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south america: galapagos

z-Isabela II

Cruise to the Galapagos Islands aboard the 40-passenger Isabela II, one of the most luxurious motor yachts in the Galapagos Islands. The Isabela II offers an elegant yet relaxed atmosphere for experiencing the full adventure of the Galapagos Islands. This Galapagos small ship cruise visits Hood, Post Office Bay, Tower, James, Bartelome, Charles Darwin Station and more. The Isabella II offers the efficiency and intimacy of a smaller yacht yet retains the luxury and amenities of a small ship cruise. She is the perfect size for travelers seeking the ultimate in comfort and adventure. Three naturalists lead daily hikes and snorkeling, to point out finches, boobies, sea lions, tortoise and more incredible Galapagos wildlife. Onboard the Isabela II expect excellent service, comfortable cabins, fine dining, sundeck bar, Jacuzzi and snorkeling and a glass-bottom boat.

Our Galapagos cruises combine the finest small ships with the most talented naturalist guides and offer a range of activities designed to bring you into intimate contact with the unique creatures and ecosystems of the Galapagos Islands. Spend more time ashore hiking among nesting birds, more time snorkeling with sea lions, or perhaps just relaxing on a crescent beach.

The Isabela II Galapagos cruise packages begin and end in colonial Quito, Ecuador and include Quito hotel accommodations, airport/hotel transfers, round trip flights from mainland Ecuador to the Galapagos Islands and a half day tour of the Quito's old town, a UNESCO designated World Heritage Site. Join us and see why, quite simply, our small ship and yacht Galapagos Island cruises are the vacation of a lifetime!

Day 1 - Arrive Quito Ecuador

Upon arrival at the Quito, Ecuador international airport you are met by our local representative and transferred to your hotel.

Accommodations: Hotel Patio Andaluz or similar
Included Meals: none

Day 2 - Colonial Quito

South America's oldest capitol city, Quito sits at 9,184-feet elevation. It has been amazingly preserved and is protected as a UNESCO world heritage site. Enjoy a three hour guided walking tour of Quito's colonial center including Independence Plaza, La Compania Church and San Francisco Cathedral. The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy this lively city, rest or prepare for your Galapagos Cruise.

Accommodations: Hotel Patio Andaluz or similar
Included Meals: breakfast

Day 3 - Quito to Baltra Island & North Seymour Island

Morning arrival to Baltra Island, Galapagos, and immediate transfer to the dock to board the ISABELA II. Welcome introductory briefing and lunch. 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.

Accommodations: Isabela II
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4 - Espanola (Hood) Island: Gardner Bay, Punta Suarez

After breakfast, disembark (wet landing) at a white coral beach and take a short walk to watch the sea lions, mockingbirds, finches or simply enjoy the beach. Take advantage of the great snorkeling in this area (snorkeling equipment is available for passengers at no extra cost), or ride the glass-bottom boat around Gardner or Tortuga islets. Afternoon dry landing for an exciting walk on lava terrain to observe unique sea bird colonies, including the Waved Albatrosses (May - December) and the famous blowhole. A shorter walk is also available. For those not planning to walk there will be panga (dinghy) ride along the coastline of Punta Suarez. Naturalist's briefing and dinner.

Accommodations: Isabela II
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5 - Floreana: Punta Cormorant, Post Office Bay

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. Enjoy the great snorkeling from the beach or explore this area by kayak. Following lunch on board, explore Champion Island by glass bottom boat and then make a landing at the historical Post Office Bay to learn about the human side of the islands, its early inhabitants and the adventures of pirates and whalers. Take a panga ride will to nearby islets to observe sea lions, rays and sea turtles, boobies and possibly the Galapagos penguin. Return to the ship in the late afternoon for a naturalist's briefing and dinner.

Accommodations: Isabela II
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 6 - Santa Cruz Island: Darwin Research Center, Highlands

After breakfast, disembark (dry landing) at Puerto Ayora and travel to the Highlands of Santa Cruz Island. Explore the Scalesia forest and Los Gemelos - an interesting geological formation consisting of twin pit craters. In the Afternoon, return to Puerto Ayora to visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, the giant tortoise pens, and an impressive giant prickly-pear cactus forest, home to many land birds. Time permitting, take a stroll along the main street of Puerto Ayora and visit its many shops and cafes. Naturalist's briefing and dinner.

Accommodations: Isabela II
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 7 - Genovesa(Tower)Island: Darwin Bay, Prince Philip's Steps

Morning wet landing for an easy stroll observe a variety of bird life, mainly frigate birds, red footed and masked boobies, gulls, herons, finches and mockingbirds. Depending on your interests, continue walking over sharp lava and uneven terrain to explore the surrounding area, or return to the beach to enjoy swimming and snorkeling at this beautiful natural harbor. For the more adventurous, snorkel along the cliffs in search of marine life, including Hammerhead sharks. Return to the ship for lunch on board. The following visitor site starts with a very interesting panga ride along the cliffs, followed by a dry landing on the rocky shore. Climb up a steep hill, and then continue walking on a leveled walk for about a mile, to the other side of this small island for a chance to observe large colonies of masked boobies, frigate birds, storm petrels and the short-eared owl. Return to the ship for a naturalist's briefing and dinner.

