhabited by a mysterious baroness and her lovers, for panoramic vistas and a slice of intriguing local history.

PM: Experience Cormorant Point’s flamingo lagoon, home to common stilts and white-cheeked pintails as well. Wander the Green Beach, colored by olivine crystals, and the coral-white Flour Sand Beach. Cap off your afternoon by snorkeling at Devil’s Crown, a submerged volcano brimming with marine life.

• Activity:Walking, snorkeling, panga ride.
• Meal:Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
• Accommodation:Double or single cabins.

AM: On the trail to Suárez Point, you will get the chance to spot blue-footed boobies and Nazca boobies. This island is the breeding site of nearly all of the world’s 12,000 pairs of waved albatrosses. Don’t miss the stunning oceanfront cliff where large albatrosses take to the skies and witness the incredible blowhole that spectacularly spurts sea water high into the air!

PM: This excursion takes you to the spectacular Gardner Bay. After landing, you can walk across a lovely white-sand beach amongst a busy sea lion colony or dive into the water to swim with sea lion pups. You may also see curious mockingbirds on the beach.

• Activity:Hiking, snorkeling, panga ride.
• Meal:Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
• Accommodation:Double or single cabins.

AM: You will visit the Twin Craters, located opposite each other on both sides of the road leading from Puerto Ayora to Baltra. The name is only figurative; not real craters, these formations were created by the collapse of surface material in underground fissures and chambers. The view is breathtaking!

PM: After this final visit, you will be transferred to the Baltra airport in time for your flight back to the mainland.

• Activity:Walking, exploring, departure.
• Meal:Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

AM: Depart to the Galapagos Islands and arrive at Baltra airport, where a Park-certified naturalist guide will be waiting for you.

PM: You will visit Fausto Llerena Breeding Center in Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island, where giant tortoises are bred in captivity. This center houses tortoises from 3-inch juveniles to 4-foot adults. Subspecies interact with one another, and many of the older ones are accustomed to humans, stretching out their heads for a photo opportunity.

• Activity:Arrival, walking.
• Meal:Lunch, dinner.
• Accommodation:Double or single cabins.

AM: El Barranco, also known as Prince Phillip’s Steps, is a steep, rocky path that leads up a high cliff rock face. A marvelous view can be appreciated from here. This site is also home to Palo Santo vegetation, as well as red-footed boobies, short-eared owls, Galapagos storm petrels, and Galapagos doves.

PM: Visit the white-sand coral beach of Darwin Bay, which includes a half-mile (0,75 km) trail that winds through mangroves filled with land birds. Nazca boobies, red-footed boobies, and swallow-tailed gulls can easily be spotted here. Further down the path, we’ll find tidal pools where sea lions swim playfully. At the end, there is a spectacular view of a cliff.

• Activity:Snorkeling, hiking.
• Meal:Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
• Accommodation:Double or single cabins.

AM: You will visit Rábida Island, also known as Jervis, one of the most colorful and volcanically varied islands in the archipelago, and a great snorkeling site. We will start on Rábida’s famous maroon-sand beach, and after an easy hike, you will arrive at a stunning lookout to enjoy the amazing landscapes.

PM: Chinese Islet is located near the southeast coast of Santiago Island. Its name comes from the distinct shape of the islet’s summit. This is a great location to view many geological formations, such as lava tunnels and lava flows, some of which formed underwater and raised above sea level. The presence of coral heads on the lava flow indicates this phenomenon.

• Activity:Walking, snorkeling.
• Meal:Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
• Accommodation:Double or single cabins.

AM: Discover the stunning Witch Hill on San Cristóbal’s northern coast, a true Galapagos gem! Its white powdery sand and crystalline waters are a haven for sea turtles, rays, and various species of boobies. The crystal-clear water is ideal for snorkeling—get ready to dive into an underwater world!

PM: Head to the verdant highlands of Santa Cruz, a striking contrast to the island’s arid lower regions. Wander through mysterious lava tunnels that stretch over half a mile. After refueling with a tasty lunch, make your way to the Fausto Llerena Tortoise Breeding Center in Puerto Ayora. Here, you’ll meet giant tortoises ranging from tiny 3-inch youngsters to 4-foot-long adults, some of whom are so used to humans, that they’ll even stretch out their necks for a photo op!

• Activity:Walking, hiking, snorkeling.
• Meal:Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
• Accommodation:Double or single cabins.

AM/PM: Immerse yourself in the captivating environmental project at this center. Your tour starts with the Museum of Natural History, where you’ll learn about the archipelago’s volcanic origins, ocean currents, and unique species. Then, seamlessly move to the Human History exhibit to trace significant events, from discovery to conservation efforts. After this enriching journey, we’ll whisk you away to the airport in San Cristóbal, just in time for your flight back to the mainland.

• Activity:Walking, departure.
• Meal:Breakfast.

AM: Arrive at San Cristóbal Island in the morning and breeze through immigration and baggage claim. A Horizon staff member greets you and escorts you to the yacht. Settle into your cabin before enjoying lunch and an engaging welcome briefing.

