M/Y Isabela II Cruise - 8D/7N

photo of Isabela II’s dining room, courtesy of Metropolitan Tours, Ecuador Isabela 2 (II) Galapagos Cruise is the most luxurious vessel cruising the Galapagos Islands, the Isabela II Galapagos cruise, is fully air conditioned; all cabins are spacious and have private bathrooms. Its three public decks offer the amenities of a larger vessel. The 46 cabin M/V Santa Cruz, built exclusively for Galapagos Islands cruising was completely renovated in 1998, having been redesigned and refurbished inside and out. The Santa Cruz has gained worldwide recognition for its excellent standards, including superb service, expert crew, the most knowledgeable multilingual naturalist/guides and menus that feature the very best international cuisine and celebrated Ecuadorian dishes. The goodness of luxurious comfort after experiencing a primitive wonderful unspoiled world is more than you can expect in a single cruise. The finest aspect of life: pristine nature, excellence in service, vast knowledge base, and entirely new experiences are the highlights of Yacht Isabela II. It combines elegance and relaxation to help you make the most of your Island experience.

Departures: Tuesdays from Baltra Island All Year Round.

Accommodation: Cabins with Safety boxes & Hair dryers

  • Twin/ Double 1 owners Cabin with double bed - 16 cabins with twin beds - 2 cabins with double bed plus a single bed for double or triple use
  • Single 2 cabins with double bed for single or double use -

Included: Cabin accommodation - all meals and snacks - Island sightseeing - All guide and lecture services - Taxes and transfers in the island - Glass - bottom boat outings - Wet suits for snorkeling in cooler waters - Sea kayaks.

Notes: Please read the Itinerary as a guide only. Our route and program varies according to National Park policies and regulations, weather conditions, seasonal changes, safety reasons and the wildlife we encounter. Flexibility is the key to the success of this expedition. The Expedition Staff will provide you with snorkeling gear (mask and snorkel, fins, floating device and net bag). Please note that the operation does not carry prescription masks. A short wet suit is recommended from June to December - 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.

Not Included: Any airfares (International Airfare, Airfare to Galapagos) - Galapagos entrance fee (park tax (US $100 subject to change without notice)) - alcoholic beverages – Gratuities - Passport and visa expenses - Any personal expenses and any items not specifically mentioned as included in the program.

photo of the blue footed boobies in North Seymour Island, Ecuador, courtesy of Tourism Board of EcuadorDay by day Itinerary:

  • Day 1 Tuesday - Baltra Island - Morning arrival to Baltra Island by Aerogal 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.
  • Day 2 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.
  • Day 3 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 at this site. 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. Naturalist’s briefing and dinner.
  • Day 4 Friday - Santa Cruz Island - After breakfast, disembark (dry landing). 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.
  • Day 5 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. 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.
  • Day 6 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. 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.
  • Day 7 Monday - Puerto Egas (James Island) - Wet landing for a mid-length walk. 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, 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.
  • Day 8 Tuesday - After breakfast, departure to the port and airport to take the flight back to the continent.

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Also tagged with: Cruise Expeditions, Adventure Expeditions, Escorted Journeys, South America, Ecuador, Galapagos Islands, Special Destinations, Hiking, Active Travel, Ecological Travel, Educational, Cultural, Nature / Ecology, Bird Watching, Join-In Tour, Hosted Tours, Snorkeling, Photography