7 days
from $5,490
Isabella II – Southern
Highlights
Visit Santa Cruz's Charles Darwin's research center
See all 3 species of boobies at San Cristobal
Snorkel at Española's Gardner Bay along unique marine life
Observe magestic flamingos at Floreana Island
Swim alongside turtles and seahorses at Isabela Island
Access Fernandina pristine ecosystem at Punta Espinoza
North Seymour's largest colonies of Bue-Footed Boody
Tour Facts
Price
Duration
ship
Activity Level
Starts / Ends
Departs
Location
click map to expand (not to scale)
Tour Facts
Price
Duration
ship
Activity Level
Starts / Ends
Departs
Location
Summary
Day
overnight & activities
1
BaltraIsland|Airport (GPS)|Santa CruzIsland|Bachas Beach
2
San CristobalIsland|Colorado Hill|Punta Pitt
3
EspañolaIsland|Gardner Bay|Punta Suarez
4
FloreanaIsland|Cormorant Point|Post Office Bay
5
IsabelaIsland|Punta Moreno|FernandinaIsland|Mangle Point
6
Santa CruzIsland|Eden Islet|N. SeymourIsland
7
BaltraIsland|Airport (GPS)
Full Itinerary
Day 1
(Friday)
BaltraIsland|Airport (GPS)|Santa CruzIsland|Bachas Beach
Welcome upon arrival to the Galapagos Island's Baltra Airport and transfer to the ship.
Santa Cruz Island, the central hub of the Galapagos, offers a diverse blend of ecosystems. It's home to the Charles Darwin Research Station, where conservation efforts for the iconic giant tortoises take place. High-land areas feature lush vegetation, while its coastline showcases a variety of marine life, including sea turtles and sharks.
Bachas Beach is a picturesque coastal gem in the Galapagos archipelago. With its soft white sands and crystal-clear waters, it provides an inviting haven for visitors. The area's unique history is evident in the remnants of WWII barges that rest along the shoreline. Flamingos frequent the brackish lagoon, creating a striking contrast against the volcanic landscape. Visitors can stroll along the beach, observe marine iguanas, and enjoy excellent snorkeling opportunities. Bachas Beach offers a serene setting where natural beauty and historical elements merge, making it an enriching destination for exploration and relaxation.
activities
:
Snorkel, Swim, Walk, Zodiac
meals
:
Dinner
Day 2
(Saturday)
San CristobalIsland|Colorado Hill|Punta Pitt
San Cristóbal Island, a cornerstone of the Galápagos archipelago, showcases captivating landscapes and unique biodiversity. Its diverse habitats, from arid zones to lush highlands, house a variety of iconic species, such as giant tortoises, frigate-birds, and blue-footed boobies. The island's historic significance resonates through sites like Cerro Tijeretas, where Darwin first stepped ashore in the Galápagos. The island offers opportunities for snorkeling, diving, and exploring the vibrant capital, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. Discover its pristine beaches, stunning viewpoints, and the Galápagos National Park Interpretation Center, providing insights into the archipelago's natural and human history.
Colorado Hill is a testament to the Galapagos' diverse landscapes. As you ascend, the terrain transforms from arid coastal plains to lush highlands. The panoramic view unveils a mesmerizing blend of blue ocean, greenery, and striking volcanic formations. The hill's unique geological features and vibrant flora provide a glimpse into the archipelago's natural evolution. An encounter with marine iguanas basking on the rocky shores and frigate-birds soaring above is a symbol to the island's rich biodiversity.
Punta Pitt, a striking promontory on San Cristóbal, is renowned for its unique features and diverse wildlife. Its rust-hued cliffs, formed by ancient lava flows, provide a dramatic backdrop to the rich ecosystem. This site is the only place where all three species of boobies - blue-footed, red-footed, and Nazca - nest together. The trail leading to the viewpoint allows visitors to witness these impressive avian displays, as well as the vibrant hues of marine iguanas and sea lions that thrive in its surroundings.
activities
:
Kayak, Snorkel, Walk, Zodiac
meals
:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3
(Sunday)
EspañolaIsland|Gardner Bay|Punta Suarez
Española Island, the oldest of the Galápagos, exudes raw beauty and unique wildlife. Its untamed landscapes feature towering cliffs, pounding surf, and pristine beaches. Home to the world's only waved albatross colony, the island offers an astonishing display of these magnificent birds engaging in elaborate courtship dances. The endemic Hood mockingbird and Española lava lizard are equally captivating. Gardner Bay boasts a powdery white beach frequented by sea lions and marine iguanas. Punta Suarez offers dramatic blowholes and nesting seabirds. Española's isolation has nurtured a distinctive environment, making it a vital haven for endemic species and a must-see for nature enthusiasts.
Gardner Bay offers a pristine sandy beach embraced by turquoise waters. This tranquil haven is a hub of marine life, making it ideal for snorkeling with playful sea lions, colorful reef fish, and graceful sea turtles. The beach serves as a nesting site for green sea turtles, and the shoreline is dotted with curious Galapagos sea lions. Visitors often encounter endemic mockingbirds and lava lizards. The striking combination of white sands, crystal-clear waters, and abundant wildlife showcases the Galapagos' unique charm, making Gardner Bay a serene and enchanting destination.
