Duration: 13 Jun 2024 - 23 Jun 2024

Location: Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

Price: €12,100

JGT’s Bucket List Trip

Galapagos Islands June 2025
with

10 Night Group Trip on Silversea’s brand new ship – Silver Origin.

Departs Dublin on 26 June 2025

Fly-stay-cruise from €11,700 pps

Travel with fellow Irish guests on this JGT “Bucket List” group!

Brand new “Silver Origin”
The first destination specific ship built by Silversea, Silver Origin is the height of experiential travel in the Galapagos. Never before have the islands been so superbly presented: a team of Ecuadorian national expert guides, the highest crew-to-guest ratio in the Galapagos, 8 Zodiacs, seamless hybrid spaces that offer an extraordinary voyage – for extraordinary people.

Prepare to be astounded. As you hike through otherworldly lava fields, snorkel in crystalline waters or set off on a Zodiac excursion, the creatures of the Galapagos will amaze you. Whether it is seeing lava lizards on land, manta rays underwater or petrels in the sky, the experiences you have in the Galapagos will change your perspective— just as it did Darwin’s. Made famous by David Attenborough’s series, the Galapagos has enthralled viewers around the world for years. You can experience this incredible beauty for yourself in the lap of luxury aboard Silversea’s brand new, deluxe expedition ship “Silver Origin”. Even though you are on an expedition to one of the most remote parts of the world, you can enjoy 5-star service, cuisine and surroundings, aboard this beautiful ship.

Itinerary

15 Ports, 1 Country – Ecuador

Dublin – Quito : Thursday 26 June 2025

Take an early morning flight with KLM via Amsterdam, arriving into Quito, Ecuador. You will be met and transferred to your 5 Star Hotel, where a room has been booked for you for the next two nights (B&B). The rest of the day will be at leisure to relax and get acquainted with Ecuador’s capital city.

Quito : Friday 27 June 2025

Breakfast at your hotel. Afterwards, enjoy our included tour “Quito by night”.

Lunch overlooking Quito

Quito – San Cristóbal, Galapagos : Saturday 28 June 2025

Take an early morning flight from Quito to San Cristobal. You will be met off the plane and whisked straight to the ship.

Like so many of the islands in the Galapagos, San Cristobal is formed by dormant volcanoes. It lies to the east of the archipelago and is one of the oldest islands in the group. Approximately 8,000 people live on the island, making their living from tourism, fishing, in government offices, or off the rich volcanic soils with some limited farming existing in the highlands. Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on the southwestern tip of the island is the capital city of the Galapagos Islands. A statue of Charles Darwin graces the harbor, marking one of the first places he likely stepped ashore in the 1830s.

Kicker Rock – Arrival 17:00

Kicker Rock is the vertical remnant of a former tuff cone less than 5 kilometers to the west of San Cristobal. Both its Spanish name “Leon Dormido” (Sleeping Lion) and English name Kicker Rock imply that it is one rock only -when in fact it is a larger one 300 meters long by 100 meters wide with a maximum height of approximately 150 meters and next to it an obelisk-like rock separated by a narrow channel some 20 meters deep. When approaching Kicker Rock, Blue-footed Boobies, Nazca Boobies and Frigate birds can be observed in the air, while sea lions can be seen along the shore. Snorkelers and divers have reported manta rays, hammerhead sharks and turtles. The Spanish name implies that the geological formation seen from the south resembles a sleeping lion. An interesting explanation for the English name suggests that James Colnett in 1794 likened it to famous landmarks in Portsmouth.

Galapagos : Sunday 29 June 2025

Isla Bartolome

Our ship anchors in sight of the volcanic moonscape of Isla Bartolomé, at Sullivan Bay. Zodiacs bring guests ashore to ascend a boardwalk of 388 steps. Passing through the arid volcanic landscape provides a chance to watch for Lava Lizards, Galapagos Hawks, and Blue-footed Boobies. However, the climber’s ultimate reward is one of the most beautiful panoramas in all of the Galapagos Islands – the view towards Pinnacle Rock with black, volcanic cones of Baltra, Daphne Major and Daphne Minor in the distance. On the way down watch how the sunlight catches the green of pioneering plant species in stark contrast against dark volcanic rock, and look forward to time swimming and snorkeling from the golden beach.

