Discover, Plan & Go!

The 40-passenger Isabela II is one of the most luxurious motor yachts in the Galapagos Islands and offers an elegant yet relaxed atmosphere for experiencing the full adventure of the Islands. This Galapagos cruise visits Hood, Post Office Bay, Tower, James, Bartelome, Charles Darwin Station and more. Three naturalists point out finches, boobies, sea lions, tortoise and more. Onboard are 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. Our cruises 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 cruises to the Galapagos Islands 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 Gal�pagos Cruise.

Accommodations: Hotel Patio Andaluz or similar

Included Meals: breakfast

Day 3 - Baltra Island / North Seymour Island

You will have a morning arrival to Baltra Island by TAME flight 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 - Hood (Espanola): Gardner Bay, Punta Suarez

After breakfast, disembark (wet landing) at 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 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 visit its 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. Also a Naturalist's briefing with dinner.

Accommodations: Isabela II

Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5 - Floreana: Point 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. There is great snorkeling from the beach or near by, at the Devil's Crown. Those who do not snorkel can enjoy a ride on the glass-bottom boat. Lunch on board. A wet 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. Then, a panga ride will take you to nearby islets to observe sea lions, rays and sea turtles, boobies and possibly the Galapagos penguin. Also a Naturalist's briefing with dinner.

Accommodations: Isabela II

Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 6 - Santa Cruz

After breakfast, disembark (dry landing) to visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and the giant tortoise pens, an impressive giant prickly-pear cactus forest and many land birds. Following will be a stroll along the main street of Puerto Ayora. Lunch will be at the Finch Bay Eco Hotel. Afternoon in the highlands, visiting the 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. Naturalist's briefing with dinner.

Accommodations: Isabela II

Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

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

Morning wet landing 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 snorkeling at this beautiful natural harbor. Those most adventurous can look for Hammerhead sharks, snorkeling along the cliffs. Lunch on board. The afternoon starts with a very interesting panga ride along the cliffs and then disembark (dry landing) on rocks for a steep climb (90 feet) and then a leveled walk for about a mile to the other side of this small island observing large colonies of masked boobies, frigate birds, storm petrels and the short-eared owl. Naturalist's briefing with dinner.

Accommodations: Isabela II

Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 8 - Fernandina: Punta Espinoza / Isabela: Urbina Bay

The morning 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. Lunch on board. After lunch, a scenic cruise along Bolivar Channel and possible observation of whales and/or dolphins. Disembark (wet landing) for a medium-length walk at Urbina Bay to look for giant tortoises and land iguanas. This place went through a volcanic uplifting event back in 1954 leaving gaunt marine skeletons, which make the walk remarkably interesting. Those who wish may take either only a short walk along the beach, or a longer walk towards the interior of the island. Swimming and snorkeling depending on local conditions.

Accommodations: Isabela II

Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 9 - James (Santiago): Puerto Egas / Bartolome

There will be a 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. Good snorkeling and swimming from the beach after the walk. Lunch on board. 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), snorkeling and swimming from the beach, or a ride on the glass-bottom boat. Farewell cocktail and departure briefing.

Accommodations: Isabela II

Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 10 - Baltra, return flight to Quito

The ship anchors in the morning at the entrance to Black Turtle Cove. This is a great place to see large schools of Golden Rays, Green Sea Turtles (they are on the rare and endangered species list), White-tipped Sharks, Galapagos Sharks, Lava Herons, Yellow Warblers and a variety of other bird species. Sail into Baltra and transfer by bus to the airport for the flight back to the mainland, arriving around 5:30pm. 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 available.

Land Cost Includes: Three nights Quito hotel accommodations with breakfast included, all airport/ hotel transfers, Galapagos flight, Galapagos National Park entrance fees & taxes, 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: Please see AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions. We highly recommend our travelers protect their investment with

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 four 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