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Galápagos with Silversea

Western Galápagos on Silver Origin

11-day expedition cruise from £10,100 pp incl. flights

Summary

Short description

Discover the Galápagos in style aboard Silversea's most intimate expedition ship

British Airways Sale

The British Airways Sale is now on, The British Airways Sale is now on, with Club World and Club Europe savings to a wide range of destinations. Book by 19 March 2024.

Highlights

  • Explore Ecuador's Galápagos Islands in depth
  • Sail off the beaten track to take in hidden bays teeming with wildlife
  • Snorkel with reef sharks, rays and seals and hike inland to meet iguanas and giant tortoises
  • Enjoy all the trappings of a Silversea cruise, from superb service to fine dining
  • Spend two nights in Quito, where we've included a 'city by night' tour

In Brief

  • 1 Night Roca León Dormido
  • 1 Night Playa Espumilla
  • 1 Night Punta Espinoza
  • 1 Night Elizabeth Bay
  • 1 Night Punta Cormorant
  • 1 Night Las Bachas
  • 1 Night Puerto Ayora

About

Recommended for:
Expedition cruise | February holidays | January holidays | Natural world | Ocean cruise | Wildlife

When it comes to the great wonders of our natural world, there are few to rival the unique beauty and diversity of Ecuador's Galápagos islands. And, this itinerary on Silversea's Silver Origin, is perhaps its ultimate showcase. Designed specifically with the Galápagos in mind, the ship itself is the greenest in the Silversea fleet, utilising the very latest eco-technologies and positioning systems to minimise impact on the sea bed. As such, you'll be treated to an itinerary tailored to take in the remotest and most beautiful regions in the Galápagos, all wrapped up in signature levels of experiential luxury for which Silversea is famed.

Day by day itinerary

Days 1-2
UK/Quito

Begin your holiday in style with included airport lounge access before your daytime flight to Ecuador's capital – Quito. On arrival, transfer to your city-centre hotel. The next day is left free for your to explore, with the city's UNESCO World Heritage-listed old town the undoubted highlight, packed with picturesque plazas, grand old churches and ornate, 17th-century façades. Take the chance to experience Quito's culinary side, where centuries-old indigenous traditions meet influences from across Latin America and beyond. Then, in the evening, we've included a Quito by Night tour, which takes in such architectural gems as the Presidential Palace, Independence Plaza and San Francisco Church, all illuminated atmospherically by the city's twinkling lights. 

Stay: JW Mariott, Quito

Meals: B

Day 3
San Cristobal & Roca León Dormido

Enjoy a transfer to the airport where you'll fly to San Cristobal to begin your Galápagos adventure aboard the Silver Origin. As one of the archipelago's oldest islands, it's a fitting departure point. Its now-dormant volcanic highlands spill down to the coast and a statue of Charles Darwin, who made these islands famous, overlooks the Baquerizo Moreno harbour. It's then a showreel of highlights as you drift past Kicker Rock – something of a geological icon – spotting the likes of swallow-tailed gulls, Nazca boobies and giant frigatebirds in the company of your expedition team. It's all set up perfectly for what is one of the most beautiful sunsets anywhere in the Galápagos.

Stay: Silver Origin

Meals: L D

Day 4
Isla Bartholome & Buccaneer Cove

Anchor at Sullivan Bay, within sight of the moonscapes of Isla Bartolomé. It's your first experience of the ship's fleet of eight Zodiacs – the most of any ship in the Galápagos – which will bring you ashore for the chance to spot lava lizards, Galápagos Hawks, and blue-footed boobies amid the volcanic landscapes. Perhaps the highlight of the morning, however, is the view towards Pinnacle Rock with the volcanic cones of Baltra, Daphne Major and Daphne Minor in the distance.

This afternoon, on the western side of Santiago Island, Buccaneer Cove with its tuff red cones and impressive basalt lava dikes emerge from the sea. The cove, first discovered by pirates is shrouded in mystery and the likely hiding spot for treasures never found. Best explored by zodiac, the expedition team will show you the unique geological formations up close and for the keen eye, look out for Nazca Boobies, Blue Footed Boobies and Swallow-tailed Gulls.

Stay: Silver Origin

Meals: B L D

Day 5
Punta Vicente & Punta Espinoza

Sailing right up against the cliffs of Punta Vicente Roca on the northwest side of Isabela Island, you'll set out on Zodiacs to cruise beneath the imposing volcanic coastline, watching out for flightless cormorants and Galápagos fur seals alongside iconic blue-footed Boobies and marine iguanas. The waters below hold scores of Eastern Pacific green sea turtles and, if conditions allow, you'll have the chance to snorkel with these asa well as eagle rays, Galápagos sea lions, Galápagos penguins, and schools of small tuna. It's then on to the lava-forged coast of Punta Espinoza on Fernandina Island, where hundreds of marine iguanas rest on lava flows and Galápagos sea lions laze in the sunshine.

