The MV Origin and MV Theory are dream boats, blending the best of tasteful design and decor, luxury amenities, and environmental sustainability. These ships were built based on years of feedback from past participants. Its custom design is ideal for Galapagos excursions.
Two experienced English-speaking naturalist guides attend to the details of your Galapagos cruise. Each naturalist takes a group of no more than ten passengers on all shore excursions and shares extensive insights into the islands’ diverse wildlife. Stable rubber boats (Zodiacs), known locally as pangas, ferry passengers to shore for island visits. These week-long, comprehensive itineraries visit the islands’ most spectacular sites to witness the unique plants and animals that have made these islands famous.
Two itineraries are offered to adhere to touring regulations established by the Galapagos National Park and Marine Reserve to limit tourist visits for the islands’ health and recovery. Take your pick between this and its companion tour of northern islands, based on your preferences and your dates, or if you want the complete Galapagos experience and have the time, take both!
Each deluxe double stateroom has panoramic windows with breathtaking views of the ocean. All of the rooms are fully air-conditioned, and all cabins have private bath facilities. Amenities include plush towels, soaps, safe deposit box, Apple TV with preloaded movies, wifi, expresso machine and tea kettle in each room. Two cabins have interconnecting doors and two cabins can accommodate triples, making it ideal for families. Enjoy sea breezes, sunny days, and starlit nights on lounge chairs and recliners located on the sun deck and observation points. Snorkeling equipment, custom wet suits, and sea kayaks are all available at no additional cost.
During the months of June, July, August, and December, this ship offers special Galapagos departures for families with kids in elementary school and up.
Read More
Great For
Wildlife
Escaping Civilization
Traveling in Style
Swimming side by side with pacific green sea turtles, marine iguanas, Galápagos penguins, sea lions, schools of yellow-tailed surgeonfish, octopuses, and a variety of sea stars was spectacular. Being able to enter the realm they’ve adapted to instead of seeing them on land gives one an entirely different understanding of the animals of the archipelago.
Ryan G.
Arrive in either Quito or Guayaquil, Ecuador, where you will be met and transferred to your local hotel.
Quito is located in a huge valley of the Andes mountains at an altitude of 9,455 feet; it’s a great place to extend your stay to explore the city, the surrounding volcanic mountain range, or possibly an excursion to the fabled Otavalo market.
Guayaquil is Ecuador’s largest city; with its low elevation and coastal location, it is an ideal point from which to fly to the Galapagos. The city’s 1.5-mile waterfront Malecon 2000 riverfront promenade is a lovely and enjoyable place to spend an afternoon.
Meals
None
Lodging
Your choice (not included in trip rate)
BDay 2Quito or Guayaquil
Today is a free day to spend at your leisure. We can suggest and help you book tours in either Quito or Guayaquil (tours are not included in trip rate.)
Quito city tour: Stroll down cobblestone streets and through flowering plazas. Visit the old colonial center of Independence Square, the elegant cathedrals of San Francisco, La Compañía, and San Agustín, Quito’s oldest monastery. Drive through the residential section and past the Legislative Palace (Congress). Panecillo Hill overlooks the city and snow-capped mountains.
Guayaquil city tour: A must-see stop is Malecon 2000, an 80-million-dollar riverside complex built along a two-mile stretch of the Guayas River. The waterfront promenade features restaurants, cafes, shops, and museums with art exhibitions as well as free weekend jazz and classical music concerts. Drive through the colorful streets of one of Ecuador’s most important port cities. Visit the Public Market, the waterfront, the docks, and Simon Bolivar Park, which is famous for its tree iguanas. Also, admire the watchtower, La Rotonda, Old Santa Ana Fort, and Las Penas, a charming colonial section of town frequented by artists.
Meals
Breakfast
Lodging
Your choice (not included in trip rate)
CDay 3San Cristobal / Cerro Colorado
The moment you’ve been waiting for—arrive in the Galapagos!
In the morning, you will be transferred to the airport to collect your tickets for your flight to the islands. Upon arrival at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Cristobal Island, the crew will escort you to your anchored yacht.
