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Yacht Isabela II - Galapagos Islands Cruise (8 days)8 days duration
After upon arrival at Baltra Island, you are immediately transferred to the dock to board the ISABELA II where you will have a welcome introductory briefing and lunch.
In the afternoon, you disembark at North Seymour (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. Tonight, enjoy a Welcome Cocktail offered by the Captain before the onboard naturalist's briefing on the next day's activities and dinner. A briefing each night will let you know the following days activities. (LD)
After breakfast we disembark (wet landing) at Gardner Bay, a white coral beach where you can take a short walk and watch the sea lions, mockingbirds, finches or enjoy the beach. There is great snorkelling in this area (snorkelling equipment is available for guests at no extra cost), or ride the glass-bottom boat.
Afternoon dry landing at Punta Suarez for an exciting walk on lava terrain to visit its unique sea bird colonies, including the Waved Albatrosses (May - December) and the famous blowhole. A shorter walk is also available. (BLD)
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 and sandpipers. There is great snorkelling at this site! Those who do not snorkel can enjoy a ride on the glass-bottom boat before returning to our yacht for lunch.
This afternoon we have a wet landing at historical Post Office Bay to learn about the human side of the islands, its early inhabitants and the adventures of pirates and whalers. Then, a panga ride will take you to nearby islets to observe sea lions, rays and sea turtles, boobies and possibly the Galapagos penguin. (BLD)
After breakfast, disembark (dry landing) to visit the highlands of Santa Cruz Island, a Scalesia forest and the twin pit craters Los Gemelos. From December to mid-April a visit to see the giant tortoises in the wild may be included, if weather conditions are good. Today, enjoy lunch at the Finch Bay Eco Hotel.
This afternoon we visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and the giant tortoise pens, an impressive giant prickly-pear cactus forest and many land birds. Take a stroll along the main street of Puerto Ayora before embarking on the ISABELA II. (BLD)
Morning wet landing at Darwin Bay for an easy stroll observing thousands of bird life, mainly frigate birds, red footed and masked boobies, gulls, herons, finches and mockingbirds. If you wish, you can continue walking over sharp lava and uneven terrain, or just go back to the beach to enjoy swimming and snorkelling at this beautiful natural harbour. Those most adventurous can snorkel along the cliffs
While crossing the Equator, early risers will 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.
On the northwest of Isabela Island, 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 unusual Palo Santo trees. These white-barked trees are leafless and look dead most of the year. They leaf out and spring back to life in the short wet season, which usually begins in March or April. An uphill hike through Palo Santo forest takes guests to the back of Darwin Crater, filled with salt water. The view at the end of the trail 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. The afternoon brings us to the youngest island, Fernandina. Disembark at Punta Espinoza (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. (BLD)
Wet landing at Puerto Egas on Santiago Island 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. Good snorkelling and swimming from the beach after the walk.
This 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 be time for a panga ride around Pinnacle Rock to observe penguins, to enjoy the beach (wet landing), snorkelling and swimming from the beach, or a ride on the glass-bottom boat. Tonight enjoy a Farewell cocktail and departure briefing. (BLD)
After breakfast, travel from the port to the airport for your flight back to Guayaquil or Quito. (BL)
Inca Tours does not own any of the hotels, lodges or service providers utilised in making up the tours. As a result Inca Tours is only acting as an agent for the operators and as such does not accept responsibility for any negligence, omissions, errors or differences in standard experienced by passengers when utilising the operators' products or services. Please Note: for full booking terms and conditions please see the back of our booking form. To Enquire about this Product Please call us now on 1800 024 955. Alternatively, you can enquire about this product by clicking the button below. |
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