Punta Suarez is a captivating natural spectacle. This rocky point showcases the island's rugged charm with its towering cliffs and tumultuous waves crashing against the shore. The area hosts the world's only waved albatross colony, where these magnificent birds engage in intricate mating rituals. Visitors witness blue-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, and swallow-tailed gulls nesting on the cliffs. The dramatic blowholes create a stunning water display, while the endemic Española marine iguanas add to the island's unique allure.
activities
:
Kayak, Snorkel, Swim, Walk, Zodiac
meals
:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4
(Monday)
FloreanaIsland|Cormorant Point|Post Office Bay
Floreana Island stands out for its intriguing history, including stories of pirates and settlers, as well as the famous "Post Office Bay." Its diverse landscapes and captivating beaches make it a unique destination in the Galapagos.
Cormorant Point encompasses diverse natural wonders and intriguing history. The area offers two contrasting beaches - one with volcanic olivine crystals that shimmer in the sunlight, and the other adorned with fine white sand, a result of coral erosion. In between lies a hyper-saline lagoon, attracting flamingoes, pintails, stilts, and other wading birds. Visitors can explore the lagoon and continue on a trail to Four Beach, where sea turtles can be spotted riding the waves. Nearby is the islet of Champion, renowned for exceptional snorkeling opportunities, including interactions with sea lions, schools of colorful fish, and the chance to encounter Galapagos penguins.
Post Office Bay holds historical significance as a unique post office system established by whalers in the 18th century. Today, it's a symbolic site where visitors can participate in the tradition by leaving postcards and picking up mail destined for their region, continuing the legacy of communication. This picturesque bay with its turquoise waters and white sandy beach also offers opportunities for swimming and snorkeling. Immerse yourself in the island's history while enjoying its natural beauty, making this site a captivating blend of cultural heritage and coastal exploration in the Galapagos.
activities
:
Walk, Zodiac
meals
:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5
(Tuesday)
IsabelaIsland|Punta Moreno|FernandinaIsland|Mangle Point
Isabela Island, the largest in the archipelago, boasts captivating landscapes. Its Sierra Negra volcano offers the world's second-largest caldera, while the marine life-rich waters off Punta Vicente Roca are ideal for snorkeling. Unique flora and fauna, such as flightless cormorants and Galapagos penguins, define its ecological significance.
Punta Moreno offers a captivating glimpse into the Galapagos' volcanic origins and unique ecosystems. The barren, hardened lava terrain contrasts with tranquil tidal pools that teem with marine life. Brown pelicans and blue-footed boobies soar overhead, while marine iguanas and lava lizards navigate the blackened landscape. The site's geological features, including intricate lava formations and the panoramic backdrop of Sierra Negra Volcano, provide a window into the archipelago's geological history.
Fernandina Island, the youngest and most pristine, showcases volcanic terrain and minimal human impact. It teems with marine iguanas, Galapagos penguins, and flightless cormorants, while lava formations tell the island's geological story. This island provides a glimpse into the natural evolution of the Galapagos ecosystem.
Mangle Point is a coastal haven that exemplifies the unspoiled beauty of the archipelago. Named after the dense mangrove forests that line its shores, this site offers a serene environment where visitors can observe unique wildlife interactions. Flightless cormorants and Galapagos penguins thrive here, perfectly adapted to their surroundings. Marine iguanas bask on the black lava rocks, and lava herons delicately balance on the mangrove branches. The pristine waters invite snorkelers to explore the underwater realm, where sea turtles, rays, and an array of marine life coexist.
activities
:
Walk
meals
:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6
(Wednesday)
Santa CruzIsland|Eden Islet|N. SeymourIsland
Eden Islet, situated by Santa Cruz island, is a hidden gem of natural beauty. A small islet surrounded by clear blue waters, it presents a thriving underwater realm for snorkelers and divers. Snorkeling here reveals a tapestry of marine life, including vibrant fish, sea turtles, and graceful rays. A dinghy ride around the islet unveils dramatic volcanic formations and an array of seabirds, including blue-footed boobies and magnificent frigate-birds. The tranquil setting and rich biodiversity of Eden Islet offer an immersive encounter with the Galapagos' marine ecosystem.
North Seymour Island, a geological wonder, boasts a captivating blend of wildlife and landscapes. Its flat terrain is sculpted by ancient lava flows, providing a canvas for vibrant displays of flora and fauna. A haven for bird enthusiasts, the island features colonies of blue-footed boobies, frigate-birds, and swallow-tailed gulls engaged in their intricate mating rituals. Land iguanas roam the arid landscape, adding to the diverse ecological tapestry. As you traverse the island's trails, the unique behaviors and interactions of its inhabitants unfold, making North Seymour a captivating destination for ecotourism and nature exploration.
activities
:
Kayak, Snorkel, Walk, Zodiac
meals
:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7
(Thursday)
BaltraIsland|Airport (GPS)
After a heartfelt farewell from the ship's captain and crew, we will make our way to Baltra's airport, the final stop before our flight to the mainland. If time permits, you can extend your adventure to Ecuador's unique destinations or even Peru's Machu Picchu. Our team will be glad to recommend extension alternatives before or after your Galapagos experience.
end of the itinerary
Important: Daily activities description subject to change
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Pricing Details
Rates shown are per person based on standard double room or cabin occupancy.
Prices in US$ and valid through December 31, 2024
Single occupancy subject to single supplement .
Credit card payments subject to 3% processing fee.
What is Included
Hotels as shown or similar
All meals as shown
Airport transfers as shown
Professional bilingual guides
Excursions as part of a group
Gratuities except to guides
Additional Budget Considerations
International flights
Quito or Guayaquil to Galapagos roundtrip flights (est. $500)
Galapagos park fee and Tourist Card ($120)