After the welcome briefing, buffet lunch, and safety drill, travel by bus to the southern shore to visit La Galapaguera Cerro Colorado. Here, the National Park has established a breeding program for the giant land tortoises that you will encounter living in their natural habitat. Learn about their origin, evolution and threats at the information center for visitors.
Along the trail, look for the San Cristobal (Chatham) mockingbird, lava lizard and Calandrinia plant that are endemic to this island. Back on board, join your fellow yacht mates for your island briefing and the Captain’s welcome cocktail party and dinner.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
MV Origin
DDay 4San Cristobal / Cerro Brujo / Punta Pitt
This morning, visit the northeast tip of San Cristobal, Punta Pitt. See a tuff formation that serves as a nesting site for many sea birds including all three types of boobies (Blue footed, Nazca and Red-footed boobies), both Frigate species, swallow-tailed gulls, Storm petrels and a colony of sea lions. Punta Pitt is considered to be a first class site for birds and on par with Genovesa (Tower) Island. Enjoy a walk, then enhance your day with a Zodiac ride, kayaking, or snorkeling from the beach.
Later arrive at Cerro Brujo, a breathtaking white coral beach, considered one of the most spectacular in Galapagos and great for a peaceful walk with expansive views and good bird watching.You may choose to snorkel or kayak from the beach, or swim with the sea lions. Return to the yacht for a briefing followed by dinner.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
MV Origin
EDay 5Espanola / Punta Suarez / Gardner Bay
This morning is a dry landing at Punta Suarez, Espanola, where you will find the greatest number of endemic species in all of the Galapagos!
Sea lions noisily greet you as we land on their beach. Curious Hood Mockingbirds peck at your shoelaces. From April to November, the waved albatrosses, found only on Espanola, perform their wild mating ritual. Colonies of Blue-footed boobies engage in “sky-pointing” to show off for potential mates. Nazca boobies busily care for their young. Stunning swallow-tailed gulls, the only nocturnal gulls in the world, are all around. Red-billed tropicbirds take shelter under the cliffs. You will also find Darwin’s finches, Galapagos doves, and Galapagos hawks, observe a unique species of marine iguana identified with traces of red and green colorings, and spy colorful Sally lightfoot crabs crawling along the shoreline near the famous “blow hole.”
In the afternoon, following a wet landing on Gardner Bay, Espanola, walk along seemingly endless stretches of this white sandy beach where you’ll find large colonies of sea lions. There is no trail to follow, so this is a chance to explore. You may find a Galapagos Hawk, Darwin’s Finches, and Hood Mockingbirds. Swim with sea lions right from the beach, explore by kayak, or just relax. There’s an excellent snorkeling site off Gardner Islet with a colorful diversity of sea life near Tortuga Rock, where snorkelers can explore caves covered with invertebrates.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
MV Origin
FDay 6Floreana / Punta Cormorant / P.O. Bay
This morning, step ashore at Punta Cormorant, Floreana, one of the few populated islands in the Galapagos. Floreana’s history is rich with mystery and intrigue. Set foot on a green-sand beach alive with the sounds of sea lions. Follow a trail to a brackish lagoon, home to pintail ducks, common stilts, and the pinkest flamingos in the world. Wind your way past a rich variety of plants, including Morning Glory, Cut-leaf Daisies, Palo Verdes, and Scalesia, leading to a beach with powder-soft sand where sea turtles lay their eggs in the sand dunes and rays swim in the shallow water.
After the walk, you’ll have an opportunity to snorkel at Devil’s Crown, a shallow sunken crater colonized by a brilliant array of colorful fish and coral. In the afternoon, visit Post Office Bay, probably one of the most famous human sites in the Galapagos. Here, 18th century English whalers placed a barrel that was used to as a primitive post office for mail between the Galapagos and their homeland. You are invited to continue tradition by leaving your outbound postcard(s) here, and to pick up any mail bound for your hometown to hand-deliver when you get back.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
MV Origin
GDay 7Santa Cruz / Highlands / Puerto Ayora
This morning, disembark in port and travel by bus to the highlands of Santa Cruz Island. The scenery gradually changes as you wind your way through all seven vegetation zones found in Galapagos. Here, visit the tortoise reserve at “Las Primicias,” one of the private farms in the highlands where you’ll encounter giant tortoises in their natural habitat. Also visit Los Gemelos, Spanish for “The Twins,” a pair of large pit craters where you’ll find the bright red male vermilion flycatcher.
