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Yacht Isabela

Northwestern Galapagos

Islands of Fire Adventure

5 Days

Thursday to Monday

12 of 15

Galapagos Iconic Species

From

USD 4,604 pp

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Home / Galapagos Islands Tours / Islands of Fire Northwestern Adventure

Overview

Our journey begins on Santa Cruz Island, where we explore the lush vegetation of the Highlands before venturing down to the world-famous Charles Darwin Research Station. The next day, we take in the panoramic views on Bartolome Island, snorkel with penguins and swim off the shores of the white coral sand beach of Sullivan Bay, with its dramatic lava field shoreline. The next morning takes us to Dragon Hill, home of dusty-yellow land iguanas, where we visit the volcanic crater at James Bay, following in the steps of Charles Darwin. Heading west, we take to our dinghies to discover the wildlife of Punta Vicente Roca, and later make our way to the youngest island in the archipelago, Fernandina, widely regarded as one of the most pristine environments anywhere on the planet. Here, life has evolved in its natural state, far from the intervention of man.

  • Baltra
  • Santa cruz
  • Bartolome
  • Santiago
  • Isabela
  • Fernandina
Bartolome Island, Yacht Isabela

Day by Day

Day 1: Baltra Island & Santa Cruz Island

Arrival at Baltra Airport, Santa Cruz Island

  • Land at Baltra Airport and ferry to Santa Cruz Island via Itabaca Channel

  • Scenic 30-minute bus ride to the lush Highlands for lunch

  • Continue journey south to Puerto Ayora

  • Note: Wear comfortable clothes and shoes; bring a small backpack with medications, sunblock, insect repellent, and essentials

Explore Puerto Ayora and the Charles Darwin Research Station

  • Visit Charles Darwin Research Station and Giant Tortoise Breeding Center in Puerto Ayora

  • Explore the lively main street of Puerto Ayora

  • Enjoy the Captain’s welcome cocktail and dinner aboard the vessel

Bartolome Island Adventure

  • Climb the wooden staircase on Bartolome Island, exploring volcanic geology

  • Reach the summit for panoramic views of lava fields and rock formations

  • Take a panga ride around Pinnacle Rock to spot Galapagos penguins and wildlife

Explore Sullivan Bay on Santiago Island

  • Transfer to pangas and visit Sullivan Bay on Santiago’s east coast

  • Swim at the pristine white coral sand beach

  • Hike a trail through a well-preserved lava field with resilient flora

  • Experience the volcanic origins of the Galapagos firsthand

Discover Dragon Hill on Santa Cruz Island

  • Explore Dragon Hill’s brackish lagoon with shorebirds and flamingos

  • Enjoy panoramic views and spot iconic land iguanas

  • Snorkel from the shore to see rays, green turtles, and sharks

Explore Buccaneer Cove on Santiago Island

  • Explore Buccaneer Cove’s dramatic cliffs and natural formations

  • Discover marine birds, sea lions, and intertidal creatures

  • Enjoy snorkeling, panga, or glass-bottom boat rides

Experience Punta Vicente Roca on Isabela Island

  • Dinghy exploration along Punta Vicente Roca’s coast (no landing)

  • Spot fur seals, Nazca boobies, flightless cormorants, penguins, and marine iguanas

  • Snorkel by the cliffs, possibly seeing green sea turtles (weather permitting)

  • Sail Bolivar Channel and watch for cetaceans feeding in nutrient-rich waters

Discover Punta Espinoza on Fernandina Island

  • Explore Fernandina Island’s pristine volcanic landscapes by panga

  • Spot hawks, marine iguanas, penguins, and flightless cormorants

  • Enjoy optional kayaking, glass-bottom boat rides, and snorkeling adventures

Concluding Stop at Baltra Island

  • Return to Baltra Island

  • Transfer to the airport for your flight back to the mainland
View all Itineraries

Itinerary Map

Day 1

Baltra Island & Santa Cruz Island

Day 2

Bartolomé Island & Santiago Island

Day 3

Santa Cruz Island & Santiago Island

Day 4

Isabela Island & Fernandina Island

Day 5

Baltra Island

land iguana
galapagos penguin
blue footed booby
galapagos fur seal
american flamingo
galapagos hawk
nazca booby
frigatebirds
marine iguana
galapagos sea lion
galapagos giant tortoise
cormorant

