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Isabela II Galapagos Cruise Itineraries
TUESDAY TO TUESDAY 8 Days 7 Night
Price from 3750
USD
TUESDAY
Baltra Island
Morning arrival to Baltra Island by TAME flight and immediate transfer to the
dock to board the ISABELA II. Welcome introductory briefing, and lunch.
North Seymour Island
Afternoon disembarkation (dry landing) for a walk along the coast and the
interior of the island, observing bird colonies of blue footed boobies, frigate
birds, swallow tailed gulls and also sea lions and marine iguanas. A shorter
walk is also available. Welcome Cocktail offered by the Captain. Naturalist's
briefing on the next day's activities and dinner.
WEDNESDAY
Gardner Bay (Hood Island)
After breakfast, disembark (wet landing) at a white coral beach where you can
take a short walk and watch the sea lions, mockingbirds, finches or enjoy the
beach. There is great snorkeling in this area (snorkeling equipment is available
for guests at no extra cost), or ride the glass-bottom boat.
Punta Suárez (Hood Island)
Afternoon dry landing for an exciting walk on lava terrain to visit its unique
sea bird colonies, including the Waved Albatrosses (May - December) and the
famous blowhole. A shorter walk is also available. Naturalist's briefing and
dinner.
THURSDAY
Point Cormorant (Floreana Island)
After breakfast, disembark at Point Cormorant (wet landing) for an easy walk to
see the flamingos that inhabit a brackish-water lagoon, and other birds like
ducks, stilts, sandpipers, etc. Return to the beach and possibility to swim;
there is great snorkeling at this site or kayak from the beach. Lunch on board.
Champion Islet, Post Office Bay (Floreana Island)
Possibility to snorkel from the pangas around Champion Islet or a ride on the
glass-bottom boat. Return on board and navigate to Post Office Bay. Wet landing
at the historic barrel that served as a post office, to learn about the human
side of the islands, its early inhabitants and the adventures of pirates and
whalers. Naturalist's briefing and dinner.
FRIDAY
Santa Cruz Island
After breakfast, disembark (dry landing) to visit the highlands of Santa Cruz
Island, an Scalesia forest and the twin pit craters geology formation, Los
Gemelos. From December to mid-April a visit to see the giant tortoises in the
wild may be included, if weather conditions are good. Lunch at the Finch Bay Eco
Hotel.
Afternoon visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station and the giant tortoise
pens, an impressive giant prickly-pear cactus forest and many land birds. Then a
stroll along the main street of Puerto Ayora before embarking on the ISABELA
II.. Naturalist's briefing and dinner.
SATURDAY
Darwin Bay (Tower Island)
Morning wet landing for an easy stroll observing thousands of bird life, mainly
frigate birds, red footed and masked boobies, gulls, herons, finches and
mockingbirds. If you wish you can continue walking over sharp lava and uneven
terrain, or just go back to the beach to enjoy swimming and snorkeling at this
beautiful natural harbor. Those most adventurous can snorkel along the cliffs or
ride sea kayaks. Lunch on board.
Prince Philip's Steps (Tower Island)
The afternoon starts with a very interesting panga ride along the cliffs and
then disembark (dry landing) on rocks for a steep climb (90 feet) and then a
leveled walk for about a mile to the other side of this small island observing
large colonies of masked boobies, frigate birds and storm petrels. Naturalist's
briefing and dinner. Those not wishing to disembark can enjoy a longer panga
ride along the cliffs (depending on the weather conditions). Conference of the
Naturalist Guide before dinner.
SUNDAY
Early risers will enjoy cruising right in front of famous Ecuador Volcano, which
rises off the water line with one of its halves completely collapsed, and now
resting underwater, while crossing the Equator line.
Tagus Cove (Isabela Island)
On the northwest of Isabela, secluded Tagus Cove was in past centuries a
favorite anchor for pirates and whalers. Old graffiti is still found on its
walls. The vegetation in the area includes the fragrant Palo Santo trees. These
white-barked trees are leafless and look dead most of the year. They leaf out
and spring back to life in the wet season. An uphill hike takes guests to the
back of Darwin Crater, filled with salt water. The view at the end of the trail
is worth the climb. Darwin is one of Isabela’s six volcanoes, a remarkable
contrast to the lower islands to the east of the archipelago. Possibility to
swim, snorket or ride kayaks. There is no beach in the area, so these activities
ae done from the pangas. Lunch on board.
Punta Espinoza (Fernandina Island)
The afternoon brings us to the youngest island, Fernandina. Disembark (dry
landing) for a one-mile walk. Punta Espinoza has an amazing combination of
barrenness with lots of wildlife. Having no introduced mammals, Fernandina has a
very unique environment with the highest density of marine iguanas, sharing
their space with sea lions, sally-light foot crabs, hawks, penguins and the
flightless cormorant. Naturalist’s briefing and dinner.
MONDAY
Puerto Egas (James Island)
Wet landing for a mid-length walk. Most of the landscape is tuff-stone layers
and lava flows. This is a great opportunity to see land and marine birds. At low
tide, marine iguanas graze upon the algae beds and there is a colony of fur-sea
lions. Opportunity for snorkeling and swimming from the beach after the walk, or
a ride on the glass-bottom boat. Lunch on board.
Bartolome Island
Disembark at Bartolome Island (dry landing) for a hike to the summit. This is a
steep climb aided by a wooden staircase; the view from the top is worth the
effort. There will be time for a panga ride around Pinnacle Rock to observe
penguins before or after the walk. Farewell cocktail and departure briefing.
TUESDAY
After breakfast, departure to the port and airport to take the flight back to
the continent.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Itineraries and program are subject to change without previous
notice due mainly to readjustment of the National Park policies and regulations,
weather conditions, seasonal changes or safety reasons.
Dry landing: passengers step from the dinghy onto rocks or a dock.
Wet landing: as the dinghy edges onto a sandy beach, passengers step into
knee-deep water and wade ashore.
Included
Accommodation
All meals
Island sightseeing
Naturalists and lecture services
Snorkeling gear and transfers
Not included
Air transportation to/from Galapagos
Galapagos National Park admission fee (US $100 subject to change
without notice)
Transit Control Card for Galapagos (US$ 10 per person)
Wet suits
Bar
Gifts and items of personal nature
IMPORTANT NOTES:
The itineraries and program are subject to change without prior
notice, due mainly to adjustments in the policies and regulations of
the Galapagos National Park, weather conditions, seasonal changes
and safety reasons.
• Dry landing: guests step from the dinghy onto rocks or a dock.
• Wet landing: as the dinghy edges onto a sandy beach, guests step
into knee-deep water and wade ashore
RECOMMENDATIONS
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Bring a Medical or Travel insurance
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Luggage: We suggest taking a 20 kg suitcase and a carry-on bag since
these are allowed by the airline. You must remember that the trip in
Galapagos in the open and include hikes, swimming, scuba diving and other
physical activities that require comfortable, lightweight, informal clothing
good for any kind of weather.
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Clothing: For the hot months (December – May) we recommend a bathing
suit, T-shirts, shorts, sunglasses, cap or hat, insect repellent, sunscreen,
sport shoes good for walking in lava and through rocks, and sandals. For the
cooler months (June- November), a waterproof jacket or poncho and
lightweight pants are necessary. Other important items are lip balm, eye
drops, plastic bags for electronic equipment, binoculars, patches or pills
for seasickness, a photo or video camera and sufficient film, and medicine
normally taken.
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Isabela II Galapagos Cruise
Photogallery Isabela
Cruise
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