Later, visit the Centro de Crianza Fausto Lierena (formerly the Charles Darwin Research Station). See all three tortoise corrals and the breeding center, with new hatchlings and miniature tortoises not yet ready to be repatriated. Scientists from all over the globe work at the station and conduct biological research from anatomy to zoology. Stop at Van Straelen Hall where there are exhibits and a presentation. Visitors can see the tortoise and land iguana corrals. Puerto Ayora is the social heart of the islands with the largest population of 24,000. This evening, you have the option to return to your yacht for a buffet dinner or remain in town on your own account. Those who return to the yacht are provided zodiacs and the option to head back to town to shop for souvenirs, watch a soccer game, or stop at a pub or internet café.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
MV Origin
HDay 8Bartolome / Sombrero Chino
This morning visit Bartolome, where it seems like you are walking on the moon, as this young island is inhospitable to most plants and animals. After a dry landing, take a brisk 30-minute climb up a wooden stairway that leads to the summit of a once-active volcano. Along the way, pause to marvel at lava bombs, spatter cones, and cinder cones. From the top of the stairs, gaze out across the island for a panoramic view, including “Pinnacle Rock,” an eroded tuff cone. Crystal clear water is an invitation to snorkel from the beach or Zodiac with schools of tropical fish and Galapagos Penguins.
In the afternoon, visit Las Bachas, which is Spanish for “barges.” There is a long stretch of a soft white sand beach and interior lagoon where you’ll find the Greater Flamingo. This is also a wonderful chance to snorkel from the beach. Located off the southern tip of Santiago is the small island of Sombrero Chino, or the “Chinese Hat,” which gets its name from its shape. After a wet beach landing with a sea lion colony, the trail gives way to a primeval landscape of volcanic rubble including cracked lava tubes. You will find marine iguanas and pairs of oystercatchers, as well as a snorkeling site that is frequented by Galapagos Penguins.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
MV Origin
IDay 9South Plaza / North Seymore
This morning, visit South Plaza, a small geological uplift with tall cliffs offering spectacular views. From a dry landing, the trails lead through prickly pear cactus (Opuntia) and Sesuvium. Here you will find the Galapagos land iguana feeding on the cactus leaves. Toward the end of the hill, you encounter a colony of bachelor sea lions. The dominant bulls are in various stages of recovery from battles lost over prime beach territory. You may also find swallow-tailed gulls, shearwaters, and red-billed tropicbirds, all of which build their nests along the cliffs.
You have a dry landing at North Seymore, a small geological uplift. There, you follow a trail that leads to Swallow-tailed gulls, Blue-footed boobies and the endemic Land iguanas. Visit the largest colony of Magnificent Frigate birds found in Galapagos. As you stroll along the beach, find marine iguanas and sea lions body surfing the northern swells. After the walk there is a snorkeling opportunity offered in deep water. Return to the yacht for the Captain’s Farewell cocktail party and dinner, as well as a special slide show presentation by your guides.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
MV Origin
JDay 10San Cristobal / Quito or Guayaquil
After breakfast on board, say goodbye and disembark the ship, then visit the Interpretation Center, opened on San Cristobal Island in 1999. This is an excellent place to gain a more complete understanding of the natural and human history of the islands. Afterwards, spend time exploring the port before heading to the airport for your Aerogal flight back to the mainland.
Depending on your flight schedule, you may catch a late evening flight home today, or head to your hotel to rest before your flight home tomorrow.
Meals
Breakfast
Lodging
Your choice (not included in trip price)
KDay 11Quito or Guayaquil / Onward
If you have time before your flight, enjoy a city tour or poolside relaxation at your hotel before transferring to the airport for your departure.
