Explore the Galapagos Islands on this unique and diverse 10-day expedition cruise aboard the small ship, Evolution. Stroll among pricklypear cactus and look for yellow land iguanas on one of the smallest islands of the archipelago. Take a Zodiac cruise, or frolic in waters teeming with marine life. Genovesa Island, often called “Bird Island”, is home to one of the largest and most diverse bird populations in the Galapagos - bird species here include red-footed boobies, short-eared owls and the rare lava gull. A true highlight is to swim, kayak or snorkel in the water-filled calderas of extinct volcanoes! Wrap it up with a visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station and learn about conservation efforts on the islands, and see giant tortoises in their natural habitat.
Highlights
Snorkel with sea lions, marine iguanas, and sea turtles
Walk among giant Galapagos tortoises
Zodiac cruise through the Black Turtle Cove mangroves
See one of the largest bird populations on Genovesa Island
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Fly independently to Guayaquil, Ecuador, and transfer to the pre-expedition hotel.
Day 2: Embark|Playa Ochoa|Kicker Rock
1 Dinner
Fly to the islands, landing on San Cristobal, 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, cruise around Kicker Rock.
Day 3: South Plaza Island
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
At only 426 feet (130 m) wide, South Plaza is one of the smallest islands in the archipelago. Look for yellow land iguanas on a walk to a grove of pricklypear cactus. Non-hikers can enjoy a Zodiac cruise, watching for swallowtailed 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.
Day 4: Sombrero Chino Island|Santiago Island
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
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 colorful carpetweed plants. Enjoy a Zodiac cruise and swim before lunch. This afternoon, search the tide pools of Puerto Egas for sea life. During low tide, see marine iguanas feeding on algae. Your naturalists will point out the birdlife, including great blue herons, lava herons, oystercatchers and yellowcrowned night herons.
Day 5: Genovesa Island
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
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 petrels 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.
Day 6: North Seymour Island|Santa Fe Island
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
North Seymour is the nesting site for a large population of magnificent frigate birds and the only place where you can always find males showing their red pouches to attract females. Plus, you are sure to see blue-footed boobies perform their comical courtship dance in the open areas. Hike to a scenic lagoon, where you may observe Galapagos hawks, mockingbirds and a variety of Darwin’s finches. You may kayak and snorkel from the beach.
Day 7: Floreana Island
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
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 snorkeling at Devil’s Crown, where sea water has filled the sunken cone of an extinct volcano.
Day 8: Santa Cruz Island
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Begin at the Charles Darwin Research Station, learn about the work being done to preserve Galapagos wildlife. Head into the forested highlands, with ample opportunity to see giant tortoises in their verdant habitat. Walk through the forest surrounding a pair of pit craters, an excellent place to spot vermillion flycatchers. Time permitting, walk underground to explore a lava tube.
Day 9: Disembark|Guayaquil, Ecuador
1 Breakfast
Enjoy a Zodiac cruise through Black Turtle Cove, drifting silently through this area of mangroves. Fly to Guayaquil, with time to relax at the post-expedition hotel.
Day 10: Depart Guayaquil
Board independent flights home.
Dates & Prices
Per person starting at
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Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
Meyer Smolen
TrustScore 4.8 | 174 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 174 reviews on
1 day ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
2 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
