Galapagos Islands 7 Days Southeastern Cruise aboard Yacht Isabela II
Overview
Inclusions
- Doctor onboard 24/7
- Glass Bottom boat, Kayaks, Paddle boards
- Island Sightseeing with certified Naturalist Guides
- Use of Snorkelling equipment
- Bar – Lounge
- Boutique/Gift Shop
- Reading Room & Natural History Library
- Hot Tub
- Radio, telephone, E-mail, and Fax communications
- PA System
- Air-conditioned throughout
- Safety boxes
- Hairdryers
- Multimedia natural history lectures
- Stargazing Program
- Sea Kayaks
- Snorkeling Equipment
- Wet suits for snorkeling (available for rent)
- Internet
- 6x Breakfast
- 6x Lunch
- 6x Dinner
- Accommodation included: 6 nights
What to expect
Day 1: Baltra & Santa Cruz Islands
Pass By: Baltra, Baltra, Galapagos Islands
Baltra Airport and Santa Cruz Island
We land at Baltra Island by plane in the morning and transfer to the nearby dock to board Yacht Isabela II, where we receive a welcome introductory briefing, boat drill, and lunch.
Las Bachas (Santa Cruz Island)
This beautiful visitor site is located on the north shore of Santa Cruz Island, a glorious white beach with a couple of 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 may enjoy swimming at this beach, too. Back on the ship, we will settle in with a welcome cocktail, a briefing on the next day’s expedition plan, and a delicious dinner.
Meals included:
•
•
Accommodation included: Overnight aboard Isabela II yacht
Day 2: San Cristobal Island
Pass By: San Cristobal, San Cristobal, Galapagos Islands
Punta Pitt (San Cristobal)
We land on the eastern tip of the island. The trail that ascends from the beach provides spectacular views of the shoreline and is the only site in the Galapagos where the three species of boobies can be found together, as well as the two species of frigatebirds, plus a colony of bachelor sea lions. If conditions are favorable, there is a chance to swim, kayak, or snorkel from the beach, or take an inflatable dinghy (panga) ride.
Cerro Colorado (San Cristobal Island)
We disembark at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno and drive 40 minutes to the island’s southern shore. At Cerro Colorado, we visit the breeding center for highly endangered giant tortoises in the midst of a fantastic deciduous forest, home to dozens of bird species, including the San Cristobal mockingbird. Here, we also find the endemic San Cristobal lava lizard
Meals included:
•
•
•
Accommodation included: Overnight aboard Isabela II yacht
Day 3: Española Island
Pass By: Espanola, Espanola, Galapagos Islands
Gardner Bay (Española Island)
In the morning, we’ll set foot on a beautiful, white coral sand beach. We can go on a short walk to observe the sea lions, mockingbirds, and finches, or simply enjoy the beach. There is great snorkeling in this area. Kayaking, panga, or glass-bottom boat rides are also offered.
Punta Suarez (Española Island)
Following lunch aboard the ship, our afternoon outing at Punta Suarez takes us on an exciting trail across lava/boulder terrain. Along the way, we can observe unique sea bird colonies, including the beautiful waved albatrosses, boobies, swallow-tail gulls, and the famous “blowhole”. This island is also famous for its colorful and sizable marine iguanas. All in all, an exciting visit!
Meals included:
•
•
•
Accommodation included: Overnight aboard Isabela II yacht
Day 4: Floreana Island
Pass By: Floreana, Floreana, Galapagos Islands
Cormorant Point (Floreana Island)
We disembark in the morning at the curiously green-tinged, olivine-crystal beach that makes for an easy walk to a brackish water lagoon where bird species like American flamingos can be observed. Crossing over to the other side of the island, we come to a white sand beach where sea turtles come out at night to nest. At Champion Islet, guests can choose to snorkel or take a panga or glass-bottom boat ride.
Post Office Bay & Baroness Cove (Floreana Island)
After lunch, we land at Post Office Bay to visit the historic barrel that has served as an informal post office in the archipelago for over two centuries. Snorkeling off the beach will be offered afterward.
Meals included:
•
•
•
Accommodation included: Overnight aboard Isabela II yacht
Day 5: Isabela & Fernandina Islands
Pass By: Isabela, Isabela, Galapagos Islands
Punta Moreno (Isabela Island)
In the morning, we meander through the mangroves in search of sea turtles and eventually disembark amid a landscape dominated by the giant volcanoes of southern Isabela Island, some still active. The rugged trail loops inland from the coast, giving us plenty of opportunity to enjoy unique lava formations, pioneer lava cactus, and impressive scalesia trees, as well as plenty of wildlife. The inland lagoons are home to Bahama-pintail ducks, common stilts, Galapagos flamingos, and even Galapagos hawks and mockingbirds.
Punta Mangle (Fernandina Island)
Venturing across to Fernandina Island, in the afternoon we board our pangas (inflatable dinghies) and explore the coastline of the archipelago’s youngest ecosystem, a virgin, pristine world of tiny bays, tall mangroves (mangle is Spanish for mangrove) and tranquil coves, home to diminutive Galapagos penguins and green-eyed flightless cormorants preening on the shore’s black rocks
Meals included:
•
•
•
Accommodation included: Overnight aboard Isabela II yacht
Day 6: Santa Cruz & North Seymour Islands
Pass By: Santa Cruz Island, Ecuador
Eden Islet
A panga ride takes us to Eden Islet, located off the coast of Santa Cruz, where we can observe blue-footed boobies, reef sharks, and frigatebirds. There’s a chance to snorkel and, if weather permits, or we can explore via glass-bottom boat. The volcanic setting of this area is quite stunning.
