This 4-day itinerary aboard the comfortable Monserrat is the perfect option if you want to explore all that the Galapagos Islands has to offer but are short on time. Snorkel among schools of fish, get up close with the famous Giant Galapagos tortoise and walk among one of the largest populations of land iguanas on the islands.
Details
Overview
Itinerary Highlights
- Spot sharks and sea lions in the crystalline waters in Gardener Bay
- Visit Post Office Bay to drop off your letter and find a few to deliver
Itinerary in Brief
- Day 1: Airport / Tijeretas Hill / Int.Center
- Day 2: Bahia Gardner / Punta Suarez
- Day 3: Cormorant Point / Post Office Bay
- Day 4: Charles Darwin Station / Airport
Travelling with Eclipse
Peace of Mind
- Eclipse Travel is Australian owned and run, and an ATAS accredited travel agent.
- 24/7 emergency numbers and local contacts provided for support while you’re abroad.
- We provide all the information you need to organise your visas and vaccinations, making travel preparation stress-free.
- No currency surcharges. Once your deposit is paid, your price is guaranteed.
Specialists
- Our consultants are true destination experts, with firsthand experience and extensive travel in the regions we offer.
- Expect quick, professional responses and dedicated service from our knowledgeable team.
- We conduct regular checks on destinations, hotels, and services to ensure quality for every trip.
Authentic Travel
- Tailor-made itineraries designed around your unique requirements.
- Freedom to select your preferred style and standard of accommodation.
- Unique itineraries that take you beyond the major highlights, immersing you in each location.
- Committed to responsible travel: we reinvest in the environment and local communities across our destinations.
Day 1: Airport / Tijeretas Hill / Int.Center
San Cristóbal
Catch an early flight to San Cristóbal Island. In the afternoon, visit Tijeretas, a great viewpoint and our first wildlife encounter. Learn about the origins of the Galapagos at the Interpretation Center.
Interpretation Center Visit (PM)
San Cristóbal Island (1h-2h)
Learn about the history of the Galápagos Islands from the very beginning of their volcanic origins through to today’s conservation efforts. Tour the Human History exhibit to learn about the islands’ discovery and colonization, and discover the natural history and variety of flora and fauna that make the
Galápagos so fascinating.
Tijeretas Hill (PM)
This hill bears its name thanks to the frigate birds as “Tijeretas” is how people locally call them. Here we will enjoy from a great view of beautiful landscapes at the foot of a frigate bird nesting colony.
Day 2: Bahia Gardner / Punta Suarez
Enjoy the day on Española Island, one of the oldest in the archipelago. Visit the white sandy beach of Gardner Bay's and the bird colonies of Punta Suárez.
Arriving at Gardner Bay's in the morning, spend the day exploring on shore and snorkelling at Gardner Island in the bay. After lunch, sail to the western side of the islands to Punta Suárez, known for its amazing bird colonies and home to the waved albatross (April and December).
Gardner Bay Visit (AM)
Bahía Gardner (1h-3h)
Visit Gardner Bay's magnificent white sandy beach, home to sea lions and sea birds. Be sure to explore the beautiful turquoise water and its incredible sea life. Spot young sea lions and large schools of surprisingly big tropical fish, including yellow-tailed surgeonfish, king angelfish, and bump-head parrot fish.
Snorkelling (Gardner Bay) (AM)
Bahía Gardner (45m-1h)
Head to Tortuga Rock and Gardner Bay for a spectacular snorkelling experience. Spot playful young sea lions and large schools of tropical fish, including yellow-tailed surgeonfish, king angelfish, and bump-head parrot fish. Look for white-tipped reef sharks napping on the bottom.
Punta Suárez Visit (PM)
Visit Punta Suárez, one of most rich wildlife landing sites in the Galápagos. Be greeted by surfing young sea lions on arrival. Head to the trail to find many
species of nesting sea birds, and, if lucky, see the waved albatross. Follow the path up to a cliff for great views over the ocean, and watch sea birds gliding in the wind.
Day 3: Cormorant Point / Post Office Bay
Land at Punta Cormorant on Floreana. Guided walks to observe the bird and wildlife and learn about the natural history. Snorkelling excursion at Champion Islet. Visit Post Office Bay.
Punta Cormorant Visit (AM)
Floreana Island
Visit Punta Cormorant, the only landing site on Floreana Island, and discover two amazingly different beaches: one with green sand, coloured by olivine
crystals, and another with white sand particles known as 'Flour Beach'. Spend the afternoon observing flamingos and other shore birds feeding in the lagoon. Spot penguins and marine iguanas at the water’s edge, and explore the lava tubes with the Galápagos CEO.
Snorkelling (Champion Islet) (AM)
Champion Islet
Jump on in and get up close and personal with the playful sea lion colony that reside in the waters off this tiny island. Keep an eye out for sea turtles, rays and colourful fish swimming by. There can be currents in this area, this activity should be done by strong swimmers only.
Post Office Bay Visit (PM)
Floreana Island
Visit Post Office Bay and learn about its unique history. In the late 18th century, English whaling vessels placed a barrel here to be used as a post office. Today, the box is used mainly by tourists, who may drop off and pick up unstamped letters to be carried to far destinations. Continue the tradition – leave a letter and take one to deliver (be sure it makes it to the correct location)
Day 4: Charles Darwin Station / Airport
Baltra
Disembark in Puerto Ayora and visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to see the giant Galápagos tortoises. Fly back to mainland from Baltra airport.
