Cruise Description
4 Night Galapagos Islands Cruise sailing aboard Isabela II. Hotel stays pre and post cruise in Quito.
This exciting vacation lets you sample the natural wonders of Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands. Enjoy guided sightseeing in Quito and have your photo taken at the “Center of the World.” You’ll also experience Otavalo in a unique way-explore its famous Indian market, where you can find beautiful textiles, artwork, and more, then on to a local hacienda to sample Andean delicacies. Before taking to the sea, visit the Giant Tortoise Reserve on the Island of Santa Cruz and the Charles Darwin Research Station, a highlight of this vacation. Then, embark on an exciting 4-night cruise among various Galápagos Islands. Have your camera ready as your Naturalist points out colonies of sea lions, pelicans, albatross, several species of Darwin’s finches, marine iguanas, flamingos, masked boobies, blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds, storm petrels, short-eared owls, and other birds. You’ll even see abandoned WWII barges that are now important nesting areas for sea turtles on Santa Cruz Island. A remarkable adventure!
Day 1 ARRIVE IN QUITO, ECUADOR.
Welcome to Quito!
Day 2 QUITO.
An included sightseeing tour showcases Quito’s treasures: the historic stone murals of the LEGISLATIVE PALACE, Independence Plaza and the 16th-century SAN FRANCISCO MONASTERY, and the Jesuit’s LA COMPANIA CHURCH with its stunning golden altars. A Local Favorite highlights the impressive paintings at the WORKSHOP & MUSEUM of Oswaldo Guayasamin. Top off your day with a photo taken in front of the EQUATORIAL MONUMENT, the “Center of the World.” This evening, enjoy a welcome dinner. (B,D)
Day 3 QUITO. EXCURSION TO OTAVALO.
An in-depth Local Favorite experience into the traditional ways of the Otavalo people is in store for you today. First, visit OTAVALO’S famous INDIAN MARKET, full of textiles, clothes, vegetables, and much more. Next, in Peguche, famous for its exquisite weavings, you have the opportunity to visit homes and observe handicrafts being made. Finally, enjoy Andean delicacies prepared the traditional way at a former hacienda before returning to Quito. (B,L)
Day 4 QUITO-BALTRA-GALAPAGOS ISLANDS (EMBARKATION)-CRUISING: SANTA CRUZ ISLAND.
Take a morning flight to Baltra, one of the remote Galapagos Islands. Upon arrival, transfer to the highlands of Santa Cruz, where your Naturalist introduces the island’s lush and vibrant landscapes. Visit the giant tortoise RESERVE, where you will see the famous Galapagos tortoises in their wild habitat. Next, see the Twin Pit Craters, great depressions of volcanic material formed by a long process of slow sinking of the ground, where exceptional Scalesia trees, ferns, mosses, and orchids can be seen in the surroundings. Continue to the CHARLES DARWIN RESEARCH STATION, established to help conserve the Galapagos’ natural habitat and protect the famous giant tortoises. While here, learn about the tortoise-rearing program and see many of the various islands’ tortoises. Later, board the sleek Isabela II for five days of CRUISING among various Galapagos Islands. Each day, travel ashore to the remote islands with your expert Naturalist, who introduces you to the unique fauna living free and fearless of man. On board the ship, join a briefing on the next day’s adventure, followed by a Captain’s welcome cocktail and dinner. (B,L,D) NOTE: The ship’s itinerary may vary according to Galapagos National Park policies and regulations, weather conditions, and seasonal changes to create the perfect crosssection of sites visited.
Day 5 GALAPAGOS ISLANDS CRUISING: SANTA FE & SOUTH PLAZA ISLANDS.
After breakfast, join your Naturalist for an exploration of SANTA FE ISLAND with its large population of sea lions. As you walk through the opuntia cactus forest, watch out for the endemic land iguanas found here. Galapagos hawks, a variety of finches, and mockingbirds are commonly spotted, too. Snorkel, swim, or kayak from the beach before returning to the boat for lunch. This afternoon at SOUTH PLAZA ISLAND, wildlife includes sea lions, land iguanas, marine iguanas, hybrid iguanas (only found on this island and a result of a cross between land and marine iguanas), and Sally Lightfoot crabs. Also known for its prolific birdlife, you will see blue-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, frigatebirds, swallow-tailed gulls, Audubon’s shearwaters, and many other species. (B,L,D)
Day 6 GALAPAGOS ISLANDS CRUISING: NORTH SEYMOUR & SANTA CRUZ ISLANDS.
Disembark at NORTH SEYMOUR ISLAND, where your Naturalist will point out colonies of bluefooted boobies, Magnificent and Great Frigate Birds, swallowtailed gulls, and lava herons. The shores teem with sea lions and marine iguanas, and are a good spot for snorkeling. Alternatively, you can take a ride on the glass-bottom boat to view the colorful underwater world. In the afternoon, visit LAS BACHAS on Santa Cruz Island, where abandoned WWII military barges can be found. Today it is an important nesting area for the East Pacific green sea turtle. You will also see brackish lagoons just steps away from the sea and white-sand beach, which is a feeding ground for various wading birds, from stilts to flamingos. (B,L,D)
Day 7 GALAPAGOS ISLANDS CRUISING: BARTOLOME & SANTIAGO ISLANDS.
At BARTOLOME ISLAND, hike to the summit for a stunning view of two beautiful bays and fascinating formations of lava flows and spatter cones, including the iconic Pinnacle Rock. You will also have the chance to snorkel or cruise on the glass-bottom boat and possibly see Galapagos penguins in tropical waters, sea turtles, and even some sharks and rays! On SANTIAGO ISLAND, walk over the lava flows from less than 100 years ago and learn firsthand how pioneering flora and fauna adapt to the volcanic surroundings. End your visit with a swim off the beach with the playful sea lions. Tonight, join your ship’ captain at a farewell cocktail party and toast to a memorable vacation! (B,L,D)
Day 8 GALAPAGOS ISLANDS (DISEMBARKATION)-BALTRA-QUITO.
After breakfast, head to the airport in Baltra for your flight to Quito, where you will have free time this evening to prepare for your return flight home tomorrow. (B)
Day 9 QUITO.
Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
Cruise Itinerary
| Date | Activity | Arrive | Depart |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20/03 | Quito, Ecuador | Hotel | |
| 21/03 | Quito, Ecuador | Hotel | |
| 22/03 | Quito, Ecuador | Hotel | |
| 23/03 | Quito, Ecuador | Flight to Baltra | |
| 23/03 | Baltra, Galapagos Is | Embark | |
| 24/03 | Isla Santa Fe, Galapagos Islands | ||
| 24/03 | South Plaza island, Galapagos Islands | ||
| 25/03 | North Seymour, Galapagos | ||
| 25/03 | Las Bachas, Santa Cruz | ||
| 26/03 | Bartolome Island, Santiago | ||
| 26/03 | Santiago Island (Puerto Egas), Galapagos Islands | ||
| 27/03 | Baltra, Galapagos Is | Disembark | Flight to Quito |
| 27/03 | Quito, Ecuador | Hotel | |
| 28/03 | Quito, Ecuador |
Itinerary may vary by sailing date and itineraries may be changed at the cruise lines discretion. Please check itinerary details at time of booking and before booking other travel services such as airline tickets.