In the Steps of Pirates & Darwin ITINERARY STARTING IN BALTRA ISLAND 7 NIGHTS / 8 DAYS FROM SATURDAY TO SATURDAY

M/V EVOLUTION aboard yachts navigate to the next destination at night while you sleep so welcome to galapagos you wake up refreshed with each day’s island adventure right out your

Set along the equator, some 600 miles off the South American coast of with snorkeling outings and opportunities for sea kayaking and panga Ecuador is a crown jewel of the natural world. The Galapagos Islands live up doorstep. You’ll enjoy two landings each full day in the National Park along to our dreams of a sheltered place far removed from the usual concerns. The rides, all led by your top notch National Park Guide. skies are typically sunny, and the sea breezes create that perfect air The Golden Age of Travel opened the far corners of the globe to journeys temperature that instantly relaxes the body. The ocean is an ever inviting characterized by a new style and grace. This was the time of the Orient blue, matched by long sandy beaches of coral white, terracotta red, volcanic Express and millionaire luxury yachts. Exotic and romantic destinations black and looking-glass green. There are crystal coves and quite mangrove lagoons. offered a sense of adventure combined with a new level of comfort and service where how one traveled became as important as the destination. But what will make your visit here truly exceptional are the many opportunities for close encounters with wildlife. The islands and This golden age lives on today aboard the M/V Evolution, where the surrounding waters are quite literally teaming with exotic and curious destination is designed to be experienced as a voyage through one of the creatures that have never learned to fear humans. This translates into a series world’s most remarkable natural wonders, the Galapagos archipelago. of daily peak experiences including snorkeling with playful sea lions, tracking From the rich wood paneling and brass appointments of the dinning saloon, giant tortoise in the wild and trading stares with unconcerned iguanas. Bird to the rattan furnishings of the outdoor sky lounge under shade, the 32 life is abundant, varied and fearless. You may have to give way as a blue footed passenger M/V Evolution is designed to evoke warmth and richness, while booby crosses your path, or have the opportunity to observe a Galapagos providing all the modern comforts and amenities, including a state of the hawk perched just a few steps away, as a waved albatross launches itself off a cliff on a journey that will encompass thousands of miles. art navigation system. Her comfortable and tastefully designed cabins offer full ensuite bathrooms. Cabins are cleaned twice daily. There are many The environment beneath the ocean surface is extraordinary, with large spaces where you can relax outdoors and under shade, while inside the yacht is fully air conditioned. The main saloon, where your guide will give turtles, Galapagos penguins and rays are underwater passers-by, while presentations on the each day’s activities, provides a relaxing environment dolphins,tropical and whales cold and water whale �ish sharks found frequent swimming the together.archipelago. Paci�ic Young green Charles sea with a giant wrap around sofa and full entertainment center. An onboard Darwin, fresh from university, visited here in 1835 during the voyage of the boutique carries both necessities and souvenirs. M/V Evolution provides HMS Beagle. Darwin maintained that the Galapagos was the source of his ideas and research for . Many of the discoveries he On the Origin of Species At sunset happy hour is a highlight atop the sky lounge bar and is often came upon are still in evidence, including a volcanic wonderland of sculpted �ine onboard dining in both her dining room and al fresco on the rear deck. accompanied by leaping dolphins and rays. Did we mention the yacht’s erosion. sundeck and giant Jacuzzi to warm up in after snorkeling? lava �lows, giant lava tubes and inviting inlets shaped by eruption and The Galapagos seas tend to be calm, making travel by yacht the ideal and “ ...in that little world within itself...we seem to be brought somewhat only way to experience the full spectrum the islands have to offer. In contrast, near to that great fact -- that mystery of mysteries -- the �irst only a handful of park visitor sites are accessible by day boats where you will appearance of new beings on this earth.” spend most of your day getting to and from your destination. Our live - Charles Darwin

PINTA

MARCHENA GENOVESA (TOWER)

