Evolution Deluxe Cruise - From San Cristobal - Sat to Sat

The M/V Evolution is a charming 32-guest expedition yacht, ample enough to provide spacious staterooms along with various social areas (including inside and outside dining) yet small enough for guests to be able to experience nature in an up-close and personal manner. The artful combination of factors results in a yacht which offers excellent service, accommodations, and attention to detail, and causes minimal impact on the environment. Rated 5 stars by Trust Pilot, and highly recommended by Forbes, Conde Nest Traveler, Sotheby’s, Luxury Travel, and Travel + Leisure.

This 8-day Evolution Galapagos Deluxe Cruise vacation package traces the footsteps back in time on the route from San Cristobal Island to Floreana, exploring the wonders of the islands South Plaza, Santa Cruz, Daphne, Santiago, Genovesa, North Seymour, and Santa Fe with many opportunities for nature walks and hikes, snorkeling, kayaking, and panga rides.

Day by Day Itinerary: Evolution Deluxe Cruise – From San Cristobal

DAY 1 | SATURDAY | Welcome to San Cristobal | L.D.

Upon arrival to San Cristobal, transfer to the M/V Evolution for a 7-night cruise in your choice of a Deluxe Stateroom or a Premium Stateroom. Daily explorations follow the footsteps back in time that will take us through Kicker Rock in San Cristobal Island, South Plaza Island, and Punta Carrion in Santa Cruz Island, Mosquera Island, Chinese Hat Islet, and James Bay in Santiago Island, Darwin Bay, and even Prince Phillip’s Steps in Genovesa Island (also known as Tower Island). Also in the itinerary is North Seymour Island, Santa Fe Island, Post Office Bay, Cormorant Point, and Devil’s Crown, or Champion Islet in Floreana Island. The Wild Tortoise Reserve (the highlands), Lava Tubes and Pitt Craters, the Charles Darwin Research Station (Breeding Center), and Black Turtle Cove in Santa Cruz Island will also be examined.

Once on board the M/V Evolution we will have lunch and a quick briefing en route to our first visit: Isla Lobos, lives up to its name of -Sea Lion Island- with its noisy population of frolicking and barking beasts. It lies just a short navigation north, up the west coast of San Cristobal, separated by a channel that forms an inviting lagoon. This is where you’ll have your first chance to share the water with a playful colony of the “wolves of the sea”. From lobos we should have views of Kicker Rock, a spectacular formation that rises 152 meters (500 feet) out of the Pacific. It takes the form of a sleeping lion, but from another angle you can see that the rock is split, forming a colossal tablet and, piercing the sea, a great chisel ready for etching.

After this visit you have time for a shower as we get ready for our welcome cocktail and our first formal briefing before dinner. After this visit we will get ready for our welcome cocktail and first briefing before continuing to dinner.

Activities: Hiking/Nature Walks, Snorkeling, and Zodiac Rides.

DAY 2 | SUNDAY | B.L.D.

South Plaza Island: In the morning we visit South Plaza Island, one of the smallest yet most colorful islands in the Galapagos. Yellow land iguanas wander through bright red carpet weed, waiting from prickly pears to drop from green cactus. Orange sally light foot crabs dot the blackened lava above the landing site, all surrounded by turquoise waters. We’ll see swallow tailed gulls nesting along the up-tilted end of the tiny island, while red-billed tropicbirds, frigate birds and shearwaters fly in dancing displays. You’ll also have the chance to see blue footed boobies along the cliff’s edge.

Early afternoon snorkeling at Punta Carrion followed by a visit to Mosquera. While Mosquera is little more than a large sandbar, it is home to a playful colony of sea lions.

Activities: Hiking/Nature Walks, Snorkeling, Kayaking, and Zodiac Rides.

DAY 3 | MONDAY | B.L.D.