Meals
Breakfast
Anticipated plan; actual route and program may vary.
Dates & Price
Dates
Customized for you on your dates, or join a group on the following dates:
Cruise departs every Sunday until at least December 25, 2022. Recommend a US departure on a Friday.
Best Time of Year to Visit
j
f
m
a
m
j
j
a
s
o
n
d
Ideal
Unpredictable
Not Recommended
Not Offered
The MV Origin and MV Theory are dream boats, blending the best of tasteful design and decor, luxury amenities, and environmental sustainability. These ships were built based on years of feedback from past participants. Its custom design is ideal for Galapagos excursions.
Two experienced English-speaking naturalist guides attend to the details of your Galapagos cruise. Each naturalist takes a group of no more than ten passengers on all shore excursions and shares extensive insights into the islands’ diverse wildlife. Stable rubber boats (Zodiacs), known locally as pangas, ferry passengers to shore for island visits. These week-long, comprehensive itineraries visit the islands’ most spectacular sites to witness the unique plants and animals that have made these islands famous.
Two itineraries are offered to adhere to touring regulations established by the Galapagos National Park and Marine Reserve to limit tourist visits for the islands’ health and recovery. Take your pick between this and its companion tour of northern islands, based on your preferences and your dates, or if you want the complete Galapagos experience and have the time, take both!
Each deluxe double stateroom has panoramic windows with breathtaking views of the ocean. All of the rooms are fully air-conditioned, and all cabins have private bath facilities. Amenities include plush towels, soaps, safe deposit box, Apple TV with preloaded movies, wifi, expresso machine and tea kettle in each room. Two cabins have interconnecting doors and two cabins can accommodate triples, making it ideal for families. Enjoy sea breezes, sunny days, and starlit nights on lounge chairs and recliners located on the sun deck and observation points. Snorkeling equipment, custom wet suits, and sea kayaks are all available at no additional cost.
During the months of June, July, August, and December, this ship offers special Galapagos departures for families with kids in elementary school and up.
Arrive in either Quito or Guayaquil, Ecuador, where you will be met and transferred to your local hotel.
Quito is located in a huge valley of the Andes mountains at an altitude of 9,455 feet; it’s a great place to extend your stay to explore the city, the surrounding volcanic mountain range, or possibly an excursion to the fabled Otavalo market.
Guayaquil is Ecuador’s largest city; with its low elevation and coastal location, it is an ideal point from which to fly to the Galapagos. The city’s 1.5-mile waterfront Malecon 2000 riverfront promenade is a lovely and enjoyable place to spend an afternoon.
Meals
None
Lodging
Your choice (not included in trip rate)
BDay 2Quito or Guayaquil
Today is a free day to spend at your leisure. We can suggest and help you book tours in either Quito or Guayaquil (tours are not included in trip rate.)
Quito city tour: Stroll down cobblestone streets and through flowering plazas. Visit the old colonial center of Independence Square, the elegant cathedrals of San Francisco, La Compañía, and San Agustín, Quito’s oldest monastery. Drive through the residential section and past the Legislative Palace (Congress). Panecillo Hill overlooks the city and snow-capped mountains.
Guayaquil city tour: A must-see stop is Malecon 2000, an 80-million-dollar riverside complex built along a two-mile stretch of the Guayas River. The waterfront promenade features restaurants, cafes, shops, and museums with art exhibitions as well as free weekend jazz and classical music concerts. Drive through the colorful streets of one of Ecuador’s most important port cities. Visit the Public Market, the waterfront, the docks, and Simon Bolivar Park, which is famous for its tree iguanas. Also, admire the watchtower, La Rotonda, Old Santa Ana Fort, and Las Penas, a charming colonial section of town frequented by artists.
Meals
Breakfast
Lodging
Your choice (not included in trip rate)
CDay 3San Cristobal / Cerro Colorado
The moment you’ve been waiting for—arrive in the Galapagos!
In the morning, you will be transferred to the airport to collect your tickets for your flight to the islands. Upon arrival at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Cristobal Island, the crew will escort you to your anchored yacht.