Vicente Roca Point SANTIAGO Tagus Cove Espinoza Point Bartolomé Sullivan Bay Daphne Island BALTRA Rábida Urbina Galapagos Bay Bachas FERNANDINA Beach PINZÓN Dragon South Plazas Hill SAN CRISTÓBAL Islands Highlands

Charles Darwin Research Station PTO. BAQUERIZO SANTA CRUZ MORENO Los Hermanos SANTA FÉ Interpretation Center *

Essex * Point Tortuga ISABELA *

Gardner FLOREANA Suarez Islet Point ESPAÑOLA eden for animals

Daphne Baltra

DAY 1 - saturday

AM: Baltra Island PM: and Minor Islands

more. You'll also have the opportunity to observe short-eared owls and ou’ll need to rise early this morning to catch your �light to the red-billedcolonies of tropicbirds. blue-footed This boobies, island Nazca has (natural) boobies, historic magni�icent importance frigate asbirds a result and y Galapagos. All our �lights to the Galapagos originate in Quito, and stop heading on to the islands. For this itinerary you will be landing on the island of Baltrabrie�ly. After inpassing the port through city ofGalapagos Guayaquil National to take onPark passengers inspection before your of the husband-wife biology team of Peter and Rosemary Grant conducting a your yacht. Your guide will accompany you on the short bus ride to the 20 year �ield study intoThe Beakthe behavior of the Finch and life cycles of �inches as relates to waterfront.National Park During Guide WWII will be the there island to ofgreet Baltra you, was holding a US aAir sign Force with base the nameand one of theDarwin's Enchanted theory Archipelago, of natural selection. you'll toast Their to thework voyage is chronicled ahead with in the a welcome Pulitzer can still see the remnants of the old foundations left behind from that era. We cocktail.Prize-winning book . As the sun sets on your �irst day in transfer via panga (launch) to the waiting M/V Evolution. The crew will see that your luggage is transferred to your cabin.

At the dock we board a dinghy (panga) to make the short crossing to M/V Evolution. You only need to bring your carry-on luggage on the panga as our crew will transfer your luggage to your cabin. You’ll have time to settle into your new home for the week before assembling to review safety procedures Daphne Major and coming events with your Galapagos National Park Guide. While this is taking place the M/V Evolution will start her engines and set off into the Baltra archipelago.

Daphne Minor, a tuff cone (giant pile of compressed volcanic ash shaped like a cone), sits off the north coast of Santa Cruz Island, west of Baltra Island and around the island, close by. You. While will off have limits a front to all row but seatlimited to witness scienti�ic bustling parties going ashore, we've obtained permission from the National Park to navigate

Activities

Morning: Fly to Baltra in the Late Afternoon: Daphne Galapagos Islands and board Minor M/V Evolution. Type of Landing: N/A Type of Landing: N/A

