Galapagos 5 Day Cruise A aboard Alya Luxury Catamaran
A 5 Day cruise exploring the heart of the Galapagos islands.
Highlights
• Discover Santa Cruz
• Visit Darwin Bay
• Explore Bartolome Island
Baltra airport. Reception at airport. Transfer in. Welcome on board Alya Catamaran. Welcome drink. Lunch. BLACK TURTLE COVE: After lunch our first visit is to Black Turtle Cove which is situated in the northern region of Santa Cruz. This bay is surrounded by mangroves and is accessible only by dinghy only. The shallow cove is a safe refuge for marine life. Black-tip reef sharks, marine turtles, and a variety of rays are often spotted here. Return to Alya. Dinner.
DARWIN BAY: wet landing, coral beach, activities for this day: short walks, photography, swimming, snorkeling. Genovesa is a small island in the north of the Galapagos. Our unloading in Darwin Bay will be wet. Near the beach is a mangrove swamp where we will find a colony of frigates, marine iguanas, red-footed boobies and mask boobies, the great terrestrial finch, seagulls, herons, and cactus finch. Following the land visit, our passengers can enjoy a swim in the bay. Snacks and refreshments are available. Lunch. BARRANCO: dry landing, activities: hiking. Also known as Prince Phillip’s stairs. Here, we will go for a walk on the Barranco path. On our journey we will observe tropical birds, petrels, common frigate, red-foot boobies, mask boobies, doves, and finches. Dinner.
SANTIAGO ISLAND: SULLIVAN BAY: wet landing and hiking. Description: Virtually uneroded lava flows cover an extensive area of this island. Lava pahoehoe (basaltic lava that has a smooth, billowy, undulating or ropy surface), hornitos, and mollugo (a lava colonizer) can be seen. Snacks and refreshing beverages await you on board the ship. Lunch. BARTOLOME ISLAND: dry landing, wet landing for the beach. Activities on this island include: walking, swimming, snorkeling, and photography. We will follow a path to the top (114m) where we can see pioneering plants such as tiquilia, chamaesyce, and scalesia. The island has been formed by cones, lava pipes where lava once flowed. Following the wet landing at the beach, we will follow a path through mangrove swamps and sand dune vegetation, to the south beach. At the north beach, guests can enjoy swimming and snorkeling. From the top of Bartolome, we will be able to see the islands of Santiago, Rabida, and Isabela. We will see penguins in the Rock Pinnacle. Dinner.
CHINESE HAT: A small islet located near the south-east coast of Santiago. It’s shaped like a Chinese hat when seen from afar. It is an island consisting of a cone type “Splatter” (lava ejected as drops which fall close to where they came from, which form an inclined cone) that forms the summit and many lava tubes that go down to the coast. On the west side you can see pillow-type lava formations, which are an indicator that the flows were formed under the sea and have been raised upward, which is why coral heads are found on the lava. This visit provides an excellent opportunity for the interpretation of geological features such as lava tubes and lava flows. The trail is 700 m (round trip) and the minimum time it takes for this trek is 30 minutes. Return Alya. Lunch MOSQUERA: This islet is located between Baltra Island and North Seymour. Here, we find the biggest sea lion colony; it is also possible to observe several species of birds. Enjoy the white sand beach. Return Alya. Dinner
After breakfast, we will visit Charles Darwin Station which is located in the main port on Santa Cruz Island; we will take a private bus to the entrance of the breeding center where we will see tortoises and land iguanas in captivity. This center is the main breeding site on the islands. Animals that were in danger of extinction on the various islands are maintained in captivity. Thanks to the dedicated work of several institutions, some species are being saved. Here lived Lonesome George, the famous last survivor of the giant tortoise species found on Pinta Island. Transfer to the airport.
This itinerary is subject to change without notice; due to seasonal changes, weather conditions or Galapagos National Park regulations.
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Additional charges:
Galapagos National Park Entrance Fee, Galapagos Transit card: $220 USD
Vessel Type: Catamaran
Length: 31.5 metres
Passenger Capacity: 16
Built: 2017
Alya operates as a compact, high-end catamaran built for a controlled, small-group experience in the Galápagos. Its nine cabins, most with private balconies, hold a maximum of sixteen guests, keeping movement on board quiet and predictable. The layout is functional: an aft lounge with library and media facilities, a dining space centred on Ecuadorian and international cuisine, and a sundeck used for observation between landings. The scale of the vessel allows the crew, cruise director, and bilingual guide to maintain consistent attention without disrupting the ship’s calm structure.
Daily activity revolves around shore landings and water-based exploration supported by kayaks, paddle boards, snorkelling equipment, and panga operations. A certified naturalist leads each outing, keeping the pace steady and focused on wildlife and landscape observation. The ship’s facilities and staffing are built to streamline this rhythm: straightforward cabin design, controlled guest numbers, and reliable access to equipment. The result is a contained, uninterrupted platform for exploring the islands.
Inclusions
• Airport assistance on the cruise departure dates
• Transportation and fuel surcharge in the Marine reserve of Galapagos
• Accommodation in single, double or triple cabin according to your booking (except M/C Alya & M/C Galaxy Sirius)
• Bilingual naturalist guide (English-Spanish)
• 2 Bilingual naturalist guide (English-Spanish) on M/C Galaxy Sirius
• Personalized crew service
• All meals during the cruise, from lunch on the first day to breakfast on the last day.
• One snack after each activity (except last day)
• Welcome cocktail
• Unlimited purified water, coffee and tea
• All visits, excursions & activities according to the itinerary
• Transportation Airport-Channel/ Channel-Airport (Lobitos Bus)
• Private Transportation Airport-Channel/ Channel-Airport only M/C Galaxy Sirius
• VIP Lounge at Baltra and San Cristobal airport on M/C Galaxy Sirius
• Docks use and ferries.
• Snorkeling gear (Mask, tube, and fins)
• Use of kayaks and paddle boards in authorized places
• Wetsuits
• Shampoo, hair conditioner, and soap for daily use
• Beach towels
• Soft drinks (only onboard M/C Alya & M/C Galaxy Sirius)
• Hair dryer in the cabins (not available onboard M/Y Bonita & M/Y Galaxy Orion)
• Cloth/Towel dryer (only available onboard M/C EcoGalaxy and M/Y Galaxy)
Exclusions
• International flights to/from Ecuador
• Galapagos Islands airfare from/to mainland (Quito or—Guayaquil)
• Galapagos National Park entrance fee ($200 per person)
• Transit Control Card ($20 per person)
• Alcoholic and soft drinks
• Tips and gratuities
• Personal expenses
• Travel insurance (Highly recommended)
• Additional services not indicated
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