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Galapagos: Wildlife Wonderland

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Galapagos: Wildlife Wonderland

No Reviews No Booking FeesDedicated Travel Advisor
Our Price From 11,000 Per Person
 Trip Length
8 Days
 Trip Starts
Quito
 Trip Finishes
Guayaquil
8 Day Galapagos: Wildlife Wonderland Itinerary (Tauck)
Countries Explored: Ecuador, Galapagos
Our Price From 11,000 Per Person
 Trip Length
8 Days
 Trip Starts
Quito
 Trip Finishes
Guayaquil
8 Day Galapagos: Wildlife Wonderland Itinerary (Tauck)
Countries Explored: Ecuador, Galapagos
Trip Operator
Trip Style
Cruise
Departures
Trip Code
YG
Cruise Line
Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz
No Reviews
Ship
MV Santa Cruz II
Passengers
90
Crew
50
Launched
2002
Refurbished
2015
Trip Operator
Trip Style
Cruise
Trip Code
YG
Cruise Line
Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz
No Reviews
Ship
MV Santa Cruz II
Passengers
90
Crew
50
Launched
2002
Refurbished
2015

Overview

Book online and enjoy exclusive savings on Tauck's 8 Day Galapagos: Wildlife Wonderland. Discover wildlife found nowhere else in the world... designed for families, tour the wondrous islands of the Galapagos featuring a four-night cruise aboard the expeditionary yacht Santa Cruz II.
Book online and enjoy exclusive savings on Tauck's 8 Day Galapagos: Wildlife Wonderland. Discover wildlife found nowhere else in the world... designed for families, tour the wondrous islands of the Galapagos featuring a four-night cruise aboard the expeditionary yacht Santa Cruz II.

Itinerary

Tour begins: Swissôtel Quito. A transfer is included from Mariscal Sucre International Airport to the Swissôtel Quito, where you'll enjoy an Executive Level room. Stay Two Nights: Swissôtel Quito

Quito is not only 9,200 feet above "seal" level, it's also on the Equator... the "middle of the world." Take the opportunity to stand on both the northern and southern hemispheres at the same time, and learn more about Quito's unique geography at the Inti Ñan Museum before enjoying an Ecuadorian lunch near a volcanic crater. Explore centuries-old Colonial Quito on a guided tour. Join us tonight for our welcome reception and dinner at your hotel, then get a good night's sleep so you'll be rested and ready for your family's unforgettable Galápagos experience tomorrow. (B/L/D)

Your family's Galápagos tour and cruise* commences today when you fly from Quito to the volcanic island of Baltra and board your new expedition ship, Santa Cruz II. Your first shore excursion features a ride ashore on a panga to the island of Santa Cruz, and a wet landing on Las Bachas Beach (named for the US military barges, referred to as "bachas," that were beached and abandoned there after WWII) – an important nesting area for the green sea turtle. On a guided hike around a saltwater lagoon today, look for flamingos, pintail ducks, sandpipers and stilts; join our expert naturalists for an informative briefing back aboard ship this evening, prior to the Captain's welcome reception followed by dinner. Stay Four Nights: Santa Cruz II (B/L/D)

Start the day with a morning boat ride off Buccaneer's Cove on Santiago (James) Island – once a favorite haunt of pirates and whalers – to observe seabirds like frigates, pelicans and boobies, and go snorkeling off the panga. After lunch aboard ship, a wet landing at Puerto Egas on Santiago provides even more opportunities to see seabirds, along with a colony of sea lions and marine iguanas; enjoy a swim and a snorkel from the beach before returning to the ship. Weather permitting, enjoy star gazing on the top deck this evening. (B/L/D)

Meet Darwin's finches and other rare birds today after a wet landing on Rabida (Jervis) Island, with its red-colored beaches. Experience both wet and dry landings on your excursion to Bartolomé Island; hike up to the summit and drink in amazing vistas of its volcanic features and the neighboring islands. Ride a panga around Pinnacle Rock, and view sea lions, sea turtles and tiny tropical Galápagos penguins in a panorama of life found only here.

