Combine the magical mystery of the Galapagos Islands with the luxury of the Isabela II as you cruise Las Encantados, the “enchanted isles.” Accommodating just 40 passengers in 20 outside cabins, the Isabela II features all the amenities of a larger vessel including bar, dining room, sun deck with an spacious observation area for whale and dolphin watching, solarium and Jacuzzi. Zodiacs and a glass-bottom boat for superb underwater viewing are available for your exclusive use. Welcome Aboard!
Sample Itinerary
DAY 1/SUN : DEPART USA / QUITO
SWISSOTELDay flight to Quito. Transfer to your hotel.
DAY 2/MON : QUITO
SWISSOTELMorning tour of Quito with its rich Iberian legacy of churches, cathedrals and baroque architecture. (B)
DAY 3/TUE : QUITO / BALTRA – EMBARK CRUISE
ISABELA IIMorning flight to the port city of Guayaquil and on to Baltra Island. Embark ISABELA II. Cruise to Bartolome Island with its dramatic volcanic formations. Hike to the summit and admire a large colony of iguanas and lava lizards. Snorkel among waddling penguins and marine tortoises. Captain’s Welcome Dinner. (B,L,D)
DAY 4/WED : GALAPAGOS CRUISE
ISABELA IICruise through Bolivar Channel to observe whales and dolphins. Disembark on Isabela Island and search for tortoises and elusive land iguanas. Swim with marine iguanas and sea turtles. Hike to Darwin’s lagoon to see giant tortoises and penguins. (B,L,D)
DAY 5/THU : GALAPAGOS CRUISE
ISABELA IIDisembark on Fernandina Island to see marine iguanas and the flightless cormorant. Cruise to Isabela Island and take an energizing hike to the top of Volcano Ecuador for a spectacular view. Observe hundreds of boobies, sea gulls and sea lions. (B,L,D)
DAY 6/FRI : GALAPAGOS CRUISE
ISABELA IIToday is exciting as you start with a wet landing on San Salvador Island. Observe great blue herons, lava herons and oyster catchers. Search for elusive octopuses, sea horses and starfish. Visit Rabida and hike to a tranquil lagoon where you find flamingoes, brown pelicans, boobies and Darwin’s finches. (B,L,D)
DAY 7/SAT : GALAPAGOS CRUISE
ISABELA IIMeet the scientists at Charles Darwin Station. Walk and shop in the small town. Cross the highlands of Santa Cruz to observe the twin craters Los Gemelos and Cerro Chato. Lunch is served at a local ranch. (B,L,D)
DAY 8/SUN : GALAPAGOS CRUISE
ISABELA IIDry landing at Punta Suarez, home to sea lion colonies. Trek to see blue-footed boobies and the world’s largest colony of waved albatross. Disembark on a white coral beach in the middle of hundreds of sea lions. Take a swim among schools of colorful, darting fishes. (B,L,D)
DAY 9/MON : GALAPAGOS CRUISE
ISABELA IIVisit Ochoa Beach and swim with sea lions. Hike to Pitt Point to see nesting sites. Cruise through Leon Dormido, a vertical tuff cone rising 500 feet. This evening is your farewell reception. (B,L,D)
DAY 10/TUE : BALTRA / QUITO
SWISSOTELVisit Seymour Norte to see swallow tailed gulls and bodysurfing sea lions! Your cruise ends at Baltra where you transfer to the airport for your return flight to Quito. The balance of the afternoon is on your own. (B)
DAY 11/WED : DEPART QUITO
EN ROUTEMorning return flight to the USA.
NOTE: CRUISE PROGRAM IS SUBJECT TO WEATHER / WATER / WILDLIFE CONDITIONS.
NOTE: CRUISE PROGRAM IS SUBJECT TO WEATHER / WATER / WILDLIFE CONDITIONS.
COST OF ADVENTURE PER PERSON
Please contact Destinations & Adventures at 1-800-659-4599 and one of our expert travel consultants will prepare pricing for your own custom-designed journey based on exact dates of travel and number of persons traveling.
