Galapagos Isabela II

AM: You will arrive in the Galapagos archipelago at Baltra airport where you will be welcomed and met by your guide. After a 10-minute ferry crossing to Santa Cruz Island, we will take a 30-minute bus ride to a restaurant in the highlands for lunch. From there we will continue to the town of Puerto Ayora.

PM: Puerto Ayora and the Charles Darwin Research Station. After driving down from the highlands, we will visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and its famous Galapagos giant tortoises. These are the headquarters of scientific investigation, conservation, and the National Park administration. In the area, you will also see an impressive giant prickly-pear cactus forest, home to many land birds. In the late afternoon, we will stroll along the charming main street of Puerto Ayora before boarding the Isabela II. Later, we will review the expedition plan for next day before enjoying welcome cocktails from the captain and sitting down for dinner.

AM: A stunning anchoring site will provide our jumping-off point for visiting the sandy white beach on Santa Fe Island, with its host of sea lion harems. Galapagos hawks are often easily observed, perched atop salt bushes. The endemic land iguana, unique to this island, may be spotted during our walk. Snorkeling and swimming from the beach, kayaking or a ride in the ship’s glass-bottom boat will round off the rewarding experience.

PM: South Plaza. The turquoise waters of the channel here contrast brilliantly with the white sand and black lava of the shoreline, while a carpet of scarlet sesuvium succulents serves as groundcover for a grove of luminescent green prickly-pear cactus beyond, populated by yellow-gray land iguanas. Along the coastline, you can find sea lion colonies, while seabirds play with the thermals that form along the cliffs of this small but amazing island.

AM: North Seymour Island - The morning starts with an enjoyable walk along the coast and interior of this island, a favorite for many visitors. During this trek, you can observe numerous bird colonies as well as sea lions and marine iguanas. There are opportunities for snorkeling or more coastal exploration. You can also ride in the glass-bottom boat for great views of Galapagos’ underwater world.

PM: Bachas Beach (Santa Cruz Island) - After WWII, US military barges were beached and abandoned here. Locals referred to the beach as the “Barges Beach,” a name that morphed into “Bachas”. Today it is an important nesting area for the east Pacific green sea turtle. Located on the north shore of Santa Cruz Island, Bachas is a glorious white beach, with several brackish lagoons only a few steps away from the sea. These lagoons are the feeding grounds of various wading birds, from stilts to flamingos. You can swim and/or snorkel from the beach. Later we will go over Thursday’s expedition plan review and have dinner.

AM: This morning, a Galapagos icon awaits us: Bartolome Island. A great way to start the day is with a steep climb up a wooden staircase, where the view from the top is worth the effort! Following the walk, we will take the dinghies for a ride around colossal Pinnacle Rock. Later, you can enjoy the beach and some snorkeling. You can also ride in the glass-bottom boat for great views of Galapagos’ underwater world.

PM: Sullivan Bay (Santiago Island) - After lunch, we will board panga boats to land at Sullivan Bay, on the east coast of Santiago. The white-coral-sand beach here is great for swimming; it is a trail over a lava field that flowed here less than 100 years ago. This is the perfect place to see and feel the volcanic origin of Galapagos while observing its wildlife.

AM: After breakfast, we will head to the Baltra airport for your flight back to the Ecuadorian mainland.

AM: We arrive at Baltra Island airport and transfer to the Itabaca Channel to take a ferry across to Santa Cruz Island. A 30-minute bus ride takes us to a restaurant in the Highlands of Santa Cruz Island to enjoy lunch, and then continue to Puerto Ayora.

PM: Charles Darwin Research Station. After driving down from the highlands, we visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and the giant tortoise pens within an impressive giant prickly-pear cactus forest home to many land birds. These are the headquarters of scientific investigation, conservation, and the National Park administration. In the late afternoon, you can stroll along the main street of Puerto Ayora before embarking on the Isabela II yacht. Expedition plan review, captain’s welcome cocktail and dinner.

AM: oday we will visit Floreana Island, considered to be one of the most exotic in the Galapagos archipelago. Countless legends are part of the history of this island, as pirates and buccaneers were drawn to here in search of for food and water. Later the island was colonized by Norwegians, Brits, Germans and others who were in search of ways to make money from what they hoped to discover here. The name Floreana is in honor of Juan Jose Flores, Ecuador’s first president. After breakfast, we land on Floreana Island at Post Office Bay to visit the historic barrel that has been serving as a post office in the archipelago for over two centuries. Snorkeling off the beach.

PM: Cormorant Point (Floreana Island) - Our visit to Cormorant Point takes in an olivine-crystal beach for an easy walk by a brackish water lagoon where bird species like greater flamingos may be observed. On the other side of the island, we come to a white-sand beach where sea turtles come out at night to nest. The next spot is Champion Islet. Though the island itself is off limits to visitors, the waters around this small landmass are great places to snorkel with sea lions and to see colorful tropical fish. Occasionally, dolphins are sighted as boats approach the shore, and the cool currents here make Champion an excellent site for spotting schools of stingrays.

AM: Española Island is the southernmost, oldest and one of the most bio-diverse islands of the Galapagos archipelago. Its English name is “Hood Island,” in honor of the British admiral Samuel Hood. Because of its isolated position, there is much endemic wildlife to be explored here – in addition to great snorkeling from Española’s remarkably beautiful beaches. Our morning outing at Punta Suarez provides an exciting walk on lava/boulder terrain to visit its unique seabird colonies, including the waved albatrosses (April - January), boobies, swallow-tail gulls, and the famous “blowhole”. Also, look for red-green-black marine iguanas. Back on board for lunch.

