Read a sampling of what our
clients said about their trips
What an amazing experience! My only complaint was that we should have taken at least 3 weeks instead of the 9-day tour. I definitely must go again. I have been abroad many times - even took High School students to Greece, and another time through France and Switzerland. At no time, even during m ... more Anna English-Smith
St. Johns, Canada
Eight Day Galapagos Islands Cruise Aboard the Beluga 8 Days/7 Nights from $3,209
Day 1
Baltra/North Seymour
Day 2
Punta Suarez/Gardner Bay (Espanola)
Day 3
Punta Cormorant/Post Office Bay (Floreana)
Day 4
Charles Darwin Research Station/Highlands of Santa Cruz
Day 5
Elizabeth Bay/Punta Moreno (Isabela)
Day 6
Punta Espinosa (Fernandina)/Urbina Bay (Isabela)
Day 7
Puerto Egas (James)/Bartolome
Day 8
Black Turtle Cove (Santa Cruz)/Baltra
Note: The route and program may vary according to National Park policies and regulations, weather conditions, seasonal changes, safety reasons and wildlife encounters.
IGTOA's Traveler Funding Program
South American Vacations is an active member of IGSouth American Vacations is an active member of IGTOA (International Galapagos Tour Operators Association). In support of IGTOA's Traveler Funding Program, we contribute $50 for each passenger that we send to the Galapagos Islands. You'll travel knowing that you support the lasting protection of Galapagos Islands.
Sixty percent of the funding of this program goes directly to the Charles Darwin Foundation for science, conservation, and education. Their work, carried out through the Charles Darwin Research Station and Galapagos National Park, is vital to the preservation of the islands. You can visit their web site to learn more http://www.d
Eight Day Galapagos Islands Cruise Aboard the Beluga
The M/V Beluga is a 110 ft. steel hulled motor vessel that was originally built in Hamburg Germany in 1968 and rebuilt in 1994. It accommodates 16 passengers in eight double cabins with private bathrooms. The ship is fully air conditioned and has a dining room, lounge, and sun deck. Snorkeling equipment ($10) and wet suits ($30) can be rented on board.
Activities: Wildlife viewing, hiking, snorkeling, and sea kayaking.
Dry Landing: Guests step from the dinghy directly onto rocks or a dock. Wet Landing: As the dinghy edges onto a sandy beach, guests step into knee-deep water and wade ashore.
Day 1: Baltra/North Seymour
Upon your arrival in Baltra, you will be greeted at the airport by our guide, and then taken to the pier to join the MV Beluga.
North Seymour (dry landing). The largest colony of Magnificent Frigate birds is found here, as well as nesting Blue footed Boobies and Swallow Tailed Gulls. (L,D)
Day 2: Punta Suarez/Gardner Bay (Espanola)
Punta Suarez offers the visitor quite a display in wildlife: Marine Iguanas with copper red patches, Swallow Tailed Gulls, the endemic Long Billed Mocking bird, Finches, Masked and Blue Footed Boobies, Oystercatchers, Sea Lions and Lava Lizards. This is the only island where the Waved Albatross is to be seen during the breeding season, April to December.
Gardner Bay, located on the north eastern coast, is an excellent swimming and snorkelling site. (B,L,D)
Day 3: Punta Cormorant/Post Office Bay (Floreana)
Punta Cormorant. We visit a Flamingo Lagoon where other species of shore birds may also be seen. We will also snorkel at Devilīs Crown, a submerged volcanic cone.
Post Office Bay. One may leave letters like whalers did in the 18th century in a wooden barrel mailbox. (B,L,D)
Day 4: Charles Darwin Research Station/Highlands of Santa Cruz
The Charles Darwin Research Station is located in the town of Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island. Here you will learn firsthand about the conservation and research efforts in the Galapagos Islands. See the tortoise hatchlings and breeding programs which are saving several races of tortoises from extinction. Tour the Van Straelen Exhibit Hall. For most, this will be your only opportunity to see the giant Galapagos tortoises. The Charles Darwin Research Station conducts and facilitates research in the Galapagos Islands and the Galapagos Marine Resources Reserve of Ecuador. It is part of the Charles Darwin Foundation for the Galapagos Islands, an international non-profit organization dedicated to scientific research in the Galapagos Islands since 1959.
The highlands of Santa Cruz is in a lush humid zone with Miconia bushes, Scalesia, and inactive volcanic cones. Santa Cruz has more endemic plants than any other island in the Galapagos. The Galapagos tortoises can be seen in their natural habitat here. (B,L,D)
Day 5: Elizabeth Bay/Punta Moreno (Isabela)
Elizabeth Bay. You will observe Flightless Cormorants, Brown Pelicans, Rays, Marine Turtles, Sea lions, and Lava Herons. There is also a large area of giant red Mangroves.
Punta Moreno. The main attractions are Blackish water lagoons, Flamingos, and White Cheeked Pintail Ducks. (B,L,D)
Day 6: Punta Espinosa (Fernandina)/Urbina Bay (Isabela)
Punta Espinoza. Flightless Cormorants, Pelicans, Sea Lions, Sally Light Foot Crabs, and an abundance of Marine Iguanas can be seen along the shores of one of worldīs most active volcanoes.
Urbina Bay. You can see Penguins, Noddy terns, Marine Iguanas, and Historic graffiti. (B,L,D)
Day 7: Puerto Egas (James)/Bartolome
Puerto Egas. You will see Galapagos Fur Seals in pools cut into lava cliffs and there is a good chance of spotting the Galapagos Hawk, the Galapagos Dove, and Vermilion Flycatcher. Tucked behind Espumilla Beach are salt water lagoons where Flamingos and White Cheeked Pintail Ducks may be seen.
Bartolome is the best place to see the geological history of the Islands. (B,L,D)
Day 8: Black Turtle Cove (Santa Cruz)/Baltra
Black Turtle Cove, a red mangrove lagoon on Santa Cruz, is a nursery for many sharks and rays. It is also a great location to observe mating sea turtles. There are large groups of resting white-tip reef sharks, schools of golden rays and spotted eagle rays, and a few juvenile scalloped hammerhead sharks and black-tip sharks. The water is nearly mirror-calm, and you often use paddles instead of the loud panga engines to move around the area.
Return to Baltra for your flight to Quito or Guayaquil. (B)
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
Eight Day Galapagos Islands Cruise Aboard the Beluga
Single
Double
Triple
Cabins 6 & 7
$4,809
$3,209
n/a
Cabins 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 8
$4,959
$3,309
$3,309
All prices are in U.S. Dollars. Click here to see our prices in your currency.
Notes:
Low Season prices are shown above. High Season prices are shown in the Detailed Itinerary.
The above prices are valid until December 31, 2010.
High Season: Jan 1-Apr 30, Jun 16-Aug 31, Nov 1-Nov 30, Dec 8-31. Low Season: May 1-Jun 15, Sep 1-Oct 31, Dec 1-7.
Eight Day Galapagos Islands Cruise Aboard the Beluga
The Price of This Tour Includes
South American Vacations' expert pre-departure planning services and documentation.
Transfers in the islands between the airport and dock on the date of the cruise.
Accommodations on board M/V Beluga.
All meals scheduled on board.
Two daily excursions to the islands conducted by bi-lingual naturalist guides.
