Itinerary
| DAY |
MAIN ITINERARY |
| Tuesday |
Baltra Island
North Seymour Island |
| Wednesday |
Gardner Bay (Hood Island)
Punta Suárez (Hood Island) |
| Thursday |
Point Cormorant (Floreana Island)
Post Office Bay (Floreana Island) |
| Friday |
Santa Cruz Island |
| Saturday |
Darwin Bay (Tower Island)
Prince Philip's Steps (Tower Island) |
| Sunday |
Tagus Cove (Isabela Island)
Punta Espinoza (Fernandina Island) |
| Monday |
Puerto Egas (James Island)
Bartolome Island |
| Tuesday |
After breakfast, departure to the port and airport to take the flight back to the continent. |
Included
• Accommodation
• All meals
• Island sightseeing
• All guide and lecture services
• Taxes and transfers in the island
• Glass - bottom boat outings
Not Included
• Air transportation to/from Galapagos
• Galapagos National Park admission fee (US $100 subject to change without notice)
• Bar
• Gifts and items of personal nature
Important Facts
Please read the Itinerary as a guide only. Our route and program varies according to National Park policies and regulations, weather conditions, seasonal changes , safety reasons and the wildlife we encounter. Flexibility is the key to the success of this expedition. The Expedition Staff will provide you with snorkeling gear (mask and snorkel, fins, floating device and net bag). Please note that the operation does not carry prescription masks. A shortie wet suit is recommended from June to December.
Dry landing: guests step from the dinghy onto rocks or a dock.
Wet landing: as the dinghy edges onto a sandy beach, guests step into knee-deep water and wade ashore.
Island Highlights
BALTRA (SOUTH SEYMOUR)
Arrival and departure from mainland Ecuador to this island's airport. During WW II, from 1941 to 1948, this island was known as Beta. It was occupied by the US Air Force and the US Navy as a Military Base. Back in those days, this airport had the largest airstrip in South America. This uplifted island is a great visual introduction to Galápagos.
The pier is a 5-minute drive from the air terminal. If you happen to start your voyage in Puerto Ayora, you will take a bus ride to the Itabaca Channel, cross it by ferry towards Santa Cruz Island, and then an interesting ride from the lowlands up to the highlands and down again to the lowlands. The changes in vegetation that guests will experience will be a rewarding way to start your Galapagos Expedition.
BARTOLOME
Perhaps the most photgraphed location in the entire archipelago. Climb up a wooden staircase to the summit for a stunning view of two beautiful bays. You can observe fascinating formations of lava flows and spatter cones. Many have called this island "an open Geology textbook". Sea lions and penguins can be seen around Pinnacle Rock. There is a sandy beach with great swimming and snorkeling. This is one of those selected locations where seeing penguins in tropical waters can be a revealing discovery.
FERNANDINA (NARBOROUGH)
The youngest island of the Galapagos group. The landing point is Punta Espinoza. Walk among the hundreds of marine iguanas on black lava rocks. See flightless cormorants, penguins, pelicans, sea lions and mangrove forests. The walking grounds will reveal the beautiful shapes of lava once it has cooled off. At this location, few rocks are older than 400 years of age. Fernandina's colossal dome shape can enchant anyone who visits, perhaps the most remote island in the Pacific.
HOOD (ESPAÑOLA)
Gardner Bay:
A coral white-sand beach with sea lions and mockingbirds. Swimming and snorkeling at the beach and nearby islets.
Punta Suarez: Walk on lava rocks along a trail dotted with nests of blue-footed boobies and masked boobies, a colony of marine iguanas (endemic to Hood), waved albatrosses and a blow hole. There are also sea lions, Galapagos doves and Darwin's finches.
FLOREANA (CHARLES)
Post Office Bay:
Visit the famous barrel, a do-it-yourself postal service set up by 18th century whalers. Cruise by "Lobería" islet with sea lion colonies.
