Galapagos: Isabela II | 5 days Western

From Baltra to Baltra
  • Ecuador
  • Galapagos Islands
  • Small Ship Cruising
  • Wildlife and Nature
View Similar Tours

Tour Description

The Galápagos Islands are special and you want a special yacht in which to explore this living laboratory of evolution.  With a capacity of only 40 guests, yacht Isabela II offers a relaxed yet intimate atmosphere with several indoor and outdoor communal spaces, while enjoying an unforgettable Galapagos expedition. Multiple guides onboard means that Yacht Isabela II’s guests have the added privilege of seeing the Galapagos in small groups,  around 11 guests per guide.

Yacht Isabela II has the privilege of having numerous visitor sites in the Galapagos Islands all to itself, sometimes there will be noone else in sight. OnSanta Cruz Island, visit the world-famous Charles Darwin Research Station and explore the highlands. Get great shots of the photogenic Bartolome Island, also a popular spot for the Galapagos penguin!  Swim off white sandy beaches, explore lava fields , volcanic craters looking out for Boobies, Frigatebirds, the Galapagos Hawk, Iguanas and fur seals. Have fun snorkelling with the Galapagos Sea Lions and chill with the Galapagos Giant Tortoise.

After all the adventure you will need a delicious meal made from organic, top-quality ingredients -  All diets are welcome! And of course a soak in the hot tub. All in a day in the Galapagos.

 

  

Viva's Best Bits...

"The climb to the summit of Bartolome is well worth it. The view is spectacular, with the famous Pinnacle Rock" Pia, Team Viva

Punta Espinoza on Fernandina Island is the best place to see hundreds of marine iguanas

Take the opportunity to swim and snorkel, or ride in the glass bottom boat to enjoy the sandy beaches and marine life

Tour Itinerary

Day 1
Baltra Island

Baltra Airport (Santa Cruz Island)
After landing at Baltra Airport, we drive 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 fascinating, more humid Highlands of the island to enjoy lunch, and then continue south down to Puerto Ayora on the coast.

Puerto Ayora and the Charles Darwin Research Station
At the eastern end of Puerto Ayora, the largest town in the archipelago, we visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and the Giant Tortoise Breeding Center, the islands’ headquarters for scientific research and conservation. Later in the afternoon, we stroll along the main street of Puerto Ayora before embarking. Captain’s welcome cocktail and dinner

Day 2
Bartolome Island Sullivan Bay (Santiago Island)

Bartolome Island
This morning, a Galapagos icon awaits: Bartolome Island. A great way to start the day, with a steep climb up a wooden staircase: the panoramic view from the top is well worth the effort! Following the walk, we take a panga ride around colossal Pinnacle Rock in search of Galapagos penguins and other wildlife.

Sullivan Bay (Santiago Island)
After lunch, we board the pangas (inflatable dinghies) and land at Sullivan Bay on the east coast of Santiago, a white coral sand beach that is ideal for swimming. A trail runs along a lava field that flowed here around 100 years ago. This is the perfect place to see and understand the volcanic origin of the Galapagos

Day 3
Santa Cruz Island James Bay, Santiago Island

Dragon Hill (Santa Cruz Island)
The north coast of Santa Cruz hosts the fascinating landscapes of Dragon Hill. After disembarking, the first part of our walk passes a brackish-water lagoon frequented by shorebirds, ducks, and American flamingos, while further inland, the trail offers a beautiful view of the bay and the western islands of the archipelago, as well as the chance of observing land iguanas (for which the visitor site is named, following a concerted effort to conserve them by the Galapagos National Park). After our walk, we can snorkel from the shore, hoping to spot rays, green turtles, and sharks.

Salt Mine (James Bay, Santiago Island)
Our wet landing on James Bay follows in the footsteps of Charles Darwin. The young naturalist spent about six days exploring this island in 1835, enthralled not only by the species he encountered — finches, mockingbirds, lava lizards, and yellow warblers, as well as Galapagos doves, hawks, and flamingos — but also by the vegetation and the fascinating geological formations. Our hike takes us uphill to one of these for panoramic views: a crater filled with brackish water. The salt from this lagoon was mined in the 20th century, but the businesses didn’t prosper. More active explorers can hike all the way around the cone.

Day 4
Isabela Island Fernandina Island

Punta Vicente Roca (Isabela Island)
Since there is no landing site at this location, we explore the captivating coast by dinghy, seeking out abundant wildlife including colonies of Galapagos fur seals, the nesting sites of Nazca boobies, not to mention flightless cormorants, penguins, and marine iguanas. Depending on the conditions of the ocean, we’ll be able to snorkel along the cliffs, hopefully in the company of green sea turtles. Back on board, we navigate along the Bolivar Channel, where nutrient-rich upwellings provide fertile fishing grounds for cetaceans.

Punta Espinoza (Fernandina Island)
We end our journey on a high note, by visiting the island of Fernandina, the youngest island of the archipelago and arguably one of the most pristine ecosystems on the planet. Our visitor site of Punta Espinoza boasts an amazing combination of apparently barren landscapes and abundant wildlife, all dominated by the lofty volcano at the heart of the island. Highlights to spot include hawks, penguins, huge numbers of marine iguanas, and the famous flightless cormorant, with its beguiling blue eyes.

Day 5
Baltra Island Depart

After breakfast, we leave for the airport to take the flight back to the mainland.

**Ask us for other exciting itineraries on the Isabela II

What’s Included

Accommodation
  • Included Copy 20 Cabin on board
Food
  • Included Copy 20 All meals
Fees & Services
  • Included Copy 20 Island sightseeing
  • Included Copy 20 Naturalists and lecture services
  • Included Copy 20 Snorkeling gear
  • Included Copy 20 Transfers
  • Included Copy 7 Galapagos Islands National Park Entrance Fee USD$100 (Payable locally)
  • Included Copy 7 Ingala Tourist Card USD$20 (Payable locally)
  • Included Copy 7 Return flights to the Galapagos
  • Included Copy 20 Onboard Medical Assistance
  • Included Copy 20 Use of kayaks, glass bottom boat, dinghy rides
  • Included Copy 31 Wetsuit rental available
  • Included Copy 31 Internet (via Computer Station, low-bandwidth additional charge)
Transportation

Isabela II | Galapagos Cruise Ship

40 Passengers

Activities

  • Included Chances to see Galapagos penguins
  • Included Look out for Blue footed booby and Nazca Booby
  • Included Swimming and snorkelling
  • Included Excursions by dinghy or glass-bottom boat
  • Included Photography opportunities - Bartolome - the view of Pinnacle Rock
  • Included Take a walk in the 100 year old lava fields and learn about the volcanic origin of the island.
  • Included Walk, hike or kayaking in the Galapagos
  • Included Bird watching - flamingos, Frigate birds, Galapagos hawks and more
  • Included Visit a Giant Tortoise Reserve and the Charles Darwin Research Station
Click here for dates & prices
Duration

5 days

Price from

$3,820 USD

Per person, twin share

Departs on select Thursdays