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Eight Day Galapagos Islands Cruise Aboard the Isabella II
Day 1
Baltra Airport/North Seymour
Day 2
Gardner Bay/Punta Suarez (Hood)
Day 3
Point Cormorant/Post Office Bay (Floreana)
Day 4
Highlands/Charles Darwin Research Station (Santa Cruz)
Day 5
Darwin Bay/Prince Philip's Steps (Tower)
Day 6
Tagus Cove (Isabela)/Punta Espinoza (Fernandina)
Day 7
Puerto Egas (James)/Bartolome
Day 8
Baltra Airport
Free Quito-Galapagos Airfare or No Single Supplement for all September and December 1-15 Departures.
Note: The route and program may vary according to National Park policies and regulations, weather conditions, seasonal changes, safety reasons and wildlife encounters.
IGTOA's Traveler Funding Program
South American Vacations is an active member of IGTOA (International Galapagos Tour Operators Association). In support of IGTOA's Traveler Funding Program, we contribute $50 for each passenger that we send to the Galapagos Islands. You'll travel knowing that you support the lasting protection of Galapagos Islands.
Sixty percent of the funding of this program goes directly to the Charles Darwin Foundation for science, conservation, and education. Their work, carried out through the Charles Darwin Research Station and Galapagos National Park, is vital to the preservation of the islands. You can visit their web site to learn more http://www.darwinfoundation.org
. The remainder goes toward IGTOA's mission of creating a model of responsible and sustainable tourism.
Eight Day Galapagos Islands Cruise Aboard the Isabella II
Yacht Isabela II is one of the most luxurious yachts serving the Galapagos. It has 20 outside cabins plus an owner's suite which accommodate 40 guests. The spacious cabins have private bathrooms, safes, and hair dryers, and the ship is air conditioned throughout. Three public decks offer a bar, dining room, natural history library and a gift shop. The sun deck is comprised of a bar, an observation area for viewing wildlife, a Jacuzzi and a solarium. Snorkeling equipment and wet suits are provided free of charge, and a glass-bottom boat offers an alternative to snorkeling.
Activities: Wildlife viewing, hiking, snorkeling, and glass bottom boating.
Dry Landing: guests step from the dinghy directly onto rocks or a dock. Wet Landing: as the dinghy edges onto a sandy beach, guests step into knee-deep water and wade ashore.
Day 1: Baltra Airport/North Seymour
Morning arrival to Baltra Island by plane and immediate transfer to the dock to board the Isabella II. Welcome introductory briefing, and lunch.
North Seymour (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. (L,D)
Day 2: Gardner Bay/Punta Suarez (Hood)
Gardner Bay. 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 Suarez. Afternoon dry landing for an exciting walk on lava terrain to visit 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. (B,L,D)
Day 3: Point Cormorant/Post Office Bay (Floreana)
Point Cormorant. After breakfast, disembark (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 at this site. Those who do not snorkel can enjoy a ride on the glass-bottom boat. Lunch on board.
Wet landing at the historical Post Office Bay to learn about the human side of the islands, their early inhabitants, and the adventures of pirates and whalers. Then, a panga ride will take you to nearby islets to observe sea lions, rays, sea turtles, boobies, and possibly the Galapagos penguin. Naturalist's briefing and dinner. (B,L,D)
Day 4: Highlands/Charles Darwin Research Station (Santa Cruz)
After breakfast, disembark (dry landing) to visit the highlands of Santa Cruz, a Scalesia forest, and the twin pit craters 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 Isabella II. Naturalist's briefing and dinner. (B,L,D)
Day 5: Darwin Bay/Prince Philip's Steps (Tower)
Darwin Bay. Morning wet landing for an easy stroll observing thousands of birds, 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. Lunch on board.
Prince Philip's Steps. 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. (B,L,D)
Day 6: Tagus Cove (Isabela)/Punta Espinoza (Fernandina)
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. 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 unusual 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 short wet season, which usually begins in March or April. An uphill hike through a palo santo forest 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. Lunch on board.
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. (B,L,D)
Day 7: Puerto Egas (James)/Bartolome
Puerto Egas. 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.
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 departure briefing. (B,L,D)
Day 8: Baltra Airport
After breakfast, departure to the port and airport to take the flight back to the continent. (B)
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
Eight Day Galapagos Islands Cruise Aboard the Isabella II
Free Quito-Galapagos Airfare or No Single Supplement for all September and December 1-15 Departures.
Single
Double
Triple
Standard Cabin/Double
$5,629
$3,759
$3,439
Standard Cabin Single
$4,879
n/a
n/a
Classic Cabin Twin/Double
$5,999
$3,999
$3,669
Master Suite Queen
$6,299
$4,199
$3,849
All prices are in U.S. Dollars. Click here to see our prices in your currency.
NOTES:
Low Season prices are shown above. High Season prices are shown in the Detailed Itinerary.
The above prices are valid until December 31, 2010.
Triple rates are based on one child under 12 sharing cabin with two adults paying full fare.
High Season: March 30-April 5, December 21-January 3.
Eight Day Galapagos Islands Cruise Aboard the Isabella II
The Price of This Tour Includes
South American Vacations' expert pre-departure planning services and documentation.
Transfers in the islands, and transfers in and out from select hotels in Quito and Guayaquil to/from Galapagos on the date of the cruise.
Accommodations on board Yacht Isabella II.
All meals scheduled on board.
Two daily excursions to the islands conducted by bi-lingual naturalist guides.
Evening briefings and lectures.
Snorkeling equipment and wetsuits.
The Price of This Tour Does Not Include
International airfare.
Domestic airfare.
Hotel nights before/after the cruise.
Fuel surcharge of $203 per person.
Galapagos National Park entrance fee ($100).
Transit control card ($10).
Gratuities to ship crew and guides.
Bar, gifts, and personal items.
Travel insurance.
We will be happy to quote the cost of international airfare, domestic airfare, hotels, travel insurance, and land services and to make these arrangements for you.
Eight Day Galapagos Islands Cruise Aboard the Isabella II
Eight Day Galapagos Islands Cruise Aboard the Isabella II
