|
GALAPAGOS EVOLUTION CRUISE LUXURY CLASS |
| SATURDAY |
In the morning you will fly to the Galápagos Island San Cristobal from which you will start your cruise. After paying the national park entrance fee, a crew member will accompany you to your yacht which anchors at Baquerizo Moreno harbor. After arrival on board, check- in and explanations in general, lunch will be served. Afterwards you will start with your first excursion to Cerro Brujo. This fascinating lava landscape is located on the northeast coast of San Cristobal. On the rocks you can observe boobies, sea gulls and some pelicans. The protected bay is very popular by young ocean turtles and rays and there are excellent swimming and snorkeling possibilities. Return to the Galapagos Evolution cruise. |
|
Afterwards you will follow the route of Charles Darwin. You will sail around the massive tuff-rock called Leon Dormido or Kicker Rock, which is a nesting site for a lot of sea birds. Because of its steepness you cannot find a landing stage but brave snorkelers can watch out for sharks and rays. Dinner at the Galapagos Evolution. |
| SUNDAY |
Española is the southernmost and oldest island of the Galápagos archipelago. Because of its isolated position you can explore a lot of endemic wildlife. In the morning you will have an excursion to Point Suarez which is one of the most outstanding wildlife areas of the archipelago, with a long list of species found along its cliffs and sand or pebble beaches. In addition to five species of nesting seabirds there are the curious and bold Española Island mockingbirds, Galápagos doves and Galápagos hawks. Several types of reptiles, including the marine iguana and the oversized lava lizard, are unique to this island. When heavy swells are running, Suarez Point is also the site of a spectacular blowhole, with thundering spray shooting 30 yards into the air. The walkabout on a stony path is about 2km (duration about 3 hours). Return to the Galapagos Evolution cruise. |
|
Gardner Bay is on the eastern shore with turquoise shot colored water and a magnificent beach. Around the small islets nearby, snorkelers will find lots of fish and sometimes turtles and sharks. The bay is also frequented by a transient colony of sea lions which like swimming with you. Birds, like the endemic Hood-Mockingbird and different species of Darwin finches, are omnipresent. Dinner at the Galapagos Evolution. |
| MONDAY |
Today you anchor at the harbor of Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island. Besides its rank as homestay for sea lions and pelicans, the marina is a popular starting point for round-the-world-yachtsman. The island itself has come to be both touristic and scientific center of the archipelago. In the morning you will visit the Charles Darwin Station. The station encompasses an information centre, a museum, a library and the tortoise breeding station as well. Here you will have an opportunity to visit some of the best scientists of the Galápagos. Park rangers and park managers among others, make huge efforts to preserve this Unesco World Heritage Site and conduct the conservation of the islands. In the tortoise breeding and rearing centre you can encounter tortoises of different subspecies, which are prepared for reintroduction to their natural habitats. The most popular inhabitant of this island is probably Lonesome George. He is the only survivor of his specific turtle species. In the past all approaches to find a partner for him failed. But in July 2008 the scientists found a carved nest with nine eggs from a female tortoise. Three of them could be saved and now accordingly to strict instructions they are incubated syntheticly. Return to the Galapagos Evolution cruise. |
|
In the afternoon you will visit the highlands of Santa Cruz. In the lush landscape there is a welcome contrast to the arid scenery of the smaller, lower islands. On your way you will cross different zones of vegetation, from the dry lower region full of cactuses to the woods of scalesia in the highlands. Points of interest are the famed lava tunnels, a fun and geologically informative visit. During a visit of a hacienda in the highlands you can observe the Galápagos giant tortoises in their natural habitat. Dinner at the Galapagos Evolution. |
| TUESDAY |
Today you will land at Santiago Island, also known as James, or San Salvador Island, which is the fourth largest island in the archipelago. The influences of the former salt mine workers and their imported animals are still alive on the island. The last tries to populate Santiago Island were given up forty years ago. Visit the dark sand beach with a lot of marine iguanas at Egas Port after a wet landing. After a short walk of about 2 km along the coast you will reach the cliffy lava coast with natural pools where sea lions take a bath and herons and other sea birds are as well local. Additionally, you can encounter a small group of sea bears. The surrounding area is good for spotting and observing colonies of sea lions, red sally light-foot crabs, lava iguanas, Galápagos buzzards and lava herons. Return to the Galapagos Evolution cruise. |
