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CACHALOTE EXPLORER
Isabela Itinerary

Duration: 6 days / 5 nights

Start / End: Baltra / Baltra

Highlights: Land iguanas, marine iguanas, lava lizards, sea lions, flamingos, penguins, flightless cormorant, brown pelican, Darwin finches, blue-footed boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, Galapagos hawk, Darwin finches.

Included: All meals and accommodation in double cabins while on board, all excursions and activities while on board, bilingual naturalist guide, use of wetsuits & snorkeling gear

Not Included: Flights to and from Galapagos, Galapagos National Park entrance fee, Migratory card fee, any extra beverages on board (anything in a bottle), wetsuit rental ($30 for full trip), tips, personal expenses


This itinerary focuses on the Western Islands, including visits to Western Isabela and Fernandina Island, two of the highlights of the Galapagos Islands.

 

Cachalote-Explorer-Isabela-Itinerary.jpg

Itinerary:

 

Day 1 (Friday): Arrive at Baltra Airport / Transfer to Isabela Island

Upon arrival at the airport, transfer to Santa Cruz Island to take the 14h00 speed boat departure to Isabela island. Arrive at Puerto Villamil at 16h00 approximately and transfer to the Cachalote Explorer.

 

Day 2 (Saturday): Isabela (Albemarle) Island

 

Isabela Island (Albemarle): Isabela is the largest of the Galapagos Islands formed by five active volcanoes fused together. Wolf Volcano is the highest point in the entire Galapagos at 1707m.

  • Punta Moreno: Punta Moreno is located in the central southwestern coast of Isabela Island. The site has spectacular views of volcanoes Alcedo, Sierra Negra and Cerro Azul. Some highlights include impressive lava flows, desolate and pristine landscape, varied and unusual arid zone vegetation.

  • Elizabeth Bay: This spot is only accessible by dinghy. It is possible to see penguins on the small islets in the bay. The end of the bay is long and narrow surrounded by three species of mangroves. Galapagos Sea Turtles and rays can usually be seen in the water.

 

Day 3 (Sunday): Isabela (Albemarle) Island

 

Isabela Island (Albemarle)

  • Urbina Bay: Urbina Bay is located at the central-west coast of Isabela Island at the foothills of Alcedo and Darwin volcanoes. Highlights include the colourful land iguanas, Galapagos Giant tortoises and the coral uplifting from 1954.

  • Tagus Cove: Tagus Cove is a natural harbor where centuries ago whalers and pirates left their ship’s names painted or carved on the rocks. A walk uphill to Darwin’s Crater salt-water lake will provide an excellent view.

 

Day 4 (Monday): Fernandina Island / Isabela Island

 

Fernandina Island: Fernandina is the youngest volcanic island and is still active.

  • Punta Espinoza: Punta Espinoza is a place famous for its large colonies of marine iguanas and as the habitat of unique species like the flightless cormorant, Galapagos penguin, Galapagos hawk, Galapagos snake, among others.

 

Isabela Island

  • Punta Vicente Roca: This site is visited by dinghy rides along the cliffs or the partially sunken cave at the water’s edge. Nasca boobies, blue-footed boobies and flightless cormorants inhabit the shoreline.

 

Day 5 (Tuesday): James (Santiago) Island / Bartolome Island

 

James (Santiago) Island: This Island is located between Isabela and Santa Cruz Islands. This Island offers a wide variety of seabirds, marine iguanas and fur seals.

  • Puerto Egas: A walk along the rocky coast line that will you show you a view of some of Galapagos’ best tide pools. Some highlights include: Sugar loaf volcano, fur seals, oystercatchers, marine iguana colony, and old salt mine

 

Bartolome Island: A hike will take you to the highest point on Bartolome for a spectacular view. Sea lions and penguins can be seen around Pinnacle Rock. There is a sandy beach with great swimming and snorkeling.

 

Day 6 (Wednesday): North Seymour Island / Baltra for return flight to Quito

 

North Seymour Island: This flat piece of land originated after an uplifting event thousands of years ago. The island is home to endemic Palo Santo trees, colonies of blue-footed boobies, swallow tailed gulls, and magnificent frigate birds.

 

Baltra: Return flight to Quito

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