ISABELA II ISLANDS OF FIRE ADVENTURE NORTHEASTERN (Mon-Fri), Santa Cruz

About this activity

Our journey begins in Santa Cruz Island, where we’ll get to meet one of the most fascinating inhabitants of the Galapagos archipelago: Giant Tortoises. After landing at Baltra airport, we will soon be face to face with these creatures in their natural habitat. The next day takes us to Santiago Island, where we’ll get the chance to snorkel alongside marine iguanas. During the afternoon, we’ll visit the sandy beach of Sombrero Chino (Chinese Hat Islet). The next day, we head off to Genovesa Island, a fascinating bird hub! Here, we’ll spend the entire day enjoying its colonies of nesting birds and explore its cliffs, shoreline, and beaches. Returning to the central islands, Santa Fe offers you the chance to meet its endemic Land Iguana. During the afternoon, we can hope to observe sea lions, rays, and sharks in South Plaza’s turquoise waters.

Multi-day Tours Private and Luxury Private Sightseeing Tours Water Tours Adventure Tours Involves Animals Additional fees Zombie

At a glance

Duration: 5 days
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–4
Guide: English, Spanish
Operated by: Metropolitan Touring

Ages: Children (2–5 years) · Adults (6–90 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Reading Room / Natural History Library.
Included: Fuel surcharge.
Included: Stargazing Program / Sea Kayaks / Snorkeling Equipment / Wetsuits.
Included: Lunch
Included: Dinner
Included: Breakfast
Included: Air-conditioned throughout / Safety boxes / Hairdryers.
Included: Glass Bottom boat / Paddle boards.
Included: Doctor onboard 24/7.
Included: Bar – Lounge / Hot Tub / Boutique – Gift Shop.
Included: Island Sightseeing with certified Naturalist Guides.
Included: Radio / Telephone / E-mail / PA System / Fax communications.

Not included

Not included: Airport transportation to/from Galapagos and airport taxes (A destination expert will contact you).
Not included: Galapagos National Park Entrance (A destination expert will contact you).
Not included: Ingala Transit Control Card (A destination expert will contact you).
Not included: Gift Pack, tips and gratuities.
Not included: Alcoholic beverages, available at an extra cost ( Over 18 years old).
Not included: Medical insurance and travel insurance.

Itinerary

Day 1 · Santa Cruz Island

Baltra

2 hours

After landing at Baltra Airport, we drive to the Itabaca Channel to take a ferry across to Santa Cruz Island. A 30-minute bus ride takes us up to the fascinating, more humid Highlands of the island where we’ll learn about its unique ecosystems and biodiversity. Lunch is served at a local restaurant.
Highland View Galapagos

3 hours Admission included

After lunch, we drive to a nearby reserve that is one of the best places in the archipelago to see giant tortoises in their natural habitat. The tortoises are easy to spot, lumbering around, munching on grass and leaves and wallowing in small pools. There are several lava tunnels to explore in the reserve, too. A short bus ride takes us down to Puerto Ayora to board Yacht Isabela II.

Day 2 · Santiago Island & Chinese Hat Islet

Puerto Egas

2 hours

Following a wet landing on a black, sandy beach, our trail takes us to enjoy close-up encounters with recently-reintroduced land iguanas, plus land and marine birds amid a landscape of tuff-stone layers, craggy rocks, and lava flows. At low tide, marine iguanas graze upon the algae beds. We can also observe a colony of fur seals, usually dozing in the shade of some rocks.
Galapagos Islands

2 hours

Chinese Hat Islet:

This islet, formed only fairly recently, makes a beautiful afternoon visit as we explore the wildlife along its 1,312 ft long (400 m long) trail, which begins at a crescent-shaped, white sandy beach. The cove offers excellent swimming and snorkeling opportunities amid white-tipped reef sharks and Galapagos penguins

Day 3 · Genovesa Island

Prince Phillip's Steps

2 hours

The day kicks off with a panga ride along the cliffs of “Bird Island”, as Genovesa is affectionately nicknamed, followed by a landing at a steep staircase which connects us with a flat plateau. From here the trail winds its way through large colonies of Nazca boobies, red-footed boobies, great frigatebirds, and storm petrels. With luck, we’ll be able to spot the short-eared owl. Those who do not wish to disembark can enjoy a longer panga (inflatable dinghy) ride along the cliffs, weather conditions permitting. Snorkeling and kayaking activities are available.
Darwin Bay

2 hours

We land after lunch at the beautiful white beach of Darwin Bay. Here we walk amid literally hundreds of birds, most of which are frigatebirds, red-footed and Nazca boobies, as well as gulls, herons, finches, and mockingbirds.

