4 night Galapagos Expedition (Friday/Tuesday) Southern Islands

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Price from:
2,808.00 US$
per person

Galapagos explorers can enjoy a unique expedition adventure, with comfort and safety, aboard the 40-guest Yacht Isabela II's 4 or 6 night expeditions

The expedition includes daily outings to explore the wonders of the islands on nature hikes, boat rides, glass-bottom boat trips as well as swimming and snorkeling activities; daily lectures and briefings and the most modern equipment to enhance the voyage's experience.

Itinerary / Map

Click here for view a interactive map

DAY	AM VISITS	ISLAND	PM VISITS	ISLAND
Friday	Baltra Airport/ El Chato Reserve	Santa Cruz	Charles Darwin Research Station	Santa Cruz
Saturday	Post Office Bay & Baroness Cove	Floreana	Point Cormorant & Champion Islet	Floreana
Sunday	Punta Suárez	Española	Gardner Bay	Española
Monday	Punta Pitt	San Cristóbal	Cerro Brujo	San Cristóbal
Tuesday	Puerto Baquerizo Moreno Airport	San Cristóbal

Included

• Accommodations, all meals, island sightseeing, naturalist guides and lecture services in English/Spanish only, snorkeling gear, taxes and transfers in the islands.
• Transfer from main hotels in Quito (Casa Gangotena, Hilton Colon, Swissôtel, Marriott, Dann Carlton) and in Guayaquil (Hilton Colon, Oro Verde, Hampton Inn, Sheraton) to airport for flights to / from Galápagos are included in these rates.  To coordinate these transfers we must have guest's hotel contact.

Not Included

• Wet Suits available for rent,  NET rate $ 15 + VAT per guest for 5-day expeditions
• Wet Suits available for rent,  NET rate $ 30 + VAT per guest for 7-day expeditions
• Air transportation to / from Galápagos please see rates below.
• Galápagos National Park entrance fee (US$ 100 subject to change without previous notice).
• Migration Control Card (US $ 10 subject to change without previous notice).
• Alcoholic and non alcoholic beverage, gratuities, gifts and additional items.
• Internet / Wi-Fi

Itinerary Description

FRIDAY

Baltra – El Chato Tortoise Reserve (Santa Cruz Island)

Arrival at Baltra Airport and transfer to the Itabaca Channel to take a ferry across to Santa Cruz Island. A 30-minute bus ride to the Highlands of Santa Cruz Island. Arrive at the famous Tortoise Reserve and witness the impressive migrations these giant reptiles must endure every year for feeding and reproduction. Santa Cruz hosts one of the largest tortoise populations in Galápagos. The enclosure is framed with lush vegetation and many unique land birds can be seen, such as the rare woodpecker finch, one of the world´s few tool-using species. Lunch at a local restaurant, and then continue to Puerto Ayora.

Charles Darwin Research Station

Afternoon visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and the ‘rearing in captivity’ programme for the giant tortoises. Here, guests witness the efforts and results of all the field work done in the name of science. An impressive giant prickly-pear cactus forest and many land birds can be also seen. Then, a stroll along the main street of Puerto Ayora allows guests to get a feel for local Galapagueño life while browsing the many handicraft and souvenir shops before embarking on Yacht Isabela II. Welcome cocktail, expedition plan for Saturday and dinner.

SATURDAY

Baroness Cove & Post Office Bay (Floreana Island)

Wet landing at the Post Office Bay to visit the historic barrel that has been serving as  a post office in the archipelago for over two centuries, to learn about the human side of the islands, its early inhabitants and the adventures of pirates and whalers. Panga ride along the maze of channels on the north shore of Floreana, see the Sea Lion colonies, marine turtles in shallow waters, rays and occasionally penguins. Wet Landing at Baroness Cove and a short walk up to the observation tower to enjoy breath taking views of Floreana and its nearby islets. Snorkelling and/or kayaking is possible. Back on board for lunch

Cormorant Point (Floreana Island)

Disembark at Cormorant Point (wet landing) at an olivine-crystal beach for an easy walk that includes a brackish water lagoon where bird species like greater flamingos, pintail ducks, common stilts, herons, sandpipers, and others may be observed. This outing also includes a white-sand beach where sea turtles come out at night to nest (from December to May). The afternoon visit includes a short navigation to Champion Islet near Floreana. Fantastic snorkelling with the option of the glass bottom boat. Expedition plan for Sunday and dinner.

SUNDAY

Punta Suárez (Española (Hood) Island)

Morning outing at Punta  Suárez (dry landing) for an exciting walk on lava/boulder terrain to visit its unique sea bird colonies, including waved albatrosses (April - December), Nazca boobies, blue-footed boobies, swallow-tail gulls, as well as a view of the Galápagos famous “blow-hole”. Among its land birds, the Hood island mockingbird, Galápagos hawks and doves, and three species of Darwin’s finches are common highlights. Also, look for red-green-black marine iguanas. Back on board for lunch.