Point Cormorant:
Has an olivine-crystal beach and pink flamingos inhabiting a secluded lagoon. A short walk away is a white-sand beach where sea turtles nest (December to May). Nearby is Devil's Crown with beautiful coral formations and great snorkeling.
ISABELA (ALBEMARLE)
The largest island in the Archipelago. It is the result of six large volcanic domes fused together.
Tagus Cove:
Is a natural harbor where centuries ago whalers and pirates left their ship's names painted or carved on the rocks. A walk uphill takes you around Darwin's Crater salt-water lake for a superb view. A dinghy ride along the shoreline lets you see penguins, flightless cormorants, boobies, pelicans and Sally Light foot crabs.
Urbina Bay:
Is located at the central-west coast of Isabela Island at the foothills of Volcanoes Alcedo and Darwin. Land on a dark volcanic sand beach. Highlights include large and colorful land iguanas, since the inland area includes excellent nesting grounds for them. Good possibilities of seeing giant tortoises in the wild (all year, numbers may vary according to seasonal conditions). Along the rocky shoreline, possible sightings of flightless cormorants, blue-footed boobies, penguins and large marine iguanas. Quite impressive is the coral uplifting from 1954.
Punta Moreno:
Is located in the central-south western coast of Isabela Island. Spectacular view of volcanoes Alcedo, Sierra Negra and Cerro Azul. Highlights: impressive lava flows from eruptions years ago. Desolate, extremely pristine landscape. A textbook of pioneer plants, extraordinarily varied and unusual arid-zone vegetation. The main attraction is a compound of small brackish lagoons very much like a desert oasis with lagoon birds, including seasonal flamingos. Ideal place for observing the rare and reclusive gallinules. Frequent sights of frigates, pelicans and other sea birds doing salt cleansing dives to the lagoon's surface.
Punta Vicente Roca:
A magnificent landscape shows the uniqueness of the western volcanos of Galápagos. We are now looking at the youngest geological features of the archipelago, and we are 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. Lava intrusions, called sills and dikes, reveal the relatively recent volcanic activity of this area. Since there is no landing site at this location, our outing will include coastal exploration where our Naturalists will commit to explaining the dramatic geology of the area. Wildlife here will definitely surprise everyone; few hours before we crossed the Equator and yet this tropical area can have surprises like dolphins, whales, sea lions, sea birds, turles, 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.
JAMES (SANTIAGO)
Sullivan Bay:
Dry landing on the area that had James' latest volcanic activity in 1897. Fantastic lava formations. A good spot for snorkling where pioneer marine species should be expected.
James Bay:
Landing takes place at a black sand beach where the shoreline walk will reveal a great assortment of marine-related species. Particularly good for migratory species of birds. Great swimming and snorkeling. An easy stroll, observing Darwin's finches and the Galapagos hawk to the black lava rock formations, home to a fur sea lion colony.
NORTH SEYMOUR
Palo Santo trees, colonies of blue-footed boobies, swallow-tailed gulls and magnificent frigate birds. On the other side of the island, the waves crash onto the rocks and sea lions play in the surf.
SANTA CRUZ (INDEFATIGABLE)
Academy Bay (Puerto Ayora):
The Finch Bay Hotel is located here, as well as the Charles Darwin Research Station. Giant tortoises are seen here and seasonally in the highlands where they graze on the pastures of local farms. Up in the highlands, the Pit Craters (Los Gemelos) is an outstanding area for birdwatching, and observation of flora of the highlands. It is up here where amazing encounters with woodpecker finches have occured. Moist conditions keep this epiphyte-laden environment with a fresh green look. Visit the town of Puerto Ayora.
TOWER (GENOVESA)
Darwin Bay:
Formed after a caldera collapse. Its steep cliffs dominate the island. It is called "the bird island" because it is home to thousands of frigate birds, red-footed boobies, noddy terns, lava gulls, tropic birds, doves, storm petrels and Darwin's finches. Good snorkeling along the amazing cliff-sides.
