Since 1980
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Since 1980
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BOATS
Evolution Grace
GALAPAGOS HOTEL PROGRAMS
(Manu, P.Maldonado, Iquitos)
Ariau Lodge, Eco-Park, Amazon ViIlage, Acajatuba, Guanavenas
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YACHT ISABELA II Isabela II is the largest and most deluxe yacht cruising in the Galapagos Islands. In fact she was custom built in the U.S. for the sole purpose of adding style and comfort to the exciting experience of travel in Galapagos. The Isabela II yacht has 20 outside twin cabins, most fitted with two lower berths, private shower and toilet. Four cabins have double beds either for single or double occupancy. The sleek, well-appointed boat is air-conditioned and carpeted, has large salon/bar area, a spacious dining room and separate reading/games room. She carries a crew of 27, including two multilingual naturalist guides. Isabela II is in full compliance with the American Bureau of Shipping’s fire codes and with SOLAS. Her length is 166 feet, width 38 feet, tonnage 1,083 travel speed 12 knots. I New itineraries and departure dates for 2012
RATES FOR 2012 IN USA DOLLARS (Per person)
* Special single rates apply only for specific dates, please ask
us...1-800-327-0080 YACHT ISABELA II Northern Islands Galápagos Itinerary Tuesday to Monday –7 days/6 nights Effective from 20th January 2012
Please remember that the exact route and programme may vary according to weather and ocean conditions and the wildlife we encounter.
Tuesday
Tortoise Reserve at Cerro Colorado (San Cristóbal Island) After breakfast, disembark at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno (dry landing) for a 45-minute bus ride to the highlands of San Cristóbal. The National Park service has created this site to preserve and re-establish the population of giant tortoises of San Cristóbal Island, affected due to hunting by early colonizers. Hike through a transition forest, where terrestrial birds such as finches, mockingbirds, doves can be seen. Take the bus back to the town. Lunch on board.
Isla Lobos (San Cristóbal Island) After lunch, a panga ride for an exciting coastal exploration of the shore line of Isla Lobos, named after the colony of sea lions present there most of the year. Lobos Islet is also the nesting place for blue footed boobies, a great place to spot frigate birds nesting, pelicans and other marine birds. The walk on the island is rocky so appropriate footwear is recommended. Snorkelling after the walk can be remarkable if juvenile sea lions are playing in the water. Briefing and dinner.
Wednesday
Prince Philip's Steps (Tower/Genovesa Island) The morning starts with a very interesting panga ride along the cliffs and then disembark (dry landing) on rocks for a steep climb (90 feet) up some stairs. Once at the top of the stairs, the land is flat, allowing for a stimulating walk of 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 weather conditions). Lunch on board.
Darwin Bay (Tower/Genovesa Island) In the afternoon, a wet landing for an easy stroll observing thousands of birds, mainly frigate birds, red footed and masked boobies, gulls, herons, finches and mockingbirds. Optional walk over sharp lava and uneven terrain for dramatic views, or else return to the beach to enjoy swimming and snorkelling at this beautiful natural harbour. The more adventurous can snorkel along the cliffs or paddle sea kayaks. Briefing and dinner.
Thursday
Espumilla Beach (James/Santiago Island) Puerto Egas (James/Santiago Island) A 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 also a colony of fur-sea lions which can be observed up-close. Opportunity for snorkelling and swimming from the beach after the walk, or a ride on the glass-bottom boat. Briefing and dinner.
Friday
Punta Espinoza (Fernandina Island) The morning brings us to the youngest island of the archipelago, 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.
Tagus Cove (Isabela Island) On the northwest of Isabela, secluded Tagus Cove provided a favourite anchorage for pirates and whalers over the centuries. Old graffiti is still found on its walls. The vegetation in the area includes the fragrant palo santo trees. These white-barked trees are leafless and look dead most of the year. They leaf and spring back to life in the wet season. 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. Possibilities to swim, snorkel or ride kayaks. There is no beach in the area, so these activities are done from the pangas. Briefing and dinner.
Saturday
Urbina Bay (Isabela Island) After breakfast (wet landing) disembark at Urbina Bay, located at the foot of volcanoes Alcedo and Darwin, west of Isabela Island, the result of an uplifting of the ocean in 1954. Here you can find corals, shells, and many other calcareous organisms exposed above water. This area is also home to large and very colourful Galápagos land iguanas, giant tortoises (occasionally); a good spot to observe Darwin’s finches. Along the shoreline, after the hike, guests may encounter flightless cormorants and see penguins while snorkelling in this beautiful cove. Lunch on board.
