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GALAPAGOS ISLANDS EXTENSION TOURS
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| Isabela II The 40-guest ISABELA II, with 20 outside cabins, is the most luxurious yacht cruising the Galapagos, and offers an elegant yet relaxed atmosphere for experiencing the full adventure of the Islands. The yacht is fully air-conditioned; all cabins are spacious and have private bathrooms. Its three public decks offer the amenities of a larger vessel, including bar-salon, dining room and sun deck. The library contains a large selection of books on Galapagos and Ecuador, as well as excellent nature and conservation videos, making this reference library the most complete one of all Galapagos vessels. The sun deck is comprised of a bar with ample outdoor seating, an observation area for whale and dolphin watching, a Jacuzzi and solarium. As an alternative to snorkeling, the glass-bottom boat offers another opportunity to observe the marine life.Our Expedition Team consists of three Naturalists. All will delight guests with diverse natural history explanations, superb on-deck talks, and eye-catching lectures regarding natural history issues. Their multimedia presentations and recaps will complement the day's activities. |
 Specifications Length: 125 feet; Beam: N/A Speed: N/A Crew: 27 + 3 guides Class: Luxury Passengers: 40 persons Accommodation 20 double cabins with private baths |
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9 Day Itinerary
MONDAY
Fly into Quito Airport. PM Transfer to San Jorge Eco-Lodge. Overnight
Lodging.
TUESDAY
Baltra Island
AM Transfer to Quito Airport. Arrival at Baltra Island by TAME flight
and transfer to the dock to board the ISABELA II. Onboard registration.
Welcome introductory briefing and lunchNorth 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 our guests), or ride the glass-bottom boat
around Gardner or Tortuga islets.
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.
For those not planning to walk there will be panga (dinghy) ride along
the coastline of Punta Suárez. 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. There is great snorkeling
from the beach or near by, at Champion Islet or the Devil's Crown. Those
who do not snorkel can enjoy a ride on the glass-bottom boat. Lunch
on board.
Post Office Bay (Floreana Island)
Wet landing at the historical Post Office Bay to learn about the human
side of the islands, its early inhabitants and the adventures of pirates
and whalers. Then, a panga ride will take you to nearby islets to observe
sea lions, rays and sea turtles, boobies and possibly the Galapagos
penguin. Naturalist's briefing and dinner.
FRIDAY
Santa Cruz Island
After breakfast, disembark (dry landing) to visit the Charles Darwin
Research Station and the giant tortoise pens, an impressive giant prickly-pear
cactus forest and land birds like Darwin's Finches, Galapagos Mockingbirds
and Flycatchers. Then a stroll along the main street of Puerto Ayora.
Lunch at the Hotel Delfín. Afternoon in the highlands, visiting
the Scalesia forest and the twin pit craters Los Gemelos. Land birds
of the highlands may include the Vermilion Flycatcher, Tree Finches
and possibly the elusive Woodpecker Finch. From December to mid-April
a visit to see the giant tortoises in the wild may be included, if weather
conditions are good. 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 look for Hammerhead sharks, snorkeling along the cliffs.
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, storm
petrels and the short-eared owl. Naturalist's briefing and dinner.
SUNDAY
Early risers will enjoy the dramatic landscape of the youngest volcanoes
in Galapagos, like volcano Ecuador, whose collapsed crater is partly
under water, while crossing the Equator line. It is here where the coolest
waters are found, with great chances to observe whales and dolphins.
Punta Espinoza (Fernandina Island)
The morning 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. Lunch on board.
Urbina Bay (Isabela Island)
After lunch, scenic cruise along Bolívar Channel and possible
observation of whales and/or dolphins. Disembarkation (wet landing)
for a medium-length walk at Urbina Bay to look for giant tortoises and
land iguanas. This place went through a volcanic uplifting event back
in 1954 leaving gaunt marine skeletons, which make the walk remarkably
interesting. Those who wish may take either only a short walk along
the beach, or a longer walk towards the interior of the island. Swimming
and snorkeling depending on local conditions.
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. Good snorkeling and swimming from the
beach after the walk. Lunch on board while navigating to Bartolomé.
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, to enjoy the beach (wet landing),
snorkeling and swimming from the beach, or a ride on the glass-bottom
boat. Farewell cocktail and briefing.
TUESDAY
After breakfast, disembark and transfer to local airport for flight
back to Quito Airport. Transfer to San Jorge Eco-Lodge. Overnight Lodging.
WEDNESDAY
AM transfer to Quito Airport- Fly Home