Tonight you'll find out more about the Galápagos Islands with our shipboard naturalists. (B/L/D)

Explore Genovesa (Tower) Island by panga and a dry landing; climb up Prince Philip's steps for a hike across the island, where you'll see masked boobies, frigate birds, storm petrels and more. An afternoon cruise and a wet landing at Darwin Bay offers more amazing views of thousands of rare birds, including red-footed boobies, gulls, mockingbirds, herons and finches, as well as an optional walk across volcanic terrain. Back aboard the ship, celebrate the end of your cruise – and your family's most unforgettable Galápagos tour – at our Captain's farewell dinner. (B/L/D)

Disembark Santa Cruz II on the north shore of Santa Cruz Island, and visit a tortoise reserve to observe in the wild one of the rarest forms of wildlife that continue to thrive here on the Galápagos Islands – the giant tortoise – and efforts being made by the Ecuadorian National Park Service to preserve and protect life on the islands for future generations. Late morning, travel to the airport for your flight to Guayaquil on the mainland, and an overnight at the Wyndham Guayaquil. Join us this evening for a poolside farewell party at your hotel as your family's Ecuador and Galápagos tour comes to a close. Stay: Wyndham Guayaquil (B/D)

Tour ends: Guayaquil. A transfer from the Wyndham Guayaquil to José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport is included. You should allow a minimum of 3 hours for flight check-in. (B)

Tour begins: Swissôtel Quito. A transfer is included from Mariscal Sucre International Airport to the Swissôtel Quito, where you'll enjoy an Executive Level room. Stay Two Nights: Swissôtel Quito

Quito is not only 9,200 feet above "seal" level, it's also on the Equator... the "middle of the world." Take the opportunity to stand on both the northern and southern hemispheres at the same time, and learn more about Quito's unique geography at the Inti Ñan Museum before enjoying an Ecuadorian lunch near a volcanic crater. Explore centuries-old Colonial Quito on a guided tour. Join us tonight for our welcome reception and dinner at your hotel, then get a good night's sleep so you'll be rested and ready for your family's unforgettable Galápagos experience tomorrow. (B/L/D)

Your family's Galápagos tour and cruise* commences today when you fly from Quito to the volcanic island of Baltra and board your new expedition ship, Santa Cruz II. Your first shore excursion features a ride ashore on a panga to the island of Santa Cruz, and a wet landing on Las Bachas Beach (named for the US military barges, referred to as "bachas," that were beached and abandoned there after WWII) – an important nesting area for the green sea turtle. On a guided hike around a saltwater lagoon today, look for flamingos, pintail ducks, sandpipers and stilts; join our expert naturalists for an informative briefing back aboard ship this evening, prior to the Captain's welcome reception followed by dinner. Stay Four Nights: Santa Cruz II (B/L/D)

Start the day with a morning boat ride off Buccaneer's Cove on Santiago (James) Island – once a favorite haunt of pirates and whalers – to observe seabirds like frigates, pelicans and boobies, and go snorkeling off the panga. After lunch aboard ship, a wet landing at Puerto Egas on Santiago provides even more opportunities to see seabirds, along with a colony of sea lions and marine iguanas; enjoy a swim and a snorkel from the beach before returning to the ship. Weather permitting, enjoy star gazing on the top deck this evening. (B/L/D)

Meet Darwin's finches and other rare birds today after a wet landing on Rabida (Jervis) Island, with its red-colored beaches. Experience both wet and dry landings on your excursion to Bartolomé Island; hike up to the summit and drink in amazing vistas of its volcanic features and the neighboring islands. Ride a panga around Pinnacle Rock, and view sea lions, sea turtles and tiny tropical Galápagos penguins in a panorama of life found only here.