Meals: Lunch, & Dinner the archipelago’s newest work Fernandina

DAY 2 - sunday Isabela

AM: PM: Punta Vicente Roca Punta Espinoza

ocated at the ‘mouth’ of the head of the sea horse, which forms the northern The snorkeling off Punta Espinoza offers some real treats, as many of the part of the Isabela is Punta Vicente Roca. Here the remnants of an ancient creatures you just saw on land, including the Godzilla-like marine iguanas, l volcano forms two turquoise coves with a bay well protected from the ocean swells. The spot is a popular anchorage from which to take panga rides along the the point (which incidentally was used as a set during the making of Master & cliff where a partially sunken cave beckons explorers. Masked and blue-footed Commander).�lightless cormorants, A key feature Galapagos of the penguins ocean bottom and sea here lions are await the you troughs in the formed waters offby volcanic rock and ocean currents. Because these waters reach out into the Bolivar inhabit the shoreline. The upwelling of coldwater currents in combination with the Channel they can be quite cold. Sea turtles like to hang out in the warm water of the protectionboobies sit ofperched the coves along make the pointPunta and Vicente the sheer Roca cliffs, one while of the �lightless archipelago’s cormorants most troughs. You’ll also see marine iguanas ferrying back and forth between sought after dive spots. One cove is only accessible from the sea by way of an underwater grazing areas and their colonies on shore. This is an excellent place to underwater passage. The passage opens to calm waters of the hidden cove where see underwater iguanas munching on algae. If you are fortunate you may catch a sea lions laze on the beach having traveled along the underwater route. The entire area of Punta Vicente Roca a Galapagos penguin zip by. You will feel the difference in ocean temperature and watchglimpse the of watera �lightless get clearer cormorant as you demonstrating move from the their more swimming protected abilities shallow or watch areas leaving a spectacular cutaway lies onview the of �lank its ofcaldera. 2,600 footThe Volcanosite offers Ecuador. deep Thiswater is out into the cold rich waters of the channel. The Bolivar Channel is the very best snorkelingthe island’s where sixth sea largest lions volcano. turtles, spotted Half of eagle Volcano rays Ecuador and even slid manta into rays the are ocean the place in the Galapagos to see dolphins and whales. On rare occasion our groups attraction. After our visit here we set off south and west across the Bolivar channel. have been able to swim with dolphins, kayak with melon headed whales and even Keep your eyes open in this best place in the islands for spotting whales. spot the elusive sperm whale.

Fernandina is the youngest and westernmost island in the Galapagos. It sits across the Bolivar Channel opposite Isabela. Our destination is Punta Espinoza, a Punta Vicente Roca narrow spit of land in the northeastern corner of the island, where a number of unique Galapagos species can be seen in close proximity. As our panga driver skillfully navigates the reef, Galapagos penguins show off by throwing themselves Punta Espinoza across the lava shoreline, while blue and lava herons forage through the mangrove roots.from theThe rockslanding into is a the dry water. one, set Red in a and quiet turquoise-blue inlet beneath zayapasthe branches crabs of disperse a small mangrove forest. A short walk through the vegetation leads to a large colony of marine iguanas—a schoolyard of Godzilla’s children—resting atop one another in friendly heaps along the rocky shoreline, spitting water to clear their bodies of salt. Nearby, sea lions frolic in a sheltered lagoon.

Dominating this landscape from high overhead looms the summit of La Cumbre, 1,495 meters (4,858 feet), one of the most active volcanoes in the world. Farther Activities established a colony near an inviting inlet frequented by sea turtles. Because these birdsdown evolved this stretch without of shore, land predators—itthe world’s only was species easier ofto �lightlessfeed on the cormorants squid, octopus, have Morning: Afternoon: Type of Landing: Wet Type of Landing: Dry Punta Espinoza Theyeel and developed �ish found heavier, in the ocean—the more powerful cormorants legs and progressively feet for kicking, took to serpent-like the sea. Level of Walk:Punta Easy Vicente Roca Level of Walk: Easy necks and fur-like plumage. Their wings are now mere vestiges. Back toward the Other Activities: Snorkeling, Other Activities: Nature Hikes & Snorkeling forming a quiet, inner mangrove lagoon where you will spot rays and sea turtles glidinglanding just and below farther the inland, surface. the Galapagos island’s black hawks lava survey �lows becomethe entire more scene evident, from Panga Ride overhead.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner Yellow Dragons & Underwater Pastures

