The Tip Top III is a first class 98-foot motor designed for great cruising in the Galapagos Islands. She provides very comfortable accommodations and great meals, a multilingual naturalist guide, and a top-notch crew of 8 for your natural history tour of the Galapagos Islands. Each day you will have island excursions with your level II Naturalist guide. Most days, you will also get to snorkel with the chance of swimming with sea lions, colorful fish, penguins and even (harmless) sharks.
The Tip top III accommodates 16 passengers in 8 double cabins on 3 decks, each with private hot water shower and toilet. There is a bar, dining room, library, sun deck and diving platform. All cabins and public areas are fully carpeted and air conditioned.
Abbreviated Itinerary
5 Days / 4 Nights
Friday to Tuesday
Friday: Arrival Baltra & Las Bachas Beach
Saturday: Genovesa Island
Sunday: James Bay & Bartolome Island
Monday: Charles Darwin Research Station & Santa Cruz Highland
Tuesday: Return to Baltra Airport
5 Days / 4 Nights
Monday to Friday
Monday: Charles Darwin Research Station & Santa Cruz Highland
Tuesday: South Plaza & Santa Fe Islands
Wednesday: Española Island
Thursday: Floreana Island
Friday: North Seymour & Return to Baltra Airport
8 Days / 7 Nights
Friday to Friday
Friday: Arrival Baltra & Las Bachas Beach
Saturday: Genovesa Island
Sunday:
James Bay & Bartolome Island
Monday: Charles Darwin Research Station & Santa Cruz Highland
Tuesday: South Plaza & Santa Fe Islands
Wednesday: Española Island
Thursday: Floreana Island
Friday: North Seymour & Return to Baltra Airport
15 Days / 14 Nights
Friday to Friday
Day 1: Baltra / Sail around Daphne / Las Bachas Beach
Day 2: Rabida Island / James Bay
Day 3:
Punta Vicente Roca / Punta Espinosa
Day 4: Tagus Cove / Urbina Bay
Day 5: Marielas Islands and Elizabeth Bay / Punta Moreno
Day 6: Sierra Negra Vulcano / Puerto Villamil
Day 7: Punta Cormorant / Devil's Crown / Post Office Bay
Day 8: Santa Cruz Highlands / Charles Darwin Station
Day 9: Punta Suarez / Gardner Bay
Day 10: Punta Pitt / Leon Dormido (Kicker Rock) / Island of Lobos
Day 11: Santa Fe Island / South Plaza Island
Day 12: Darwin Bay / Prince Phillip Steps
Day 13: Bartholomew Island / Sullivan Bay
Day 14: Chinese Hat Island / Conway Bay
Day 15: North Seymour Island / Return to Baltra ...see full itinerary
Fly from mainland Ecuador ( Quito or Guayaquil ) with airline TAME (EQ 193) arriving in Baltra at approximately 12:00 p.m. Your guide conducts you to the bus and after a short 5-kilometer rides to the pier and we board the Yacht without delay. As the crew weigh anchor, we greet you with our first orientation and offer a light snack. After navigating around the Daphne Islets to observe some tropical bird species, we disembark on Playa de las Bachas, a place where we can appreciate Flamingo lakes. During all walks, your guide will be explaining in detail about the lives of the birds and animals. Optional: you may visit the town again at night for dancing and entertainment. In the evening, we have an orientation about the Galapagos Islands in general, their origin and evolution. Welcome cocktail with the entire crew, and dinner.
Saturday, day 2
After breakfast, we make a dry landing on Bahia Darwin to walk and observe colonies of birds. Optional: time for those who would like to swim and/or snorkel. We come aboard for a delicious lunch. Later in the afternoon we take a dingy ride and make a dry landing on Barranco, then walk and observe the interesting lives of the birds here. Dinner on the Yacht, and then our orientation about conservation efforts is made to protect the Islands .
Sunday, day 3
After a delicious breakfast, we make an early wet landing to visit Puerto Egas and walk to grottos where Fur seals live in colonies. Again, we will be observing marine and land birds as we walk. Return to the Yacht for a delicious midday meal. In the afternoon the Yacht navigates us to the island of Bartolome . At about three in the afternoon we make a dry landing and walk to the top of the island, and then return for a dingy ride around The Tower to observe Galapagos penguins. Optional: time for those who would like to swim and/or snorkel. We return to the Yacht for dinner and our nightly orientation about what we have seen and will see the following day.
