TIP TOP II Catamaran
Top Deal
8 days (2)
First class
Baltra Airport, Bachas Beach | Genovesa: Prince Phillip Steps, Darwin Bay | South Plazas, Santa Fe | Santa Cruz: Highlands, Fausto Llerena Breeding Center | Floreana: Baroness view point, Post Office Bay, Cormorant Point, Asilo de la Paz, Champion Islet OR Devil´s Crown |
Española: Suarez Point, Gardner Bay, Osborn & Gardner Islets | San Cristobal: Cerro Brujo, Kicker Rock, Interpretation Center | Santa Cruz: Black Turtle Cove, Baltra Airport
- Price per Person
- Price per Boat
Your Trip details
Baltra Airport, Bachas Beach | Genovesa: Prince Phillip Steps, Darwin Bay | South Plazas, Santa Fe | Santa Cruz: Highlands, Fausto Llerena Breeding Center | Floreana: Baroness view point, Post Office Bay, Cormorant Point, Asilo de la Paz, Champion Islet OR Devil´s Crown |
Española: Suarez Point, Gardner Bay, Osborn & Gardner Islets | San Cristobal: Cerro Brujo, Kicker Rock, Interpretation Center | Santa Cruz: Black Turtle Cove, Baltra Airport
In short, the answer is time. Upon reaching these volcanic isles, the first generation of reptiles and marine birds had millions of years to adapt. Specific evolutionary traits include a notch in tortoises’ shells that allows them to fully extend their necks to reach more fruit. Vampire finches drink blood from the blue-footed booby. But don’t worry – they don’t mind! During scarce periods of food, some Marine Iguanas can shrink their body mass by up to 20% – usually during weather phenomena such as El Niño. Even from island to island, each section is unique unto itself. What might be considered the apex predator on one island may be breakfast on another. Darwin’s theory has surmised that time transformed small and primitive creatures into the unique beings they are today
Itinerary & Travel activities
8 days trip
7 nights
DAY 1 – Friday
AM»Baltra: Arrival at Baltra airport – Transfer to Catamaran
PM»Santa Cruz: Las Bachas Beach
Home to Galapagos’ main airport, this will be the starting point of your experience aboard the best tour of the Galapagos Islands. A bilingual guide will meet you at the airport and assist you during the transfer onboard Tip Top II Catamaran. Welcome briefing.
Las Bachas Beach
After lunch, you will visit Bachas beach, two small beaches made of decomposed coral, and a favorite nesting site for sea turtles. Behind one of the beaches there is a small brackish water lagoon, where you may see flamingos and other coastal birds, such as blacknecked stilts and whimbrels. The other beach is longer, and has two old barges that were abandoned during the Second World War, when the USA used Baltra Island as a strategic point to protect the Panama Canal.
DAY 2 – Saturday
AM»Genovesa: Prince Philip’s Steps
PM»Genovesa: Darwin Bay
Prince Philip’s Steps
Early in the morning, you begin with a hike up the steep stairs of Prince Philip to a bush of palo santo shrubs on the top, where you can see red footed boobies; upon arriving at the edge of the rim you will enjoy a panoramic view of Genovesa Island. At the end of the trail, there will be Nazca boobies and petrel nesting places.
Darwin Bay
After lunch, we go to Darwin Bay, to walk along a coral sand beach, crossing barren lava formation and creeks where some species have occupied its own ecological niches. Return to the catamaran and dinner.
DAY 3 – Sunday
AM»South Plazas
PM»Santa Fe
South Plazas
First activity of the day will be landing on South Plaza Island where you will see various species of land iguanas, marine iguanas, and hybrids of this species.
Santa Fe
n the afternoon, after lunch, you will head to Santa Fe Island, which is a great place to snorkel and swim along sea lions. This place is also the home of endemic species like the Galapagos Hawk, and native Santa Fe iguanas After this activity, dinner will be served onboard.
DAY 4 – Monday
AM»Santa Cruz: Santa Cruz Highlands
PM»Santa Cruz: Charles Darwin Research Station
Santa Cruz Highlands
In the morning, you will take a bus ride to the highlands of Santa Cruz Island to the National Park boundary, where you will see the Twin Craters and then you will visit El Chato Reserve to observe the giant tortoise of Santa Cruz Island in its natural habitat.
Charles Darwin Research Station
Next, you will visit Charles Darwin Station to learn about the conservation efforts and scientific research that has been made to preserve the Galapagos giant tortoise.
DAY 5 – Tuesday
AM»Floreana: Baroness View Point
PM»Floreana: Cormorant Point / Champions Islet
Baroness View Point
After lunch, we go to Post Office Bay, where you can bring your postcards and post them in the peculiar barrel of this historic site. This place commemorates the improvised mail service that was situated here during the 16th century. End of the day and dinner.