Accommodations: Isabela II
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 8 – Isabela Island: Tagus Cove & Fernandina: Punta Espinoza

Early risers 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 fragrant Palo Santo Trees. These white-barked trees are leafless and look dead most of the year, but during the spring they leaf out and spring back to life. Take a hike uphill and hike to the back of Darwin Crater, filled with salt water, and enjoy the view at the end of the trail: it 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. Returning to the landing site, enjoy swimming, snorkeling or paddling in the kayaks before returning to the ship for lunch. 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.

Accommodations: Isabela II
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 9 - Santiago(James)Island: Puerto Egas & Bartolome Island

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. Enjoy snorkeling and swimming from the beach after the walk, followed by a unch on board. Later in the afternoon, 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 also be time for a panga ride around Pinnacle Rock to observe penguins, and time at the landing beach to enjoy snorkeling and swimming from the beach. This evening, enjoy a farewell cocktail with your fellow cruise members.

Accommodations: Isabela II
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 10 - Baltra, return flight to Quito

After breakfast, sail into Baltra and transfer by bus to the airport for your flight back to the mainland, arriving in the late afternoon. Transfer to your hotel.

Accommodations: Hotel Patio Andaluz or similar
Included Meals: breakfast

Day 11 - Depart Quito

Transportation will be provided to the airport for return flights home or for excursions into the Amazon Basin rainforest or Machu Picchu.

Accommodations: n/a
Included Meals: breakfast

Notes on Itinerary: We may occasionally alter itineraries slightly for safety, or to take advantage of weather, wildlife, and unplanned discoveries. Our ability to be flexible makes our style of cruising unique.

Single Travelers: The Isabela II offers a 'single' cabin, advance reservation is recommended. There is no 'Share Accommodations' or roommate match program available.

Family Travelers: Children under 12 receive a discount. Families traveling with children under 12 can be accommodated in selected cabins. Minimum child age is 6 years old.

Land Cost Includes: Three nights Quito hotel accommodations with breakfast included, all airport/ hotel transfers, Galapagos flight, Galapagos National Park entrance fees & taxes, Galapagos transit card, Galapagos cruise including all meals while aboard and an experienced Galapagos Islands naturalist guide.

Not Included: Airfare from US to Quito; excess baggage charges; airport departure tax from Quito; tips to local staff and items of a personal nature such as soft drinks or alcoholic beverages, laundry fees and insurance of any kind.

Arrival and Departure: This trip begins and ends in Quito, Ecuador. Plan flights to arrive at any time on Day 1 and depart anytime on the last day. Airport transfers are included for travelers arriving and departing on scheduled arrival/departure days. This trip can also be arranged to begin and end in Guayaquil, Ecuador.

Payment and Cancellation Policy: We charge a deposit of $1000 at the time of booking with the final payment due 90 days from departure. A special cancellation policy applies to all Galapagos trips, which is stricter than the AdventureSmith Explorations policy. When a trip cancellation is received inside of 70 days from departure, all trip costs are 100% non-refundable. Terms and Conditions.

Travel Insurance: We highly recommend our travelers protect their investment with Travel Insurance. Please note that you must purchase your Travel Insurance policy within 14 days of booking your trip for it to cover pre-existing medical conditions.


Accommodations Aboard The Isabela II accommodates 40 guests, has comfortable, well-appointed cabins and many on-board amenities. The crew is comprised of the captain, multilingual naturalist guides, barman/waiter, cook, engineer and deckhands. All meals are prepared and served by the crew on board. Alcoholic beverages are available for purchase on board.

Qualifications: This trip will be enjoyed by anyone who is in good health and leads an active life. Daily excursions from the boat to the islands will be made in pangas (dinghies). Trip members will hike from the landing point to specific areas for wildlife observation. Hiking time for most landings will be a couple of hours roundtrip with lots of time to stop to study, photograph and enjoy the flora and fauna. Some landings are dry but many are "wet", requiring cautious footing on slippery rocks. The boat staff will be on hand to assist. There are numerous opportunities to swim and snorkel.

Extending Your Trip: Call AdventureSmith Explorations about the possibilities of combining this trip with our Mainland Ecuador and Peru: Machu Picchu extensions.

General Information: This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations Terms & Conditions. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A packing list, extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information is sent upon confirmation. We strongly recommend the purchase of Trip Insurance through AdventureSmith Explorations. If purchased within 14 days of sign-up, the pre-existing condition exclusion is waived.

We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Call today.

For additional information and reservations, please contact us:

800-728-2875 | 530-583-1775 | fax 530-583-1711 | travel@AdventureSmithExplorations.com