Monday, day 4
We disembark, board a bus, which takes us to the highlands of Santa Cruz Island for a visit to the native forests, and twin craters. Return to the port for a walk through the little town to appreciate various handicrafts. We return to the Yacht for lunch. In the afternoon we land at the pier of the National Park, for a visit to the Charles Darwin Station and its interpretive center. Dinner. Overnight in Puerto Ayora .
Tuesday, day 5
After breakfast, we board a bus, and your guide accompanies you on the ride directly to the airport.
5 days/4 nights
Monday to Friday
Monday, day 1
Fly from mainland Ecuador ( Quito or Guayaquil ) with airline TAME (EQ 193) arriving in Baltra at 12:00 p.m. A guide meets us and accompanies us as we ride the bus to the Itabaca Channel, crossing the channel by barge, and then continuing on to the Academy Bay (Puerto Ayora) for a visit to the Charles Darwin Station and its interpretive center. Return to the Port for a walk through the little town to appreciate various handicrafts. We board the Yacht for dinner and the first of our nightly orientations; tonight we hear about the Charles Darwin Station and the Galapagos National Park.
Tuesday, day 2
After breakfast we make a dry landing on the pier of the Island of Plaza Sur , where we can enjoy the antics of the sea lions. A walk through a cactus forest allows us to observe land iguanas and a great many species of tropical birds. Return to the Yacht for lunch and sail to Santa Fe Island . At 3:00 p.m. we make a wet landing on the Island to visit the cactus forest and a colony of land iguanas native to Santa Fe . At the end of the afternoon, we return to the Yacht for dinner and our nightly orientation.
Wednesday, day 3
After breakfast, we make an early wet landing in Gardner Bay for a walk on the beach here. Then we take a dinghy ride around the islets of Gardner and Tortuga . Optional: time for those who would like to swim and/or snorkel. Return to the Yacht for lunch and sail to Punta Suarez. In the afternoon we make a dry landing and walk along lava beds where we will observe unique colonies of marine birds including Albatross (May - December). Return to the Yacht for dinner and our nightly orientation.
Thursday, day 4
After breakfast, we make an early wet landing on Point Cormorant and take a short walk to the Flamingo Lagoon. Then we continue the walk until we reach the beach called "La Picona" to see marine turtles and their spawning grounds. We return to Point Cormorant for a dingy ride, and snorkeling for those who wish it. Lunch aboard the Yacht. Sail to Mailbox Bay , and a visit to this, the oldest postal system in the world. Return to the Yacht for dinner and our last nightly orientation, which will be about important historical figures in the history of the Islands .
Friday, day 5
After breakfast we make a dry landing for a walk along the coast and the interior of North Seymour Island , observing colonies of birds, marine iguanas, and sea lions. Return to the Yacht and sail to Baltra. We receive instructions and enjoy a farewell cocktail and snack before disembarking on the pier at 11:00 . Your guide accompanies you on the bus ride directly to the airport.
8 Days
Friday, day 1
Fly from mainland Ecuador ( Quito or Guayaquil ) with airline TAME (EQ 193) arriving in Baltra at approximately 12:00 p.m. Your guide conducts you to the bus and after a short 5-kilometer ride to the pier, we board the Yacht without delay. As the crew weigh anchor, we greet you with our first orientation and offer a light snack. After navigating around the Daphne Islets to observe some tropical bird species, we disembark on Playa de Las Bachas, a place where we can appreciate a Flamingo lagoon. During all walks, your guide will be explaining details about the lives of the birds and animals. Optional: time for those who would like to swim and/or snorkel, in the evening we have an orientation about the Galapagos Islands in general: their origin and evolution. Welcome cocktail with the entire crew, and dinner.
Saturday, day 2
After breakfast, we make a dry landing on Bahia Darwin to walk and observe colonies of birds. Optional: time for those who would like to swim and/or snorkel. We come aboard for a delicious lunch. Later in the afternoon we take a dingy ride and make a dry landing on Barranco, then walk and observe the interesting lives of the birds here. Dinner on the Yacht, and then our orientation about conservation efforts is made to protect the Islands .
Sunday, day 3
After a delicious breakfast, we make an early wet landing to visit Puerto Egas and walk to grottos where Fur seals live in colonies. Again, we will be observing marine and land birds as we walk. Return to the Yacht for a delicious midday meal. In the afternoon the Yacht sails to the island of Bartolome . At about three in the afternoon we make a dry landing and walk to the top of the island, and return for a dingy ride around the Tower to observe Galapagos penguins. Optional: time for those who would like to swim and/or snorkel. We return to the Yacht for dinner and our nightly orientation about what we have seen and will see the following day.
