Go To > Mystic Seaport Galapagos and Peru  

Snorkeling in the Galapagos islands is a voyage of discovery in itself.  When we heard from our naturalist that the sea turtles "fly", we were not at all sure of what to make of this..........we certainly learned that these animals do indeed "fly" - through the water.

Sail back in time for a sailing adventure of a lifetime.  Here is your opportunity to sail among the primitive Galapagos Islands, a United Nations World Heritage Site, and walk among the native birds and animals, swim with sea lions – and photograph to your heart’s content. 

Birthed by underwater volcanic eruptions more than 6 million years ago, these 15 islands and numerous islets are located 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador in the Pacific Ocean.  For millennia, they remained an uninhabited outpost of nature until stumbled upon by the Spanish in the 16th century.  Since that accidental discovery, the archipelago has been trod upon by pirates, whalers, adventurers, scientists, military servicemen, fishermen and, now, about 18,000 residents in four permitted settlements.

Fly to Quito to tour the culturally rich capital of Ecuador, high in the spectacular Andes Mountains.

Quito               , once the northern capital of the Inca Empire and then the Spanish colonial capital, is itself a UN World Heritage Site.  Here, you will have time to explore the old city. 

After a 3-hour flight to the Galapagos, you will voyage for 8 days among these isolated Pacific islands on fully crewed yachts, enjoying deserted sandy beaches, snorkelling in crystal water among dazzling fish, and exploring the volcanoes and lava fields in this living laboratory of evolution.  You will thrill to your close encounters with giant tortoises, turtles, marine and land iguanas, seals, Darwin finches, flightless cormorants, and Galapagos penguins, whose ancient ancestors rode the cold Humboldt Current north from Antarctica.

Red and blue-footed boobies, tortoises, sea lions, flamingos, frigates and iguanas roam freely, as they did thousands of years ago with no inherent fear of humans.

Because the Galapagos are unique, the Ecuadorian government makes every effort to protect its very, very special part of the world.  The Ecuadorian National Park governs the number of visitors on any day and just where each yacht can go.  The yachts must mostly transit at night, keeping to a predetermined schedule, which leaves time each day for two 3-hour hikes.  You will find the thrust of this adventure is the exploration of these fabulous islands and their special bird, animal and flora concentration.  Arrival on each island is by tender ("panga"), sometimes a dry landing, sometimes a wet landing among waves.  The yacht’s crew will help with boarding and disembarkation from the tender.  Your own naturalist guide will prepare you for each island’s visit, going over each day’s itinerary and letting you know what to expect and what you’ll be seeing. 

Each island presents a different landscape to explore and experience.  The itinerary will include the town of Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island.  With a population of about 8,000, a highlight will be a visit to the world famous Charles Darwin Research Station to observe the giant tortoise and marine iguana breeding activities and to see “Lonesome George,” the last surviving member of the Pinta Island tortoise species.

Choose the “Lammer Law,” an incredibly spacious and comfortable 93-foot schooner-rigged trimaran with 8 cabins with private heads, or our second yacht which is a 3-masted topsail schooner “Alta” decorated with teak and mahogany; she is 140'  feet with 8 doubles with private heads.