Ecuador

Starting Price:	$5,610.00
Trip Length:	8 days

Evolution

Lounge

Double

Evolution 8 days / 7 nights Saturday to Saturday - Option B

Description Pricing Itinerary

The M/V Evolution appears to be a vessel from the 1920’s but provides a supreme level of comfort and safety in match with today’s standards. This 32-passenger vessel is an expedition ship large enough to provide cozy staterooms and ample social areas including inside and outside dining. Despite her accommodating space, the Evolution provides the unique and intimate experience with nature you desire when visiting the Galapagos.

The Evolution is a 192 ft / 58.5 m. L.O.A. Cruise Ship that accommodates up to 32 passengers in 16 cabins, single or twin. Outfitted for individual passengers or charters, family departures and departures for the more active groups, she offers a mix of beautifully furnished salons, open decks and private areas for those looking for a close experience with the surrounding environment.

These ship itineraries alternate every two weeks due to Galapagos National Park regulations, Galapagos cruises are not permitted to visit the same island within a two week period. This itinerary is available every two weeks; please check with your Yampu travel consultant for applicable travel dates.

Additional information on this trip:

Days of Week the Trip can Start:
Saturday

Go Back To Evolution

Day 1

Saturday
Today we will take flight from Ecuador's mainland to San Cristobal. Upon arrival we will be greeted for airport reception and transferred to the M/V Evolution to begin our Galapagos adventure.

Kicker Rock
Kicker Rock is a magnificent rock that jets out 500 feet high from the middle of the ocean and is shaped similar to a sleeping lion. The rock is split with towering vertical walls on either side that forms a narrow channel through which small vessels can investigate. There is no landing site here but the view from the boat will make a lasting impression.

Day 2

Sunday
Plazas Island
We make a dry landing on the pier of Plaza Sur where we can enjoy the juvenile antics of the sea lions. This island was originally formed by uplifted lava and the terrain includes an impressive cactus forest. On land we will see land iguanas and several species of tropical birds.

Daphne Island
Daphne Island is a major site for an ongoing scientific research project monitoring the island’s finches. We will visit this island and venture up a steep trail from the shore to the crater rim of a volcano. During the way we will spot the famous finches, masked boobies, and Galapagos Martins.

Day 3

Monday
Sombrero Chino (Chinese Hat)
This scenic little island gets its name from its appearance. Here we have a dry landing on a beach that is home to a small colony of sea lions. We will be on the lookout for a glimpse of then American oyster-catchers in action, marine iguanas, lava lizards, and sally light-foot crabs. This is an ideal location to enjoy snorkeling or swimming.

Sullivan Bay, Santiago Island
We make a dry landing on Sullivan Bay, an area that had the latest volcanic activity in 1897. This is a site that is popular for those interested in volcanoes and geology because of the numerous lava formations, lava bubbles, and pahoehoe lava.

Day 4

Tuesday
Prince Philip’s Steps, Genovesa Island
We take a dingy ride to make a dry landing on Barranco, also known as Prince Philip’s Steps. Here we follow a trail through a Palo Santo forest to an open area full of nesting birds that include masked boobies, frigates, and red-footed boobies. At the end of this trail are thousands of band-rumbed storm petrels nesting in the crevices at the cliff’s edge. We will also be able to see the short-eared owls as they hunt the storm petrels during the daylight hours.

Darwin Bay, Genovesa Island
Genovesa is a collapsed volcano that ships are able to sail into through its large breached caldera and anchor at the foot of the steep crater walls. Genovesa is commonly referred to as ‘bird island’ because it is home to thousands of great frigate birds, red-footed boobies, noddy terns, lava gulls, tropic birds, doves, storm petrels, and Darwin’s finches. After a wet landing we follow a trail that leads from a coral beach past tidal lagoons to a cliff’s edge for amazing views. After the walk you can enjoy snorkeling and swimming along the cliffs.

Day 5

Wednesday
Espumilla Beach and Buccaneer Cove, Santiago Island
Today we will visit the main attractions of Santiago Island including the holy stick forest, beautiful Espumilla beach, and the amazing landscape over Buccaneer Cove. Espumilla is an important beach for nesting marine turtles; here you can also see the white-checked pintail, finches, and mockingbirds.

