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A curious baby sea lion (which may or may not have atempted to eat my camera)

Ultimate Galapagos

Example 13 Day Cruise aboard Isabela II
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Commune with the Galapagos’ prolific wildlife on an exhilarating and humbling 13-day adventure—renowned regional expert Jack Grove introduces you to marine iguanas, playful sea lions, and blue-footed boobies.
I'm calling these Haley-Lightfoot CrabsLand iguanaHaley felt very much like Jane Goodall...A South Plaza land iguanaIsabela IIA curious baby sea lion (which may or may not have atempted to eat my camera)
Highlights
  • Witness numerous endemic species, including giant Galápagos tortoises
  • Photograph a wide variety of wildlife - iguanas, cormorants, finches & more
  • Discover lunar-like lava fields, eroded volcanic cones, & shield volcanoes
  • Snorkel and swim among playful sea lions, sea turtles, rays, and penguins
  • Explore by Zodiac cruises, kayak, glass-bottom boat, and snorkel excursions
Activity Level: Relaxed
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Arrive Guayaquil

Arrive in Guayaquil today, where you are met at the airport and transferred to your hotel.

Day 2: Fly to the Galapagos | Embark

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
After breakfast transfer to the airport for your flight to the Galapagos. Next transfer to Santa Cruz where you visit the Tortoise Reserve, containing one of the largest giant tortoise populations in the Galápagos. Continue to the Charles Darwin Research Station. Here you have the chance to learn about conservation efforts and view the tortoises and land iguanas being raised for reintroduction. Embark the Isabela II this afternoon.

Day 3: Floreana

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Enjoy a visit to Post Office Bay and view one of the oldest working sea-mail drops. Later board a Zodiac to visit nearby islets to observe rays, sea lions, and sea turtles, followed by a short walk to a lookout for panoramic views of Floreana. At Punta Cormorant you may see American flamingos, black-necked stilts, and white-cheeked pintail ducks in a brackish lagoon. Continue on to a fine coral-sand beach where green sea turtles nest. Today you have the chance to swim and snorkel with friendly and playful sea lions.

Day 4: Espanola

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Today's stop includes a visit to Punta Suárez to see the largest bird in the Galápagos Islands, the waved albatross. Virtually the entire population of 12,000 pairs of albatross nests here from April to December. Wildlife such as red-billed tropicbirds, blue-footed and Nazca boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, and marine iguanas can also be found here. This afternoon stroll the white-sand beach of Gardner Bay in search for Hood Island mockingbirds and lava lizards, Galápagos hawks, and three species of Darwin’s finches. Afterwards take advantage of some time to snorkel.

Day 5: San Cristobal

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Explore San Cristóbal today, the first island Charles Darwin visited when he arrived in the Galápagos. Originally known as Chatham Island, it was later named in honor of Christopher Columbus (Cristóbal Colón). You also have an opportunity to view three species of boobies and two species of frigatebirds nesting at Punta Pitt. Next stroll along the beautiful beach of Cerro Brujo in search of San Cristóbal mockingbirds and lava lizards. The sheltered bay is frequented by sea lions and rays as well.

Day 6: San Cristobal

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Today's adventure begins on the southwest side of the island at the town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. Here you can visit the Interpretive Center, which gives you a greater understanding of the Galápagos and its inhabitants. After lunch, head to Cerro Colorado to visit a Galápagos tortoise breeding center.

Day 7: Genovesa

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Arrive at Genovesa Island this morning and enter Darwin Bay, formed by the caldera of a partially eroded volcano. Enjoy a short Zodiac tour along the coastline to Prince Philip’s Steps,to view red-footed boobies nesting in palo santo trees. Nazca boobies nest on the ground, along with wedge-rumped storm petrels and short-eared owls. Later, swim and snorkel along the cliffs of this colossal harbor. Next, head to land to see swallow-tailed gulls, mangroves, and colonies of frigate birds and red-footed boobies.