3 Included Shore Excursions: Zodiac Cruise with Silversea Expedition team, Hiking with Silversea Expedition team or Snorkeling with Silversea Expedition team

Buccaneer Cove – Arrival 12:00

Buccaneer Cove is a colourful inlet on Santiago or James Island. It owes its name to some of the first visitors to the area: pirates. They came searching for water, tortoises, and some people say even places to hide their treasures. We don’t know about any pirate’s gold, but the area’s landscape is a treasure. The geology combines some tuff red cones with impressive basalt lava dikes and sills. The erosion has carved caves and shaped some rocks into unique forms such as the Bishop’s Rock. Palo Santo trees and some giant Prickly pear cactus cover the area, and at a distance, you can observe the impressive volcanos of Isabela Island. We will explore the area from our Zodiacs, searching for sea birds such as Nazca Boobies, Blue Footed Boobies, and Swallow-tailed Gulls. We can often find sea turtles and even reef sharks in this place. Also, in Buccaneer Cove, we can observe the two sea lions species: the Galapagos sea lion basking on the beaches and the fur seal looking for shade on the collapsed rocks along the coast.

2 Included Shore Excursions: Zodiac Cruise with Silversea Expedition team or Kayaking with Silversea Expedition team

Galapagos : Monday 30 June 2025

Punta Vincente Roca

Punta Vicente Roca is one of the marine sites Isabela Island has to offer. On the southern side of Ecuador Volcano, the tip of land on the western end of Isabela is named after Vicente Ramon Roca, President of Ecuador from 1845-49, who as Prefect of Guayas had proposed the Ecuadorian annexation of the Galapagos Islands in 1831. The geological formations, the underwater caves and lava tubes offer fascinating views of the coastline. The South Equatorial Countercurrent hits this part of the archipelago from the west and the water offers abundant food sources for different marine life and seabirds. It is normal to see Pacific green turtles, but sharks, rays, whales and dolphins can also be expected, apart from a small colony of fur seals. Blue-footed Boobies, Nazca Boobies, Brown Noddies and other seabirds nest in the cliffs and both the endemic Galapagos Penguins and Flightless Cormorants have established small colonies nearby. Marine iguanas also like this area because of the rich variety of seaweeds growing underwater along the western coast of Isabela. As a marine site, deepwater snorkeling is also possible at Punta Vicente Roca.
2 Included Shore Excursions: Zodiac Cruise with Silversea Expedition team or Snorkeling with Silversea Expedition team

Punta Espinoza: Arrival 12:00

With the gentle slopes of La Cumbre volcano in the distance, the low, lava-forged coast of Punta Espinoza on Fernandina Island is a spectacular sight. Hundreds of marine iguanas rest on the black rock of recent lava flows absorbing heat from the stone and defending their territories against one another. Galapagos sea lions and their pups also take shelter here, resting on the beach and playing in the shallow tide pools sprinkled along the coast. Walk past high sandy areas where marine iguanas lay their eggs and along low, shallow mangrove ponds ringed with bright red Sally Lightfoot crabs and Flightless Cormorants drying their stubby wings in the sunshine.

1 Included Shore Excursion: Hiking with Silversea Expedition team

Galapagos : Tuesday 01 July 2025

Tagus Cove, Isabela

Tagus Cove, Isabela Island, is bordered by a steep rocky coastline and has for centuries offered shelter for ships and yachts. The cove is named after the British frigate HMS Tagus visiting the Galapagos in 1814. Already by the 1830s other ships had their visits recorded by painting or scratching their name onto the rocks. On approach Galapagos Penguins and Flightless Cormorants –both birds mainly found on Isabela’s west coast and neighboring Fernandina- are often seen. From the landing a trail through an incense tree forest leads past Darwin Lake to a viewpoint on top of a spatter cone. During the hike several land birds including Medium Ground-Finches, Galapagos Hawks, Yellow Warblers as well as Large-billed Flycatchers are often present. Brown Noddies and Blue-footed Boobies prefer the rocks along the shore.