Punta Vicente Roca (Isabela Island) Depending on the conditions of the ocean, it will be possible to schedule a snorkelling outing along the cliffs of partly-sunken Ecuador Volcano, on the northern tip of Isabela Island. Since there is no landing site at this location, the coastal exploration is by dinghy, while the naturalist guide explains the dramatic geology of the area with remains of lava flows and tuff stone layers. This is the nesting place for flightless cormorants, the only existing marine birds in the world other than penguins that have changed their condition of flying birds to diving birds. Wildlife here also includes sea lions, Galápagos fur seals, Galápagos penguins, blue-footed and Nazca boobies and noddy terns. This area has a very rich marine life, and is seasonally visited by green sea turtles. Briefing and dinner.
Sunday
Rábida Island (Jervis) Disembark at Rábida Island (wet landing) on a red-coloured beach, due to the unusually high content of iron in the volcanic material. A gratifying stroll along the beach of this small island (1.9 sq. mi.) allows the observation of a large colony of sea lions, marine iguanas, mockingbirds, yellow warblers and several species of Darwin’s finches. Very close to the beach, hidden behind a strip of green saltbush, is a salt pond where at times greater flamingos migrate. This is a great place to snorkel from the beach, both for beginners as well as for experienced snorkelers, due to the unique combination of underwater species and submarine landscapes. During navigation to our next island, dolphins are often spotted. Lunch on board.
Cerro Dragón (Dragon Hill) (Santa Cruz Island) The north shore of Santa Cruz hosts Cerro Dragón (Dragon Hill). Dry landing and a walk that includes a brackish water lagoon frequented by lagoon birds, including stilts, pintail ducks, sandpipers, sanderlings, and more. Further inland, the trail offers a beautiful view of the bay and the western islands of the archipelago. This area is a natural nesting site for land iguanas, constantly monitored and assisted by the Charles Darwin Research Station. The arid-zone vegetation can be a rewarding location for bird watching, where Darwin’s finches, Galápagos mockingbirds, the endemic Galápagos flycatcher, and yellow warblers are regular sightings. Tonight our expedition plan will reveal the interesting sites of the day ahead.
Monday Baltra Island After breakfast transfer to the airport.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Itineraries and programs 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.
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.
YACHT ISABELA II Central Islands Galápagos Itinerary Monday to Friday – 5 days/4 nights Effective from 20th January 2012
Please remember that the exact route and programme may vary according to weather and ocean conditions and the wildlife we encounter.
Monday
Los Gemelos – Twin Craters (Santa Cruz Island) After breakfast, disembark (dry landing) to visit the highlands of Santa Cruz Island, with their impressive Scalesia forest and the geological formation of the twin pit craters known 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. Return to Puerto Ayora for lunch at the poolside of the Finch Bay Eco Hotel.
Puerto Ayora and the Charles Darwin Research Station Afternoon visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station and the giant tortoise pens, including tortoise celebrities like “Lonesome George” within an impressive giant prickly-pear cactus forest home to many land birds. These are the headquarters of scientific investigation, conservation and the National Park administration. Late afternoon stroll along the main street of Puerto Ayora before embarking on Yacht ISABELA II. Next day’s expedition plan and dinner.
Tuesday Santa Fe Island After breakfast, a wet landing on a sandy white beach with many sea lion harems. Bulls vie for the right of “Beach Master”, while smaller males masking as females make stealthy mating moves. Galápagos hawks are often easily observed, perched atop salt bushes. The giant prickly pear cactus found here live up to their name with tree-sized trunks! The endemic land iguana, unique to this island, may be spotted during the afternoon walk. Snorkelling and swimming from the beach rounds off the rewarding experience. Lunch on board.
South Plaza Island
Disembark (dry landing) in the channel between North and South Plaza Islands, where the island tilts toward the water, the approach makes for a lavishly colourful sight! The turquoise waters of the channel contrast brilliantly with the white sand and black lava of the shoreline. The rocks have grown thick with green seaweed in places, speckled with bright orange ‘Sally Lightfoot’ crabs. Further up the shore a carpet of scarlet sesuvium succulents serves as groundcover for a grove of luminescent green prickly-pear cactus. Yellow-grey land iguanas sit beneath these, waiting patiently for pears to drop. Along the coastline one finds sea lion colonies, while frigates, swallow-tailed guls and shearwaters glide playing with the thermals that form along the cliffs of this small but amazing island. Briefing and dinner.