Stay: Silver Origin

Meals: B L D

Day 6
Caleta Tagus & Elizabeth Bay

Today you'll visit Tagus Cove, a sheltered area southwest of Volcán Darwin on Isabela Island. The protected waters are home to sea turtles, marine iguanas, flightless cormorants and Galápagos penguins. In addition, the cove has offered safe anchorage to visiting ships through the ages. Here you can choose to kayak, snorkel or head ashore by Zodiac to discover centuries-old names of vessels, painted or carved onto the rocks near the landing site. Elizabeth Bay is next, flanked as it is by the massive volcanoes of Sierra Negra and Alcedo. It's a superb spot for a Zodiac cruise, not least for the small coves host to the likes of turtles, rays and even sharks. Enjoy the tranquility and peaceful serenity of the place as your guide points out magnificent frigatebirds perched in the trees and Galápagos penguins fishing in the rich waters.

Stay: Silver Origin

Meals: B L D

Day 7
Post Office Bay, Isla Champion & Punta Cormorant

Post Office Bay got its name thanks to a post box that was placed here some time before 1813. Ships that were visiting the Galápagos on multi-year voyages would leave letters here to be collected and delivered by vessels on their way home. Today, you can keep the tradition alive by leaving a postcard of your own in the post box (now a barrel) and looking for any you might be able to deliver by hand back at home. And, take the chance to explore local cave systems by kayak or Snorkel Mystery Bay where the waters here are rich in marine life, from rays to blacktip reef sharks. You'll then sail to Isla Champion, a small islet off Floreana Islands' northeast coast, another superb spot for snorkelling, before ending the day at Punta Cormorant, named after the 19th-century British naval vessel HMS Cormorant. From the landing beach, a short track leads to a shallow lagoon, famous for its flamingos.

Stay: Silver Origin

Meals: B L D

Day 8
Santa Cruz Highlands & Puerto Ayora

Today you'll head ashore and discover the unique microclimate formed on the island of Santa Cruz by a peak reaching an elevation of 864 metres, this elevated position creates its own microclimate and an abundance of rain. This freshwater allows distinct flora and fauna to thrive on the island which can only be found here and the highlands local growers cultivate small amounts of the land producing a fine cup of java. However, the giant tortoises are what make this island famous and sightings are possible during your guided hike.

The vegetation, microclimate and local conservation efforts headed by the Charles Darwin Foundation and Fausto Llerena Breeding Centre are helping the giant tortoises and land iguanas rebound from previously low populations. Conservationists will guide you through the centre, explaining their important work to the region and how they've successfully reintroduced species to their native habitat.

Stay: Silver Origin

Meals: B L D

Day 9
Cerro Dragon, Isla Guy Fawkes & Bahia Berrero

After breakfast the Silver Origin will set sail for a full day of activities as your final day with visits to Cerro Dragon, Isla Guy Fawkes and Bahia Borrero. By foot explore Cerro Dragon, with volcanic rock flowing into brackish lagoon water, inhabited with shorebirds, sally light-footed crabs and the elusive pink flamingo. Afterwards, you'll arrive at a group of four islets situated on the northwestern side of Santa Cruz Island, where you'll snorkel the satellite cones, rising from the deep water and full of life. The underwater cliffs are covered with colourful marine invertebrates such as sponges, corals, sea stars and urchins. And, if conditions are right, you may even spot sharks and mantas rays rising from the depths below, making Guy Fawkes one of the most exciting places to snorkel.

Today's final stop in the bay of Berrero, with its white coraline beaches and unusual vegetation is an idyllic place to reflect on the landscapes and wildlife of the Galapagos. The arid zone with forests of Palo Santo trees and salty bushes welcomes Yellow Warblers and species of Darwin Finches, such as the Common Cactus Finch and Small Ground Finch. Walk between the sea lions and marine iguanas, before a final dip in the sea. 

Stay: Silver Origin

Meals: B L D

Days 10-11
Depart for UK

Tuck into a final breakfast onboard before leaving the ship in San Cristóbal and flying to Guayaquil. If your onward connection departs after 10pm, you'll have access to a day room at Oro Verde Hotel before heading to the airport to catch your flight to the UK, arriving the next day.

Meals: B

Map

Pricing

Any element of this cruise can be adjusted to suit your needs. Just contact us to find out more.

Prices

11-day expedition cruise
from £10,100 pp incl. flights

Price from
Book by: 30 April 2024

Includes:

  • Silversea 'Door to Door' private executive transfer service (from home to airport and return)
  • Return economy class travel from the UK to Ecuador (upgrades available)
  • Return flights between Ecuador and Galapagos
  • Transfers (between airport, hotel and ship)
  • Pre cruise Hotel in Quito (2 nights) 
  • "Quito by Night" Tour
  • National Park fees
  • 1 post cruise day room in Guayaquil for guests with flights after 10pm
  • Guided Zodiac, land and sea tours, and shoreside activities led by the Expeditions Team (one complimentary shore excursion per port, per day)
  • Enrichment lectures by a highly qualified Expeditions Team
  • Spacious suites
  • Butler service in every suite
  • Unlimited Complimentary Wi-fi
  • Personalised service – nearly one crew member for every guest
  • Choice of restaurants, diverse cuisine, open-seating dining
  • Beverages in-suite and throughout the ship, including champagne, select wines and spirits
  • In-suite dining and room service
  • Onboard entertainment
  • Onboard gratuities

Regular departures year round, price varies by departure date and suite availability - please call for details.

Terms & Conditions: Prices are per person based on two people sharing a twin/double room; prices are subject to availability and possible change; normal booking conditions apply.


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