Fascinating Galapagos Islands Cruise aboard the Evolution

Day 1 (Fri) - Quito

Welcome upon arrival in Quito and then transfer to your hotel. If time permits you may be able to arrange for a tour on your own of Quito’s neighborhoods and museums.

Day 2 (Sat) - Quito / Galapagos

Morning: Arrival to San Cristobal Island

Early transfer to the airport for your flight to the Galapagos. Upon arrival at San Cristobal Island, you will pass through Park Inspection and be met by your guide.

Afternoon: Cerro Brujo and Kicker Rock

We begin our voyage by setting out along the coast of San Cristobal Island toward our first landing at Cerro Brujo. This inviting powdery beach beside turquoise waters offers your first opportunity to go snorkeling with sea turtles, rays and sea lions. Kicker Rock also known as Leon Dormido which is a spectacular formation that rises 152 meters (500 feet) out of the Pacific talking the form of a sleeping lion. You will be welcomed back onboard for your briefing, welcome cocktail. (B, L, D)

Day 3 (Sun) - Española (Hood) Island

Morning: Punta Suarez

Hood is the southernmost island of the archipelago, and is one of the most popular due to the breathtaking variation and sheer number of fauna that greet the visitor. A few steps inland are the largest variety of marine iguana in the Galapagos where we take a trail to the high cliff edge of the southern shore.

Afternoon: Gardner Bay

Located on the eastern end of the island, Gardner bay has a wonderful sandy beach for swimming and observing the Galapagos sea lions. (B, L, D)

Day 4 (Mon) - Santa Cruz Island

Morning: Highlands of Santa Cruz Island

This morning we will disembark on the dock of Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island. A highlight of any trip is a visit to the Santa Cruz Highlands. Another attraction close by is a very large lava tube. A wooden stairway descends to the mouth of its arched entrance and continues underground to the narrow passage that marks its exit. We will have lunch at El Chato restaurant on the highlands.

Afternoon: Charles Darwin Research Station

Here we visit the Giant Tortoise Breeding and Rearing Program run by the research station.

We will learn about Giant Tortoises and Land Iguanas breeding programs on the islands. Afterwards, optional shopping and sight-seeing at Puerto Ayora. (B, L, D)

Day 5 (Tue) - Santiago (James) Island / Bartolomé Island

Morning: James Bay

On the northwestern side of the island is James Bay (Puerto Egas). The landing is on a black beach with intriguing eroded rock formations inland. A trail crosses the dry interior southward, where hikers are treated to a series of crystal-clear grottos formed of broken lava tubes. These are home to sea lions, tropical fish and are the only place on the islands where fur seals can be seen. Marine iguanas are also found all over the trail, basking in the sun. Birders coming to James Bay will have the opportunity to spot vermillion flycatchers, Galapagos hawks and the tool-wielding woodpecker finch.

Afternoon: Bartolomé Pinnacle Rock & Overlook

Early in the afternoon we have a dry landing for our walk up to the scenic overlook. This Island is famous for Pinnacle Rock, the best known landmark in the Galapagos. This dry landing is the entrance to a 600-meter (2000-foot) pathway, complete with stairs and boardwalks leading to Bartolome’s summit. At the top you will be rewarded with spectacular views of Pinnacle Rock, Santiago Island and James Bay to the west. (B, L, D)

Day 6 (Wed) - Geneovesa (Tower) Island

Morning: Prince Phillip's Steps

This morning we will take a brief panga ride along the base of the cliffs that are the walls of the collapsed caldera. After the panga ride we disembark on the first visitor site of Tower Island: Prince Phillip’s Steps. It is also known as “Bird Island,” a name it lives up to in a spectacular way.

Afternoon: Darwin Bay

After a wet landing on the white coral sands of Darwin Bay we walk up the beach to an area where will be surrounded by the bustling activity of “great frigate birds.” Farther along you will discover a stunning series of sheltered pools set into a rocky outcrop. A trail beside the pools leads up to a cliff overlooking the caldera, where pairs of swallow-tailed gulls, the only nocturnal gulls in the world, can be seen nesting at the cliff’s edge. (B, L, D)

Day 7 (Thu) - Fernandina Island / Isabela Island:

Morning: Punta Espinosa

Following a short panga ride, we have a dry landing on Tagus Cove. After a short distance, a wooden stairway rises to the trail entrance for a view of Darwin Lake. The trail continues around the lake and provides spectacular views back toward our anchorage in the bay, as well as Darwin Volcano and Wolf Volcano farther north.