PM: Located in the highlands 12 mi (19 km) from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, El Junco is located in the caldera of an extinct volcano. Rainwater feeds the lagoon. There are many farms and ranches in this area of the island, and sometimes cows can be found near the lagoon.

• Activity:Arrival, walking.
• Meal:Lunch, dinner.
• Accommodation:Double or single cabins.

AM: Touch down on a scenic beach where you’ll discover an 18th-century wooden barrel, an unofficial mailbox still used by Galapagos adventurers. The energy changes at Baroness Viewing Point, steeped in legends of love triangles and unsolved mysteries—a must-see!

PM: Cormorant Point is a birder’s paradise with a flamingo-filled lagoon and unique feathered friends like white-cheeked pintails. Explore two distinct beaches: the Green Beach, rich in olivine crystals, and the coral-based Flour Sand Beach. Cap off the day snorkeling at Devil’s Crown, a sunken volcano offering a bustling underwater ecosystem brimming with diverse marine life.

• Activity:Hiking, snorkeling, exploring.
• Meal:Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
• Accommodation:Double or single cabins.

AM: On the trail to Suárez Point, you will get the chance to spot blue-footed boobies and Nazca boobies. This island is the breeding site of nearly all of the world’s 12,000 pairs of waved albatrosses. Don’t miss the stunning oceanfront cliff where large albatrosses take to the skies and witness the incredible blowhole that spectacularly spurts sea water high into the air!

PM: This excursion takes you to the spectacular Gardner Bay. After landing, you can walk across a lovely white-sand beach amongst a busy sea lion colony or dive into the water to swim with sea lion pups. You may also see curious mockingbirds on the beach.

• Activity:Hiking, exploring, snorkeling.
• Meal:Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
• Accommodation:Double or single cabins.

AM: You will visit the Twin Craters, located opposite each other on both sides of the road leading from Puerto Ayora to Baltra. The name is only figurative; not real craters, these formations were created by the collapse of surface material in underground fissures and chambers. The view is breathtaking!

PM: You will visit Fausto Llerena Breeding Center in Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island, where giant tortoises are bred in captivity. This center houses tortoises from 3-inch juveniles to 4-foot adults. Subspecies interact with one another, and many of the older ones are accustomed to humans, stretching out their heads for a photo opportunity.

• Activity:Hiking, exploring.
• Meal:Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
• Accommodation:Double or single cabins.

AM: El Barranco, also known as Prince Phillip’s Steps, is a steep, rocky path that leads up a high cliff rock face. A marvelous view can be appreciated from here. This site is also home to Palo Santo vegetation, as well as red-footed boobies, short-eared owls, Galapagos storm petrels, and Galapagos doves.

PM: Visit the white-sand coral beach of Darwin Bay, which includes a half-mile (0,75 km) trail that winds through mangroves filled with land birds. Nazca boobies, red-footed boobies, and swallow-tailed gulls can easily be spotted here. Further down the path, we’ll find tidal pools where sea lions swim playfully. At the end, there is a spectacular view of a cliff.

• Activity:Hiking, exploring, snorkeling.
• Meal:Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
• Accommodation:Double or single cabins.

AM: You will visit Rábida Island, also known as Jervis, one of the most colorful and volcanically varied islands in the archipelago, and a great snorkeling site. We will start on Rábida’s famous maroon-sand beach, and after an easy hike, you will arrive at a stunning lookout to enjoy the amazing landscapes.

PM: Chinese Islet is located near the southeast coast of Santiago Island. Its name comes from the distinct shape of the islet’s summit. This is a great location to view many geological formations, such as lava tunnels and lava flows, some of which formed underwater and raised above sea level. The presence of coral heads on the lava flow indicates this phenomenon.

• Activity:Hiking, exploring, snorkeling.
• Meal:Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
• Accommodation:Double or single cabins.

AM: Discover the stunning Witch Hill on San Cristóbal’s northern coast, a true Galapagos gem! Its white powdery sand and crystalline waters are a haven for sea turtles, rays, and various species of boobies. The crystal-clear water is ideal for snorkeling—get ready to dive into an underwater world!

PM: Lobos Island is a small islet located just off the coast of San Cristóbal, and it’s a popular spot for day trips focused on wildlife watching. Aptly named for its lively sea lions that greet you with enthusiasm, this island is perfect for diving into exceptional snorkeling and spotting blue-footed and Nazca boobies.

• Activity:Hiking, snorkeling.
• Meal:Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
• Accommodation:Double or single accommodation.

AM/PM: Immerse yourself in the captivating environmental project at this center. Your tour starts with the Museum of Natural History, where you’ll learn about the archipelago’s volcanic origins, ocean currents, and unique species. Then, seamlessly move to the Human History exhibit to trace significant events, from discovery to conservation efforts. After this enriching journey, we’ll whisk you away to the airport in San Cristóbal, just in time for your flight back to the mainland.

• Activity:Walking, departure.
• Meal:Breakfast.