Day 4 · Santa Fe & South Plaza Islands

Santa Fe Island

2 hours

We take the dinghy over to this idyllic sandy-white beach populated by colonies of sea lions. Galapagos hawks are often easily observed, perched atop salt bushes. The Santa Fe land iguana may be spotted during our exploration. Following the walk, we can snorkel and swim along a natural wave barrier or ride the glass-bottom boat.
South Plaza Island

2 hours

Following lunch and a rest, we disembark (dry landing) in this channel, whose turquoise waters contrast brilliantly with the white sand and black lava of the shoreline. Beyond, 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 we find sea lion colonies, while frigates, swallow-tailed gulls and shearwaters glide, playing with the thermals.

Day 5 · Baltra Island

Baltra

one hour

Our journey ends at Baltra Island where we transfer to the airport to take the flight back to the mainland.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

After you have processed the Galapagos National Park Entrance Fee, you will see our staff holding signs with Isabela II Yacht logo. They will assist you to transfer you to the ship.

End point

After you have processed the Galapagos National Park Entrance Fee, you will see our staff holding signs with Isabela II Yacht logo. They will assist you to transfer you to the ship.

Using your ticket

One of our destination experts will get in touch with our guests to make sure they have all logistical information available, specially due to entry requirements to the Galapagos Islands.

Cancellation

Free cancellation

If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.<br>If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.<br>If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.

If you cancel	You get back
At least 6 days before	100%
At least 2 days before	50%
Less than a day before	0%

The operator may cancel if the weather does not allow it; you then get another date or your money back.

Good to know

Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
Itinerary subject to change due to weather, logistical, Galápagos Park regulations or operational reasons
Baggage important notes: Guests can bring aboard the ship a reasonable amount of clothing and personal effects without charge. Baggage is handled in accordance with the airlines’ regulations and tariffs. Baggage exceeding these limitations is subject to the charges as set forth by the individual operators. Airlines are strict with baggage limitations. The current limits are 23 kg (50.6 pounds) for checked items, 8 kg (17 pounds) for hand luggage and 1 personal item (handbag, camera bag, laptop, etc.)
All baggage must be securely packed, and properly and clearly labeled. Liquid, fragile, perishable and other articles not suitably packed are transported at guests’ own risk.
Restricted Baggage in the Galapagos: Local authorities manage the quarantine system of the Galápagos National Park in order to reduce the possibility of foreign species invading the archipelago. All cargo and luggage that arrives to Galapagos National Park or that is transferred from one island to another must be inspected. To preserve the human health and the native species of the Galapagos Islands, the following products may not be transferred to Galapagos: fresh vegetables and fruits, animal products and or their derivatives, dairy products. Other live animals, pathological samples, dry coffee beans, genetically modified organisms, forest species or their disseminative parts, grass and its disseminative parts, fresh flowers, medicinal plants and their disseminative parts, banana tree leaves, micro-organisms (fungi, bacteria, etc.) soil and sand, and animal vaccines
One of our destination experts will get in touch with our guests to make sure they have all logistical information available, specially due to entry requirements to the Galapagos Islands and schedules for domestic air tickets to Galapagos.

Options

Classic Cabins || 3 Persons

Cabins accommodation: 1 Double Cabin + 1 Single Cabin.
Cabin Single || 1 Person

Cabins accommodation: 1 Cabin exclusive for single use.
Classic Cabins || 4 Persons

Cabins accommodation: 2 Double Cabins.
Cabin Double || 2 Persons

Cabins accommodation: 1 Double Cabin.