Remote Northern & Central Galapagos Cruise (Evolution)

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

Remote Northern & Central Galapagos Cruise (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 / San Cristobal: Playa Ochoa & Kicker Rock

Fly to the islands and board the Evolution. Stroll along the beach at Playa Ochoa, where a nearby tidal lagoon plays host to flamingos, finches and Chatham mockingbirds. At sunset, we sail out to Kicker Rock, which rises 500 feet straight up and has the shape of a sleeping lion. (B,L,D)

Day 2 - Day 2 South Plaza Island

South Plaza is one of the smallest islands in the archipelago that allows visitors. We’re likely to be welcomed by a noisy sea lion family! Look for yellow land iguanas on a walk to a grove of prickly-pear cactus. For a more relaxing excursion, enjoy a Zodiac ride with your naturalist guide, watching for swallow-tailed gulls, red-billed tropicbirds and blue-footed boobies. Since there is no true trail on the Mosquera Islet, you are able to stroll at your leisure, but be sure to avoid disturbing the little vegetation that does exist as well as watch for lava gull nests. (B,L,D)

Day 3 - Day 3 Sombrero Chino Island / Santiago Island: Puerto Egas

Tiny Sombrero Chino Island features a primeval landscape of volcanic rubble and lava tubes. The “land” is made of a few adjacent craters and fragile pahoehoe lava flows. Vegetation is just starting to take hold, including colorful carpetweed plants. Enjoy a Zodiac ride and swim before lunch. These waters are a great area to spot Galapagos penguins! Once the site of a salt mine in the 1960s, the wide trails of Santiago Island are perfect for finding fur seals, finches and even a natural bridge. Search the tide pools of Puerto Egas for sea life. During low tide, we may see marine iguanas feeding on algae. Our naturalists will point out the birdlife, including great blue herons, lava herons, oystercatchers and yellow-crowned night herons. (B,L,D)

Day 4 - Day 4 Genovesa Island

Genovesa is often referred to as “Bird Island” for the vast numbers of pelagic seabirds that come here to nest. And while Genovesa harbors one of the Galapagos’ largest and most diverse bird populations, there are no land reptiles — with the exception of some very small marine iguanas. This is due to the direction of the ocean currents, which couldn’t carry the terrestrial animals here. Climb Prince Philip’s Steps to an area with colonies of red-footed boobies. Watch for short-eared owls which feed on the petrals that fly about. Explore Darwin Bay, home to the rare lava gull. While anchored at Genovesa, enjoy an opportunity to swim, kayak and snorkel in the calm caldera of this partially eroded volcano. (B,L,D)

Day 5 - Day 5 North Seymour Island / Santa Fe Island

North Seymour is the nesting site for a large population of magnificent frigatebirds and the only place where we can always find males showing their red pouches to attract females. In the open areas watch for nesting blue-footed boobies, which lay their eggs on the open ground and shade them from the sun with their feet and bodies. Their courtship rituals are elaborate and comical; they life their blue feet, whistle, honk and “sky pint: with their bills. Hike to a scenic lagoon, where we may observe Galapagos hawks, mockingbirds and a variety of Darwin’s finches. Kayak and snorkel from the beach. (B,L,D)

Day 6 - Day 6 Floreana Island

Begin our morning in historic Post Office Bay, where a barrel contains mail that you’re encouraged to collect and deliver to people who live close to your home. Swim and kayak in the bay before a walk along the olivine beaches of Punta Cormorant, where we may find exquisite pink flamingos, pintails, stilts and other wading birds. Enjoy superb snorkeling at Devil’s Crown, where sea water has filled the sunken cone of an extinct volcano. (B,L,D)

Day 7 - Day 7 Santa Cruz Island

Begin our day in the forested highlands looking for the islands’ famed giant tortoises. Spend the morning with these gently giants, with ample time to photograph the tortoises in their verdant habitat. Before a picnic lunch, visit a pair of huge sinkholes where we may spot vermillion flycatchers. Stop for a quick snack featuring chocolate bread. Call on a family run farm before learning about the work being done to study and preserve wildlife at Fausto Llerena Tortoise Breeding Center at the Darwin Research Center. (B,L,D)

Day 8 - Day 8 Galapagos / Guayaquil

Enjoy a Zodiac ride through Black Turtle Cove. The mangrove swamps are the perfect place to spot reef sharks, sea turtles and rays. Fly to Guayaquil, where you either board on-ward 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