After the welcome briefing, buffet lunch, and safety drill, travel by bus to the southern shore to visit La Galapaguera Cerro Colorado. Here, the National Park has established a breeding program for the giant land tortoises that you will encounter living in their natural habitat. Learn about their origin, evolution and threats at the information center for visitors.
Along the trail, look for the San Cristobal (Chatham) mockingbird, lava lizard and Calandrinia plant that are endemic to this island. Back on board, join your fellow yacht mates for your island briefing and the Captain’s welcome cocktail party and dinner.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
MV Origin
DDay 4San Cristobal / Cerro Brujo / Punta Pitt
This morning, visit the northeast tip of San Cristobal, Punta Pitt. See a tuff formation that serves as a nesting site for many sea birds including all three types of boobies (Blue footed, Nazca and Red-footed boobies), both Frigate species, swallow-tailed gulls, Storm petrels and a colony of sea lions. Punta Pitt is considered to be a first class site for birds and on par with Genovesa (Tower) Island. Enjoy a walk, then enhance your day with a Zodiac ride, kayaking, or snorkeling from the beach.
Later arrive at Cerro Brujo, a breathtaking white coral beach, considered one of the most spectacular in Galapagos and great for a peaceful walk with expansive views and good bird watching.You may choose to snorkel or kayak from the beach, or swim with the sea lions. Return to the yacht for a briefing followed by dinner.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
MV Origin
EDay 5Espanola / Punta Suarez / Gardner Bay
This morning is a dry landing at Punta Suarez, Espanola, where you will find the greatest number of endemic species in all of the Galapagos!
Sea lions noisily greet you as we land on their beach. Curious Hood Mockingbirds peck at your shoelaces. From April to November, the waved albatrosses, found only on Espanola, perform their wild mating ritual. Colonies of Blue-footed boobies engage in “sky-pointing” to show off for potential mates. Nazca boobies busily care for their young. Stunning swallow-tailed gulls, the only nocturnal gulls in the world, are all around. Red-billed tropicbirds take shelter under the cliffs. You will also find Darwin’s finches, Galapagos doves, and Galapagos hawks, observe a unique species of marine iguana identified with traces of red and green colorings, and spy colorful Sally lightfoot crabs crawling along the shoreline near the famous “blow hole.”
In the afternoon, following a wet landing on Gardner Bay, Espanola, walk along seemingly endless stretches of this white sandy beach where you’ll find large colonies of sea lions. There is no trail to follow, so this is a chance to explore. You may find a Galapagos Hawk, Darwin’s Finches, and Hood Mockingbirds. Swim with sea lions right from the beach, explore by kayak, or just relax. There’s an excellent snorkeling site off Gardner Islet with a colorful diversity of sea life near Tortuga Rock, where snorkelers can explore caves covered with invertebrates.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
MV Origin
FDay 6Floreana / Punta Cormorant / P.O. Bay
This morning, step ashore at Punta Cormorant, Floreana, one of the few populated islands in the Galapagos. Floreana’s history is rich with mystery and intrigue. Set foot on a green-sand beach alive with the sounds of sea lions. Follow a trail to a brackish lagoon, home to pintail ducks, common stilts, and the pinkest flamingos in the world. Wind your way past a rich variety of plants, including Morning Glory, Cut-leaf Daisies, Palo Verdes, and Scalesia, leading to a beach with powder-soft sand where sea turtles lay their eggs in the sand dunes and rays swim in the shallow water.
After the walk, you’ll have an opportunity to snorkel at Devil’s Crown, a shallow sunken crater colonized by a brilliant array of colorful fish and coral. In the afternoon, visit Post Office Bay, probably one of the most famous human sites in the Galapagos. Here, 18th century English whalers placed a barrel that was used to as a primitive post office for mail between the Galapagos and their homeland. You are invited to continue tradition by leaving your outbound postcard(s) here, and to pick up any mail bound for your hometown to hand-deliver when you get back.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
MV Origin
GDay 7Santa Cruz / Highlands / Puerto Ayora
This morning, disembark in port and travel by bus to the highlands of Santa Cruz Island. The scenery gradually changes as you wind your way through all seven vegetation zones found in Galapagos. Here, visit the tortoise reserve at “Las Primicias,” one of the private farms in the highlands where you’ll encounter giant tortoises in their natural habitat. Also visit Los Gemelos, Spanish for “The Twins,” a pair of large pit craters where you’ll find the bright red male vermilion flycatcher.