Isabela DAY 3 - monday

AM: Urbina Bay PM: Tagus Cove

sabela is the largest island in the archipelago, accounting for half of the total Tagus Cove. The carpet of green landmass of the Galapagos at 4,588 square kilometers. Though narrow in places, the island runs 132 km from north to south, or 82 miles. Isabela is snorkeling, that is exactly what you will �ind at i algae that covers the �loor of the cove gives the impression of a submerged pasture, formed from six shield volcanoes that merged into a single landmass. It is also with numerous sea turtles gliding and munching their way along. Because the cove opensand really to the that rich is just waters what of it theis. You Bolivar can �ind Channel marine this iguanas is one grazing of the best the algaesnorkeling along feet), and calderas of up to 20 kilometers (12½ miles) across. sites in the island. You also have a good chance of snorkeling with underwater home to the highest point in the Galapagos, Wolf Volcano at 1,707 meters (5,547 Urbina Bay For those who want to dive deeper there are special rewards waiting for you at 3 easy, wet landing (a hop into a few inches of water) onto a gently sloping beach. In feathered friends including Galapagos penguins and rare �lightless cormorants. is directly west of Isabela’s Volcano Alcedo, where we will make an the outcrops and sea horses masquerading as twigs of the seaweed waving in the investigate. To their astonishment, three miles (5 km) of the marine reef had been meters where camou�laged creatures await, including scorpion �ish nestled against uplifted1954, a Disneyby as much �ilm crewas 13 caughtfeet (4 sightmeters) of this prior gleaming to their whitearrival. strip, They and discovered went to paddle around the cove, offering excellent views of nesting birds on the cliff walls above.currents. The rare Port Jackson shark can also be found here. Kayakers can enjoy a the skeletons of sea turtles and sharks unable to make it to the ocean as a result of theschools uplift of event. stranded Alcedo �ish eruptedand other a fewcreatures weeks in later. newly formed tidal pools along with As we set sail north to navigate out of the channel back towards the central islands keep your eyes peeled as this is one of the best places in the islands to spot whales Now visitors can walk amongst the boulder sized dried coral heads, mollusks and and dolphins that feed in these productive waters created by the upwelling of the Cromwell Current. And while you watch you can enjoy a happy hour at the Sky the giant land iguanas, whose vivid and gaudy yellow skin suggests that dinosaurs lounge on the upper rear deck. mayother have organisms been verythat oncecolorful formed indeed. the Giantocean �loor.tortoises A highlight inhabit of this this coastal excursion plain is during the wet season, before migrating to the highlands when it turns dry. Our landing beach provides a nesting site for sea turtles and will also provide you with opportunities to snorkel amongst marine creatures, or just relax on shore. Here we

must take care not to step on the sea turtle nests dug carefully into the sand. For Tagus Cove

amongst the rocks to the north side of the bay. Urbina those looking for snorkeling from a beach this is the place, with tropical �ish hiding Bay We head north along the western coast of Isabela Island, to Tagus Cove, named for a British warship that moored here in 1814. Historically the cove was used as

carved into the rock above our landing, a practice now prohibited. The cove’s quiet watersan anchorage make for for an pirates ideal pangaand whalers. ride beneath One can its shelteredstill �ind the cliffs, names where of blue-footed their ships

cormorants and penguins inhabit the lava ledges. boobies, brown noddies, pelicans and noddy terns make their nests, and �lightless Activities From our landing, a wooden stairway rises to the trail entrance for a view of Darwin Lake; a perfectly round saltwater crater, barely separated from the ocean but above sea level! From the air one can see that both Tagus Cove and Darwin Morning: Urbina Bay Late Afternoon: Tagus Cove Type of Landing: Wet Type of Landing: Dry Level of Walk: Moderate Level of Walk: withLake Darwinare formed Lake from forming one, partiallythe very �looded, center of tuff the cone same on cone.the eastern The trail edge continues of giant Other Activities: Nature Other Activities: Nature Hikes, aroundDarwin volcano.the lake The through cove is a formed dry vegetation by a breached zone, and and �looded then sectionclimbs ofinland the crater to a Hikes, & Snorkeling Dif�icult promontory formed by spatter cones. The site provides spectacular views back Kayaking Snorkeling, Panga Ride & While one does not normally think of greener pastures when planning to Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner toward our anchorage, as well as to Darwin Volcano and Wolf Volcano to the north. Pinnacle & Santiago lavascapes Bartolome