Tonight you'll find out more about the Galápagos Islands with our shipboard naturalists. (B/L/D)

Explore Genovesa (Tower) Island by panga and a dry landing; climb up Prince Philip's steps for a hike across the island, where you'll see masked boobies, frigate birds, storm petrels and more. An afternoon cruise and a wet landing at Darwin Bay offers more amazing views of thousands of rare birds, including red-footed boobies, gulls, mockingbirds, herons and finches, as well as an optional walk across volcanic terrain. Back aboard the ship, celebrate the end of your cruise – and your family's most unforgettable Galápagos tour – at our Captain's farewell dinner. (B/L/D)

Disembark Santa Cruz II on the north shore of Santa Cruz Island, and visit a tortoise reserve to observe in the wild one of the rarest forms of wildlife that continue to thrive here on the Galápagos Islands – the giant tortoise – and efforts being made by the Ecuadorian National Park Service to preserve and protect life on the islands for future generations. Late morning, travel to the airport for your flight to Guayaquil on the mainland, and an overnight at the Wyndham Guayaquil. Join us this evening for a poolside farewell party at your hotel as your family's Ecuador and Galápagos tour comes to a close. Stay: Wyndham Guayaquil (B/D)

Tour ends: Guayaquil. A transfer from the Wyndham Guayaquil to José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport is included. You should allow a minimum of 3 hours for flight check-in. (B)

Trip Inclusions

  • 4 nights aboard the 90-guest Santa Cruz II, designed especially for Galápagos Islands cruising; dry and wet landings
  • Licensed Naturalist Guides of Galápagos National Park accompany shore excursions and hold briefings aboard ship, offering hands-on natural history lessons
  • Private Tauck Shore Excursions with experts, averaging two daily, for wildlife sightings and exciting activities

  • All gratuities to Tauck Directors, local guides, drivers, naturalists, and ship staff
  • On-Tour Air included (2 flights)
  • Your cruise may be a shared ship experience with non-Tauck guests onboard as well; all Tauck guests will be accompanied by one Tauck Director for approximately every 40 Tauck guests, and your itinerary will always be highlighted by exclusive, private Tauck shore excursions

  • 18 included meals (7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 6 dinners)

  • Itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
  • Price is for land, cruise and specified internal flights. International flights not included.

  • 4 nights aboard the 90-guest Santa Cruz II, designed especially for Galápagos Islands cruising; dry and wet landings
  • Licensed Naturalist Guides of Galápagos National Park accompany shore excursions and hold briefings aboard ship, offering hands-on natural history lessons
  • Private Tauck Shore Excursions with experts, averaging two daily, for wildlife sightings and exciting activities

  • All gratuities to Tauck Directors, local guides, drivers, naturalists, and ship staff
  • On-Tour Air included (2 flights)
  • Your cruise may be a shared ship experience with non-Tauck guests onboard as well; all Tauck guests will be accompanied by one Tauck Director for approximately every 40 Tauck guests, and your itinerary will always be highlighted by exclusive, private Tauck shore excursions

  • 18 included meals (7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 6 dinners)

  • Itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
  • Price is for land, cruise and specified internal flights. International flights not included.
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Deck Plans

Ocean Deck (Level 1)
Horizon Deck (Level 2)
Expedition Deck (Level 3)
Panorama Deck (Level 4)
Sky Deck

Deck Plans

Ocean Deck (Level 1)
Horizon Deck (Level 2)
Expedition Deck (Level 3)
Panorama Deck (Level 4)
Sky Deck

Brochure

Small Ship Cruising & Exotic Land Journeys

Tauck Small Ship Cruising & Exotic Land Journeys (2024)

Our unique access and longstanding partnerships in destinations the world over provide you with exclusive experiences that connect you to the heart of the places you explore. You’ll travel with our Tauck Directors and local guides who take every moment of your vacation personally and are with you every step of the way. We welcome you to our 2024 portfolio...more of small ship cruises and exotic journeys across seven continents.