Later, visit the Centro de Crianza Fausto Lierena (formerly the Charles Darwin Research Station). See all three tortoise corrals and the breeding center, with new hatchlings and miniature tortoises not yet ready to be repatriated. Scientists from all over the globe work at the station and conduct biological research from anatomy to zoology. Stop at Van Straelen Hall where there are exhibits and a presentation. Visitors can see the tortoise and land iguana corrals. Puerto Ayora is the social heart of the islands with the largest population of 24,000. This evening, you have the option to return to your yacht for a buffet dinner or remain in town on your own account. Those who return to the yacht are provided zodiacs and the option to head back to town to shop for souvenirs, watch a soccer game, or stop at a pub or internet café.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
MV Origin
HDay 8Bartolome / Sombrero Chino
This morning visit Bartolome, where it seems like you are walking on the moon, as this young island is inhospitable to most plants and animals. After a dry landing, take a brisk 30-minute climb up a wooden stairway that leads to the summit of a once-active volcano. Along the way, pause to marvel at lava bombs, spatter cones, and cinder cones. From the top of the stairs, gaze out across the island for a panoramic view, including “Pinnacle Rock,” an eroded tuff cone. Crystal clear water is an invitation to snorkel from the beach or Zodiac with schools of tropical fish and Galapagos Penguins.
In the afternoon, visit Las Bachas, which is Spanish for “barges.” There is a long stretch of a soft white sand beach and interior lagoon where you’ll find the Greater Flamingo. This is also a wonderful chance to snorkel from the beach. Located off the southern tip of Santiago is the small island of Sombrero Chino, or the “Chinese Hat,” which gets its name from its shape. After a wet beach landing with a sea lion colony, the trail gives way to a primeval landscape of volcanic rubble including cracked lava tubes. You will find marine iguanas and pairs of oystercatchers, as well as a snorkeling site that is frequented by Galapagos Penguins.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
MV Origin
IDay 9South Plaza / North Seymore
This morning, visit South Plaza, a small geological uplift with tall cliffs offering spectacular views. From a dry landing, the trails lead through prickly pear cactus (Opuntia) and Sesuvium. Here you will find the Galapagos land iguana feeding on the cactus leaves. Toward the end of the hill, you encounter a colony of bachelor sea lions. The dominant bulls are in various stages of recovery from battles lost over prime beach territory. You may also find swallow-tailed gulls, shearwaters, and red-billed tropicbirds, all of which build their nests along the cliffs.
You have a dry landing at North Seymore, a small geological uplift. There, you follow a trail that leads to Swallow-tailed gulls, Blue-footed boobies and the endemic Land iguanas. Visit the largest colony of Magnificent Frigate birds found in Galapagos. As you stroll along the beach, find marine iguanas and sea lions body surfing the northern swells. After the walk there is a snorkeling opportunity offered in deep water. Return to the yacht for the Captain’s Farewell cocktail party and dinner, as well as a special slide show presentation by your guides.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
MV Origin
JDay 10San Cristobal / Quito or Guayaquil
After breakfast on board, say goodbye and disembark the ship, then visit the Interpretation Center, opened on San Cristobal Island in 1999. This is an excellent place to gain a more complete understanding of the natural and human history of the islands. Afterwards, spend time exploring the port before heading to the airport for your Aerogal flight back to the mainland.
Depending on your flight schedule, you may catch a late evening flight home today, or head to your hotel to rest before your flight home tomorrow.
Meals
Breakfast
Lodging
Your choice (not included in trip price)
KDay 11Quito or Guayaquil / Onward
If you have time before your flight, enjoy a city tour or poolside relaxation at your hotel before transferring to the airport for your departure.