Charles Darwin Research Station Visit (AM)
Puerto Ayora (45m)
Visit Fausto Llerena Breeding Center a great place to observe many species of tortoises and land iguanas in captivity. Brought back from the brink of extinction, see the famous Galápagos tortoise up close – a corral houses adult tortoises, and a nursery cares for the young until around age three when their shells have hardened. This area also houses the Charles Darwin Research Station, a scientific organization initiated in 1964, which works to preserve the Galápagos' ecosystem through the conservation efforts of scientists, researchers, and volunteers. While the offices themselves are not open to visitors, the research station provides a study location for international scientists and environmental education for the local community.
Next Departure Date: 20 Jan 2025
| Dates | Cabin | From | Special Offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 Jan 2025 - 23 Jan 2025 | USD$2395pp | ||
| Lower Deck Twin | USD$2395pp | Contact us | |
| Upper Deck Double | USD$2595pp | Contact us | |
| Upper Deck Twin | USD$2595pp | Contact us | |
| 03 Feb 2025 - 06 Feb 2025 | USD$2395pp | ||
| 17 Feb 2025 - 20 Feb 2025 | USD$2395pp | ||
| 17 Mar 2025 - 20 Mar 2025 | USD$2395pp | ||
| 31 Mar 2025 - 03 Apr 2025 | USD$2395pp | ||
| 14 Apr 2025 - 17 Apr 2025 | USD$2350pp | ||
| 28 Apr 2025 - 01 May 2025 | USD$2350pp | ||
| 26 May 2025 - 29 May 2025 | USD$2350pp | ||
| 09 Jun 2025 - 12 Jun 2025 | USD$2350pp | ||
| 23 Jun 2025 - 26 Jun 2025 | USD$2350pp | ||
| 07 Jul 2025 - 10 Jul 2025 | USD$2395pp | ||
| 21 Jul 2025 - 24 Jul 2025 | USD$2395pp | ||
| 04 Aug 2025 - 07 Aug 2025 | USD$2395pp | ||
| 13 Oct 2025 - 16 Oct 2025 | USD$2395pp | ||
| 27 Oct 2025 - 30 Oct 2025 | USD$2395pp | ||
| 10 Nov 2025 - 13 Nov 2025 | USD$2395pp | ||
| 24 Nov 2025 - 27 Nov 2025 | USD$2350pp | ||
| 08 Dec 2025 - 11 Dec 2025 | USD$2395pp |
**Prices are per person based on twin / shared accommodation.
**Single supplements may apply
Cabin Details
Upper Deck Twin
2 single beds, air conditioning, private bathroom with shower and hot water & hairdryer.
Lower Deck Twin
2 single beds, air conditioning, private bathroom with shower and hot water & hairdryer.
Lower Deck Triple
1 single bed and 1 bunk bed, air conditioning, private bathroom with shower and hot water & hairdryer.
Upper Deck Double
• With large windows overlooking the ocean
• Non – Shaded relaxing area (Observation deck)
Monserrat Deckplan
Specifications
- Year Built: 2005
- Year Refurbished: 2016
- Length: 30 metres
- Width: 9.5 metres
- Cruise Speed: 10 knots
- Max speed: 12 knots
- Voltage and Plugs: 110V with North American flat plugs
- Zodiacs: 2
Whats included?
- Accommodation in double cabin
- Fuel Surcharge.
- All meals on board.
- All activities and excursions as depicted in the itineraries in company of a bilingual naturalist guide.
- Snorkeling equipment.
- Purified water, tea, coffee
- Assistance at the airport for flight to Galapagos on departure dates
- Kayak
- Stand up Paddleboards
- Wetsuits
What’s not included?
- Air ticket to and from Galapagos (Subject to change).
- Galápagos National Park fee: US$200 per person
- Transit control card: US$20 per person
- Alcoholic and non - alcoholic beverages.
- Gratuities to guides and crew
- Personals expenses.
- Travel insurance.
Price Assurance
At Eclipse Travel, our expert destination knowledge and decades of travel planning experience come at no extra cost to you. While many think booking through a tour operator is more expensive than planning a trip independently, that’s not the case. We’re paid by our travel partners—such as hotels, activity operators, and cruise providers—via commissions, not by our clients.
Our team negotiates the best rates for you and ensures you receive unbiased advice, with no preference for any particular supplier. In fact, where we secure higher commissions, we often pass the savings on to you, giving us a competitive price edge.
Additionally, we lock in exchange rates at the time of your deposit, ensuring no surprise costs when it’s time for final payment. You can rest easy knowing we’ll handle the details with our suppliers. The only exceptions are national park fee increases or fuel surcharges imposed after your booking, though these are rare.
Take advantage of our team’s expertise and let us help you plan the perfect holiday—hassle-free!
Destination: Galapagos
This once in a lifetime destination is a nature lovers dream. Watch the famous Galapagos tortoises and blue footed boobies in the morning and snorkel with sea lions in the afternoon, then relax on your cruise to the next destination tomorrow!
Downloadable travel guide
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