Chinese Hat Islet: Morning visit to Chinese Hat Islet, a fairly recent volcanic cone; it has the shape of a down-facing Chinese hat. On the rocky shoreline of nearby Santiago, Galapagos penguins are often seen. There is a small sea lion cove on the north shore, where boats anchor and land at the visitor site. Late morning snorkeling with sea lions and penguins and swimming opportunities in the cove.

Santiago Island: James Bay: Afternoon visit to James Bay, where we land on a black beach with intriguing eroded rock formations. A trail leads to a series of crystal-clear grottos formed of broken lava tubes, which are home to sea lions, fur seals, marine iguanas and tropical fish.

Activities: Hiking/Nature Walks, Snorkeling, and Zodiac Rides.

DAY 4 | TUESDAY | B.L.D.

Genovesa (Tower) Island: Darwin Bay: Tower Island could serve as a film set for a secret submarine base! The southwestern part of the island is an ocean-filled caldera ringed by the outer edges of a sizeable and mostly submerged volcano. The island sits to the northwest, slightly removed from the Galapagos archipelago. It is also known as “Bird Island” a name it lives up to in a spectacular way!

Tower Island: Prince Phillip’s Steps: Across the bay is Prince Phillip’s Steps, named after a visit by the British Monarch in 1964. The actual steps are a 25-meter (31-foot) stairway leading up to a narrow stretch of land that opens onto the plateau surrounding Darwin Bay. It extends to form the north side of the island. Red-footed boobies wrap their webbed feet around branches to perch in the bushes. At sunset time you might spot giant manta rays in the Tower’s inner bay.

Activities: Hiking/Nature Walks, Snorkeling, Kayaking, and Zodiac Rides.

DAY 5 | WEDNESDAY | B.L.D.

North Seymour Island: Morning visit to North Seymour Island which is teaming with wildlife! Cliffs only a few meters high form the shoreline are home to swallow-tailed gulls. A tiny forest of silver-grey Palo Santo trees stands just above the landing, where a trail will take us to see sea lions, marine iguanas, blue footed boobies, pelicans, magnificent frigate birds and land iguanas.

Santa Fe Island: Afternoon visit to Santa Fe Island, home to one of the most beautiful and sheltered bays of the archipelago, and to some of the best snorkeling – with its crystal clear waters. Certainly one of the best locations to observe sea turtles, swimming with sea lions and have a glimpse of the Galapagos White-tipped Shark. After a wet landing you will walk up to a nearby cliff to see the land iguanas through an area of Opuntia Cactus.

Activities: Hiking/Nature Walks, Snorkeling, Kayaking, and Zodiac Rides.

DAY 6 | THURSDAY | B.L.D.

Floreana Island: Post Office Bay: Floreana has had a colorful history: Pirates, whalers, convicts, and a small band of somewhat peculiar colonists, a Baroness among them who chose a Robinson Crusoe existence that ended in mystery and death. We visit Post Office Bay, where in 1793 British whalers set up a barrel as the island‘s Post Office, to send letters home on passing ships. The tradition continues to this day, simply by dropping a post card into the barrel without a stamp.

Floreana Island: Cormorant Point / Devil’s Crown: Afternoon visit to Punta Cormorant which offers two highly contrasting beaches; a green-olivine beach and an iron-red beach. Between the two beaches is a salt lagoon frequented by flamingoes, pintails, stilts and other wading birds. Late afternoon snorkeling at Devil’s Crown, which is home to a myriad of marine species including a variety of corals, pencil sea urchin, wrasses, angelfish and amberjacks – making for some of the best snorkeling in the Galapagos.

Activities: Hiking/Nature Walks, Snorkeling, and Zodiac Rides.

DAY 7 | FRIDAY | B.L.D.

Santa Cruz Island: Charles Darwin Research Station: Santa Cruz is the second largest island in the Galapagos and its capital, Puerto Ayora, is the economic center of the Islands. In the morning we visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to visit the Giant Tortoise and Land Iguana Breeding and Rearing Program. Here we used to find Lonesome George (now deceased), the last of his particular race of tortoise.

