Quito & Galapagos Islands in luxury aboard Isabella II

Daily Itinerary

Day 1, Sunday – Miami/Quito
Flight from Miami to Quito, Ecuador. Upon arrival in Ecuador’s capital city of Quito, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

Day 2, Monday – Quito City Tour and The Equator
The tour begins with a great view of Orellana’s way and Guapulo Sanctuary (XVII Century). We will continue towards the downtown, where we will take a walk visiting the Independence Square, surrounded by historically important buildings, such us the Cathedral (XVI Century), the Presidential Palace, El Sagrario Church (XVII Century), and one of the most beautiful baroque churches in South America, La Compañia de Jesus (XVII Century). The tour finishes with a visit to the Panecillo Hill where the Virgin of Quito, (the only winged virgin) is located. From this perspective you will be delighted by the spectacular view of Colonial Quito mainly. Afterwards we visit the middle of the world. This monument was built to commemorate the Geodesic Scientific Mission, which came to Ecuador, during the 19th century, in order to study and measure the Earth Meridian. Or, visit the Inti Ñan Museum, a scientific and cultural Museum, located in the exact place where the Equator Line crosses and where you will be shown with different scientific experiments that you are truly stand on the 0° Meridian.

Day 3, Tuesday – Quito/Galapagos (Baltra)
Morning transfer to the airport to take the flight to the Galapagos, upon arrival you transfer to the dock to board the Isabela II. Welcome briefing and lunch.

North Seymour Island
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. Naturalists’ briefing on the next day’s activities and dinner.

Day 4, Wednesday - Gardner Bay (Hood Island)
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 just 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.

Punta Suárez (Hood Island) Afternoon dry landing for an exciting walk on lava terrain to visit its unique sea bird colonies, including the Waved Albatrosses (May to December) and the famous blowhole. A shorter walk is also available. For those not planning to walk, there will be a panga (dinghy) ride along the coastline of Punta Suárez. Naturalists’ briefing and dinner.

Day 5, Thursday - Point Cormorant (Floreana Island)
After breakfast, disembark at Point Cormorant 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 snorkeling from the beach or nearby at the Devil’s Crown. Those who do not snorkel can enjoy a ride on the glass-bottom boat. Lunch on board.

Post Office Bay (Floreana Island) 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. Naturalists’ briefing and dinner.

Day 6, Friday - Santa Cruz Island
After breakfast, disembark to visit the highlands of Santa Cruz Island, a Scalesia forest and the twin pit craters Los Gemelos. From December to mid-April, if weather conditions are good, a visit to see the giant tortoises in the wild may be included.

Afternoon visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station and the giant tortoise pens, an impressive giant prickly-pear cactus forest and many land birds. Then a stroll along the main street of Puerto Ayora before embarking on the Isabela II. Naturalists’ briefing and dinner.

Day 7, Saturday - Darwin Bay (Tower Island)
Morning wet landing for an easy stroll observing thousands of birds, 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 or snorkel along the cliffs. Lunch on board.

Prince Philip’s Steps (Tower Island) The afternoon starts with a very interesting panga ride along the cliffs and then disembark 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. Naturalists’ briefing and dinner.

Day 8, Sunday
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, while crossing the Equator line. This morning, the expedition staff will decide to visit one of the following locations:

Punta Vicente Roca (Isabela Island)
A magnificent landscape shows the uniqueness of the western volcanoes of the Galápagos. We are now looking at the youngest geological features of the archipelago, at the northern tip of the Galápagos’ largest island, Isabela. This area is part of Ecuador Volcano, where a collapsed caldera floor is revealed after a major sinking of half of the whole volcano structure. The anchoring place lies in front of tuff-stone layers of a parasitic cone, next to the slopes of the host volcano. Since there is no landing site at this location, our outing will include coastal exploration where our Naturalists will explain the dramatic geology of the area. Wildlife here will definitely surprise everyone; after just having crossed the Equator, this tropical area holds surprises like dolphins, whales, sea lions, sea birds, turtles, and more. Where is all this life coming from? The answer is the Cromwell Current; a deep submarine current that upwells right at the volcanic platform of the western islands. These cool nutrient-rich waters attract plenty of sea-depending species which include brown pelicans, blue-footed boobies, noddy terns, shearwaters, and the only tropical penguin on Earth, the Galápagos penguin. Depending on sea conditions (current and visibility), we will schedule a snorkeling outing too.
OR
Tagus Cove (Isabela Island)
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 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, which is 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. Lunch on board.
OR
Punta Espinoza (Fernandina Island)
The afternoon brings us to the youngest island, Fernandina. Disembark 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-lightfoot crabs, hawks, penguins and the flightless cormorant. Naturalists’ briefing and dinner.

Day 9, Monday - Puerto Egas (James 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. Good snorkeling and swimming from the beach after the walk. Lunch on board.

Bartolome Island
Disembark at Bartolome Island 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, snorkeling and swimming from the beach, or a ride on the glass-bottom boat. Farewell cocktail and departure briefing.

Day 10, Tuesday – Baltra/Guayaquil
Disembark at Baltra and transfer to the airport for the flight to Guayaquil. Upon arrival in Guayaquil, transfer to your hotel.

Day 11, Wednesday – Guayaquil/Miami
Transfer to the airport for your international departure flight.

Price Includes:
- Air transportation from Miami to Quito, Guayaquil to Miami, coach class - You do not need to fly via Miami; we will fly you the most direct way to your destination. Depending on your travel dates and proximity of travel, we will quote you the most economical surcharge from your city of origin
- Air transportation from Quito to Galapagos, Galapagos to Guayaquil, coach class
- Round-trip airport/hotel transfers
- 7 nights cruise on the Isabella II, Galapagos Park Entrance fee is included; all meals and shore excursions
- Hotel accommodation including breakfast daily and taxes
- Guided tours in English including all entrance fees