DAY 4 - tuesday AM: PM: Sullivan Bay Pinnacle Rock

artolomé is famous for Pinnacle Rock, a towering spearheaded obelisk resembling braids, curtains and swirling fans. Brightly colored painted locusts and that rises from the ocean’s edge and is the best known landmark in the b lava lizards punctuate the black volcanic canvas, as does the occasional �inger of Galapagos penguins—the only species of penguin found north of the admire the Earth’s craftwork as we proceed. equator—walkGalapagos. precariously It served asalong a back narrow drop volcanic in the ledges �ilm Master at its &base. Commander. Sea lions lava cactus and spreading carpetweed. We hike south into the �low taking time to snooze on rocky platforms, ready to slide into the water to play with passing Upon our return to the black rocky coast you may spot Galapagos penguins that dot the shore. Unlike the penguins, which mimic the lava with their color, sally light past urchins, sea stars and anemones. foot crabs stand out against the black rocks as a reminder of their once molten snorkelers. Below the surface, shoals of tropical �ish dodge in and out of the rocks A perfectly crescent sandy beach lies just to the east of the pinnacle and across a with penguins and sea lion. Squadrons of spotted eagle rays pass through the narrow isthmus another beach mirrors this one to the south. Sea turtles use both channel,state. The and snorkeling sea turtle along that laythe their edge eggs of the on lava nearby �low Bartolome is very good swim for past,swimming while white-tipped reef sharks patrol the bottom. be seen wading back out into the shallow water near the shore, or resting in the sandbeaches recovering and another from to the the arduous west of thetask Pinnacle of digging as nesting nests, laying sites and eggs can and sometimes covering them over.

mile east along the shore. Here the submerged walls of a tiny volcanic crater give thePenguins impression like to restof a atoplarge the fountain nearby pool.rocks This by our dry next landing—no landing site, wet about feet!—is a quarter the Pinnacle Rock entrance to a 600-meter (2000-foot) pathway complete with stairs and Sullivan Bay boardwalks leading to Bartolome’s summit.

origins; a site left untouched after its last eruption, where small cones stand in variousThe route stages is not of dif�iculterosion andand presentslava tubes an form open bobsled-like textbook of runsthe islands’ down fromvolcanic the summit. At the top you will be rewarded with spectacular views of Santiago Island and Sullivan Bay to the west, and far below, Pinnacle Rock, where the crystal turquoise waters of the bay cradle your yacht. Our next landing site is a short distance away to the southeast.

If you created a partnership between well know glass artist Dale Chihuly and Activities mother nature the result would be Sullivan Bay

. Back in 1897 the island �ired up lava reaching out into the channel toward Bartolome. The results gleam in the sun Sullivan Bay its own internal kiln giving birth to a �ield of pahoehoe (“rope-like” in Hawaiian) Morning: Afternoon: like a gigantic, obsidian sculpture. Type of Landing: Dry Type of Landing: Wet Level of Walk:Pinnacle Rock Level of Walk: Moderate It stirs the imagination to envision the once-molten lava lighting up the earth, Other Activities: Nature Other Activities: Nature Hikes, Dif�icult Snorkeling

gave�lowing birth into to thenew sea land and as itsending engulfed plumes vegetation, of superheated leaving some steam plants skyrocketing forever etched into Hikes, Snorkeling & Panga the air as pockets of gas in the �low exploded when the lava hit the water. The �low Meals: Breakfast,Ride Lunch, & Dinner

into the earth. Today the �low stands as a great walkway gallery of abstract shapes THE RED ISLAND Rábida