Afternoon visit to the Santa Cruz Highlands, where the dry coastal vegetation transitions to lush wet fields and forests overgrown with moss and lichens. Our destination is the Tortoise Reserve, where we will have chances see these animals in the wild.

Activities: Hiking/Nature Walks.

DAY 8 | SATURDAY | Santa Cruz Island / Baltra / Home / Next Destination | B.

Santa Cruz Island: Black Turtle Cove: Today our Galapagos cruise comes to an end, but before we bid farewell to the Evolution and her crew we pay a visit to Black Turtle Cove, a beautiful mangrove estuary where we quietly drift in our panga to see spotted eagle rays, diamond shaped mustard rays, white-tipped reef sharks, pacific green sea turtles and a large variety of shore birds.

Activities: Zodiac Rides

Next we head to Baltra Island airport for the local flight back to the mainland (airfare is not included) to connect with our outbound flight (airfare is not included).

 PRICES PER PERSON IN US$ – NO MINIMUM GUESTS REQUIRED

AVAILABLE FOR SATURDAY ARRIVALS IN SAN CRISTOBAL UNTIL DEC 26, 2020

² Child rate applies up to three children (15 yrs. and under) per family.

^^ A surcharge of $700.00 per person applies for the December 26 sailing.

             

In Galapagos Islands: M/V Evolution. This charming 32-guest expedition yacht is ample enough to provide spacious staterooms, along with various social areas – including inside and outside dining – yet small enough for guests to be able to experience nature in an up-close and personal manner. This artful combination of factors results in a yacht which offers excellent service, accommodations and attention to detail, while causing minimal impact on the environment.

The M/V Evolution offers 3 suites, 8 premium staterooms and 5 deluxe staterooms all with exceptional accommodations, climate control, safe-boxes and ample space to hang and store clothing, private bathrooms with hair dryers, amenities like those of any fine hotel and ample space to store toiletries. There is a lounge with a bar and facilities for lectures, slide shows and films. The lounge also features a library with a wide range of books, movies and board games. The yacht features both inside and al-fresco dining areas and a sky deck lounge on Albatross deck with a bar and beautiful rattan furniture.

Special Features of the M/V Evolution include a Jacuzzi (great for your enjoyment after snorkeling) with lounge chairs for sunbathing, extensive outside areas, sea kayaks, snorkeling gear and wetsuits. There is a boutique onboard for purchasing amenities and souvenirs and a reception area where your cruise director can always be found. The yacht features a fully equipped infirmary with a doctor onboard at all times. For family cruises, there is a Kids Club with activities like star-gazing and movie nights. These cruises also offer child-oriented guides who organize learning activities and provide children with a kid’s expedition journal for their entertainment. A Sony PlayStation system console is available in the library as well as a wide range of board games and movies for children. Children’s Menus are specially prepared for family Galapagos cruises.

M/V Evolution Plans

Albatross Deck: On this deck you will find 2 Master suites and 1 twin suite with ocean-view windows, the captain’s bridge, and the al-fresco sky lounge and al-fresco bar.

Beagle Deck: This is the main deck of the yacht where you will find the interior dining room, al-fresco dining area, reception area and main lounge with bar. On the outside, towards the bow, you will find the Jacuzzi with lounge chairs for sunbathing.

Cormorant Deck: On this deck you will find 9 premium staterooms with ocean-view port holes. The infirmary and the public bathroom.

Darwin Deck: On this deck you will find 4 ample deluxe staterooms with portholes.