Day 8: Santiago

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
This morning arrive at Espumilla Beach, a large coffee-colored sand beach located at the north end of the island. A nice hike inland takes you through a mangrove forest to a brackish lagoon where flocks of pink flamingos and white-cheeked pintails can be seen. After you return to the beach you have another chance to swim or snorkel. This afternoon, arrive at Puerto Egas to hike to a nearby fur seal grotto. Along the shore you may spot great blue and striated herons, oystercatchers, and yellow-crowned night herons as they feed. At low tide it is possible to see colorful Sally Lightfoot crabs and marine iguanas grazing on sea lettuce.

Day 9: Fernandina | Isabela

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
The Cromwell Current upwells around Isabela and Fernandina, providing nutrient-rich waters as feeding sources for whales and dolphins. Here you get the chance to explore the youngest island of the Galapagos, Fernandina. Observe the largest colony of marine iguanas in the archipelago, flightless cormorants, and moonscape-like lava fields. This is one of the largest, most pristine islands in the world with no introduced species to date. On the western shore of Isabela, stop at secluded Tagus Cove, which was once a favorite anchorage for pirates and whalers. Enjoy an uphill hike this afternoon through the forest which takes you to Darwin Lake, a crater filled with salt water.

Day 10: Isabela

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Land at Urbina Bay this morning where a short trail leads to a coral reef, evidence of uplift from the sea which occurred in 1954. Here you may find land and marine iguanas, giant Galápagos tortoises, flightless cormorants, and Galápagos penguins. Next, cruise north along the Bolívar Channel, where you can enjoy impressive views of Isabela’s rugged coast, to Punta Vicente Roca. Be on the lookout here for more cormorants, penguins, blue-footed boobies, turtles, and perhaps, the amazing mola mola.

Day 11: Rabida | Santa Cruz

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
The small island of Rabida contains a variety of rock and lava types and is home to the Galapagos hawk, pelicans and sea lions. At Dragon Hill, on the northwest side of Santa Cruz you have one of the best chances to see the land iguanas. Your hike continues through palo santo trees and cacti forests. At the end you come to a saltwater lagoon, where you can see a variety of bird species.

Day 12: Baltra | Disembark

  • Hotels
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Enjoy a leisurely morning before disembarking the Isabela II for your flight back to Guayaquíl. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel. This afternoon, there is free time to relax before a farewell dinner and overnight

Day 13: Return Home

  • 1 Breakfast
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight home.

Ship/Hotel

Isabela II

Enjoy a meal on the sun deck of the Isabela II.
Isabela II's fitness center.
Breakfast aboard the Isabela II.

Guayaquil - Hotels

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
Isabela II
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Standard Cabin
1 cabin with double bed. Located on the cabin deck.
Isabela II
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Classic Family Cabin
2 cabins on the Cabin Deck with one lower double bed. 128 sq. ft
Isabela II
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Classic Cabin
16 cabins on the Cabin Deck -- some with double beds and some with separate twins. Some cabins have an additional twin bed and can be used as a triple. Located on the cabin deck.
Isabela II
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Owner's Cabin
1 suite with double bed. Located on the main deck.

Notes

Please provide your wetsuite size in advance prior to trip

Child Discount

10% discount if sharing with two adults, for children under age 12 at time of Galapagos cruise. Child discounts are conditional and may not apply on certain departures. Please contact us for more information.

Children under 12 may receive discounts on Galapagos flight fares and entrance fees. Contact us for details.

Galapagos Flights

  • Quito - Galapagos Roundtrip
    • $530 - $675
  • Guayaquil - Galapagos Roundtrip
    • $475 - $620

Optional Hospitality Packages

Included
  • Accommodations on board based on double occupancy
  • Meals while in the Galapagos
  • Bilingual Naturalist Guide
  • Shore Excursions
  • Swimming and Snorkeling
  • Adventure Life Pre-departure Services and In-Country Assistance (Quito Representative)
  • Transfers and Baggage Handling in the Galapagos
  • Snorkeling Equipment
Excluded
  • Airfare (see Galapagos Flights)
  • Quito/Guayaquil Hotel and Transfers
  • $100 Galapagos Park Fee
  • Gratuities and drinks aboard the ship
  • Travel Insurance

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Beyond expectations! Then again we weren't sure what to expect. Lovely stay at the lodge, met other like-minded travelers (many had their trips planned by Adventure Life) and the owner was a gracious hostess. It felt like you were one happy family, visiting with a favorite aunt.
Nancy Sin
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