Monday, day 4
We disembark, board a bus, which takes us to the highlands of Santa Cruz Island for a visit to the native forests, and twin craters. Return to the port for a walk through the little town to appreciate various handicrafts. We return to the Yacht for lunch. In the afternoon we land at the pier of the National Park, for a visit to the Charles Darwin Station and its interpretive center. Dinner. Optional: you may visit the town again at night for dancing and entertainment.
Tuesday, day 5
After breakfast we make a dry landing on the pier of the Island of Plaza Sur , where we can enjoy the antics of the sea lions. A walk through a cactus forest allows us to observe land iguanas and a great many species of tropical birds. Return to the Yacht for lunch and sail to Santa Fe Island . At 3:00 p.m. we make a wet landing on the Island to visit the cactus forest and a colony of land iguanas native to Santa Fe . At the end of the afternoon, we return to the Yacht for dinner and our nightly orientation.
Wednesday, day 6
After breakfast, we make an early wet landing in Gardner Bay for a walk on the beach here. We then take a dingy ride around the islets of Gardner and Tortuga . Optional: time for those who would like to swim and/or snorkel. Return to the Yacht and sail to Punta Suarez; lunch being served as we travel. In the afternoon we make a dry landing and walk along lava beds where we will observe unique colonies of marine birds, including Albatross (May - December). Return to the Yacht for dinner and our nightly orientation.
Thursday, day 7
After breakfast, we make an early wet landing on Point Cormorant and take a short walk to the Flamingo Lagoon of this island. We then continue the walk until we reach the beach called "La Picona" to see marine turtles and their spawning grounds. We return to Point Cormorant for a dinghy ride, and snorkeling for those who wish it. Lunch aboard the Yacht. Sail to Mailbox Bay , and a visit to this, the oldest postal system in the world. Return to the Yacht for dinner and our last nightly orientation, which will be about important historical figures in the history of the Islands .
Friday, day 8
After breakfast we make a dry landing for a walk along the coast and the interior of North Seymour Island , observing colonies of birds, marine iguanas, and sea lions. Return to the Yacht and sail to Baltra. We receive instructions and enjoy a farewell cocktail and snack before disembarking on the pier at 11:00 . Your guide accompanies you on the bus ride directly to the airport.
15 Days / 14 Nights
Friday - Friday
Friday, day 1
Fly from mainland Ecuador ( Quito or Guayaquil ) with airline TAME (EQ 193) arriving in Baltra at approximately 12:00 p.m. Your guide conducts you to the bus and after a short 5-kilometer ride to the pier, we board the Yacht without delay. As the crew weigh anchor, we greet you with our first orientation and offer a light snack. After navigating around the Daphne Islets to observe some tropical bird species, we disembark on Playa de Las Bachas, a place where we can appreciate a Flamingo lagoon. During all walks, your guide will be explaining details about the lives of the birds and animals that we are seeing. Optional: time for those who would like to swim and/or snorkel. In the evening, we have an orientation about the Galapagos Islands in general, their origin and evolution. Welcome cocktail with the entire crew, and dinner.
Saturday, day 2
After breakfast, we make a wet landing on the beach of the island Rabida. Here we take a walk to the Flamingo lagoon of this island. Optional: time for those who would like to swim and/or snorkel. We come aboard for a delicious lunch while the crew takes us to Puerto Egas. We make a wet landing at Puerto Egas and walk to see the grottos where Fur seals live in colonies. We will be observing marine and land birds as we walk. Optional: time for those who would like to swim and/or snorkel from the beach. Return to the Yacht for dinner; we will be sailing for the island of Isabela .
Sunday, day 3
Early in the morning we take a dingy ride at Point Vicente Roca and the Bolivar Channel; depending on the season we may see whales and dolphins. We continue to sail till we arrive at Isla Fernandina. After lunch we make a dry landing and visit the colonies of marine iguanas and cormorants. Continuing to the mangroves and the lava beds of Punta Espinosa, we can see the life associated with these unique ecosystems. Optional: time for those who would like to swim and/or snorkel. Return to the Yacht for dinner and our nightly orientation.
Monday, day 4
After breakfast we make a dry landing on Caleta Tagus to walk to the top of the volcano; here is an impressive view of the bay, the lava formations that emanate from the Darwin Volcano. Returning to the dinghy for an opportunity to see penguins and cormorants. Lunch on the Yacht. In the afternoon we make a wet landing in Urbina Bay to observe giant tortoises and land iguanas. Also we can see cormorants and pelicans. Return to the Yacht for dinner and our nightly orientation.