• Prices are subject to change without previous notice.
• The itinerary is subject to change due to weather conditions, safety, and local regulations.
• Deposit: A $1,750.00 per person deposit is required to activate the booking process. Due to the popularity of the destination and the high demand for space, early reservations are strongly encouraged. Additional deposits may be required by suppliers, if so you will be notified.
• None of the services have been requested nor confirmed at this time (unless otherwise indicated). If the selected hotels are not available, we will make our best effort to obtain the next best available hotel in the same city/region. We should have confirmation of the suggested services and facilities and/or suitable alternatives within 48 hours after receiving your deposit, which will be applied to the final payment.
• Final Payment: The balance is due 90 days prior to the start of your tour. If full final payment has not been received by the due date, EcoAmerica Tours reserves the right to cancel the reservation without notice.
• Method of Payment: For your convenience, we accept major credit cards (filling out our Credit Card Authorization Form), checks, and PayPal.
• The price does not include: personal expenses, additional activities, international and local airfares as well as airports departure taxes (unless otherwise indicated), gratuities to guides, drivers, porters, bell and wait staff, and any other service not listed. The Galapagos National Park Fee ($100.00 per person) and the Galapagos Immigration Card ($20.00 per person), as well as Fuel Surcharges (if any) are not included.
• Airfares, if any, booked through EcoAmerica Tours may require immediate ticketing, if so, you will be notified accordingly. In most cases, the airfare charge(s) will appear on your credit card statement as processed by the airline(s) used for your travel arrangements.
• Meal Codes: B = Breakfast. L = Lunch. D = Dinner.
• All tour services are SIB shared basis (unless otherwise indicated).
• Please refer to the attached terms and conditions as presented in the credit card authorization form and in our website: Terms of Travel. These terms apply in full to this travel program.
• Travel Protection Plan: Travel insurance is a great way to protect your travel investment. By choosing to offer travel insurance, your travel agent is providing you a financial safety net for most unforeseen travel inconveniences. Allianz Travel Insurance plans have been created to suit most any traveler’s coverage needs. For your peace of mind, we strongly suggest you to purchase travel insurance. For more information, please visit: Allianz Global Assistance or contact us for a personalized quote.

TAKING ADVANTAGE OF OUR FULL SERVICE PLATFORM:

One of the main advantages of booking your trip through your Travel Consultant and the destination specialists at EcoAmerica Tours is that you do not have to spend countless frustrating hours looking on-line for hotels, point-to-point transportation, attractions, entrance fees, excursions, and much more. The second is that when traveling with us, you can be certain that we will be with you throughout your trip to continue assisting you and making sure that each one of the services included in your reservation are flawlessly delivered. When traveling with us, you will be talking to a real person who will demystify the travel components and will provide you with information that makes you knowledgeable and informed. When traveling with us you will get real value, just like countless travelers before you. We encourage you to visit the Reviews and Testimonials section in our website.

Working with your Travel Consultant and EcoAmerica Tours means being involved in a different way of doing tourism and comes with the following benefits:

• Celebrating three decades leading the tourism industry in Latin America.
• Regional coverage and exclusive tailor-made programs.
• Fast, friendly and efficient response to your requirements.
• Always available: emergency line and operational offices 24H/7D.
• We care about our guests: EcoAmerica Assistance Network.
• Top guides and the best transportation quality.
• Quality Control Department: care to passengers’ voice.
• Top Producer and great relationship with key suppliers.
• Positive impact of our operations at all levels.

LIABILITIES

EcoAmerica Tours, LLC. and/or any of its agents will not claim any responsibility for injury, damage, loss, additional expenses, accidental delay or other irregularities which may be caused either through willful or negligent acts or omissions on the part of companies or individuals providing or engaged in transportation, accommodations or other services related to the execution of the tour, or through natural calamities and other factors beyond its control. Prices are subject to adjustment in the event of any change, without notice. EcoAmerica Tours, LLC reserves the right to change any tour if considered necessary in order to render better service to its clients. Travelers choosing to participate in these vacation programs do so at their own risk. EcoAmerica Tours is not to be held responsible for injuries, damage expenses, and/or costs resulting from accidents or accidental death while participating in these vacation programs. Travelers have been directed to read these disclaimers. EcoAmerica Tours, LLC