Availability

Saturday 06 Apr 2024
Saturday 13 Apr 2024
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Saturday 01 Jun 2024
Saturday 08 Jun 2024
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Tuesday 11 Jun 2024
Tuesday 18 Jun 2024
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Saturday 15 Jun 2024
Saturday 22 Jun 2024
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Tuesday 25 Jun 2024
Tuesday 02 Jul 2024
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Saturday 29 Jun 2024
Saturday 06 Jul 2024
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Tuesday 09 Jul 2024
Tuesday 16 Jul 2024
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Tuesday 23 Jul 2024
Tuesday 30 Jul 2024
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Saturday 27 Jul 2024
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Tuesday 06 Aug 2024
Tuesday 13 Aug 2024
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Saturday 06 Apr 2024
Saturday 13 Apr 2024
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Saturday 01 Jun 2024
Saturday 08 Jun 2024
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Tuesday 11 Jun 2024
Tuesday 18 Jun 2024
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Saturday 15 Jun 2024
Saturday 22 Jun 2024
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Tuesday 25 Jun 2024
Tuesday 02 Jul 2024
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Saturday 29 Jun 2024
Saturday 06 Jul 2024
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Tuesday 09 Jul 2024
Tuesday 16 Jul 2024
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Tuesday 23 Jul 2024
Tuesday 30 Jul 2024
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Saturday 27 Jul 2024
Saturday 03 Aug 2024
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Tuesday 13 Aug 2024
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Saturday 05 Apr 2025
Saturday 12 Apr 2025
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Tuesday 10 Jun 2025
Tuesday 17 Jun 2025
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Saturday 14 Jun 2025
Saturday 21 Jun 2025
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Tuesday 24 Jun 2025
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Saturday 28 Jun 2025
Saturday 05 Jul 2025
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Tuesday 08 Jul 2025
Tuesday 15 Jul 2025
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Saturday 12 Jul 2025
Saturday 19 Jul 2025
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Tuesday 22 Jul 2025
Tuesday 29 Jul 2025
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Saturday 26 Jul 2025
Saturday 02 Aug 2025
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Tuesday 05 Aug 2025
Tuesday 12 Aug 2025
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Saturday 05 Apr 2025
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Tuesday 10 Jun 2025
Tuesday 17 Jun 2025
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Saturday 14 Jun 2025
Saturday 21 Jun 2025
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Tuesday 24 Jun 2025
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Saturday 28 Jun 2025
Saturday 05 Jul 2025
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Tuesday 08 Jul 2025
Tuesday 15 Jul 2025
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Saturday 12 Jul 2025
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Note
Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you enquire. Additional savings may apply. We guarantee the lowest price in Australia. T&C’s apply.

Cabin Upgrades Optional cabin upgrades. Upgrades priced per person

Explorer Triple Cabin Horizon Deck  (Prices Shown) $ 0
Explorer Cabin Horizon Deck  (Prices Shown) $ 0
Explorer Cabin Expedition Deck $ 440
Explorer Cabin Panorama Deck $ 940
Darwin Suite Panorama Deck $ 2,860
Note
Upgrade prices shown are per person. Upgrade prices can vary depending on the departure date & the month of travel. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will confirm and include the upgrade price in your quote.

Cabin Upgrades Optional cabin upgrades. Upgrades priced per person

Explorer Triple Cabin Horizon Deck  (Prices Shown) $ 0
Explorer Cabin Horizon Deck  (Prices Shown) $ 0
Explorer Cabin Expedition Deck $ 470
Explorer Cabin Panorama Deck $ 990
Darwin Suite Panorama Deck $ 3,000
Note
Upgrade prices shown are per person. Upgrade prices can vary depending on the departure date & the month of travel. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will confirm and include the upgrade price in your quote.
Note
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Prices and trip information are correct at the time at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Tauck. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from Tauck. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.

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