Tuesday, day 5
After breakfast we take a dingy ride to the islands of Marielas and Bahia Elizabeth. We will have an opportunity to see penguins, cormorants and land iguanas. A ride by a mangrove ecosystem may allow us encounter sea turtles, rays, and marine birds. Lunch on the Yacht. In the afternoon we continue Punta Moreno where we make a dry landing and a walk along unique lava beds and lagoons with birds and marine iguanas. Return to the Yacht for dinner and our nightly orientation.
Wednesday, day 6
After breakfast we board a bus that brings us to the oldest and largest volcano of Isabela Island : Sierra Negra. We take a walk and there is an opportunity to rent and ride horses. Picnic lunch. At the end of the afternoon we return to Puerto Villamil to visit a lake where there are flamingos and a center of interpretation of the National Park. Return to the Yacht for dinner and our nightly orientation.
Thursday, day 7
Early in the morning we disembark at Point Cormorant and take a short walk to another lake where there are flamingos. Then we continue the walk until we reach the beach called "La Picona" to see marine turtles and their spawning grounds. We return to Point Cormorant for a dingy ride, and snorkeling for those who wish it. Lunch aboard the Yacht. Sail to Mailbox Bay , and a visit to this, the oldest postal system in the world. Return to the Yacht for dinner and our nightly orientation, which will be about important historical figures in the history of the Islands .
Friday, day 8
We disembark, board a bus, which takes us to the highlands of Santa Cruz Island for a visit to the native forests, and twin craters. Return to the port for a walk through the little town to appreciate various handicrafts. We return to the Yacht for lunch. In the afternoon we land at the pier of the National Park, for a visit to the Charles Darwin Station and its interpretive center. Dinner. Nightly orientation about the activities of the Charles Darwin Research Station and the Galapagos National Park . Optional: you may visit the town again at night for dancing and entertainment.
Saturday, day 9
After breakfast, we make a dry landing at Punta Suarez and walk along lava beds where we will observe unique colonies of marine birds including the Albatross (May - December). Return to the Yacht for lunch and sail to Gardner Bay . In the afternoon we make a dry landing in Gardner Bay for a walk on the beach here. Then we take a dinghy ride around the islets of Gardner and Tortuga . Optional: time for those who would like to swim and/or snorkel. Return to the Yacht for dinner and our nightly orientation.
Sunday, day 10
We make a wet landing at Punta Pitt and visit one of the best nesting sites of such marine birds as Blue-footed, Masked, and Red-footed Boobies, Frigates, Petrels, and others. Return to the Yacht for lunch while we set sail for Leon Dormido, where we spend the afternoon at the island of Lobos .
Monday, day 11
After breakfast we make a wet landing on the island of Santa Fe where we visit a cactus forest inhabited by land iguanas native to this island. Lunch on the Yacht while we sail to the Island of Plaza Sur. We make a dry landing on the pier, where we can enjoy the antics of the sea lions. We have a walk through a cactus forest, observing land iguanas and a great many species of tropical birds. At the end of the afternoon, return to the Yacht for dinner and our nightly orientation about our activities for the following day.
Tuesday, day 12
After breakfast, we make a dry landing on Bahia Darwin to walk and observe colonies of birds. Optional: time for those who would like to swim and/or snorkel. We come aboard for a delicious lunch. Later in the afternoon we take a dingy ride and make a dry landing on Barranco, then walk and observe the interesting lives of the birds here. Dinner on the Yacht, and then our orientation about conservation efforts is made to protect the Islands .
Wednesday, day 13
After breakfast we make a dry landing on Bartholomew Island and walk to the top of the island, and then return for a dingy ride around the Tower to observe Galapagos penguins. Optional: time for those who would like to swim and/or snorkel. We return to the Yacht for lunch. In the afternoon, we disembark on the beach of Bahia Sullivan to walk along the lava beds here. Optional: time for those who would like to swim and/or snorkel. At the end of the afternoon, return to the Yacht for dinner and our nightly orientation about our activities for the following day.
Thursday, day 14
Wet landing on Chinese Hat Island , walks to the top, and return to the beach. Optional: time for those who would like to swim and/or snorkel. We return to the Yacht for lunch. In the afternoon, dry landing to visit Playa de Conway Bay (Cerro Dragon) to take a walk of about two hours through the forests of Palo Santo trees, observing colonies of land iguanas and sea iguanas, Flamingos, Royal terns, Patillos, and Sea lions. Optional: time for those who would like to swim and/or snorkel. Return to the Yacht for a special farewell dinner and orientation about the following day.
