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Galapagos Islands - Cruise Ships
Motor Yacht Isabella - 8 Day Cruise
General Description:
Our 40-guest Motor vessel Isabela II, with 20 outside cabins plus an owner's suite, is the most luxurious yacht cruising the Galapagos Islands, and offers an elegant yet relaxed atmosphere for experiencing the full adventure of the Galapagos Islands. The Motor 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 snorkelling, the glass-bottom boat offers another opportunity to observe the Galapagos rich marine life.
Our Expedition Team consists of three Naturalist Guides class III. 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 islands' knowledge. Soon enough, our SC Naturalist 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 exuberant constellations.
Guest Cabins: new!
- Safety boxes
- Hair dryers
Aquatic Activities: new!
- Wet suits for snorkeling in cooler waters
- Sea kayaks
EXPEDITION Travel
Seven Nights of Galapagos Enchantment
In our constant search for enhancement opportunities for all our products, the Isabela II migrates into exclusive week voyages. With this variation, we want to provide a complete Galapagos Expedition Experience. Why? Well, we have reviewed the itineraries, queried our visitors, listened to our SC Naturalist and reached the conclusion that the ISABELA II will best satisfy our guests by operating 7-night cruises only. This will start with the December 31 to January 7, 2003 cruise. Since the majority of our Isabela II guests do come for a week, this will optimize their overall experience.
This decision will provide greater value for the Galapagos Expedition Experience, and will allow guests on the full week voyage to fully understand the diversity and uniqueness that Galapagos Islands are famous for. The significant variety of species between the easterly islands and the westerly islands - with different life forms, sea currents and geological characteristics can be more fully appreciated on a week voyage; all three species of boobies, older and younger volcanoes, lowlands and highlands, warmer and colder water, six snorkeling outings, more chances for encountering whales and dolphins, and more.
This comprehensive discovery trip will give guests a chance to see the giant tortoises, land iguanas, flamingos, albatrosses, boobies, Galapagos penguins, and more in one expedition alone, as the wildlife seen on the week program will be its prime highlight.
With this change we will further innovate our current concept, and will adopt the full expedition approach -- guests will set their own pace by indulging more in all aspects of the Galapagos: discovery, adventure, environmental interpretation, aquatic activities, relaxation, life-lasting memories, superb service and much more. Plus, our SC Naturalist will enhance their interpretative skills with the use of state-of-the-art-expedition equipment and lead guests to become participants, and not mere observers. The simple, but meaningful, intention of an expedition approach relies in understanding more of the visited place, and that is exactly what Galapagos deserves. More exciting details to come as the year continues.
| Motor Yacht Isabela II - Specifications | |
| Type | Luxury class Motor Yacht |
| Length | 125 feet |
| Crew | 24 Plus 3 Naturalist Multilingual guides |
| Accommodation | 40 Passenger in 20 outside twin cabins, all with private shower and toilet. Comfort Equipment-Air Conditioning throughout, al fresco dining area, sundeck, library, boutique and infirmary |
| Navigation & Safety Equipment | Navigation Equipment / Radars / Electronic Weather Charts / Compass / Safety Equipment-SOLAS compliant. Electricity 110/220 AC in all cabins |
ITINERARY:
TUESDAY: Flight from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra Island - North Seymour
Morning arrival to Baltra Island by TAME flight and transfer to the dock to board the ISABELA II. Onboard registration. Welcome introductory briefing and lunch North Seymour Island
Afternoon disembarkation (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. Welcome Cocktail offered by the Captain. Naturalist's briefing on the next day's activities and dinner.
WEDNESDAY: Española, Gardner Bay.
After breakfast, disembark (wet landing) at 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 snorkelling in this area (snorkelling equipment is available for our guests), or ride the glass-bottom boat around Gardner or Tortuga islets.
Española, Punta Suárez.
Afternoon dry landing for an exciting walk on lava terrain to visit its 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.
THURSDAY: Floreana, Point Cormorant.
After breakfast, disembark at Point Cormorant (wet landing) for an easy walk to see the flamingos that inhabit a brackish-water lagoon, and other birds like ducks, stilts, sandpipers, etc. There is great snorkelling from the beach or near by, at Champion Islet or the Devil's Crown. Those who do not snorkel can enjoy a ride on the glass-bottom boat. Lunch on board.
Floreana, Post Office Bay.
Wet landing at the historical Post Office Bay to learn about the human side of the islands, its early inhabitants and the adventures of pirates and whalers. Then, a panga ride will take you to nearby islets to observe sea lions, rays and sea turtles, boobies and possibly the Galapagos penguin. Naturalist's briefing and dinner.
FRIDAY: Santa Cruz Island.
After breakfast, disembark (dry landing) to visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and the giant tortoise pens, an impressive giant prickly-pear cactus forest and land birds like Darwin's Finches, Galapagos Mockingbirds and Flycatchers. Then a stroll along the main street of Puerto Ayora. Lunch at the Hotel Delfín. Afternoon in the highlands, visiting the Scalesia forest and the twin pit craters Los Gemelos. Land birds of the highlands may include the Vermilion Flycatcher, Tree Finches and possibly the elusive Woodpecker Finch. From December to mid-April a visit to see the giant tortoises in the wild may be included, if weather conditions are good. Naturalist's briefing and dinner.
SATURDAY: Tower Island, Darwin Bay
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 snorkelling at this beautiful natural harbour. Those most adventurous can look for Hammerhead sharks, snorkelling along the cliffs. Lunch on board.
Tower Island, Prince Philip's Steps
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 levelled 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.
SUNDAY: Fernandina Island, Punta Espinoza
Early risers will enjoy the dramatic landscape of the youngest volcanoes in Galapagos, like volcano Ecuador, whose collapsed crater is partly under water, while crossing the Equator line. It is here where the coolest waters are found, with great chances to observe whales and dolphins. 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.
Isabela Island, Urbina Bay
After lunch, scenic cruise along Bolívar Channel and possible observation of whales and/or dolphins. Disembarkation (wet landing) for a medium-length walk at Urbina Bay to look for giant tortoises and land iguanas. This place went through a volcanic uplifting event back in 1954 leaving gaunt marine skeletons, which make the walk remarkably interesting. Those who wish may take either only a short walk along the beach, or a longer walk towards the interior of the island. Swimming and snorkelling depending on local conditions.
MONDAY: James Island, Puerto Egas
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 snorkelling and swimming from the beach after the walk. Lunch on board while navigating to Bartolomé.
Bartolome Island
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), snorkelling and swimming from the beach, or a ride on the glass-bottom boat. Farewell cocktail and briefing.
TUESDAY: Baltra - Flight Back to Quito.
After breakfast, disembark and transfer to baltra's airport for flight back to Guayaquil or Quito.
| Price per Person 2008: | |
| 8 Days Tour | Prices |
| Double Cabin | USD 3.998.- |
| Single Cabin | USD 5.999.- |
In the price included: All transfers, 8-day cruise on board of M/N ISABELLA II in double accommodation with all facilities, three meals a day and snacks in-between, English speaking naturalist guide, purified water free for drink, coffee or tea!
Not included in the price: Flights mainland to/from Galápagos USD 410.-, Entrance fee to Galápagos National Park USD 100.-, beverages, tips, personal items, International flight airport tax (USD 41.- per person), Travel Insurance.