Afternoon: Tagus Cove

Dry landing at Punta Espinosa, on Fernandina Island, where a number of unique Galapagos species can be seen in close proximity. Farther inland, the island’s black lava flows become more evident, forming a quiet, inner lagoon. Galapagos hawks survey the entire scene from overhead. (B, L, D)

Day 8 (Fri) - North Seymour Island / Santa Cruz Island

Morning: North Seymour Island

North Seymour Island was lifted from the ocean floor by a seismic event, and its origins as a seabed give the island its low, flat profile. Following the trail inland reveals the largest nesting site in the Galápagos of the “magnificent frigate bird.”

Afternoon: Black Turtle Cove

On the north shore of Santa Cruz, is a living illustration of how mangroves alter the marine environment to create a rich and unique habitat. As we drift though the quite waters in our panga, we are likely to see spotted eagle rays and diamond shaped mustard rays, which swim in a diamond formation This is a peaceful place that will leave you feeling that way. (B, L, D)

Day 9 (Sat) -San Cristobal Island / Quito

Early Morning: Interpretation Centre

Before we bid farewell to the Evolution and her crew we pay a visit to Leon Dormido right after breakfast, also know as Kicker Rock (if we did not visit it on the first day of the cruise). Following this visit we return to Puerto Baquerizo, where our voyage started and where you will have time for some last minute island shopping before heading to the airport. Upon arrival in Quito, you will be transfered back to your hotel. (B)

Day 10 (Sun) - Quito

Today you will be transfered to the airport for your flight home.

End of services. (B)

(B): Breakfast (L): Lunch (D): Dinner

Important Notice Actual day-by-day itineraries may vary from those shown in order to take advantage of local sightseeing options, trains or flight schedules changes, or other unforeseen events.

Price (per person based on double occupancy)

• 10 days from $4,850
• Child rate from $3,640 (restrictions apply)
• Price based on check payment (please add 3% if paying via credit card)

What is Included

• All hotel accommodations
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary - B: breakfast, L: lunch and D: dinner
• All sightseeing as shown as part of an open group (private tours available)
• Services of bilingual professional guides
• Airport transfers
• All gratuities except to guides
• Naturalists and lecture services
• Island sightseeing
• Snorkeling equipment

Additional Budget Considerations

• Domestic flights: from $420
• Airport taxes
• Peak Season (Mar 30-Apr 5 or Dec 21-Jan 3) surcharge of 10%

Items NOT included in the price

• International or Domestic flights unless stated in 'What is Included' section above. We will be happy to help you with your flight arrangements at your request.
• Personal expenses such as beverages; lunch or dinner (unless in the itinerary)
• Laundry services
• Travel insurance (strongly recommended - see our Travel Tips section for details)
• Excess baggage fees
• Communication charges
• Airport departure or arrival taxes
• Cost of obtaining passports or visas
• Gratuities to guides
• Any other expense not mentioned on what is included
• Galapagos National Park admission fee (US $100 subject to change without notice)
• Transit Control Card for Galapagos (US$ 10 per person)
• Bar consumption on board

Please do not hesitate to call 1-800-667-6134 for additional information.

Technical specifications

• Type: Cruise Ship / Expedition Vessel
• L.O.A.: 192 feet / 58.5 meters
• Beam: 29 feet / 8.9 meters
• Draft: 10.5 feet / 3.2 meters
• Engines: Caterpillar 3512 T1TA 1300hp
• Generators: Northern Lights 150 KVA
• Builder: Kanasashi Shipyard
• Speed: 10 / 12 knots
• Accommodations:
  • 18 cabins for up to 36 passengers with private facilities
  • 4 Suites on the boat deck
  • 8 Cabins on the main deck
  • 6 Cabins on the lower deck
• Crew: 18 plus up to 2 naturalists guides & 1 tour leader
• Communication: Equipment SAT Phone / UHF / VHF radios
• Electricity: 110 volts

Other services

• Snorkeling Equipment
• Stargazing Program
• Jacuzzi
• Sea Kayaks
• Kids Club Program with activities like star-gazing and movie nights. Child-oriented guides who organize learning activities and provide children with a kids' expedition journal can be placed for departures with children.