Visiting the Galapagos Islands had been at the top of my wish list for as long as I can remember and this trip was everything I'd dreamt of. Every day brought special, close-up encounters with magnificent animals - male frigatebirds displaying their bright red chests, sea lions stretched out on the beach nursing their young pups or cheekily hitching a ride on the back of our boat and pairs of blue-footed boobies engaged in a courtship dance. The Archipel 1 is modern, spotlessly clean, spacious and comfortable with a friendly, hard-working and efficient crew. The food is excellent in quality, quantity and variety. The boat has the capacity for 16 guests, which enables everyone to get to know one another.
This eight-day southwestern tour aboard the catamaran Archipel I gives an extensive overview of the Galapagos by combining the circumnavigation of Isabela Island with excursions in the southernmost points of the archipelago. It also gives the chance to snorkel with sea lions in the Loberia and visit the Charles Darwin Research Station in Santa Cruz.
Experience Ecuador in full glory, where the mainland combines natural and cultural wonders, and the Galapagos islands offer unrivalled wildlife watching. Beginning in Quito, we gaze over Cotopaxi volcano, experience indigenous culture and spend two nights in the Amazon Rainforest. It’s then off to the Galapagos, where we snorkel with sea lions, walk among giant tortoises and sunbathe on white sands with marine iguanas.