Volcanic Wonder Western & Northern Route

Upon reaching Puerto Baquerizo Moreno (SCY) on San Cristobal Island, our guides will be ready to accompany you to the expedition yacht. After a brief bus ride to the dock, followed by a Zodiac transfer to the anchored yacht in the bay, you will be escorted to your cabin and treated to a delightful lunch. Following lunch, there will be a welcome briefing and a short safety demonstration. You will then have the opportunity to select your snorkeling equipment and wetsuit for the week. Take some time to settle in before the yacht sets sail from the harbor.

Within a few hours, we will reach Leon Dormido (Spanish for "sleeping lion"), a towering remnant of a vertical tuff cone rising 500 feet from the ocean. The rock's unique erosion patterns make it an ideal backdrop for capturing sunset photographs. As we sail around the formation, you'll have the chance to observe blue-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, and frigatebirds nesting on the cliffs. Following a briefing on the next day's activities, you are invited to join our Captain and crew for a cocktail reception. An elegant multi-course dinner, skillfully prepared by our chefs, will be served for your enjoyment.

In the morning, you will reach Prince Philip’s Steps on Genovesa (Tower) Island, renowned as one of the most impressive birdwatching spots in the Galapagos due to its diverse avian species. Throughout the day, be prepared with your camera as our guides will point out red-footed boobies nesting in palo santo trees, Nazca boobies along the trail, and storm petrels gathering in large numbers in an open lava field. With some luck, you may even catch a glimpse of the elusive short-eared owl. Weather permitting, lunch will be served on deck featuring grilled seafood, along with a cooking demonstration on how to prepare Ecuadorian ceviche. You'll have the option to explore the cliffs up close by kayak or stand-up paddleboard, or participate in a deep-water snorkeling excursion from the Zodiac. Keep an eye out for the red-billed tropic bird hiding in the rock crevices.

This morning, you will visit Las Bachas on the northern side of Santa Cruz Island, named after old barges left on the beach. Here, you can observe dozens of vibrant pink flamingos feeding in the interior lagoons, while a long stretch of white sand offers a picturesque setting for a leisurely stroll. Your guides will introduce you to endemic plant species and share captivating stories about the history of the Galapagos. Before returning to the yacht for lunch, you'll have the chance to snorkel from the beach alongside playful sea lions. Don't forget your underwater camera to capture images of colorful tropical fish, sea stars, and possibly sharks gliding along the ocean floor.

Later in the day, upon arriving at Cerro Dragon (Dragon Hill), you'll enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of the bay and island terrain. Keep an eye out for flamingos in the brackish lagoon, as well as various plant species like opuntia cactus, Palo Santo trees, and Muyuyo trees (Cordia Lutea). As you walk the trail, watch for Darwin’s finches, Galapagos flycatchers, yellow warblers, and Audubon shearwaters. Your guides will also point out birds such as stilts, pintail ducks, and sandpipers. Along the path, you may spot golden land iguanas basking in the sun. These unique iguanas, distinct from their marine counterparts, are endemic to the Galapagos and were once part of a breeding program at the research station. After a leisurely walk along the trail, you'll return to the yacht for a briefing and dinner.

Begin your morning with an exhilarating Zodiac excursion at Punta Vicente Roca. Your skilled driver will navigate through wave-sculpted caves and bring you close to tuff walls adorned with colorful Sally Lightfoot crabs. Don't miss the chance to snorkel here, where you can observe playful penguins diving and grooming on rock formations, and spot sea turtles poking their heads above water before gracefully swimming below.

After a satisfying lunch, unwind on the sun deck and admire the stunning scenery as we sail through the Bolivar Channel. Keep an eye out for the opportunity to witness whales riding the bow wave, dolphins leaping gracefully, and perhaps even the unique Mola-Mola, a giant sunfish with distinctive triangular fins.

In the afternoon, disembark at Urbina Bay on Isabela Island and witness intriguing evidence of volcanic activity. Coastal seabed that was previously submerged was exposed during a dramatic uplift from an eruption in 1954, with some remaining coral skeletons towering several feet high. Explore the island and encounter a diverse collection of animal species, including Galápagos land iguanas, marine iguanas, Darwin’s finches, brown pelicans, flightless cormorants, and occasionally giant Galápagos tortoises.

After your exploration, return to the vessel for your evening briefing and dinner. Following dessert, step outside and marvel at the faint glow of the Milky Way. As we cross the Equator, enjoy a visit from King Neptune himself! Our crew dresses as pirates for this fun-filled maritime ritual, and guest participation is optional, making it an enjoyable experience for guests of all ages.