Santa Cruz

DAY 5 - wednesdey AM: PM: Playas Las Bachas Rabida (Jervis) Island

t the north end of Santa Cruz Island is Las Bachas, comprised of beach, then beneath the island’s towering red cliffs. This is a great place to two sandy white-coral beaches that is are major egg-laying sites spot sea turtles from your kayak. They sometimes swim right up without a noticing you and then dart into the depths once they see you. Make sure comes from the Galapagos National Park. During WWII the US military you to stop kayaking when you reach the red diamond shaped sign where for sea turtles. The of�icial story of how Las Bachas got its name there is a large rock where both blue footed and masked boobies like to following the war arrived they mispronounced barges as bachas, resulting perch. indiscarded the name. two There barges are onother the explanations beaches. When of how the the�irst location settlers got to itsthe name area having to do with indentations left in the sand by both egg laying sea Beneath the ocean surface Rabida offers excellent snorkeling along the shore of the little peninsula. The sea turtles you just saw topside are easier to see once you are in the water. Giant schools of stripped salemas Weturtles go andashore their the departing white sandyhatchlings, beach but and we willare gogreeted with theby Park’s.patrolling have been seen to carpet the deeper sections, attracting Galapagos sharks. blue-footed boobies. A brief walk inland takes us to a lagoon where pink between the rocks. You can look for chances to swim with sea lions and brown noddys, white-cheek pintail ducks and migratory birds. Snorkeling penguinsLarge schools as well of and yellow keep your tail eyes surgeon open �ish for marine thread iguanas through grazing passages the today�lamingos is from are theoften beach found and along you withcan also great enjoy blue a herons, swim in common these waters, stilts, underwater greenery. We’ve also have had groups watch orca right off the which are typically warmer than in other places in the Galapagos. shore on rare occasions but this pod can also be seen elsewhere as they patrol the islands. At the geologic center of the archipelago, Jervis presents an island of a different color with its deep red sandy beach and equally red towering cinder-cone rise sharply from the coast and looking up one can see where thecliffs. vegetation Even the transitions star�ish from are the red. arid The zone �lanks to the of wetter a sloping Scaleisia volcanic zone. Rabida Las Bachas A hedgerow of green saltbush frames the beach between the clear teal colony of sea lions inhabits these scarlet shores. This is also the best place inwaters the islands of the toPaci�ic get close making to nesting for one brown of the pelicansmore colorful raising islands. their chicks A noisy in precariously positioned nests atop the saltbush. A short trail inland offers observations of land birds including Galapagos Activities largedove, pinkcactus birds �inch feed and for the up large to 12 ground-�inch. hours a day on Hidden the pink behind shrimp the larva narrow and strip of green saltbush is a briny lagoon frequented by �lamingos. These water boatman that give them their color. We follow the trail to the left Morning: Las Bachas Afternoon: and up from the beach to the top of the rocky peninsula that juts from the Type of Landing: Wet Type of Landing: Dry island towards north. As we climb higher we pass through groves of Level of Walk: Easy Level of Walk: Rábida Easy prickly pear cactus, some oddly reminiscent of Mickey Mouse. The top of Other Activities: Nature Hikes Other Activities: Nature the overlook reveals excellent views back toward the lagoon and red sea & Snorkeling cliffs beyond. & Kayaking Hikes, Snorkeling, Panga Ride peninsula, then around and along it. The route continues west past the Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner Rabida also offers a nice kayaking route starting on the eastern side of the REALM OF THE TORTOISE

Santa Cruz

DAY 6 - thursday AM: PM: Highlands Darwin Station /

anta Cruz, our next stop, is the second largest island in the Galapagos The terrestrial world of the tortoise and underworld of the lava tubes and something of a hub for the archipelago. Baltra, where one of the meet at Los Gemelos (the twins). These two large sinkholes craters were sarchipelago's two airports is found, is on the far north end of the formed by collapsed lava tubes. The contrast between the marine desert coast and verdant Lost World look of the highlands is most striking here and you can easily encounter rain even when sun is shining a half an hour andisland. tourism. Puerto The Ayora, little located port town in the offers south restaurants, of this large, hotels, round souvenir volcanic away at the coast. Los Gemelos are surrounded by a Scalesia forest. shops,island isinternet the seaside cafés economic and a place center to get of your the Galapagos, laundry done! focused on �ishing Scalesia is endemic to Galapagos and many endemic and native species call the forest home. This is an excellent place to view some of Darwin’s

centerThis morning of the wegreat visit restorative Puerto Ayora, efforts home taking to both place the Galapagosin the park, National and a caféfamous or simply�inches enjoying along with this the little elusive port andtown dazzling near the vermillion edge of the �lycatcher. world. UNESCOPark Service World Headquarters Heritage site. andHere Charles we visit Darwin the Giant Research Tortoise Station,Breeding the & We return to Puerto Ayora with time for shopping, visiting an internet

