Galapagos Cruise - Isabela II

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Quito

Boutique HotelArrive in Quito, Ecuador and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure. Overnight in Quito at a boutique hotel.

Day 2: Quito

Boutique HotelToday is at your leisure. A variety of day tours are available for purchase. Overnight in Quito at boutique hotel.

Day 3: Baltra Island / Embark / North Seymour Island - Cruise Only Starts

In the morning, arrive on Baltra Island by TAME flight and transfer to the dock to board the Isabela II. There will be an introductory briefing and lunch onboard. Disembark on North Seymour Island in the afternoon (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. In the evening, enjoy welcome cocktails offered by the Captain, the Naturalist's briefing on the next day's activities, and dinner.

Day 4: Espanola Island

After breakfast, disembark on 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. Or, you may ride the glass-bottom boat around Gardner or Tortuga islets. In the afternoon, make a dry landing on Espanola Island for an exciting walk on the lava terrain to visit the island’s 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 Suárez. Naturalist's briefing and dinner in the evening.

Day 5: 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 such as 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. In the afternoon, land at the historical Post Office Bay to learn about the human side of the islands. Then, a panga ride will take you to nearby islets to observe sea lions, rays and sea turtles, boobies and possibly Galapagos penguins. Naturalist's briefing and dinner in the evening.

Day 6: Santa Cruz Island

After breakfast, disembark (dry landing) to visit the highlands of Santa Cruz Island, an Scalesia forest and the twin pit craters geology formation, 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. Lunch at the Finch Bay Eco Hotel.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 the ship. Naturalist's briefing and dinner.

Day 7: Genovesa Island

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 snorkel along the cliffs or ride sea kayaks. 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 and storm petrels. Those not wishing to disembark can enjoy a longer panga ride along the cliffs (depending on the weather conditions). Naturalist's briefing and dinner.

Day 8: Isabela Island / Fernandina Island

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.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 fragrant Palo Santo trees. An uphill hike takes guests to the back of Darwin Crater, 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. Possibility to swim, snorkel or kayak. There are no beaches in the area, so activities are done from the pangas. Lunch on board.The afternoon brings you 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. Naturalist’s briefing and dinner.

Day 9: Santiago Island / Bartolome 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. Opportunity for snorkeling and swimming from the beach after the walk, or a ride on the glass-bottom boat. 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 before or after the walk. Farewell cocktail and departure briefing.

Day 10: Disembark / Quito - Cruise Only Ends

Boutique HotelAfter breakfast, disembark and transfer to the airport for your flight back to the mainland. Today is at your leisure. Overnight in Quito at a boutique hotel.

Day 11: Quito / Home

This morning, transfer to the airport for your return flight home.

Trip Details

Ship	Isabela II
Just Released Offer	Book the August 17th 8-day Galapagos cruise and receive complimentary pre/post-cruise land arrangements in Quito from ExpeditionTrips. Applicable Dates (11 Days total): 8/17/2008- Two pre-cruise nights at a boutique hotel in Quito - One post-cruise night at a boutique hotel in Quito - Four airport/hotel transfers in Quito Not Included: Airfare; gratuities; Galapagos National Park tax; travel insurance. Offer subject to availability and applicable only to the following departures.
Highlights	Most comfortable expedition ship in the Galapagos; perfect number of passengers, good for couples; great guides, food and itinerary.
Trip Notes	This itinerary is subject to change. ExpeditionTrips.com is not responsible for itinerary changes.Languages: English and SpanishIncluded (Cruise Only):Cabin accommodations aboard ship; meals aboard ship; all shore activities and excursions; guide and lecture services; glass-bottom boat outings; use of snorkeling gear, wetsuits, kayaks, and glass-bottom boat; transfers and baggage handling between island airport and ship.Not Included (Cruise Only):Hotel nights before/after cruise; transfers in Quito or Guayaquil; international airfare; airfare to/from Galapagos Islands; Galapagos National Park entrance fee, USD$100 (children under 12 subtract $50), subject to change without notice; Galapagos Transit Card ($10 per person), paid in cash upon arrival to airport; bar purchases; gifts and personal items; passport expenses; traveler's insurance; international airport departure tax, must be paid in cash; laundry service; gratuities to ship staff and crew are left to the discretion of the passenger; fuel surcharge ($203 per person, per trip).Included (Package):Three hotel nights in Quito at a boutique hotel (hotel based on availability; hotel upgrades available at additional cost); four transfers in Quito; Galapagos National Park entrance fee, USD$100 (children under 12 subtract $50); cabin accommodations aboard ship; meals aboard ship; all shore activities and excursions; guide and lecture services; glass-bottom boat outings; use of snorkeling gear, wetsuits, and kayaks; transfers and baggage handling between island airport and ship.Not Included (Package):International airfare; airfare to/from Galapagos Islands; Galapagos Transit Card ($10 per person), paid in cash upon arrival to airport; bar purchases; gifts and personal items; bar purchases; passport expenses; traveler's insurance; international airport departure tax, must be paid in cash; laundry service; gratuities to ship staff and crew are left to the discretion of the passenger; fuel surcharge ($203 per person, per trip).If you are booking a cruise only program, we are happy to add hotels, air and land arrangements as requested, and you will be quoted for services.Airfare between Quito/Guayaquil and the Galapagos Islands:Approximate cost: $375-$450 per adult; $225-$275 per child under 12 (copy of passport required). Prices vary based on shipping company and departure dates. Please note, ExpeditionTrips.com charges a $25 per person service charge to issue these air tickets.
Departure Notes	Cruise Only - 5/27/2008, 6/10/2008, 7/29/2008, 8/5/2008, 8/12/2008, 8/19/2008, 12/2/2008, 12/9/2008, 12/16/2008 (8 days)Package - 5/25/2008, 6/8/2008, 7/27/2008, 8/3/2008, 8/10/2008, 8/17/2008, 11/30/2008, 12/7/2008, 12/14/2008 (11 days)Ship in Dry Dock: May 6-27, 2008
Payment Policy	A deposit of $500 per person is required to confirm your reservation. Final payment is due 90 days prior to departure. Payment MethodsDeposit: credit cards are accepted (VISA, MC, AmEx, Discover); Final payment: check or wire.WE ARE UNABLE TO ACCEPT CREDIT CARDS FOR FINAL PAYMENT.

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