Rabida Island
We make a wet landing on the dark, red sand beach of Rabida Island; the color of the sand comes from the unusually high iron content in the volcanic material. This island is often considered the geographic center of the Galapagos because it has the most diversified volcanic rocks of the islands. Located near the beach is a salt pond that often attracts greater flamingos looking to feed on the brine shrimp in the waters. Here we can enjoy a 2-mile walk along the island’s beach to see a large colony of sea lions, marine iguanas, mockingbirds, yellow warblers, and several species of Darwin’s finches. There is time for an optional swim or snorkel before returning to the boat.

Day 6

Thursday
North Seymour Island
After a dry landing enjoy a walk along the coast and the interior of North Seymour Island. This island was not formed by volcanic activity but rather uplifted boulders that can be seen across the primarily flat terrain. The site is a well known nesting site for colonies of blue-footed boobies that perform a fascinating courtship dance in more open areas. North Seymour is also home to the largest colony of the magnificent frigate bird, a member of the frigate family that is known for the male’s vibrant display of red pouches in hopes of attracting a mate. On the island we will also see both endemic species of iguanas, the marine and land iguanas.

Bachas Beach, Santa Cruz Island
We make a wet landing on Play de las Bachas located on the northern coastline of Santa Cruz. Here we visit a flamingo lagoon, encounter marine iguanas, various sea birds, and sea turtles. After our exploration we have the opportunity to swim and snorkel from the white sandy beach.

Day 7

Friday
Charles Darwin Research Center, Santa Cruz Island
We make a dry landing to visit the Charles Darwin Station and its interpretive center. Here we witness the efforts and results of the ongoing field work conducted in the name of science. While on the island we have the chance to stroll the main street of Puerto Ayora and browse the many local handicraft shops.

Highlands, Santa Cruz Island
We disembark to board a bus taking us to the Highlands of Santa Cruz. Here we visit the native forest and the twin craters. The island is a good place to view the giant tortoise in their natural habitat and we have the opportunity to visit one of the island’s lava tunnels.

Day 8

Saturday
Black Turtle Cove, Santa Cruz Island
Enjoy a peaceful dingy ride through Black Turtle Cove, a tidal lagoon where you will see three different species of mangrove plants: red, white, and black. While passing through the cove we will be on the lookout for golden rays, sea turtles, white-tipped sharks, spotted rays, mustard rays, Pacific marine turtles, and possibly even seahorses clinging to the roots of the mangroves.

Today we will transfer to Baltra airport for our flight back to Ecuador's mainland to connect with another Yampu add-on of your choice.

8 days , from $5610

Occupancy Type	Darwin Deck	Cormorant Deck	Albatross Deck	Albatross Master Suites
Double	$5610	$6010	$6560	$6910
Single	$9210	$9910	$10872	$11485

Prices shown above are per person, in US Dollars ($).

Yampu only offers the M/V Evolution as an add-on to our highlight programs. If booking alone, booking fee may apply. Prices include air transportation from Quito or Guayaquil to Galapagos return, 7 nights accommodation on the M/V Evolution including all meals, bilingual naturalist guide, and all planned tours. Rates also include $100 Galapagos National Park entrance fee as a contribution to the preservation of the Park and $10 Transit Control Card.

Gratuities, fuel surcharges and local airport taxes that are payable in the country of destination are also not included. Taxes and security fees that can be paid at time of ticketing are already included in the quote.

All cruise itineraries are subject to change.

By traveling to the Galapagos with Yampu Tours, you will be making the choice to travel responsibly. As members of IGTOA (International Galapagos Tour Operators Association), Yampu donates $7 for every traveler that travels to the Galapagos with us. We are dedicated to helping preserve the islands while supporting sustainable Eco-tourism. As an IGTOA member, we are informed, involved, and concerned.

There will also be an optional Galapagos Conservation contribution of $50 per passenger added to your final proposal.

The contribution will go towards:

Creating benefits and educational opportunities for local people.
Strengthening responsible tourism management.
Building strong financial support for conservation among the travel industry and travelers.

Promoting high professional standards for the tourist industry.

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