hasRearing restored Program the population run by the researchof animals station, there towhich over began 1,000 by today. rescuing You will the seeremaining many of14 these tortoises animals, on the with island their of sweetEspañola ET innecks 1970. and This faces; program from hatchlings to juveniles to large, distinguished individuals. This is where famed tortoise, Lonesome George, lived out his last days as the last of his

particular race of tortoise. Highlands

A highlight of any trip to the archipelago is a visit to the Santa Cruz Charles Darwin Highlands, where the sparse, dry coastal vegetation transitions to lush Research Station

trackwet �ields and viewand foreststhese friendlyovergrown ancient with creatures moss and in lichens. their natural Our afternoon setting. Thisdestination extends is to the the Wild adjacent Tortoise pasturelands, Reserve where where we farmers will have give chances tortoise to safe quarter in exchange for allowing paying visitors to see them.

When viewing the tortoise in their natural setting you are literally Activities scratching the surface because there is another world awaiting you beneath the highlands. Lava tubes are formed when the outer surface of a Morning: The Charles Darwin Late Afternoon: Highlands. leaving a hollow tube as the result. The tubes become covered with earth Type of Landing: Dry overlava �lowtime cools, and insulatingthe result theis ainterior perfectly lava, formed which continuesunderground to �lowtunnel on Type of Landing: Dry Level of Walk: Easy courtesy of Mother Nature. A wooden stairway descends to the mouth of LevelResearch of Walk: Station. Easy Other Activities: Nature the arched entrance to one of these underground passages and continues Other Activities: Shopping in Hikes to the narrow opening that marks its exit. There are lights to show you the

Puerto Ayora way but it’s also a good idea to bring a �lashlight. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner THE PERFECT Beach & Blowhole

Española DAY 7 - friday AM: PM: Gardner Bay, Gardner Islet Punta Suarez

On the northeastern shore of Hood, Gardner Bay ood is the southernmost island of the archipelago, and is one of long white sandy beach, where colonies of sea lions laze in the sun, sea the most popular due to the breathtaking variation and sheer turtles swim offshore and inquisitive mockingbirds offers boldly a magni�icentinvestigate number of fauna that greet visitors along with well known h new arrivals. You will be lured from the powdery white sand into the Gardner Bay. The giant tortoise was reintroduced to Hood turquoise water for a swim, but just a little further off-shore the and counts as one of the park’s great success stories. They reside in an snorkeling by Gardner Island offers peak encounters with playful young off-limits area. in the 1970’s

The quantity and variety of wildlife at Punta Suarez is remarkable. Sea sea lionslions likeand toschools snack andof surprisingly play along Gardner large tropical Island’s �ish, sea including cliff. They yellow dart lions surf the waves beyond the breakwater landing, and tiny pups are uptailed from surgeon�ish, the depths, king playfully angel�ish show and off bump-head their skills parrot and then�ish. Thedisappear. young known to greet your toes upon arrival. A few steps inland is a colorful Sleepy white-tipped reef sharks can also be seen napping on the bottom. variety of in the Galapagos. They bear distinctive red and Gardner Bay and Islet also offer inviting waters for those interested in kayaking. For all who visit here, Española is a highlight of the Galapagos. They nap in communal piles or cling to the rocks for warmth. The trail thenblack takes markings, us beside some the with western a �lash edge of turquoise of the island running where down masked their boobies spine. (also known as Nazca boobies) nest along the cliff’s edge. The trail descends to a rocky beach before rising to an open area where you may see a large gathering of nesting blue-foot boobies. Galapagos doves,

Suarez Point presence. Both lava and swallow-tailed gulls, with their red ringed eyes, Gardner Islet sitcactus atop �inch the cliffs and in mocking company birds with forage marine nearby, iguanas. unconcerned by human