|
Arriving at Bartolome you will ascend to a lookout point from where you can admire the spectacular panorama of the Sullivan Bay and the famous needle shaped rock, the so called Pinnacle Rock. The beaches at the foot of the Pinnacle Rock boast some fine snorkeling spots from which you can discover the marvelous underwater world with a good chance to encounter penguins or the softly gliding turtles. Dinner at the Galapagos Evolution. |
| WEDNESDAY |
Your destination for today is Genovesa Island. Not only for its loneliness Genovesa is considered as one of the wildest and untouched within the Galápagos National Park. It is also known as “Bird Island” or “Tower Island”. On your way to this island you will cross the equator. After a panga ride along the cliffs of Genovesa Island you will make a dry landing at Prince Philip’s Steps, a carved out of stone stair. These will lead you to a wide plateau, where you can observe large colonies of masked boobies, frigate birds, storm petrels and bahama ducks. During this easy stroll you will cross a little Scalesia wood, in which you have to watch out for short-eared owl. The same path will lead you back to your boat. Return to the Galapagos Evolution cruise. |
|
After lunch you make a wet landing onto Tower Island at Darwin Bay for an easy stroll observing seemingly thousands of birds, mainly frigate and red footed and masked boobies. On the beach you can observe the interesting spectacle how the frigates try to catch the prey of the boobies. Dinner at the Galapagos Evolution. |
| THURSDAY |
In the morning you will visit Fernandina Island which is not only the westernmost but also the youngest and pristinest Island found in Galápagos. In 2005 the last eruption of La Cumbre volcano created huge fields of lava. Espinoza Point, on Fernandina’s visit points, is situated within a fascinating lava scenery with lava-cactuses and on the surface of the lava growing mangroves. Besides this unique scenery you will come in contact with numerous animals here. The highlights are such as sea lions, penguins, the flightless cormorant (especially in spring and summer) and one of the biggest iguanas colonies of Galápagos. Do not miss a snorkeling trip during which you have the possibility to explore the beautiful underwater world. Return to the Galapagos Evolution cruise. |
|
This afternoon will lead you to the largest island of the archipelago: Isabela Island. With a surface of 4588 sq.km, the isle engages more than the half of the land area of whole Galápagos. After a dry landing you will visit the notorious Tagus Cove, which was historically used as an anchoring place for pirates, buccaneers and whalers. Around the deep blue bay you can observe a large number of blue-footed boobies perched on the ledges of the cliffs, as well as marine iguanas, penguins, brown pelicans, brown noddy terns and swallow-tailed gulls. A steep trail pass you through an area of dry vegetation and volcanic landscape with scalesia woods and cactuses, you will reach Darwin Lake, an extremely salted and green crater lake. During a short hike you will explore the scenic uniqueness and beautiness of Isabela Island. During your snorkeling trip you can also enjoy the unique underwater world of this island. Dinner at the Galapagos Evolution. |
| FRIDAY |
After a dry landing, you will have a short walk along the coast of the northernmost island of Seymour. Guests will encounter swallow tailed gulls, sea lions and cliff crabs. This site is also known for being a major nesting colony of blue footed boobies, and the largest colony of the magnificent frigate bird, a species different to the great frigate bird. You can also spot both endemic species of iguanas, the marine iguanas and land iguanas. You will enjoy this relaxing hike around the nesting sites. Return to the Galapagos Evolution cruise. |
|
Later you visit the nearby Black Turtle Cove, a nesting site for marine turtles. With good luck you can observe different types of sharks in the calm water, for example the white-tipped shark or schools of golden mustard rays as well. Dinner at the Galapagos Evolution. |
| SATURDAY |
At the port of Baquerizo Moreno, which is the capital of the province Galápagos, you will visit the Interpretation Center. The center will give you a quick review of the history of the Galápagos Islands. Around midday you will fly back to the mainland of Ecuador. Enjoy the last view back to the enchanted islands; a unique paradise with its fascinating nature. Return to the Galapagos Evolution cruise. |
|
TRANSFER OUT |
SHIPS 