Prices

Prices in 2026

Starting at 4,604 pp

Prices in 2027

Starting at USD 4,696 pp

Sailing Dates

Contact us for availability

The BIG15: Must-see Wildlife of the Galapagos

Because the Galapagos Islands are so extensive, deciding where to go and what to see can be challenging. In crafting our itineraries to ensure our guests experience the optimum array of Galapagos species, we spoke with experts, Naturalist Guides, and island enthusiasts to identify the archipelago’s most unique and fascinating animals. Their choices influenced our creation of the Galapagos BIG15, which showcases the most iconic Galapagos wildlife.
The Blue-footed Booby plays a vital role in marine ecosystems by diving for fish along the coastal waters.
Nazca Boobies, with their distinctive white feathers and black-tipped wings perform captivating courtship dances.
The Flightless Cormorant, with its reduced wings and adept diving skills, thrives in the nutrient-rich waters of the Galapagos.
The Galapagos Flamingo, with its striking color and elegance, helps sustain the islands’ delicate wetland balance.
Great and Magnificent Frigatebirds, with their expansive wings and striking red throat pouches, expertly snatch food mid-air over the Galapagos Islands.
The Galapagos Hawk plays a crucial role in regulating island wildlife populations.
Land Iguanas, characterized by their yellowish-orange scales and robust bodies, primarily feed on cacti and thrive in the arid landscapes of the Galapagos Islands.
Marine Iguanas, known for their sea foraging skills, have a distinctive dark, rugged look and inhabit the rocky shores of the Galapagos Islands.
Galapagos Penguin: known for its small size and adaptability
The Galapagos Sea Lion captivates tourists with its playful antics, frolicking in the surf and relaxing on the islands' sandy beaches.
The Galapagos Fur Seal inhabits the rocky shores of the islands, where it thrives in cool, nutrient-rich waters.
Galapagos Giant Tortoise: immense size, century-old longevity.

Why Book With Us

Unmatched Experiences & Expert Care

Choose expedition vessels for an authentic and intimate experience.

Consider the comfort level with the ideal space-to-guest ratio during your journey.

All our itineraries allow you to discover 11 to 12 of the Big 15 iconic species and the top 4 islands in just 5 to 7 days.

Take part in the multi-guided itineraries for a unique experience of the Galapagos Islands.

Our carefully designed itineraries guarantee exclusivity and optimal wildlife viewing opportunities during island visits.

Enjoy multiple activities around the islands at no extra cost during your Galapagos expedition.

Rest assured, our Galapagos cruise ships have onboard medical professionals to attend to any medical needs.

Ensure the Galapagos National Park authorizes your cruise for activities and island visits.

Gallery

Yacht Isabela – Galapagos Islands
Kayaking – Galapagos, Yacht Isabela
Classic cabin aboard Yacht Isabela – Galapagos Islands
Expedition room – Galapagos Islands
Expedition room aboard Yacht Isabela – Galapagos Islands
Galapagos giant tortoise spotted during Yacht Isabela expedition
Owner’s cabin aboard Yacht Isabela – Galapagos Islands
Snorkeling in the Galapagos Islands
Restaurant aboard Yacht Isabela – Galapagos Islands
Yacht Isabela – Galapagos Islands
Sullivan Bay visit aboard Yacht Isabela – Galapagos Islands
Hiking aboard Yacht Isabela – Galapagos Islands

Included

  • Shared transfers between select Quito hotels and the airport for Galapagos flights
  • 24/7 On-board Medical Officer
  • Accomodation and all meals on board
  • Informative lectures
  • Snorkeling equipment: wetsuits, masks, fins, vests
  • Luggage assistance
  • Starlink Wi-Fi
  • Kayaks, paddleboards, and a glass-bottom boat
  • Island expeditions with Park-certified Naturalist Guides
  • Soft drinks

Reminder: We can assist with tickets and fees for entry to Galapagos.

Talk to an expert that´s
Sailed aboard!

Carolina Escobar

“Carolina is wonderful! So professional, caring, kind, patient with questions, and very knowledgeable. We are so grateful for her help with planning our trip. She represents Metropolitan very well. Definitely a wonderful asset to your company!”
—Dan Wilson

CHAT WITH US

See what people are
saying about us!

As a friend who went a few years ago said, it was life-changing… We had a fantastic group on the cruise and our leader said we had great karma – with all of our sightings and our slight change of plans to see the volcano one night. Our guide, Veronica was TOP NOTCH!!! Review by Elizabeth D.
FYI. An unbelievable and lifetime experience! Thank you, as well, for making this happen. Oh my goodness! Your enthusiasm and intelligence continuously reinforced the positives of a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Thank you. Review by Geoff W.
We had the most wonderful time!!! All of my family said it was the trip of a lifetime. Robert, our guide, could not have been better. I wish I could put into words how wonderful a time we had. Thank you again for all of your help! Review by Eli M.
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Are you a Travel Agent?*
At Metropolitan Touring we process the information you provide us with in order to respond to the request made by you in relation to the services we provide and the products we supply. You can exercise the rights of access, rectification and updating of inaccurate data or, where appropriate, request the deletion or elimination, limitation or suspension of the processing of your data or oppose the processing of your data. Contact us at [email protected]


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