The trail continues to the high cliff edge of the southern shore; below, a shelf of black lava reaches out into the surf where a blowhole shoots a periodic geyser of salt water into the air. Further east along the cliff is the Albatross Airport where waved albatross line up to launch their great winged bodies from the cliffs, soaring out over the dramatic shoreline of crashing waves and driven spray. These are the largest birds you will see

species of albatross exclusive to the tropics. In the trees set back from the Activities cliffin the is Galapagos one of only with two wingspans places in up the to world 2.25 m where or 7.4 theft. They waved are albatross the only nests. The 12,000 pairs that inhabit Hood Island comprise all but a tiny fraction of the world’s population of this species. Lucky visitors can watch Morning: Late Afternoon: Gardner Bay, Type of Landing: Dry Gardner Islet Punta Suarez theircourtship eggs ‘fencing’from April done through with Junegreat though yellow theybeaks. can Large, be seen �luffy, fencing perfectly long Level of Walk: Type of Landing: Wet aftercamou�laged that. Eggs chicks take twoadorn months nests toon hatch. the ground Hungry nearby. chicks The can eatAlbatross up to 2 lay kg Other Activities: Nature Level of Walk: Easy Dif�icult (4.4 lb) a day which keeps their parents busy. By December the chicks are Hikes Other Activities: Nature

life. & Kayaking fully grown and ready to set out on their own in January. Pairs mate for Hikes, Snorkeling, Panga Ride Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner FARWELL TO Darwin’s First island

San Cristobal

DAY 8 - saturday

AM: Interpretation Center / Flight Home

note on an Cristobal galapagos itineraries reported encountering a pair of giant tortoises feeding on cactus during that To lessen the environmental impact on visitor sites, The outing. Today was the the airport �irst island of thisDarwin easternmost visited when island he arrived in the in 1835.chain Heis Galapagos National s Park has decided that vessels permitted to operate within the park cannot revisit the same site within 14 days. As a result our yachts now repeat the administrative capital for the province is Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on the same itinerary every two weeks (instead of every week). We split our two southwesternincreasingly used shore. as the Your arrival guide point will forgive �lights you clear into instructionsand out of the on Galapagos. the rest of The the week long itineraries in half with the result that we now operate two different day’s events before we go ashore. Once we arrive in pot we board a dinghy (panga) voyages from to We therefore alternate to make the short crossing to dock. In recent years a great deal of effort has gone 8 days / 7 nights Saturday Saturday. itineraries every other week. Both itineraries are excellent and guests visiting into sprucing up the waterfront including the building of the new municipal dock. the islands will be pleased with either choice. While there are always tradeoffs You only need to bring your day pack as the crew will pick up your luggage at your of what one can and cannot see during a weeklong trip through the Galapagos, cabin and insure that it gets to the airport, which is less than a 5 minute drive from you can now see almost everything by doing back to back itineraries aboard the waterfront. the M/V Evolution. In 1998 the Galapagos National Park Visitor Center islanders and travelers alike, presenting a comprehensive exhibit of the islands’ opened for the bene�it of stop in the islands and it is also the place where cultural activities take place, includingnatural history, theatre, human exhibitions interaction, and workshops. ecosystems, From �lora the and Interpretation fauna. This is Center, our last a short trail arrives at Frigate Bird Hill

, where both “magni�icent-frigates” and departing“great-frigates” the islands. can be seen in the same colony—ideal for learning to distinguish the two bird species. The interpretation center will be our �inal stop today before Along with your tour of the visitor center museum there will be time to stroll the quaint tiny port town, with time to shop for last minute souvenirs before taking the bus to the airport where you will have your last chance to make purchases in the

Galapagos. There is one �inal check point before entering the waiting area from Interpretation Center plane.which We you say will farewell board to your the Galapagos �light. Almost as you all begin �lights your to journey the mainland home, or stop on to in Guayaquil and continue on to Quito so make sure you know where to get off the Activities other destinations like the Ecuadorian highlands, Amazon or nearby Peru.

Morning: Interpretation Center Type of Landing: Dry Level of Walk: Easy Other Activities: Nature Hikes

Late Morning:

Meals: Breakfast Return to Mainland Ecuador