PM: In the afternoon, we will visit Gardner Bay. Located on Española Island’s eastern shore, this bay is noted for its turquoise-colored waters and its magnificent beach. Around the bay’s small nearby islets, snorkelers will find an abundance of fish, as well as the occasional sea turtle and benign sharks. The bay is also frequented by a transient colony of Galapagos sea lions who love to swim with people. Birds, like the endemic Española mockingbird and different species of Darwin finches, are omnipresent

AM: In the morning, we will visit Punta Pitt, on the eastern side of San Cristobal Island. After a high-intensity hike on rocky terrain along a 1.4 km-long path and several magnificent lookout points, we will make our way through colonies of Frigatebirds and Fork-tailed seagulls. What’s more, this is probably the only site in the world where you can see all three species of boobies – Masked, Red- and Blue-footed ones. In addition to its great range of seabirds, Punta Pitt is also excellent for dinghy rides and snorkeling.

PM: Cerro Brujo (San Cristobal Island) - In the afternoon following lunch on board, a dinghy ride along the shores of tuff-stone layers takes us to Cerro Brujo's expansive, white coralline beach, great for walking, with rewarding birdwatching with good views of seabirds and shorebirds. Also, look out for Galapagos sea lions. These are the same shores that Charles Darwin walked upon, back in September 1835. After the walk, there is a chance to swim and snorkel.

AM: After breakfast, we depart to pier and airport for your flight back to the mainland.

AM: You will land at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno’s airport and be transferred to the dock and then to Isabella II, where you will check in, receive an introductory briefing and have lunch on board.

PM: After lunch, we will land back in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno and drive 40 minutes to the island’s southern shore. At the Tortoise Breeding Center, you will see highly-endangered Galapagos giant tortoises in the midst of a fantastic deciduous forest, home to dozens of bird species and the endemic San Cristobal lava lizard.

AM: Overnight, we will sail northbound to the incredible “Bird Island,” as Genovesa is dubbed, crossing the equator on the way. The morning starts with a panga boat ride along the cliffs of this dramatic island, followed by landing and a steep climb (90 feet) up Prince Philip’s Steps to reach a flat plateau. Along the hike, you can observe large colonies of Nazca boobies, Red-footed boobies, Great frigatebirds and storm petrels. Those not wishing to disembark can enjoy a longer panga ride along the cliffs (depending on weather conditions). You can also enjoy snorkeling and kayaking.

PM: In the afternoon, we land at the beach on Genovesa Island's Darwin Bay for an easy stroll observing hundreds of birds, mainly frigatebirds, Red-footed and Nazca boobies, gulls, herons, finches and mockingbirds. There’s an optional walk over sharp lava and uneven terrain for dramatic views; alternatively, we can return to the beach to enjoy snorkeling in this stunning natural harbor.

AM: After breakfast, we enjoy a coastal exploration along the impressive cliffs of Buccaneer’s Cove, learning about the area’s distant and recent history. The cove is home to a large number of marine birds, sea lions, and inter-tidal organisms. Enjoy fantastic natural formations such as the “Elephant Rock,” “The Bishop” and an impressive natural cave. This is a great site for snorkeling too! Or, you can check out the views in the ship’s glass-bottom boat.

PM: Puerto Egas (Santiago Island) - This is a great opportunity to see land and marine birds amid a landscape of tuff-stone layers and lava flows. At low tide, marine iguanas graze on the algae beds and you can also observe a colony of fur sea lions. Back at the beach where we’ll land, there’s great snorkeling and swimming.

AM: In the morning, we will visit the youngest island of the archipelago, Fernandina. Here, you will find Espinoza Point, which has an amazing combination of barrenness and abundant wildlife. Highlights include Galapagos hawks, penguins and the flightless cormorant. Plus, this is another chance for some snorkeling.

PM: Tagus Cove (Isabela Island) - Across narrow Bolivar Channel, we will anchor at this cove on the northwest of Isabela, which provided a favorite anchorage site for pirates and whalers over the centuries. An uphill hike takes guests to the rim of saltwater- filled Darwin Crater and to a dramatic viewpoint. After our walk, we will take a panga boat ride to spot local wildlife, with the possibility of swimming, kayaking or snorkeling.

AM: After breakfast, we will disembark at Urbina Bay, the result of an uplifting of the ocean in 1954. Here you can find corals, shells and many other calcareous organisms exposed above water. This area is also home to large and very colorful Galapagos land iguanas, and occasionally giant tortoises. After the hike, along the shoreline guests may encounter Flightless cormorants and spot Galapagos penguins while snorkeling.

PM: Punta Vicente Roca (Isabela Island) - Since there is no landing site at this location, the coastal exploration is by dinghy. Your naturalist guide will explain the dramatic geology of the area, consisting of remnants of lava flows and tuff stone layers. There is abundant wildlife and – depending on the conditions of the ocean – you should be able to snorkel along the cliffs – hopefully in the company of green sea turtles. Later we will go over the Galapagos expedition plan for Sunday before dinner.

AM: In the morning, we will disembark onto Rabida Island’s red-colored beach. A stroll will allow you to observe a large colony of sea lions, marine iguanas, mockingbirds, yellow warblers and several species of Darwin’s finches. This is a great place for snorkeling from the beach. You can also enjoy a panga ride, kayaking or ride in the ship’s glass-bottom boat.

AM: Your Galapagos journey ends on Baltra Island, where we transfer to the airport for your flight back to the Ecuadorian mainland.