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Yacht Isabela

Natural Selection Journey

The Definitive Southeastern and Western Galapagos Journey

7 Days

Friday to Thursday

14 of 15

Galapagos Iconic Species

From

USD 6,076 pp

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Home / Galapagos Islands Tours / Central, Southeastern and Western Galapagos Itinerary

Overview

Our journey across the archipelago on this itinerary promises many islands and wildlife encounters, from bright flamingos on the first day to preening frigatebirds on the last. We’ll meet colossal giant tortoises at Cerro Colorado and a trio of booby species at Punta Pitt. Next, we’ll admire the magnificent views and wildlife on Española Island, from epic waved albatrosses to colorful marine iguanas. On the fourth day, we’ll wake up in Floreana, where the historic Post Office Bay and Cormorant Point’s green beach await. We then navigate west, where we’ll walk across young lava formations at Punta Moreno and explore the fascinating mangroves and flightless cormorants of southern Fernandina. The expedition concludes with a morning visit to Eden Islet and ends on a high note: an afternoon trek across beautiful North Seymour.
Galapagos Islands Yacht Isabela

Day by Day

Day 1: Baltra Island & Santa Cruz Island

Welcome to the Galapagos Islands!

Arrival at Baltra Airport and Santa Cruz Island

  • Arrive at Baltra Island and transfer to the dock.
  • Visit the humid highlands of Santa Cruz Island to observe giant tortoises in their natural habitat.
  • Return to the Itabaca Channel to board the Yacht Isabela II for an introductory briefing and boat drill.
  • Enjoy lunch aboard the yacht after the morning’s activities.

Explore Las Bachas on Santa Cruz Island

  • Visit Las Bachas on Santa Cruz Island’s north shore

  • Swim at the white sandy beach and explore brackish lagoons with birds

  • Return to the ship for a welcome cocktail, expedition briefing, and dinner

Explore Punta Pitt on San Cristobal Island

  • Land on the eastern tip of San Cristobal Island and hike the ascending trail

  • Spot all three booby species, both frigatebird species, and bachelor sea lions

  • Weather permitting, swim, kayak, snorkel, or take a panga ride from the beach

Visit Cerro Colorado on San Cristobal Island

  • Disembark at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, following Darwin’s 1835 exploration

  • Drive 40 minutes to Cerro Colorado breeding center for endangered giant tortoises

  • Explore deciduous forest with diverse birds, San Cristobal mockingbird, and lava lizard

Discover Gardner Bay on Española Island

  • Morning walk on Gardner Bay’s white coral beach, spotting sea lions, mockingbirds, and finches

  • Enjoy excellent snorkeling opportunities

  • Optional kayaking, inflatable dinghy ride, or glass-bottom boat excursion

Explore Punta Suarez on Española Island

  • Afternoon trek at Punta Suarez through lava and boulder fields

  • Observe seabirds like waved albatrosses, boobies, and swallow-tail gulls

  • Visit the iconic blowhole and spot large marine iguanas

Explore Cormorant Point on Floreana Island

  • Morning walk on the green olivine-crystal beach at Cormorant Point

  • Visit brackish lagoon to watch American flamingos

  • Explore white-sand beach with sea turtle nesting sites

  • At Champion Islet, enjoy snorkeling, panga ride, or glass-bottom boat tour

Visit Post Office Bay & Baroness Cove on Floreana Island

  • Afternoon visit to Post Office Bay and its historic barrel post

  • Learn about Darwin’s stop and its role in evolutionary studies

  • Finish with snorkeling off the beach

Experience Punta Moreno on Isabela Island

  • Morning mangrove stroll searching for sea turtles and exploring volcanic landscapes

  • Spot diverse wildlife including penguins, cormorants, sea lions, and colorful birds

  • Optional glass-bottom boat ride or deep-water snorkeling to end the day

Discover Punta Mangle on Fernandina Island

  • Afternoon panga exploration of Fernandina Island’s pristine coastline, bays, mangroves, and coves
  • Snorkel or observe rays, sea turtles, dolphins, and whales in the Bolivar Channel
  • End with a glass-bottom boat ride or deep-water snorkeling, weather permitting

Explore Eden Islet

  • Take a scenic panga ride to Eden Islet, just off Santa Cruz’s coast

  • Observe blue-footed boobies, reef sharks, and frigates in their natural habitat

  • Snorkel among vibrant marine life

  • Weather permitting, enjoy a glass-bottom boat ride to explore the stunning volcanic underwater scenery

Discover North Seymour Island

  • Explore North Seymour Island’s diverse habitats and iconic Big 15 species

  • Afternoon walk to see nesting frigatebirds, land iguanas, sea lions, plus dinghy ride and snorkeling

  • Evening briefing, cocktail, and dinner to end the day

Departure from Baltra Island

  • Arrive at Baltra Island to conclude the journey

  • Transfer to the airport for return flight to the mainland

  • Thank you for joining this remarkable Galapagos expedition

Itinerary Map

Day 1

Baltra Island & Santa Cruz Island

Day 2

San Cristobal Island

Day 3

Española Island

Day 4

Floreana Island

Day 5

Isabela Island & Fernandina Island

Day 6

Eden Islet & North Seymour Island 

Day 7

Baltra Airport

Prices

Prices in 2025

Starting at 6,076 pp

Prices in 2026

Starting at USD 6,137 pp

Sailing Dates

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.

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.

Included

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

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saying about us!

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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