Grand Majestic Galapagos Cruise 8 Day Program A

Grand Majestic Yacht - Route A (Monday - Monday)

Overview

Newly built in 2018, the Grand Majestic liveaboard is one of the fastest yachts offering luxury small-ship cruises in the Galapagos Islands. She is fitted with moderns and stylish living areas, including a large sun deck with jacuzzi and al fresco dining. On the main deck is an open plan living, dining and bar area with panoramic windows. On the lower deck are 6 spacious cabins with double or twin beds and porthole windows. Located on the main deck is one double with panoramic windows and the Master Suite with his and her bathrooms, sofa and panoramic windows. All cabins are fitted with AC and private en-suite bathrooms.

Get up close with the amazing nature of the Galapagos Islands on this once in a lifetime cruises. Activities include snorkeling with sea-lion pups and a wide variety of marine-life, hiking to viewpoints with access to stunning scenery, and visits to the breeding centre to see Giant Tortoises.

Islands you will visit:
- San Cristobal
- Floreana
- Española
- Santa Cruz
- Genovesa
- Rabida

Itinerary

DAY 1

SAN CRISTOBAL

Monday: San Cristobal

AM: Arrival in San Cristobal Airport and Transfer to the boat
PM: El Junco Lagoon
The Junco Lagoon, located about 700 m above sea level, is one of the few permanent freshwater bodies in the Galapagos. Frigate birds are often seen here washing the salt from their feathers as well as white-cheeked pintails and common gallinules. Its name comes from a type of plant that is common in this area called “junco”.
Highlights:
One of the few permanent freshwater lakes, frigates, white-cheeked pintails
Possible Activities:
Bird watching
Type of Landing:
Dry landing
Difficulty:
Easy

DAY 2

FLOREANA ISLAND

Tuesday: Floreana Island

AM: Post Office Bay
In the 18th century whalers passing through the islands placed a wooden barrel on Floreana Island for use as an unofficial mail box. The tradition continues today as visitors leave addressed postcards in the barrel and sort through left mail to deliver at home.
Highlights:
Post office barrel, nice sandy beach
Possible Activities:
Short hike (less than 0.6 miles/1 km) & snorkeling
Type of Landing:
Wet landing
Difficulty:
Easy
Baroness Viewing Point
Baroness Viewpoint is a fantastic place to absorb the environment of the Galapagos. Once inhabited by an indulgent baroness and her three lovers, the history of this island is intriguing. The legends about this baroness are associated with a fascinating murder mystery. There are easy trails in this area for exploring the flora and fauna of Floreana.
Highlights:
Great view, sea turtles, mysterious story about the first inhabitants of the islands
Possible Activities:
Short hike (0.6 miles/1 km), Snorkeling, Kayaking and Panga Ride
Type of Landing:
Wet landing
Difficulty:
Easy
PM: Cormorant Point
This site hosts a large flamingo lagoon where other birds such as common stilts and white-cheeked pintails can also be seen. The beaches on this island are distinct: The “Green Beach” named so due to its green color, which comes from a high percentage of olivine crystals in the sand, and the “Four Sand Beach” composed of white coral.
Highlights:
Flamingos, green-colored beach
Possible Activities:
Dinghy ride & hike (1.2 miles /2 km)
Type of Landing:
Wet landing
Difficulty:
Easy
Devil's Crown
One of the best snorkeling sites in the Galapagos, this volcanic crater has been eroded by the waves leaving the northern and southern sides poking out of the water. The coral reef in the middle is perfect for attracting marine life. Snorkelers enjoy the variety of marine life and exciting currents that rush through the crown creating an exhilarating experience.
Highlights:
The best snorkeling site in Galapagos Islands with sharks, rays, rock formations, lots of tropical fish.
Possible Activities:
Snorkeling
Type of Landing:
No landing
Difficulty:
Moderate / difficult

DAY 3

ESPAñOLA ISLAND

Wednesday: Española Island

AM: Suarez Point
This area is great for spotting blue-footed boobies, albatrosses and Nazca boobies. A beautiful site on the ocean front, the large waved albatrosses use the cliff as a launching pad. The famous attraction is the magnificent blowhole, spurting water high into the air. This site presents wonderful photograph opportunities.
Highlights:
Hood mockingbirds, Nazca boobies, waved albatrosses, red-billed tropicbirds, lava lizards, Galapagos hawks, blue-footed boobies, blowhole, amazing landscape
Possible Activities:
Hike (1.9 miles/3 km)
Type of Landing:
Dry landing
Difficulty:
Difficult
PM: Gardner Bay
Gardner Bay, on the eastern side of the island, is the breeding site of nearly all of the world´s 12,000 pairs of waved albatrosses. It has an ample white sandy beach with a myriad of sea lions, perfect for relaxing. Its rocky shores make this site a great place for diving and snorkeling.
Highlights:
White sandy beach, sea lions, mockingbirds; snorkeling: colorful fish, sea lion nursery
Possible Activities:
Snorkeling, dinghy ride, kayaking, short hike of (0.6 miles/1 km)
Type of Landing:
Wet landing
Difficulty:
Easy

