Itinerary Expand all Guayaquil to Guayaquil Day 1 Fly Guayaquil to San Cristobal on the Galapagos & 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 cruise around Kicker Rock. Accommodation: The Evolution Meals included: Lunch Dinner Day 2 South Plaza Island At only 426 feet wide, South Plaza is one of the smallest islands in the archipelago. Look for Yellow land iguanas on a walk to a grove of prickly-pear cactus. Non-hikers can enjoy a Zodiac ride, watching for Swallow-tailed gulls, Red-billed tropicbirds and Blue-footed boobies. Since there is no true trail on Mosquera Islands, you are able to stroll at your leisure. Accommodation: The Evolution Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 3 Sombrero Chino Island & Santiago Island Morning Sombrero Chino Island: The tiny uplifted island of Sombrero Chino – or Chinese Hat – features a primeval landscape of volcanic rubble and lava tubes. The “land” is made of a few adjacent craters and old, fragile pahoehoe lava flows. Vegetation is just starting to take hold, including colourful carpetweed plants. Enjoy a Zodiac ride and swim before lunch. Afternoon Puerto Egas, Santiago Island: This afternoon, 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. Accommodation: The Evolution Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner 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 harbours 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. Accommodation: The Evolution Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 5 North Seymour Island & Santa Fe Island Morning North Seymour: 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. Plus, we are sure to see Blue-footed boobies perform their comical courtship dance in the open areas. Afternoon Santa Fe Island: Hike to a scenic lagoon, where we may observe Galapagos hawks, mockingbirds and a variety of Darwin’s finches. You may kayak and snorkel from the beach. Accommodation: The Evolution Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 6 Floreana Island Hike to Post Office Bay, once used by navigators to send mail with homebound messengers. Swim and kayak in the bay before a walk along the olivine beaches of Punta Cormorant. After hiking to a flamingo lagoon, spot fish and sea turtles during a relaxing stroll along the beach. Enjoy superb snorkelling at Devil’s Crown, where sea water has filled the sunken cone of an extinct volcano. Accommodation: The Evolution Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 7 Santa Cruz Island Begin our day in the forested highlands, with ample opportunity to see and photograph Giant tortoises in the wild. Stop at a family-run farm before learning about the work being done to study and preserve wildlife at Fausto Llerena Tortoise Breeding Centre at the Darwin Research Centre. Accommodation: The Evolution Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 8 Black Turtle Cove & fly to Guayaquil Enjoy a Zodiac ride through Black Turtle Cove, drifting silently through this area of mangroves. Fly to Guayaquil, trip ends upon arrival at airport in Guayaquil. Ask us about adding our optional Guayaquil package which includes your transfers, breakfasts, and pre- and post-cruise hotel accommodations. Meals included: Breakfast
Ecuador British passport holders do not need a visa for Ecuador. Very few other nationalities need a visa for Ecuador, but if you are in any doubt you should contact the nearest Ecuadorian Embassy.
Ecuador There are no mandatory vaccination requirements, however, if you have travelled to a country at risk of Yellow Fever prior to arriving in Ecuador you will be required to have a valid Yellow Fever Certificate with you. Recommended vaccinations are: Typhoid and Hepatitis A. If you will spend any time in the Amazon Rainforest we recommend a Yellow Fever vaccination. Please note that your certificate of vaccination may be inspected on arrival to this region. Malaria is also a risk in some areas of the country (including the Amazon Rainforest) so we suggest you consult a doctor for more advice. Dengue fever and/or Chikungunya are known risks in places visited on this trip. Both are tropical viral diseases spread by daytime biting mosquitoes. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available for either, and therefore the best form of prevention is to avoid being bitten. We recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Zika fever is a mosquito‐borne viral disease and a known risk in places visited on this trip. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available, we therefore strongly recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites. PLEASE NOTE: All visitors to Ecuador will be required to show valid medical insurance on arrival and cannot enter the country without it.
The Evolution The classically styled Evolution's interior is fully air-conditioned, and cabins on all three decks offer ample storage space, a writing desk, bedside tables and private facilities. The Evolution's spacious cabins are the largest on average in the Galapagos and act as the perfect haven for an afternoon siesta between your excursions. While the Evolution may carry a group of just 32 guests, she is generous in size with a host of amenities. From relaxing on the sun deck to reading in the lounge, you're sure to relish the friendly ambiance. Enjoy briefings by your naturalists in the comfortable lounge or spend time with a snack and your fellow passengers at the canopied bar - a superb place for watching the sun set over the Pacific. After excursions, relax in the hot tub or find a cushy deck chair while enjoying more outside space than any other yacht in its class. Because there is an "open bridge" policy aboard the Evolution, you are welcome to visit the captain and crew and learn all about the ship’s operation and navigation. A convenient boarding platform makes it easy and safe to board our excursion boats. Cabins All cabins feature private bathrooms with hair dryers and toiletries, climate controls, writing desk and safe-boxes, plus ample storage space. During every excursion, stewards will service your spacious cabin.
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