Prince Philip's Steps:
Walk on lava rocks. A Palo Santo forest full of nesting birds. There is a good possibility of seeing the unique Short-eared owl. Nazca boobies, great frigate birds, red-footed boobies, and flycatchers are outstanding representatives of the avian life forms on Tower. Sunsets here win the prize!
Explore the Islands with style and comfort
Our 40-guest vessel has the most in-depth week itinerary. Is a classic yacht cruising the Galapagos, and offers an elegant yet relaxed atmosphere for experiencing the full adventure of the Islands. The yacht is fully air-conditioned; all cabins are spacious and have private bathrooms. Its three public decks offer the amenities of a larger vessel, including bar-salon, dining room and sun deck. The library contains a large selection of reference books on Galapagos and Ecuador, as well as excellent nature and conservation videos, making this reference library the most complete source of information of any Galapagos vessel.
From dining room to stateroom, one senses the superior quality at all levels of service. ISABELA's trained chefs prepare a superb a-la-carte selection of meals. Our helpful, warm staff attends to your every need. Hotel Managers have a great taste for details.
The sun deck is comprised of a bar with ample outdoor seating, an observation area for whale and dolphin watching, a Jacuzzi and solarium. As an alternative to snorkeling, the glass-bottom boat offers another opportunity to observe the Galapagos rich marine life.
Every day features new and exciting outings whether for hikes on nature trails; observation of fauna, flora and geological formations; dinghy rides along islets or the coastline; swimming and/or snorkeling activities
Our Expedition Team consists of three Naturalists. All will delight guests with diverse natural history explanations, superb on-deck talks, and eye-catching lectures regarding natural history issues. Their multimedia presentations and recaps will complement the day's activities. Together with the Captain, they will plan the day's program. They are masters of Galapagos' knowledge. Soon enough, our Naturalists will become the highlight of your voyage. At night, when pitch-dark starry skies are seen, stargazing is an amazing nocturnal activity. The southern skies are beautifully arranged with awesome constellations.
Technical Specifications
• Construction: 1979
• Reconstruction: Pensacola, Florida, 1988
• Refurbishment: Panama, March 2000
• Category: Deluxe
• Gross Tonnage: 1.025 tons.
• Type of Vessel: Motor Yacht
• Capacity: 40 guests
• Length: 53.72 meters (166 feet)
• Beam: 11.58 meters (38 feet)
• Speed: 10 knots
• Electricity: 110 Volts 60 Hz.
• Engines: 2 GM Detroit Diesel 900 BHP each
• Navigation Equipment: Gyrocompass, Automatic Pilot, radar, and GPS
• Safety Certificates: SOLAS 74 - ISM
• Fire Detector: Automatic with control from the bridge.
• Life Jackets: In each cabin
• Lifeboats: 2 units semi enclosed
• Landing Craft: 3 Zodiacs + glass bottom boat
• Owner: ETICA / Metropolitan Touring
• Decks: 3 (Sun deck, Cabin deck, Main deck)
• Crew: 24
• Naturalist: 3
• Medical Officer: Permanently on board
Services and Facilities
• Bar - Lounge, Boutique
• Gift Shop
• Radio, telephone, E-mail, and Fax communications
• PA System
• Snorkeling Equipment
• Multimedia natural history lectures
• Stargazing Program
• Digital camera and underwater housing
• Glass bottom boat
• Jacuzzi
• Reading Room & Natural History Library
• Air conditioned throughout
• Safety boxes
• Hair dryers
• Wet suits for snorkeling in cooler waters
• Sea Kayaks
Sun Deck
Bar and relax area
Cabin Deck
- 16 cabins with twin beds
- 2 cabins with double bed for single or double use
- 2 cabins with double bed plus a single bed for double or triple use
Main Deck
1 Owners Cabin with double bed
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