AM: You will arrive at San Cristóbal island in the morning. After passing through immigration and baggage claim, you will be met by a Grand Majestic staff member and transferred to the yacht. You will be shown to your cabin where you will have some time to settle in before lunch and a welcome briefing.

PM: Head to the David Rodríguez Breeding Center, also known as La Galapaguera, located in Cerro Colorado. It’s a one-hour drive from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. Meet the iconic giant tortoises and keep an eye out for native land birds like warblers, finches, and mockingbirds amidst the local flora.

• Activity:Arrival, hiking.
• Meal:Lunch, dinner.
• Accommodation:Single or double cabins.

AM: In North Seymour, you may see Galapagos sea lions, blue-footed boobies, and magnificent frigatebirds, which are abundant on this island. This island was formed by a series of submarine lava flows containing layers of sediment that were uplifted by tectonic activity.

PM: Crossing the Bolívar Channel that divides Isabela and Fernandina Islands, you will land at Espinoza Point, and after walking past a colony of marine iguanas and a group of sea lions, you will reach the island’s highlight: the flightless cormorant nesting site.

• Activity:Hiking.
• Meal:Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
• Accommodation:Double or single accommodations.

AM: You will head to Bartholomew Island, where the famous Pinnacle Rock is found. Bartholomew consists of an extinct volcano with a variety of red, orange, black, and even green volcanic formations. Take a stairway to the summit of the volcano (about 30 or 40 minutes), where you will enjoy one of the best views of the islands! You will also visit a small, beautiful beach surrounded by the only vegetation found on this barren island.

PM: On Santiago Island, Egas Port, also known as James Bay, is home to the curious Galapagos hawks and quick-footed lava lizards. The trail leads to the coastline with gorgeous tide pools and grottos full of fauna. Here, the Galapagos fur seals bathe in the sun. This is also a great snorkeling site.

• Activity:Hiking, snorkeling.
• Meal:Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
• Accommodation:Double or single accommodations.

AM: Get ready for an adventure at Tagus Cove on Isabela Island, a historical anchorage site used by sailors since the 1800s! You’ll be just across from the stunning Fernandina Island, separated by the vibrant Bolivar Channel.

PM: Hold onto your hat—Urbina Bay is a geological marvel! Nestled at the foot of Alcedo Volcano on the west coast between Tagus Cove and Elizabeth Bay, this area dramatically rose over 16 feet (4.88 m) in a 1954 uplift, stretching the coastline out an astonishing half-mile. Imagine snorkeling in a spot where the ocean floor was once submerged! Don’t miss this transformative landscape and its unique snorkeling opportunities.

• Activity:Hiking, snorkeling.
• Meal:Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
• Accommodation:Double or single accommodations.

AM: Crossing the Bolívar Channel that divides Isabela and Fernandina Islands, you will land at Espinoza Point, and after walking past a colony of marine iguanas and a group of sea lions, you will reach the island’s highlight: the flightless cormorant nesting site.

PM: Comprised of two separate coves, Vicente Roca Point is a large bay with spectacular sea life. Keep an eye out for seahorses, sea turtles, and the strange yet fascinating mola mola (or sunfish) while you snorkel.

• Activity:Hiking, walking.
• Meal:Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
• Accommodation:Double or single accommodations.

AM: In Espumilla Beach, marine iguanas lounge and the sally lightfoot crabs attract the hunting herons, performing the dance of predator and prey right before your eyes. Snorkeling is highly recommended, as you could come face to face with an octopus, moray eel, shark, and a variety of other species of tropical fish.

PM: You will visit Sullivan Bay, located in the southeast part of Santiago. This place is interesting for its geology because the area is covered by lava flows. It has elevations in the form of small volcanoes formed by the lava flows.

• Activity:Snorkeling, hiking.
• Meal:Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
• Accommodation:Double or single accommodations.

AM: Las Bachas is a beach located on the north shore of Santa Cruz, ideal for swimming. You can see a floating pier here, one of the few remaining signs of the United States’ presence in the Galapagos during World War II. You may see flamingos, Sally Lightfoot crabs, hermit crabs, black-necked stilts, and whimbrels.

PM: You will visit Fausto Llerena Breeding Center in Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island, where giant tortoises are bred in captivity. This center houses tortoises from 3-inch juveniles to 4-foot adults. Subspecies interact with one another, and many of the older ones are accustomed to humans, stretching out their heads for a photo opportunity.

• Activity:Hiking.
• Meal:Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
• Accommodation:Double or single accommodations.

AM: This striking rock formation is located a couple of hours off the western shore of San Cristóbal. Jutting out of the water, the rocks stand vertically at hundreds of feet above the ocean divided by a small channel. It is a popular site for snorkeling and diving, offering the chance to see a variety of marine life, including sharks, sea turtles, and various species of fish.

PM: After this final visit, we will transfer you to the San Cristóbal airport in time for your flight back to the mainland.

• Activity:Hiking, departure.
• Meal:Breakfast.