DAY 4

SANTA CRUZ ISLAND

Thursday: Santa Cruz Island and The Charles Darwin Research Station

AM: Los Gemelos (Twin Craters)
Los Gemelos, or the Twin Craters, are 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.
Highlights:
Pit craters, Scalesia forest
Possible Activities:
Short hiking
Type of Landing:
Dry landing
Difficulty:
Moderate
PM: Charles Darwin Station / Fausto Llerena Breeding Center
The Charles Darwin Research Station is home to turtles ranging from 3-inches (new hatchlings) to 4-feet long. Subspecies of turtles interact with one another and many of the older turtles are accustomed to humans stretching out their heads for a photo opportunity. The babies are kept until they are about four years old and strong enough to survive on their own.
Highlights:
Giant tortoises in captivity
Possible Activities:
Walking
Type of Landing:
Dry landing
Difficulty:
Easy

DAY 5

GENOVESA ISLAND

Friday: Genovesa Island

AM: El Barranco
Also known as Prince Phillip's Steps, El Barranco’s steep, rocky paths leads up to a high cliff-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 lava owls, Galapagos swallows, and Galapagos doves.
Highlights:
Red-footed boobies, short-eared lava owls, storm-petrels, Galapagos doves
Possible Activities:
Hiking (0.9 miles/2 km)
Type of Landing:
Dry, difficult landing
Difficulty:
Moderate
PM: Darwin Bay
This white sand coral beach heads a half mile trail (0.75km) that winds through mangroves filled with land birds. Nazca boobies, red-footed boobies, and swallow-tailed gulls can be spotted here. Further down the path are tidal pools where sea lions swim playfully. At the end is a spectacular view off a cliff.
Highlights:
Nazca boobies, red- footed boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, mangroves, coral pebbles beach, snorkeling: rays, colorful reef fish and hammerhead sharks
Possible Activities:
Hiking (0.9 miles/1.5 km), snorkeling, kayaking & dinghy ride
Type of Landing:
Wet landing.
Difficulty:
Easy / moderate

DAY 6

CHINESE HAT ISLET / RáBIDA ISLAND

Saturday: Rabida and Chinese Hat

AM: Rabida Island
Rabida Island (Jervis) is one of the most colorful and volcanically varied islands in the archipelago and a great snorkeling site. Its famous maroon sandy beach and stunning lookouts provide wonderful landscapes. The island is a birdwatcher’s delight. Some of the rarest species are in abundance, such as nine varieties of finches, large-billed flycatchers, Galapagos hawks and brown pelicans.
Highlights:
Snorkeling: white-cheeked pintail ducks, colorful fish, sea lions, brackish water lagoon, penguins, Galapagos hawk
Possible Activities:
Snorkeling, dinghy ride & short hike (0.6 miles /1 km)
Type of Landing:
Wet landing
Difficulty:
Easy / moderate
PM: Chinese Hat Islet
This small islet is located near the southeast coast of Santiago Island. Its name comes from the distinct shape of the islet's summit. This small islet is a great location to view many geological formations such as lava tubes and lava flows.
Possible Activities:
Hike & snorkeling (1,9 miles / 3 km)
Type of Landing:
Wet landing
Difficulty:
Easy / Moderate

DAY 7

SAN CRISTOBAL

Sunday: San Cristobal Island

AM: Witch Hill
Located on the northern coast, this eroded hill and its surroundings present one of the most picturesque beaches in the Galapagos with its white powdery sand and the abundance of animals. Wildlife includes sea turtles, rays, and various types of booby birds. The clear water provides an excellent opportunity for enjoying swimming and snorkeling.
Highlights:
Beautiful rock formations, sea lions, shore birds, finches and mockingbirds; snorkeling: nice tropical fish, anemones, sponge coral
Possible Activities:
Hike, dinghy ride, snorkeling & kayaking
Type of Landing:
Wet landing
Difficulty:
Easy walk along the beach
PM: Lobos Island
The name of this island means "Sea Lion Island." This appropriately named island is ripe with noisy, frolicking, jolly sea lions who will welcome you to their home with open, well, fins. This island also offers great snorkeling opportunities as well as the chance to see blue-footed and Nazca boobies.
Highlights:
Snorkeling with sea lions, frigatebirds, blue-footed boobies
Possible Activities:
Short hike (less than 0.6 miles/1 km), dinghy ride and / or snorkeling.
Type of Landing:
Dry landing
Difficulty:
Easy / moderate

DAY 8

SAN CRISTOBAL

Monday: San Cristobal Island and Transfer to Airport

AM: Gianni Arismendy Interpretation Center
The Gianni Arismendy Interpretation Center was opened in 1998 as a phase of the project “Interpretation and Environment Education Project.” Visitors enjoy expositions on natural history, human history, and conservation. The conservation efforts represent the movement to protect the wildlife and natural environment through means of population and tourist control. The Gianni Arismendy Interpretation Center has an outdoor stadium, audio-visual equipment, and meeting rooms.
Possible Activities:
Short walk
Difficulty:
Easy
Type of Landing:
Dry
Highlights:
Information and history about the Galapagos Islands.
After this tour, transfer to the San Cristobal Airport

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Terms & Conditions

Payment Policy:

At the time of booking a deposit of 20% of the total tour price
The remaining balance is due a minimum of 65 calendar days prior to departure date

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Complete passenger names
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Failure to provide the above information on time may result in delays and possibly passengers missing the tour completely. Palace tours will not accept responsibility or provide refunds if the above information is not provided in its entirety and on time.

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If a cancellation is received between 125 days and 65 days prior to tour departure date, 20% of the total price will be forfeited.

In the case of a cancellation received less than 65 days prior to the boat departure the full amount will be retained.

*Christmas & New Year: special conditions apply. Please contact us for details.