Meals
Breakfast
Anticipated plan; actual route and program may vary.
Costs are for cruise only; hotels and tours before and after cruise are not included. Discounts available for children, please inquire. (See “Need to Know” section below for details.) Fuel surcharge may apply.
Prices are per person, for 8-day Cruise only.
Please see below for additional costs.
2018 & 2019 Rates for The Origin:
FIT RATES: 8 DAY/ 7 NIGHTS (rates are per person)
7 NIGHTS DOUBLE TRIPLE SINGLE
Beagle $ 7850 $7650 $13735
Additional costs:
$120 National Park entry fee & tourist card
$580 Quito/Galapagos/Quito airfare
Hotel packages: hotel 3 nights, transfers & city tour; or hotel 2 nights and transfers; inquire for costs
International airfare estimate: $900-$1300
Fuel Surcharge may apply
About the ship
M/V Origin is a tasteful luxury small boat. A seasoned captain, 14 dedicated crewmembers, and 2 experienced English-speaking naturalist guides attend to the details of your Galapagos cruise. Each naturalist takes a group of no more than 10 passengers on all shore excursions and shares extensive insights into the Islands’ diverse wildlife. Small wooden boats, locally called pangas, ferry passengers to shore for island visits.
The MV Origin made her debut on February 28, 2016, in the Galapagos Islands. Custom designed for fuel efficiency, the yacht was constructed using the latest technology and a lighter-weight steel, without compromising rigidity or safety. Built for maximum stability and speed to provide a smooth voyage, it has an innovative curved bow to cut through waves and an underwater bulbous keel to reduce friction. This creates less drag and further improves fuel efficiency by 30 percent while maintaining a cruising speed of 12 knots, allowing the Origin to reduce navigation time between islands and anchor earlier at each destination, giving passengers more time to explore on shore.
The Origin was also designed to conserve water and minimize water pollution through the installation of dual-flush ecological marine toilets and an onboard treatment plant that filters 10,000 liters per day instead of disposing of grey water into the ocean.
Each deluxe double stateroom measures 145 square feet and has panoramic windows with breathtaking views of the ocean. Two twin beds can be converted to a King size bed. Individual climate control, fine bed linens, and both memory-foam and soft pillows ensure a comfortable night’s sleep, while nightstands and an ample sectional closet provide plenty of space for storing personal items.
Each cabin has a private bathroom with a dual-flush toilet, a sink, and a modern rainfall shower with ocean views. Plush towels, waffle bathrobes, slippers, hair dryers, and biodegradable hand soap, body wash, shampoo and conditioner are provided.
Additional amenities include a vanity nook with a stool and lighted mirror, Apple TV with preloaded movies, a universal docking station, and a safe deposit box. Cabins are cleaned twice daily, and a light laundry service is available. There is a personal Espresso machine and tea kettle set up in every cabin.
All staterooms are located on the main (Beagle) deck. Two cabins have interconnecting doors, and two cabins can accommodate triples.
Please note that this trip operates under different payment and cancellation policies than those described in our complete Terms & Conditions as noted on our website and elsewhere. Please review the complete Terms & Conditions prior to submitting a deposit.
Expenses covered
Normally, our stated land costs include the cost of all guides, leaders, permits obtained after arrival, lodging accommodations, food and entry fees as specified, and all surface transportation associated with the planned itinerary. We do our best to avoid increasing prices after receipt of your deposit, but, rarely, factors beyond our control might require us to change our prices without prior notice, even after you have signed up.
Expenses not covered
Costs not included in the price may include: meals not indicated as included in itineraries; meals prior to arrival in starting cities; transfers, if not arriving or departing on the scheduled group flights; soft drinks, bottled water, and alcoholic beverages; medical expenses, costs of hospitalization, or evacuation from remote areas; laundry; airport departure taxes not included on your airline ticket; accommodations en route to starting cities; visas; airfares; gratuities; and insurance.