4 Included Shore Excursions: Zodiac Cruise with Silversea Expedition team, Hiking with Silversea Expedition team, Kayaking with Silversea Expedition team or Snorkeling with Silversea Expedition team.

Elizabeth Bay, Isabela: Arrival 12:00

Elizabeth Bay is one of the marine sites on Isabela’s west coast. South of Alcedo Volcano and north of Sierra Negra, Elizabeth Bay is found at Isabela’s narrowest east-west extension where the lava flows of these two volcanoes have connected each other. Elizabeth Bay’s shores show mangroves and specifically the easternmost part, a cove which can only be entered via a narrow channel, has red, white and black mangroves. Different animals prefer different parts of Elizabeth Bay. Las Marielas, three rocks at the entrance to the bay, are favored by Blue-footed Boobies, Flightless Cormorants and Galapagos Penguins as a resting place, while the mangrove area is preferred by Great Blue Herons for hunting or the Magnificent Frigate birds for perching. The bay is used by turtles, rays and even sharks for feeding or resting. The shallow water and the root system of the mangroves in the small inlet allow smaller fish to hide from bigger predators.

1 Included Shore Excursion: Zodiac Cruise with Silversea Expedition team.

Galapagos : Wednesday 02 July 2025

Post Office Bay, Floreana

Floreana’s Post Office Bay has received its name as the site was used to leave mail for retrieval by others who were thought to stop at the Galapagos Islands or might be heading for the addressee’s direction. First mentioned by Porter in 1813 as “Hathaway’s Post office”, HMS Beagle’s captain Fitzroy stated that it was not in use in 1835 as the island was already settled at that time. Floreana had been the first island to be settled by Ecuadorians in 1832. Today a barrel instead of the original box is used by visitors who leave their own postcards and retrieve mail for hand-delivery. Apart from the beach and mail barrel the bay offers good swimming and snorkeling. The area holds remains of a failed Norwegian fish canning plant and settlement dating back to the 1920s. Although Floreana is inhabited, the number of residents is reduced because of the difficult access to water. A track from Post Office Bay connects with the only road from Puerto Velazco Ibarra on the west coast to a spring in the highlands.
4 Included Shore Excursions: Hiking with Silversea Expedition Team, Kayaking with Silversea Expedition team, Snorkeling with Silversea Expedition team or Expedition activities with Silversea Expedition team.

Champion Islet, Floreana: Arrival 12:00

Champion Islet is a small islet some 700 meters off the northeast coast of Floreana. It is one of four marine sites surrounding Floreana and offers excellent deepwater snorkeling opportunities. Curious sea lions approach the snorkelers while turtles slowly swim by and sharks, sting rays, and a high diversity of colorful fishes can usually be seen. During a Zodiac cruise around Champion Islet not only seabirds such as Nazca Boobies, Swallow-tailed Gulls, or Red-billed Tropicbirds will be seen, it is also possible to spot the rare Floreana Mockingbird.

1 Included Shore Excursion: Snorkeling with Silversea Expedition team

Punta Cormorant, Floreana : Arrival 15:00

Floreana Island’s northernmost point is called Punta Cormorant – named after the British naval vessel HMS Cormorant and dating back to the late 19th century. From the landing beach a short track leads to a shallow lagoon that is famous for its flamingos. The brilliantly pink birds skim the salty waters for shrimp and tend to chicks on the nest. The trail then scales a low hillside through scattered Palo Santo trees to reveal an idyllic white-sand beach on the other side of the point. Standing at the edge of the lapping waves, you might spot mammoth female sea turtles hauling themselves out of the sea to lay eggs in the sugar sand dunes that lay high above the tide line. Before returning to the landing site your guides may also point out White-cheeked Pintails, Blue-footed Boobies, Yellow Warblers, and Medium and Small Ground Finches.

