Upon arrival to the airport in San Cristobal Island, you will take a boat ride to be transferred to Evolution Cruise Ship. After settling in the yacht and lunch, you will visit Witch Hill, to begin with a walk through a white sand beach and observe sea lions, brown pelicans, marine iguanas, and blue footed boobies. After this activity, head back to the cruise for dinner and rest.
Full itinerary map here: http://bit.ly/evolution-8-days-footsteps-back-in-time
Early in the morning, the yacht will take you to South Plaza Island, known for its lush and diverse flora. This place is also home of the yellow land iguana, one of the biggest subspecies of the archipelago. After a short hike, you will head to this places ‘cliff, where you can look over the ocean and the entire island. In the afternoon, head to Carrion Point, a great snorkeling site, home to sea lions, large schools of yellow-tail surgeon fish and white-tipped reef sharks. You can also spot various species of birds flying around this place. Finally, you will head to Mosquera Island, where you will spot brown pelicans, boobies, and colonies of sea lions that reside here. After these activities, head back to the yacht for dinner and rest.
First activity of the day, will be taking a panga ride to Chinese Hat, named like this due to its curious form. From the landing point, you will visit a white sand beach, full of resting sea lions, along with marine iguanas, resting atop of the rocks. You can also snorkel at this island ́s cove, and spot species like Galapagos penguins. In the afternoon, you will head to James Bay, called Puerto Egas in Spanish, where you can visit three important spots depending on the time, a black sand beach, product of the volcanic composition of this place, a path that leads to crystal clear grottos, home to sea lions and tropical fish, and another path that leads to inland lagoons, home to flamingos. You can also snorkel at the bay. End of the day and dinner onboard.
Early in the morning, the cruise will take you to Tower Island, and you will land at Darwin Bay, where a great variety of bird’s species reside. You can also spot marine iguanas and lava lizards. You can take a trail up to a cliff, to overlook at the ocean filed caldera, and also take a panga ride, to be transferred to a perfect snorkeling point. In the afternoon you will visit Prince Phillip ́s Steps, a 25-meter stairway that leads up a narrow stretch is the highlight of this place. Once you reach the highest point, you will have a perfect view of Darwin Bay, and also the nesting site of red – footed boobies and short eared owls. After this activity head back to the yacht for dinner and rest.
First activity of the day will be landing at North Seymour, an island that is teeming with life. You will spot marine iguanas and sea lions, brown pelicans and after a short trail, you will arrive to the nesting site of blue footed boobies and great frigate birds. You can also different species of rays and schools of fishes from the shore. During the afternoon, you will head to Santa Fe by a panga ride, to visit one of the most beautiful and sheltered coves in the entire archipelago. Once you land, you will spot the endemic Santa Fe iguana. You can also kayak or snorkel at this place.
Early in the morning, you will head to Post Office Bay at Floreana Island, place that keeps a legendary barrel that whalers and buccaneers used during the 18th century to send their letters, and nowadays visitors can send their postcards too. In the afternoon, you will head to Cormorant Point, to visit its main highlights, the olivine green sand beach, and the white sand beach. You can also snorkel at Champion Islet, the top snorkeling site in the entire archipelago, OR at Devil´s Crown. After this activity return to the yacht for dinner onboard.
First activity of the day will be landing at Santa Cruz Island ́s Puerto Ayora. In this island, you will visit Charles Darwin Station, the center of the great restorative efforts taking place in the park, and a UNESCO World Heritage site, you will also head to the Giant Tortoise Breeding & Rearing Program run by the research station, which began by rescuing the endangered tortoise species of the Archipelago. During the afternoon, you will take a bus ride to Santa Cruz Highlands, specifically to the Wild Tortoise Reserve where you will have chances to track and view giant tortoises in their natural setting. You will also visit the Twin Craters, two large sinkholes crater that were formed by collapsed lava tubes and is one of the most amazing landscapes in the entire Archipelago. During the late afternoon, return to Puerto Ayora for leisure time and dinner
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
The first activity of the last day, will be taking a dinghy ride to Black Turtle Cove, where you will see various species of mangroves at this turquoise water lagoon that stretches inland. You can spot several species during this trip, like pacific green sea turtles, golden rays and white-tipped reef sharks. After this activity you will be transferred to Baltra Airport to take your flight back to the continent.
Breakfast