Payment and Deposit Schedule
For reservations requiring 1-2 cabins, a deposit of 30% of the cabin cost is due per person. Balance is due 90 days prior to departure. For reservations requiring 3 or more cabins, a deposit of 30% of the cabin cost is due per person. A second deposit of 30% of the cabin cost is due per person 180 days prior to departure and final payment for is due 90 days prior to departure. All payments are NON-REFUNDABLE. All payments are subject to cancellation if payments are not received by the due dates. Airlines require full payment when tickets are issued. All payments may be made by Visa, Master Card, American Express, or check, and the Reservation Form may be submitted via our website. *HOLIDAY departures require an increased deposit of 40% from the regular terms and conditions.
Airfare
We can help you secure air travel arrangements to correspond with land travel booked through Journeys International. We work with an airfare consolidator to assist in booking the flights that suit your needs. If you decide to make your own flight arrangements, you must provide Journeys International with a complete copy of your itinerary showing departure and arrival flights and times. You should plan to arrange your own air travel if you are using mileage credit or originating outside North America, but please be in touch with our office before you finalize ticketing so that we can help you to coordinate the correct arrival and departure dates and times.
Insurance
When you make your reservation, we strongly recommend the purchase of comprehensive travel insurance in case of emergency situations. Please contact us for a recommended policy.
Itinerary Change Fee
There will be a $40 fee for changes once an itinerary has been confirmed and approved. Additional cancellation penalties or change fees may apply as per our terms and conditions. The passenger is responsible for such fees.
Duration 11 Days
The number of days, or duration, in a destination corresponds with the itinerary as published. For the Galapagos, the land cost is actually the per person cabin cost. The cost of the additional nights in Quito or Guayaquil, are not included.
Group Size 20
The stated range indicates minimum required for guaranteed departure and maximum accepted on the scheduled dates. Exceptions can often be made for private departures.
Comfort Level
Deluxe
Delightful motor yacht
Activity Level
Active
Walking and hikes, some over rough terrain, wet and dry shore landings from Zodiacs
Why Journeys International
Our purpose is to understand the journey you are on – not just the vacation you want to take – and to help you on your way.
We are here to help you plan the trip that will move you closer to your goals and help you fulfill your dreams.
We are here to help you plan a more inspiring, more provocative, more breathtaking, more transformational adventure.
We say “adventure” and not “trip” because, for us, a trip is just going someplace else, but an adventure is an experience that takes you someplace beyond your comfort zone – and therefore maximizes the potential for wonder, discovery, and potentially transformation.
Why trust Journeys to plan that kind of experience with you?
Journeys is an award-winning industry-leader with more than 40 years in business planning creative and thoughtful adventures in interesting places around the world
Our staff is professional and devoted, with adventure specialists in Ann Arbor and guides in the field who take pride in traveler satisfaction; many stay with us for decades
Our Ecological Code of Ethics has long stood as a model for others, and our Earth Preservation Fund puts our money where our mouth is
We go to the farthest corners of the earth – you’ll see some pretty remote destinations on our list, and if you want to challenge us with something new, we’ll likely be willing (though we’ll make sure you know if we’ve never experienced it firsthand)
We’re real people like you, starting with the real person who will answer the phone, right through the owner, Robin Pollak, who you can talk to any time you want (or even her parents, Joan & Will Weber, who started the company!)
We ask lots of questions and get to know you as well as possible to we can design the best experience for YOU
Your unique itinerary includes sites, accommodations, activities, and meetings with people hand selected for personal goals, passions, interests and abilities
Your personal adventure specialist stays with you from trip planning through departure to answer all your questions – promptly – and make sure every detail is handled so you are well prepared for your trip
Our partners on the ground in your destination will welcome you as a friend of a friend; we’ve been working with many of them for ages
We’re open and clear, and offer a complete picture of what you can expect while traveling. We don’t want to make an easy sale; we want to make an honest one.
24-hour emergency phone support while traveling
We’ll be excited to hear about the trip when you get back, and take all feedback seriously
Our travelers come back again and again, for five, ten, or more adventures — and they trust us enough to send their friends to us, too
We love what we do, and we love sharing our common passion with you.