Friday, day 15
After breakfast we make a dry landing on North Seymour Island for a walk along the coast and the interior of this beautiful island. Colonies of birds, iguanas, and sea lions await us. Return to the Yacht and sail to Baltra. We receive instructions and enjoy a last cocktail and snack before disembarking on the pier around noon . Our guide accompanies us on the bus ride directly to the airport and on to the plane for the flight to the mainland.
- Air ticket Quito-Baltra-Quito US$406.34
- Galapagos entrance fee US$100.00
- Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks
- Snorkeling equipment, available for rent on board
- Tips
- Personal expenses
- Ingala fee $10
Transportation to Trip Departure Point
Arriving to trip starting point
Transportation is not included but must be purchased from provider
Type of transportation available to trip starting point
Commercial flight
Arriving to trip starting point description:
You will take a roundtrip flight arranged by Rolf Wittmer: Quito/Guayaquil - Galapagos - Quito/Guayaquil
Lodging - Accommodations
Lodging Types
7 Nights Yacht
Average number of rooms in boat/lodge/hotel average
6-10
Lodging capacity (Average)
16
Details
Maximum Staff/Client Ratio
1 to 8
Maximum Guide/Client Ratio
1 to 8
Maximum Age
None
Yachts - Ships - Live Aboard Boats
Ship Details
Technical Information:
First Class Steel-hulled Motor Yacht, built to impeccably high standard in Guayaquil/Ecuador (2001).
Length : 98 feet Beam : 22 feet Draft: 5 feet
* Twin N-14M TA Cummins main engines
(525 HP each.)
* Twin 55 MCGGA Cummins-Onan generators (55 kW each.)
* 110/220 V. AC current
* Cruising speed: 12 knots
Navigation & Safety Equipment
Twin RL72C, 24 miles range Raytheon radar's; Raytheon L755 Ecosounder & Chart plotter; 667 Furuno Ecosounder; Raytheon GPS-112; 1503 Furuno SSB radio; Standard Spectrum VHF radio; ACR RLB-23 Epirb; Ritchie magnetic compass, barometer; clock; thermometer; helm indicator; searchlight; horn. One DSB inflatable life raft for 12 passengers; One DSB inflatable life raft for 16 passengers; (Solas 74/83); 50 life jackets; fire & smoke detectors; complete fire system; Twin 14 feet Nautical RIB Inflatable boats with 25 HP outboard motor for 10 passengers each. Safety equipment complies with international Coast Guard regulations.
Boat Length
98 ft.
Travel Provider
Provider Name
Rolf Wittmer Turismo Galapagos
Why should I choose this provider?
ROLF WITTMER TURISMO GALAPAGOS CIA. LTDA. is well-known for offering tailor-made and special interest tours around Ecuador. With our well-trained, bilingual, professional staff, we are confident that you will receive the best personal attention and service.
The Wittmer family tradition and ROLF WITTMER TURISMO GALAPAGOS CIA. LTDA. ensure that the Enchanted Islands and Ecuador will be an unforgettable lifetime experience for you!
EXCELLENCE is the word that best describes the preference of our clients.
Our clients see us like a strong and diversified company in the tourism industry. We are a company in constant growth, supporting Galapagos conservation and sustainability, and offering the BEST SERVICE with our WELL TRAINED BILINGUAL STAFF.
Our values are:
Excellence in service.
Security.
Nature respect.
Kindness and warmth.
Punctuality.
Reply Agility
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TESTIMONIALS
We are back from a fabulous time at the Refugio Amazonas! I have nothing but raves about it all! Thanks for your help in getting us to this great place!
-- Susan L, Refugio Amazonas Family Adventure
We just got back from Peru on Sunday. It was a GREAT trip. We thoroughly enjoyed it! The highlight was truly the trek to Machu Picchu. Thanks for all of your help in making the trip very special. Everything went off without a hitch. We were very impressed.
-- Mary Ann, B., Multi-Activity Peru
We had a great time on the Galapagos Cruise. Our guides were very engaging and informative and everything was timed just right. We had the right amount of activity, food and leisure time every day. We are not \"cruising\" people and were apprehensive at first about being stuck on a boat for 7 days but we didn\'t feel \"stuck\" given the number of excursions we had each day and the fact that we snorkeled at least once or twice a day. We also extended our trip on the Islands and stayed at a hotel but definitely would recommend a cruise over staying on the islands. The islands gets very hot and there are lots of mosquitos but on the boat there is shade, wind and no bugs! Great amount of variety of animals and geography we saw. Sad to leave!
-- Wendy K., Galapagos Islands on the Eric, Letty, and Flamingo
I want to say I LOVED the trip. ECOCAMP was divine. Really amazing setting. The mix of people in the group was healthy. We all liked each other enough to dine every meal together.