Galapagos Isabela II
ITINERARY DAY BY DAY
8 days / 7 nights
Tuesday to Tuesday
Day 5
Darwin Bay & Prince Philip's Steps (Genovesa Island)
Darwin Bay (Tower 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 look for Hammerhead sharks, snorkeling 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 (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, storm petrels and the short-eared owl. Naturalist's briefing and dinner.
Day 6
Punta Espinoza (Fernandina Island) / Urbina Bay (Isabela 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. The morning brings us 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. Lunch on board.
Afternoon disembarkation at Tagus Cove, a protected natural harbor. A walk uphill takes you around Darwin’s saltwater crater lake for a superb view. There is also the possibility of a dinghy ride along the shoreline to see the unique fauna of the largest island in the Archipelago, such as flightless cormorants, pelicans, boobies, sea lions, etc. Conference and briefing before dinner.
Day 6
Puerto Egas (Santiago Island) / Bartolome Island
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.
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, to enjoy the beach (wet landing), snorkeling and swimming from the beach, or a ride on the glass-bottom boat. Farewell cocktail and departure briefing.
Day 8
Baltra Island departure
After breakfast, departure to the airport .