1 Included Shore Excursion: Hiking with Silversea Expedition team.

Galapagos : Thursday 03 July 2025

Santa Cruz Highlands

Santa Cruz Island reaches a maximum altitude of 864 meters (2,835 ft) above sea level; at high altitudes, weather changes creating microclimates. The species of flora and fauna found near the shoreline are extremely different from those on the highlands. Life in the highlands is much easier due to the presence of fresh water, from the constant drizzle that happens during the dry season to heavy rains that occur during the wet season. Local people take advantage of this climate to cultivate a large number of crops and giant tortoises love this ideal weather to mate, feed and rest before their next long migration to the shorelines.

1 Included Shore Excursion: Hiking with Silversea Expedition team.

Fausto Llerena Breeding Centre, Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz

Silver Origin will anchor in front of Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz, where the prestigious Charles Darwin Research Station is located. The station also houses the Fausto Llerena Breeding Centre for giant tortoises and land iguanas where guides interpret the centre’s captive breeding and reintroduction programs. In addition to these star species, throughout the station there are huge prickly pear cactus trees being fed upon by the pretty Galapagos Cactus Finch. To round out the stay in Puerto Ayora, enjoy free time in town where local artists have created charming art galleries and corner cafés.
2 Included Shore Excursions: Hiking with Silversea Expedition team or Expedition activities with Silversea Expedition team.

Galapagos : Friday 04 July 2025

Cerro Dragon, Santa Cruz

A dry landing onto volcanic rock covered by Sally light-footed crabs will welcome you as you disembark for this walk discovering Cerro Dragon. Enjoy this visit that mixes a brackish water lagoon inhabited by shorebirds, some elusive pink flamingos and a volcanic rock cover dry enough to be the perfect ecosystem for the Galapagos land iguana. Search for this iconic Galapagos inhabitant that populates this area of Santa Cruz. Your guide will be on the lookout too, helping you to recognise them whether they are resting in their burrows or next to the cacti looking for food.

2 Included Shore Excursions: Hiking with Silversea Expedition team or Snorkeling with Silversea Expedition team.

Guy Fawkes Island: Arrival 13:00

Guy Fawkes is a group of four islets situated on the northwestern side of Santa Cruz Island. They are satellite cones, surrounded by deep waters. As they rise from the deep, they intercept with the strong sea currents making the area a place full of life. These small islets have beautiful underwater cliffs covered with all sorts of marine invertebrates such as sponges, corals, sea stars, urchins — making it a very colourful place for deep water snorkelling. Due to the conditions mentioned above, it results in some immense aggregations of fish, and, due to the depth of the water, it is not unusual to find Sharks or Manta Rays. Guy Fawkes is one of the most exciting places to deep water snorkel. You never know what you will find.

1 Included Shore Excursion: Deep Water Snorkeling with Silversea Expedition team.

Bahía Borrero, Santa Cruz: Arrival: 1500

In the northern area of Santa Cruz Island, Bahía Borrero is a beautiful white coralline beach used as a nesting site by Green Sea turtles. Behind the dunes, we have a forest of typical vegetation from the arid zone: Palo Santo, Leather leaf, and Salty bushes. This vegetation welcomes Yellow Warblers, and some of the most characteristic species of Darwin Finches, such as the Common Cactus Finch or the Small Ground Finch. This extinct volcano, due to its altitude, shows all the different zones of vegetation, changing from the littoral to the arid, and then with more moisture into the humid zone, to end in the dry pampa zone. It is an impressive landscape to enjoy while you swim in the turquoise waters of the bay or have a nice relaxing walk along the beach.

2 Included Shore Excursions: Hiking with Silversea Expedition team or Expedition activities with Silversea Expedition team.