This morning offers another extraordinary geological experience as we visit Punta Espinoza on Fernandina, the youngest and most pristine island in the Galápagos archipelago, formed by active volcanoes along the coast. With no introduced animals on this island, you'll have the opportunity to witness the ecosystem in its purest state. Sea lion harems rest on the beach, with resident bulls diligently guarding their territory and keeping watch for sharks that threaten the colony's pups. Along the rugged shoreline, hundreds of marine iguanas—the largest colony in the Galapagos—sunbathe on the dark volcanic rocks. Your guide will point out the nests of flightless cormorants, which remain near shore after losing their ability to fly. You'll also have the chance to snorkel here, accompanied by large sea turtles that frequent the area.

Return to the yacht for a barbecue lunch served on the sundeck, offering an excellent viewpoint for whale watching.

After lunch, your guide will present an enlightening lecture on Charles Darwin and his Theory of Evolution, as well as discuss social and environmental projects benefiting the Galápagos. Later in the day, explore some of the human history of the Galapagos as we go ashore at Tagus Cove, a historic stopping point for pirates and whalers for centuries. Sections of the rocky cliffs are adorned with graffiti dating back to the 1800s. Hike briskly to a saltwater lagoon and scenic overlook, enjoying ocean views, lava fields, and volcanic formations. You can opt to explore the secluded cove shoreline by kayak or paddleboard, encountering various animals including Galápagos penguins, boobies, pelicans, and other seabirds.

Tonight, as we sail toward the geographic center of the archipelago, we will cross the equator for the third and final time.

This morning, you'll explore the dark red beach of Rabida (Jervis) Island, known as the geographic center of the Galápagos due to its highly diverse volcanic rocks. Follow a short trail to a saltwater lagoon bustling with greater flamingos. Along the way, keep an eye out for marine iguanas, mockingbirds, and yellow warblers. You may also catch sight of Darwin’s finches, whose study significantly contributed to Charles Darwin's theory of evolution. If you choose to snorkel this morning, you might encounter a colony of sea lions or rays, with golden rays and spotted eagle rays being the most common.

Guests aboard the Evolve will visit Puerto Egas on Santiago (James) Island, where you can leisurely walk along the shoreline, observing octopus, starfish, and other marine life caught in tide pools. Look out for great blue herons, lava herons, American oystercatchers, and yellow-crowned night herons. During low tide, watch marine iguanas feed on exposed green algae, displaying vibrant coloration during mating season due to consuming green and red algae. The walk concludes at grottos, deep clear-water pools where once-endangered fur sea lions can be encountered. Before returning to the yacht, take advantage of the opportunity to snorkel from the beach.

After lunch, relax on deck and enjoy the dramatic landscape and frequent dolphin sightings as we sail. Guests aboard the Evolve will embark on a Zodiac excursion at Caleta Tortuga Negra (Black Turtle Cove) through tranquil coves and inlets surrounded by mangroves, with views of mating sea turtles (September to February), white-tipped reef sharks, and golden cow-nosed rays. We'll return to the vessel for the Captain’s Farewell cocktail with the crew, followed by dinner and a special presentation by your guides.

This morning, when you wake up, your yacht will be anchored in the bustling harbor of Academy Bay. You'll disembark at Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island, the central hub of the Galapagos with a population of 24,000 residents. Our first stop will be the breeding center Centro de Crianza Fausto Llerena and the Charles Darwin Research Station, where we'll learn about ongoing conservation efforts through exhibits along the wooden trail. Here, you'll see hatchlings and young tortoises that will eventually be released into the wild by the National Park once they reach maturity. One notable exhibit commemorates Lonesome George, the last surviving tortoise from Pinta Island, whose tragic death marked the extinction of his species. Lonesome George has since become a global symbol, highlighting the importance of wildlife preservation efforts. A more uplifting story is that of Diego, a saddleback tortoise transported from the San Diego Zoo, who single-handedly fathered hundreds of descendants after his species was reduced to just 14 individuals.

After returning to the yacht for lunch, we'll board a private bus for a scenic journey to the highlands of Santa Cruz, passing through all seven vegetation zones with vibrant plant life at higher elevations. Our destination is Montemar, a privately-owned property dedicated to habitat restoration for giant tortoises, where these magnificent creatures roam freely in their natural environment. During our exclusive visit, you'll learn about organic and biodynamic coffee cultivation and harvesting. Enjoy a leisurely hike, exploring the grounds, taking in the panoramic views, and admiring local art and craftsmanship on display.

We'll return to the yacht for a lavish multi-course Captain's farewell dinner accompanied by a presentation highlighting the memorable experiences from your week in this paradise.

On your last morning in the Galapagos, we disembark after breakfast. To conclude the trip beautifully, you'll visit the Interpretation Center on San Cristobal Island to further explore the human history of the Galapagos Islands. Take a relaxed walk along the paved trail before boarding a bus to the town.

Guests aboard the Evolve will have an early morning visit to Isla Lobos. After the visit, you'll have time for any final photos or shopping before your flight back to the mainland. A short bus ride will take you to the airport with plenty of time for check-in.