Galápagos Islands

Upon arrival, transfer to our hotel, a beautifully restored 19th-century property located in Guayaquil’s Historic Park.

After breakfast, explore the historic park in which our hotel is located, where we are introduced to Ecuador's endemic wildlife and cultural traditions. After lunch at a local restaurant, enjoy time at leisure this afternoon. This evening, gather for a welcome reception and dinner.

Depart early this morning for our flight to Baltra Island in the Galápagos. Transfer to our yacht upon arrival and set off for Bahia Borrero, an incredible mangrove inlet with white-sand beaches and turquoise waters that are home to a large number of sea turtles, reef sharks, rays and tropical fish.

Anchor in Isabela’s Punta Vicente Roca, a protected cove. Explore hidden caves and snorkel with sea lions turtles, spotted eagle rays, and manta rays. Back on board our yatcht, keep watch for whales as we cross to Fernandina Island, where we see Galápagos penguins diving into the water, red and turquoise-blue zayapas crabs making their way across the lava shoreline, and blue and lava herons foraging in the mangrove forest.

Return to Isabela today to explore more of the archipelago’s largest island. In Urbina Bay, we walk among boulder sized dried coral heads and snorkel from the beach in search of colorful tropical fish. In Tagus Cove, which once sheltered pirates and whalers, enjoy a panga ride below the sheltered cliffs where blue-footed boobies, brown noddies, pelicans and noddy terns make their nests. Spot flightless cormorants and penguins along the lava ledges.

Disembark on Bartolomé, a small islet off the coast of Santiago Island and home to Pinnacle Rock, the famous landmark featured in the film, Master & Commander. Hike to the summit to take in the spectacular views. Next, continue to Sullivan Bay for a walk along the black volcanic lava flow punctuated with brightly colored, painted locusts and lava lizards. This is also a good place for snorkeling with penguins and sea lions. Squadrons of spotted eagle rays pass through the channel, and sea turtles swim past on their way to lay eggs on nearby Bartolomé.

Go ashore on Santa Cruz Island’s sandy white Bachas Beach and walk to an incredible lagoon where pink flamingos are often found along with great blue herons, common stilts, brown noddys, white-cheek pintail ducks and migratory birds. In the afternoon, we have a chance to kayak beneath the towering red cliffs of Rábida Island. This is a great spot for snorkeling among giant schools of fish.  

This morning, journey to the Santa Cruz Highlands, where the sparse, dry coastal vegetation transitions to lush wet fields and forests overgrown with moss and lichens. At the Wild Tortoise Reserve, we have chances to track and view tortoises in their natural setting. Next, venture to Los Gemelos, two large sinkholes formed by collapsed lava tubes and surrounded a forest of the endemic Scalesia. This afternoon, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, a UNESCO World Heritage site, to learn about their restorative efforts, including the Giant Tortoise Breeding and Rearing Program. Take a brief walk through Puerto Ayora before returning to the Evolution.

Spend today on the southernmost island of the archipelago, Española. Walk among sea lions and their pups, colorful marine iguanas, and both blue-footed and masked boobies. Catch Galápagos doves, cactus finch, and mocking birds foraging nearby and spy lava and swallow-tailed gulls, with their red ringed eyes, sitting atop the cliffs. Continue to a high cliff edge known as Albatross Airport, where waved albatross launch their great winged bodies out over the dramatic shoreline. After lunch, spend time in beautiful Gardner Bay, where colonies of sea lions laze in the sun. Enjoy the powdery white sand or snorkel in the clear water among yellow-tailed surgeonfish, king angelfish, and bumphead parrot fish.

Disembark our ship today on San Cristóbal Island. Stop at the interpretation center to see comprehensive exhibits on the islands’ natural history, human interaction, ecosystems, flora and fauna. Outside the center, Frigate Bird Hill offers the chance to see both magnificent frigates and great frigates in a single colony. Continue to the airport for our return to the mainland.

After breakfast, head back to the airport for flights returning home.