Gardner Bay (Española Island)

In the afternoon, disembark (wet landing) at a white coral beach for a short walk to observe the sea lions, mockingbirds, finches or enjoy the beach. There is great snorkelling in this area, paddle on kayaks or a ride aboard the glass-bottom boat. Expedition plan for Monday and dinner.

MONDAY

Punta Pitt (San Cristóbal Island)

Morning disembarkation (wet landing) on the eastern tip of the island. Punta Pitt is an eroded tuff cone; the trail that ascends from the beach provides spectacular views of the shoreline. This is the only site in the Galápagos where the three species of boobies can be found together, as well as the two frigate species, plus a colony of bachelor sea lions along the beach. After the walk, if conditions are favourable, there is a chance to swim from the beach or, for more advanced snorkelers or kayakers, off the nearby islets. Lunch on board.

Cerro Brujo (San Cristóbal Island)

A dinghy ride along the shores of tuff-stone layers takes guests to Cerro Brujo's white coralline beach (wet landing). The beach is a large expanse, great for walking, with rewarding bird watching with good views of seabirds like blue-footed boobies, brown pelicans, herons, frigate birds, and more shore birds. Also, look out for Galápagos sea lions. Highlights ashore include the Chatham (San Cristóbal) mockingbird, Chatham lava lizard; both species are endemic to this island and seen nowhere else in the Galápagos. These are the same shores that Charles Darwin walked upon, back in September 1835, as San Cristóbal was the first island where he set foot in the Galápagos. Farewell cocktail, departure briefing and dinner.

TUESDAY

Puerto Baquerizo Moreno (San Cristóbal (Chatham) Island)

After breakfast, departure to the port and airport to take the flight back to the mainland.

Important Facts

• 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.

 PACKING CHECK LIST

• 1 Small backpack (waterproof)
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Sneakers with rubber soles
• Shorts
• Long pants
• T-shirts
• Long and Short sleeved shirts
• Wind breaker
• Bathing suit -wetsuit for snorkeling in cold months
• Socks
• Underwear
• Hat or cap
• Toilette kit (biodegradable shampoo please)
• Sun block
• Sunglasses
• Binoculars
• Camera & camcorder
• Any medicine you may be taking
• Book/ Notebook 

SOUTHERN GALÁPAGOS 

• Baltra
• Santa Cruz
• Floreana
• Champion Islet
• Española
• San Cristóbal

ICON SPECIES

• Galápagos sea lion
• Gant tortoises
• Marine iguanas
• Blue-footed boobies
• Nazca boobies
• Red-footed boobies
• Galápagos doves
• Galápagos mockingbirds
• Chatham mockingbirds
• Española mockingbirds
• Floreana Mockingbirds
• Darwin finches
• Galápagos hawks
• Brown pelicans
• Galápagos penguins
• Swallow-tailed gulls
• Lava gulls
• Lava (striated) herons
• Waved albatrosses

HIGHLIGHT SITES

• Post Office Bay
• Charles Darwin Research Station
• Kicker Rock.

Notes:

• Please remember that the exact route and programme may vary according to weather and ocean conditions and the wildlife we encounter.
• Itineraries and programme are subject to change without previous notice due mainly to readjustment of the National Park policies and regulations, weather conditions, seasonal changes or safety reasons.

Map

View Tour 2012 - 4 night Galapagos Expedition (Friday/Tuesday) Southern Islands in a larger map

Information Rates per Person (US$) Standard Cabin Double 2,808.00

2013

	RATES 2013
Accommodation	Prices per person
Master Suite Queen	3116.00
Classic cabin Twin / Double	2979.00
Standard cabin double	2808.00
Standard cabin single **	3581.00

Peak season dates 2013: 

2013
To	From
Mar 25	Mar 29
Mar 26	Apr 1
Mar 29	Apr 2
Dec 23	Dec 27
Dec 24	Dec 30
Dec 27	Dec 31
Dec 30	Jan 03

• There will be a GROSS surcharge of US$ 130.00 per adult and US$ 100.00 per child
• No discounts apply
• Twin / Double Cabins for single use have a surcharge of 100% of the price.

Children Policy:

• Children under 12 sharing cabin with parents, 25% off. (Applies only to one child per adult paying full fare)
• Minimum age 6 years old

Important notes

• * Special single rates apply only for specific dates, please ask your account executive
• **Only 2 cabins are available for single use
• Twin / Double Cabins for single use have a surcharge of 50% of the price.

NOTE:  For combined itineraries 2013, some discounts will be offered. Please contact us.

Isabela II Yacht information

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

• 15 standard cabins with twin beds
• 1 cabin with double bed for single or double use
• 2 classic cabins with double bed plus a single sofa-bed for double or triple use

 

Main Deck

1 Master Suite cabin with queen bed