Galapagos - Footsteps Back in Time
Galapagos - Footsteps Back in Time
Galapagos - Footsteps Back in Time
9 Days Starting and ending in Guayaquil
Visiting: Guayaquil, Galápagos Islands, South Plaza Island, Sombrero Chino, Santiago Island, Genovesa Island, Santa Fé Island, North Seymour Island, Floreana Island
Tour operator:
Tour code:
GPVA
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
26 - 32
Physical rating:
Leisurely
Age range:
16 to 99
Interests:
Activities:
From:
$11925
$11597 (USD)
The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$328
Tour Overview
The Galapagos Islands are a treasure meant to be experienced with a group of true nature enthusiasts. The Evolution is the perfect haven for relaxing between daily hiking and snorkelling excursions, or for joining fellow travellers for a briefing by our knowledgeable naturalists. During our intimate Galapagos Islands cruise, find yourself just inches away from giant tortoises, comical Blue-footed boobies, Sea lions, penguins, iguanas and many other animals, and gain an appreciation for how remarkable life on Earth can be. Voyage the famed waters of Galapagos amid the spectacular landscapes and distinct endemic wildlife that so intrigued Charles Darwin.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive Guayaquil
Location: Guayaquil
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Oro Verde
Meals Included: No Meals
Arrive in Guayaquil and transfer to the Hotel Oro Verde.
Day 2 : Fly Guayaquil To San Cristobal; Visit Playa Ochoa & Kicker Rock
Location: Galápagos Islands
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: The Evolution
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Fly to the islands 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, we cruise around Kicker Rock.
Day 3 : South Plaza Island
Location: South Plaza Island
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: The Evolution
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
At only 426 feet wide, South Plaza is one of the smallest islands in the
archipelago. Look for Yellow land iguanas on a walk to a grove of
prickly-pear cactus. Non-hikers can enjoy a Zodiac ride, watching for
Swallow-tailed 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
Location: Sombrero Chino, Santiago Island
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: The Evolution
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
*Morning Sombrero Chino Island:* 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
colourful carpetweed plants. Enjoy a Zodiac ride and swim before lunch.
*Afternoon Puerto Egas, Santiago Island: *This afternoon, search the tide
pools of Puerto Egas for sea life. During low tide, we may see Marine iguanas
feeding on algae. Our naturalists will point out the birdlife, including
Great blue herons, Lava herons, oystercatchers and Yellow-crowned night
herons.
Day 5 : Genovesa Island
Location: Genovesa Island
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: The Evolution
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Genovesa is often referred to as “Bird Island” for the vast numbers of
pelagic seabirds that come here to nest. And while Genovesa harbours 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
petrals 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
Location: Santa Fé Island, North Seymour Island
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: The Evolution
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
*Morning North Seymour:* North Seymour is the nesting site for a large
population of magnificent frigatebirds and the only place where we can always
find males showing their red pouches to attract females. Plus, we are sure to
see Blue-footed boobies perform their comical courtship dance in the open
areas.
*Afternoon Santa Fe Island:* Hike to a scenic lagoon, where we may observe
Galapagos hawks, mockingbirds and a variety of Darwin’s finches. You may
kayak and snorkel from the beach.
Day 7 : Floreana Island
Location: Floreana Island
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: The Evolution
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, 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 snorkelling at
Devil’s Crown, where sea water has filled the sunken cone of an extinct
volcano.
Day 8 : Santa Cruz Island
Location: Santiago Island
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: The Evolution
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Begin our day in the forested highlands, with ample opportunity to see and
photograph Giant tortoises in the wild. Stop at a family-run farm before
learning about the work being done to study and preserve wildlife at Fausto
Llerena Tortoise Breeding Centre at the Darwin Research Centre.
Day 9 : Black Turtle Cove & Fly To Guayaquil
Location: Guayaquil
Meals Included: Breakfast
Enjoy a Zodiac ride through Black Turtle Cove, drifting silently through this
area of mangroves. Fly to Guayaquil, where it's possible to connect with
international flights later this evening. Trip ends upon arrival at airport
in Guayaquil. Alternatively please ask your sales consultant about post-tour
accommodation in Guayaquil.
What's Included
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Meals
8 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 7 dinners.
What's Not Included
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Single accommodation (available on request)
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Travel insurance
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International flights
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Visas or vaccinations
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Galapagos Park Tax fee: $120 USD (or equivalent in booking currency), paid locally
Food
8 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 7 dinners are included.
Meals are served in one seating in the dining room, and each meal boasts
international and traditional Ecuadorian cuisine, fresh fruit and sumptuous
desserts.
Accommodation
Fantastic accommodation awaits you on this Premium Adventure.
Swissôtel Quito
We spend our first night at the Swissôtel Quito, which is in the commercial-residential Floresta district. It has a variety of dining options, including Tanoshii, a restaurant serving Japanese specialities including sushi, yakimeshi and teppanyaki. In the evening, you might want to settle into the trip with a cocktail at Bar Le Point, a relaxed venue with occasional live music.
MV Evolution
Our highlight accommodation and base for the week we are in the Galapagos is the classically styled MV Evolution
This yacht was built to allow guests to experience the islands in comfort
The interior is fully air-conditioned and offers cabins of four categories on three decks
All cabins have ample storage space, a writing desk, bedside tables and private facilities. The cabins are the largest on average in the Galapagos and act as the perfect haven to rest between your excursions
The Evolution has more outside space than any other yacht in its class with 360-degree exterior walkarounds
While the Evolution may carry a group of just 32 guests, it is generous in size with a host of amenities. From relaxing on the sundeck to reading in the lounge, you’re sure to relish the ambience. Enjoy briefings by naturalist guides in the comfortable lounge or spend time with a snack and your fellow passengers at the canopied bar – a superb place for watching the sun set over the Pacific. After excursions, relax in the hot tub or find a comfortable deckchair to soak in the views.
Because there is an ‘open bridge’ policy aboard the Evolution, you are welcome to visit the captain and crew and learn all about the operation and navigation of the ship. A convenient boarding platform makes it easy and safe to board our excursion boats.
Cabins
All cabins feature private bathrooms with hair dryers and toiletries, climate controls, a writing desk and safe boxes, plus ample storage space. During every excursion, stewards will service your cabin. There are four cabin categories:
Deluxe Stateroom (cabins D1 to D4): 183sqft (17sqm) with ocean-view portholes, two twin beds, one queen bed or one king bed
Premium Stateroom (cabins C1 to C9): Between 183sqft (17sqm) and 196sqft (18.3sqm) with ocean-view portholes, two twin beds or one queen bed
Suites (cabins A2 and A3): Between 194sqft (18sqm) and 202sqft (18.8sqm) with large ocean-view windows and a queen bed or two twin beds
Master Suite (cabin A1): 263sqft (24.4sqm) with seating area, large ocean-view windows on both sides and a king bed
The accommodation shown has been booked and agreed in advance; however, we may need to make changes to a property of a similar or higher standard after you have booked. We endeavour to inform you of any changes in advance, which could, on rare occasions, be at late notice.
Check out our Q&As
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
16+ age people can go on this tour.
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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Are vaccinations required for this tour?
There are no mandatory vaccination requirements, however, if you have travelled to a country at risk of Yellow Fever prior to arriving in Ecuador you will be required to have a valid Yellow Fever Certificate with you. Recommended vaccinations are: Typhoid and Hepatitis A.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus, 43 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Exodus requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
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