Cormorant Point
Early in the morning head to Floreana Island, first to the Peninsula of Cormorant, where you will be welcomed by a small Galapagos sea lion colony. The principal attraction of Champion Islet is the nearly-extinct Charles (Floreana) Mockingbird. Visitors can also observe bird species such as Swallow-tailed Gulls, Nazca Boobies or Brown Noddies. It is a great place for snorkeling; we will see sea turtles, reef fishes, Galapagos Penguins and white-tipped reef sharks. Optional: time for those who would like to swim and/or snorkel. Another option is to head to Devil´s Crown, another spectacular snorkeling site.
DAY 6 – Wednesday
AM»Española: Suarez Point
PM»Española: Gardner Bay
Suarez Point
Early in the morning head to head to Suarez Point on Española Island, and you will take a walk along lava beds. and along this trail, you can also watch sea lions, sea birds, Marine Iguanas, masked and blue-footed boobies, among others.
Gardner Bay
In the afternoon, the yacht will take you to Gardner Bay, to watch sea lions and marine iguanas, you can also swim snorkel or kayak depending on the climate and time.
DAY 7 – Thursday
AM»San Cristóbal: Witch Hill / Kicker Rock
PM»San Cristóbal: Lobos Island / Interpretation Center
Witch Hill / Kicker Rock
After breakfast, your experienced Captain sails easily around Kicker Rock (Leon Dormido), a massive tuff-rock that juts abruptly almost 500 feet straight from the ocean. Kicker Rock serves as a nesting place for many seabirds. Then you make a wet landing on Cerro Brujo to walk on a white sand beach and observe sea lions, brown pelicans, marine iguanas, and blue-footed boobies.
Lobos Islands / Interpretation Center
In the afternoon, you make a dry landing on San Cristobal port, after a short drive, you arrive at Gianni Arismendy Interpretation Center this tour takes you through the geological and human history of the islands and its conservation. You return to the Yacht for dinner and our nightly orientation.
DAY 8 – Friday
AM»Black turtle Cove – Transfer from catamaran to Baltra airport
Black Turtle Cove
After breakfast, the catamaran will take you to Black Turtle Cove, a large mangrove lagoon on the north coast of Santa Cruz Island, where you will see local fauna like pelican and herons, and you may also spot a turtle or golden rays from the beach. After this activity, you will be transferred to Baltra Airport and take your flight back to the continent.
Cruise price details
Accommodation
Accomodation on selected shared cabin, check out single use and details
Price per person in USD:
Cabin types:
Entire Boat price in USD:
5,919
Single Deluxe cabin
Double Deluxe cabin
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5,419
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Departure guaranteed:
Places available:
Max guests:
10 Guests
8
16 guest
Facilities
Sundeck
Lounge area
Dining area
Bar
Reading Material
Air conditioning
Safe deposit box
110v Electricity point in cabin
Emergency Satellite Phone
Toiletries
Inclueded in the price
Briefings & lectures
Accommodation with private bathroom
Excursions with a certified Naturalist Guide
Fuel Surcharge
Meals: From lunch on Day 1, until breakfast on the final day.
Unlimited purified water, tea, coffee, snacks.
Government Taxes
Galapagos Airfare
Cabin towels
Wetsuit for rent
Excursions to the islands
Kayaks
Not inclueded in the price
Tips
Departure Taxes
Alcoholic Drinks
Galapagos National Park Fee $100 p.p
Galapagos Transit Card $20 p.p
Extra services
EXTRA CHARGE FOR THE SUPERIOR CABIN / PER BOOKING
Airfares
Transfers airport – base – airport
Available Cruises
TIP TOP II Catamaran
Tip Top II was built in 2008 and redesigned in 2015-2016 to offer the highest level of comfort and the best experience in the Islands.The Tip Top II Catamaran offers guests fantastic 3, 4, 7 or 14-night itineraries exploring the Galapagos Islands. All trips start from Baltra Island.
Aboard the Tip Top II Catamaran guests will find ample space to relax. The comfortable lounge has a flatscreen TV and AC, making it the perfect place to enjoy the cool air. For sun lovers the spacious sun deck has cushioned loungers and there is an outdoor lounge & bar which is a great place to take advantage of the sea breeze and enjoy a cool beer or glass of wine whilst discussing the days' events. The Tip Top II Catamaran accommodates just 16 guests in 10 cabins. Each cabin has a private bathroom (toilet, shower, washbasin and vanity), locker and drawers, hairdryer, safety box and is air-conditioned.
The 8 crew onboard includes a bi-lingual naturalist guide certified by the Galapagos National Park and a dedicated chef who will create mouthwatering Ecuadorian and international cuisine.
Catamaran
Model:
Twin-hulled catamaran
Lenght:
31.45 m2
Beam:
12.30 m2
Diving possible:
NO
Crew:
10 members + naturalist guide
Chef on board
YES
Book this Trip
Important Information
- Each passenger must have a valid passport.
- In order to satisfy customs requirements it is mandatory that we receive passport details (first and last name, citizenship, date and place of birth, passport number and validity) at least one week prior to embarkation.
- Failure to provide the required information could result in a denial of embarkation.