Wednesday North Seymour IslandToday's morning starts with a dry landing for a view of the coast and the interior of North Seymour Island, one of the few uplifted islands in the Galápagos Archipelago. The trail leads guests to explore colonies of blue footed boobies, magnificent frigate birds, and swallowtail gulls. The sandy shore teems with Galápagos sea lions and marine iguanas. Vegetation is made up of cacti, palo santo trees and salt bushes. Lunch on board.
Las Bachas (Santa Cruz Island) After WWII, US military barges were beached and abandoned here. Locals referred to the beach as the barges beach, a name that morphed to “bachas”. Today it is an important nesting area for the east Pacific green sea turtle. Located on the north shore of Santa Cruz Island, it is a glorious white beach, with several brackish lagoons only a few steps away from the sea. These lagoons are the feeding grounds of various wading birds, from stilts to flamingos. Briefing and dinner.
Thursday Bartolomé Island Disembark at Bartolomé Island (dry landing) for a hike to the summit. A great way to start the day! This is a steep climb aided by a wooden staircase with handrails; the view from the top is worth the effort. There will be time for a panga ride around Pinnacle Rock to hopefully observe penguins before or after the walk. Lunch on board.
Sullivan Bay (James Island) After breakfast, board the panga for the short ferry to the landing site at Sullivan Bay on the East Coast of Santiago. Wet landing on a white coral sand beach and begin the walk over lava that flowed less than 100 years ago. This is the perfect place to see and feel the volcanic origin of Galápagos. The last major eruption on Santiago was probably in the early 1900's. One observer aboard a sailing vessel reported that the ship approached the lava flow so closely that the pine tar used to seal the hull of the ship began to soften, and the captain had to hurry the ship away from the bay. Briefing and dinner.
Baltra Island After breakfast transfer to the airport.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Itineraries and programmeme 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.
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.
YACHT ISABELA II Southern Islands Galápagos Itinerary Friday to Tuesday –5 days/4 nights Effective from 20th January 2012
Please remember that the exact route and programme may vary according to weather and ocean conditions and the wildlife we encounter.
Friday
El Chato (Santa Cruz Island) After breakfast, disembark (dry landing) and travel by bus to the green hilly highlands of Santa Cruz to El Chato Reserve, one of the best places in the islands to see giant tortoises in their natural habitat. The tortoises are easy to spot, lumbering around, eating grass and leaves and wallowing in the small pools that are common in the reserve. You may also spot some highland birds, like cattle egrets, mockingbirds, finches or flycatchers. There are several lava tunnels in the reserve, a great place to spot the barn owl. There is also a small lagoon covered in red algae where gallinules and Galápagos pintails can be found. Lunch at the Finch Bay Eco Hotel in Puerto Ayora.
Charles Darwin Research Station Afternoon visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and the ‘rearing in captivity’ programmeme 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 Galapagueños life while browsing the many handicraft and souvenir shops. Briefing and dinner.
Saturday Asilo de la Paz [Baroness Cove] & Post office Bay (Floreana Island) Morning disembarkation at Puerto Velasco Ibarra (dry landing) and a bus ride to the highlands of Floreana Island. At Asilo de la Paz the hike is primarily of historical interest for guests. It goes past a cave allegedly once used by the first inhabitant of Galápagos – the Irishman Patrick Watkins - and also visits the freshwater spring which served as a source of water for early settlers. Near Asilo de la Paz the National Park Service has built a corral with giant tortoises; however, these are specimens from other islands, as the Floreana Island subspecies of giant tortoise is extinct. Here birdwatchers can spot the medium tree finch (endemic to the highlands of Floreana). Then, a wet landing at the historic barrel that served as a post office in the archipelago, to learn about the human side of the islands, its early inhabitants and the adventures of pirates and whalers. Back on board for lunch.
Punta Cormoran (Cormorant Point, Floreana Island) Disembark at Punta Cormorant (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). Possibility of snorkelling from the beach; a ride in our glass-bottom boat; or for advanced snorkelers, a panga ride to “The Devil’s crown”, if conditions permit. Briefing 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, 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, or a ride aboard the glass-bottom boat. Briefing and dinner.
Monday
Punta Pitt (San Cristóbal Island) Morning disembarkation (wet landing) on the northeastern side of the island. Pitt Point 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. 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 coraline beach (wet landing). The beach is a large expanse, great for walking, with rewarding birdwatching with good views of seabirds like blue-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, 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. Evening Cocktail, 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 NOTE: 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.
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.
Yacht Isabela II Vessel
information
Master Cabin
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