Darwin's Enchanted Isles (Evolution) - Peregrine Travel Centre

Description

Thirteen major islands, six minor islands and 42 volcanic islets make up Ecuador’s Galapagos Archipelago, and while most of these islands are known by both English and Spanish names, you’ll find the landscapes and wildlife on each isle to be singularly enchanting. It is against a contrasting patchwork of deserts, forests, volcanoes, beaches and cobalt water that International Expeditions invites you on a Galapagos cruise to discover the islands’ compelling wildlife.

Witness this fantastic microcosm of natural history by joining a true pioneer in Galapagos travel. Standing on the lava of Fernandina with a vista of volcanoes; snorkeling with a friendly sea lion; or sitting in a lush field on Santa Cruz watching the giant tortoises graze — these are the moments of sheer wonder you can expect on this small-ship adventure. IE invited you aboard the 32-guest Evolution, which offers the ideal retreat with spacious cabins, superb cuisine and a host of amenities. From the moment you arrive and see the first iguanas and sea lions basking on the dock where we board our Galapagos cruise ship, you are delighted. And for all the documentaries and research most people have seen on these islands, nothing compares to the experience of being here.

Trip Name

Darwin's Enchanted Isles (Evolution)

Days

Overview

Vessel Type: Small Ship Passenger Capacity: 32 Refurbished: 2014 For our Galapagos Islands cruise ship we have selected the M/V Evolution, accommodating just 32 guests. This intimate ship features a great deal of public space, including an observation deck and a canopied bar on the roof deck, perfect for enjoying a snack and drink on the canopied roof deck while whale watching or chatting with fellow passengers. Two-person kayaks also are available and a doctor is aboard on every voyage and even accompanies your small group off-ship. Because there is an "open bridge" policy aboard the M/V Evolution, you are welcome to visit the captain and crew and learn all about the ship’s operation and navigation. Each day our naturalist guides will give talks and briefings on the day’s events and about the natural and human history of the Galapagos. They will help you understand the context of what you’ve seen and help prepare you for the next day’s activities. A convenient boarding platform makes it easy and safe to board our excursion boats. Meals Meals are served in one seating in the dining room, and each meal boasts international and traditional Ecuadorian cuisine, fresh fruit and sumptuous desserts. Cabins Your air-conditioned cabin is the perfect haven between excursions, featuring private facilities and ample storage space. During every excursion, cabin stewards will service your spacious cabin.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Day 1 Guayaquil / Baltra / Daphne Major

Meet your Expedition Leader and fellow travelers. Fly 600 miles across the Pacific Ocean to the Galapagos Islands and board the Evolution. After a safety briefing, enjoy a circumnavigation of Daphne Major, a paradise for sea birds such as magnificent frigatebird. (B,L,D)

Day 2 - Day 2 Isabela Island / Fernandina Island

Zodiacs take you on a dramatic ride into the heart of a sunken volcano at Punta Vicente Roca. Take to the water, where we swim and snorkel among sea turtles, penguins and possibly even sea horses. Explore the lava fields of Punta Espinosa, located on Fernandina, the youngest and most volcanically active island in the Galapagos. Here we spot flightless cormorants and marine iguanas. Whale watch from the Evolution’s open-air decks as we cross the Bolivar Channel. (B,L,D)

Day 3 - Day 3 Isabela Island

Isabela is the Galapagos archipelago's largest island, and is composed of five volcanoes – Cerro Azul, Sierra Negra, Darwin, Wolf and Alcedo – all of which are actually still considered active! Hike along the uplifted section of sea floor in Urbina Bay at the base of the Alcedo Volcano. Our naturalists point out the tortoises, colorful land iguanas and other wildlife that feed on the vegetation. Board our Zodiacs for an excursion to Tagus Cove, where we look for penguins, flightless cormorants, pelicans along the cliffs before a chance to snorkel and swim. (B,L,D)

Day 4 - Day 4 Bartolomé / Santiago Island: Sullivan Bay

Visit Bartolomé Island, hiking to the top of a dormant volcano for a dramatic panorama, including famed Pinnacle Rock. The island is dotted with craters, cinder cones, lava flows, spatter cones and broken lava tunnels which run down from the summit. Our Zodiac drivers will take “non-hikers” for a ride around the cliffs, observing a stunning volcanic landscape and Galapagos penguins. Swim and snorkel with sea lions and maybe even speedy penguins. This afternoon, hike across the panoehoe lava of Sullivan Bay, seeing some of the hearty flora colonizing the landscapes. Stroll along the coralline beach spotting black and white oystercatchers. (B,L,D)

Day 5 - Day 5 Santa Cruz Island: Bachas Beach / Rabida Island

Bachas Beach is home to one of the last remnants of the US World War II presence in Galapagos-a floating pier- which we’ll see on our morning walk along with Sally Lightfoot crabs, black necked stilts and whimbrels. Snorkel in the calm waters where sea turtles nest. While exploring uninhabited Rabida Island at the archipelago’s geologic center, watch for up to nine species of Darwin’s finches, doves, yellow warblers and mockingbirds. A small saltwater lagoon is home to white-cheeked pintail ducks and black-necked stilts. Snorkelers may take to the water with sea lions, sea turtles and reef fish such as damsels and pufferfish. During a guided kayaking excursion, watch for brown pelicans and blue-footed boobies while savoring views of the island’s sloping volcanic peak. (B,L,D)

Day 6 - Day 6 Santa Cruz Island

After a tasty breakfast onboard our Galapagos cruise ship, head to a private reserve in the forested highlands to see and photograph giant tortoises. Stop at a family run sugar cane farm that also produces small-batch moonshine. Since 1970, more than 2,000 tortoises have been hatched, raised and released from the Fausto Llerena Tortoise Breeding Center at the Darwin Research Center, which was founded in 1959. Learn about the vital work being done here before returning to the Evolution. (B,L,D)

Day 7 - Day 7 Española Island

As the southernmost island in the archipelago, Española’s relative isolation has resulted in not only an abundance of unusual wildlife, but species and subspecies that are endemic to the island, such as Española (Hood) mockingbird, Española (Hood) racer snake, Española (Hood) lava lizard, waved albatross and brightly colored marine iguanas. Enjoy a Zodiac ride before wading ashore to Punta Suarez through a sea lion colony. Walk along the cliffs looking for waved albatrosses, Galapagos hawks, Hood mockingbirds and the red-colored race of marine iguana en route to Española’s blowhole, where waves spout 90 feet into the air. After lunch on our yacht, swim, snorkel and kayak in the waters off Gardner Bay. You are also welcome to bring along your book or a camera for a relaxing afternoon on this white-sand beach. (B,L,D)

Day 8 - Day 8 San Cristóbal Island / Guayaquil

End your Galapagos Islands cruise by returning to San Cristóbal to visit the Interpretation Center, opened by the park in 1998. Fly to Guayaquil, where you board your flights home. If you took advantage of our Guayaquil add-on package, enjoy time to relax at the Hotel Oro Verde. (B)

Day 9 - Please Note:

Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

Start	End	Price From	Room Type

Inclusions

Snorkel, kayak & hike alongside experienced Galapagos guides
Enjoy seven nights aboard the spacious yacht Evolution
Learn about conservation efforts at the Charles Darwin Research Station
Explore the undersea on our Galapagos cruise tours, featuring daily snorkeling & included equipment