San Cristobal – Guayaquil – Amsterdam – Dublin: Saturday 05 July 2025

Return to San Cristobal to say a sad farewell to Silver Origin. Transfer to the airport for your charter flight to Guayaquil. Take your evening flight home with KLM. Fly overnight.

Amsterdam – Dublin: Sunday 06 July 2025

Arrive in Amsterdam in the late morning and transfer to your flight to Dublin, arriving home in the afternoon.

END

N.B. When travelling in remote regions tide, wind and weather conditions determine the details of our itinerary. While we will do our best to maintain all suggested activities, some of these may be subject to change. Come with an open mind and a great sense of adventure, together we can turn any voyage into a wonderful Expedition.

JGT Special Price: €11,700

Call us for availability and current prices

INCLUDED IN THE CRUISE FARE:

Limousine from your door to airport in Ireland (max 80km)
Economy Class Roundtrip flights from Dublin to Ecuador with KLM
Transfers (between airport, hotel and ship)
Pre-cruise 5-star hotel in Quito (2 nights)
“Quito by Night” Tour
National Park fees
Domestic flights Quito – San Cristobal & San Cristobal – Guayaquil
Guided Zodiac, land and sea tours, and shoreside activities led by the Expeditions Team
7 nights full board cruise accommodation in suites
Enrichment lectures by a highly qualified Expeditions Team
Spacious suites
Butler service in every suite
Unlimited Free Wifi
Personalised service – nearly one crew member for every guest
Choice of restaurants, diverse cuisine, open-seating dining
Beverages in-suite and throughout the ship, including champagne, select wines and spirits
In-suite dining and room service
Onboard entertainment
Onboard gratuities

Fares shown are per guest. There are options to extend this trip to visit Machu Picchu in Peru or other exciting possibilities.

What’s Included?

INCLUDED – Limousine Transfers to Airport in Ireland and home

INCLUDED – Flights from Ireland to Quito and return from Guayaquil.

INCLUDED – Butler Service in Every Suite

All guests are pampered equally aboard the ship. Silversea are the only cruise line in the world to include butler service in every suite, in every category. A staff-to-guest ratio of nearly one to one ensures that your every wish is fulfilled with earnest precision, from the concierge who can customise your voyage to the butler who serves your breakfast in suite.

INCLUDED – Beverages in-Suite and throughout the Ship

Select wines, premium spirits, specialty coffees, as well as bottled water, juices and soft drinks are complimentary in all bars and lounges. Your suite’s mini-bar is also stocked with your preferred beverages including wines and spirits. Your butler will replenish them upon request.

INCLUDED – Gourmet Dining

Delicious meals created with thought and panache, discerningly elaborated menus with perfectly balanced wine choices and a relaxed atmosphere with erudite friends – dining aboard any Silversea ship is the ultimate experience for people who only want superlatives. It just doesn’t get any better than this. Why not ask the couple you just met to join you? With our open-seating policy, arrive at your leisure and dine with whomever you please.

INCLUDED – Gratuities

Our unwavering commitment to flawless service requires an attitude that is totally focused on the part of every member of the staff. Their professional training is readily apparent from the waiter who keeps your water glass filled to the chef who prepares your favourite soufflé à la minute. Yet surprisingly gratuities are not expected. They’re included in your fare (Beauty salon and spa treatment gratuities not included).

INCLUDED – Expedition Activities and Onboard Lectures

Our JGT expedition cruise not only takes you to the farthest reaches of the globe, but with Silversea’s expert onboard guides, it takes you there with expertise. From giving interesting lectures to leading Zodiac tours, snorkelling, diving, hiking and other small-group excursions, the knowledgeable men and women help you to immerse yourself in the culture, landscape and habitat of the region. We’ve taken great care to assemble a truly outstanding team of experts from all fields relevant to each destination.

Complimentary backpack and water bottle.

To book this Bucket List trip, call John Galligan Travel on

(01) 207 6555 or e-mail leisure@jgt.ie

Galapagos 13 June 2024

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