North Seymour Island
We have saved one of the best visitor sites in the archipelago for last. In the afternoon, we disembark for a walk along the coast and the interior of this beautiful flat island, ambling between numerous nesting frigatebirds, where many male frigatebirds display their balloon-like red gular sacs. Additionally, we view plenty of land iguanas and sea lions just doing their thing along the coastline. We explore the coast by dinghy, keeping an eye out for fur seals, and enjoy a fun, deep-water snorkel. Later, we attend an evening briefing, farewell cocktail, and dinner.
Meals included:
•
•
•
Accommodation included: Overnight aboard Isabela II yacht
Day 7: Baltra Island
Pass By: Baltra, Baltra, Galapagos Islands
Baltra Island
Our journey ends at Baltra Island where we transfer to the airport to take the flight back to the mainland.
Meals included:
•
No accommodation included on this day.
Additional information
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- A current valid passport is required on the day of travel
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Ticket delivery
Cancellation
If you cancel between 3 and 6 day(s) in advance of the scheduled departure, there is a 50 percent cancellation fee.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, there is a 100 percent cancellation fee.
This trip was beyond my expectations. I booked the trip almost a year ago, so had plenty of time to be excited for it and read up on the Islands. I was walked through every step of the process from booking with Diego Z, walking into the Quito airport for my flight and up until going through secur...
This trip was beyond my expectations. I booked the trip almost a year ago, so had plenty of time to be excited for it and read up on the Islands. I was walked through every step of the process from booking with Diego Z, walking into the Quito airport for my flight and up until going through security at the Baltra airport. I did not have to worry about what to do or where to go. Onboard the yacht, I was pleased with the friendly, professional service given by each and every member of the team. I was called by name, the servers remembered how I liked my coffee, and I was treated in a warm and friendly manner by everyone. The group of travelers was diverse and well seasoned in traveling, which made for interesting conversations over dinner. The guides Eduardo, Gustavo and Sebastian were as knowledgeable as they were friendly. Most touring companies can show you great views and animals, but this tour and these guides had the stories, and backgrounds of the islands and animals. Safety was a priority, as was preserving the natural surroundings. It was more than I had anticipated and I would highly recommend this tour, and this company.Superb trip with a helpful and friendly crew, great food and everything aboard very comfortable. We had opportunities every day to see unique wild life right up close in a small group. We also snorkelled most days and went on small boat trips too. The naturalists were well informed, entertaini...
Superb trip with a helpful and friendly crew, great food and everything aboard very comfortable. We had opportunities every day to see unique wild life right up close in a small group. We also snorkelled most days and went on small boat trips too. The naturalists were well informed, entertaining and caring and took a marvellous set of photos which they sent on to us for free. The best way to see Galapagos.Our family of 11 (my husband and I in our late 70s, 2 daughters & sons-in-law, and 5 grandchildren ages 6-12) had an absolutely wonderful, unforgettable, week in the Galapagos, all 11 of us!! The Isabela II, her crew, the very knowledgable, experienced and enthusiastic professional naturalists —...
Our family of 11 (my husband and I in our late 70s, 2 daughters & sons-in-law, and 5 grandchildren ages 6-12) had an absolutely wonderful, unforgettable, week in the Galapagos, all 11 of us!! The Isabela II, her crew, the very knowledgable, experienced and enthusiastic professional naturalists — everything was fantastic, and it was so exciting to see all the wildlife and sea birds close up, unafraid of humans! Our waiter in the dining room was extremely good with the children, as were the rest of the crew and the naturalists, and since my husband and I aren't as agile as we used to be, they took extra care to be sure we were able to participate in all the activities and had assistance if we needed it. We were with our family group for all excursions -- each small group of 11-12 people on the ship had a naturalist plus 1 or more crew members for every excursion off the ship. For people not comfortable with deep-water snorkeling and climbing a ladder in and out of a zodiac, the glass-bottom boat is a great alternative for seeing the underwater environment. Note that Galapagos tours are fairly strenuous, but are planned well during the day, with all meals on the ship -- breakfast, then an early morning excursion and mid-morning return followed by snacks and juice on the sundeck and 45 min to 1 hour of relaxation, and then a 2nd morning excursion followed by lunch; a 60-90 min early afternoon rest on board, and 1 or 2 afternoon excursions, usually with a brief rest before dinner. The meals were delicious, with just the right amount of food: buffet breakfast with many choices, sometimes a buffet lunch on the sundeck, and for dinners and "set" lunches, pre-ordered choices of 2-3 appetizers, about 3 main courses (always including 1-2 vegetarian options and a seafood course, generally locally caught), and a choice of 3 desserts. The Galapagos National Park is extremely well regulated and is kept awesomely clean and pristine. I VERY highly recommend Metropolitan Touring, the Isabela II and her crew and naturalists, and our MetroTours trip arranger/"destination expert" Melissa Altamirano.