Galapagos Voyage: Back in Time - Premium Adventure
Galapagos Voyage: Back in Time - Premium Adventure
9 Days Starting and ending in Quito, Ecuador
Visiting: Quito, San Cristobal, South Plaza Island, Sombrero Chino Island, Genovesa Island, Galapagos Islands, Floreana Island, Santa Cruz Island
Tour operator:
Tour code:
GPVA
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
26 - 32
Age range:
12-99
Trip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on a captivating journey through the Galapagos Islands with the "Galapagos Voyage: Back in Time - Premium Adventure." This extraordinary expedition offers a full week of cruising aboard the luxurious MV Evolution, renowned for its spacious cabins and extensive public areas. Each day, explore two unique landing sites, from the lush flora of South Plaza Island to the bird-rich Genovesa Island. Engage in guided nature walks, snorkelling, kayaking, and Zodiac rides, all while enjoying the best guest-to-guide ratio in the archipelago. Witness giant tortoises in their natural habitat on Santa Cruz Island and learn about conservation efforts at the Charles Darwin Research Station. With premium accommodations, including a night at Swissôtel Quito, and all meals and select beverages included, this adventure promises an unforgettable exploration of Ecuador's natural wonders.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive Quito
Location: Quito
Accommodation Name: Swisshotel Quito
Today is an arrival day into Quito. On arrival, you'll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Arrival transfers are included for everyone, regardless of which flight you arrive on today.
Premium accommodation: Swisshotel Quito
Day 2 : Fly Quito To San Cristobal; Visit Cerro Brujo & Kicker Rock
Location: San Cristobal
Accommodation Name: The Evolution
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Fly 600mi (965km) across the Pacific Ocean to San Cristobal Airport on the Galapagos Islands. After passing through the Galapagos National Park Inspection, you will meet your guide who will accompany your onward journey by bus and Zodiac to board the Evolution yacht. The crew will be waiting to welcome you on board, and help you get settled into your cabin and familiarise you with the boat. There will be a safety briefing and chance to get to know your fellow travellers and guides, before we navigate past Kicker Rock (or Leon Dormido – Sleeping Lion). Our landing is at Cerro Brujo, on the powdery white beach where we have our first walk and an opportunity to snorkel with sea lions. As the sun sets on your first day, we get together on deck to toast the voyage with a welcome cocktail.
Premium accommodation: The Evolution
Day 3 : South Plaza Island
Location: South Plaza Island
Accommodation Name: The Evolution
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
At only 426ft (130m) wide, South Plaza is one of the smallest islands in the archipelago, yet also one of the richest with lush and diverse flora. On this morning's landing, we'll likely encounter yellow land iguanas on a walk to a grove of prickly-pear cactus. Our trail takes us up towards cliffs that look out across the turquoise waters. This is a wonderfully colourful island, with a ground cover of red sesuvium, luminescent cacti and bright flashes of Sally Lightfoot crabs against the black lava rocks.
In the afternoon, we visit Mosquera Island which has a long, narrow stretch of white sand, rocks and tide pools. Non-hikers can enjoy a Zodiac ride, watching for swallow-tailed gulls, red-billed tropicbirds and blue-footed boobies. Others can stroll or snorkel.
Premium accommodation: The Evolution
Day 4 : Sombrero Chino Island And Santiago Island
Location: Sombrero Chino Island
Accommodation Name: The Evolution
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The tiny uplifted island of Sombrero Chino – or Chinese Hat – features a primeval landscape of volcanic rubble and lava tubes. Due to its inaccessibility to larger ships, it is one of the least visited islands. There are a few adjacent craters and old, fragile pahoehoe lava flows to be discovered on this morning's nature trail. Vegetation is just starting to take hold, including colourful carpetweed plants. Activities this morning include a walk, Zodiac ride and swim.
This afternoon, search the tide pools of Puerto Egas (James Bay) 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. There is a great spot here to observe fur sea lions as they laze on rocks by the grottos. Snorkelling can be accessed from the shore rather than by dinghy, with opportunities at the right time of year for golden rays and spotted eagle rays to glide by.
Premium accommodation: The Evolution
Day 5 : Genovesa Island
Location: Genovesa Island
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 nest here. And while Genovesa harbours one of the largest and most diverse bird populations in the Galapagos, 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. In the deep water, hammerhead sharks or large manta rays may pass by below. There are other more sheltered snorkelling spots to choose from too.
Premium accommodation: The Evolution
Day 6 : North Seymour Island And Santa Fe Island
Location: Galapagos Islands
Accommodation Name: The Evolution
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
North Seymour is teeming with life. Here we'll observe 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. We are also sure to see blue-footed boobies perform their comical courtship dance in the open areas. Our snorkelling site gives many opportunities to see rays: marble rays, golden eagle rays, spotted eagle rays, stingrays and even manta rays have been spotted here. Large schools of fish will likely pass by, or maybe a white-tipped reef sharks.
In the afternoon, we'll arrive at Santa Fe, with its sheltered cove and large sea lion colony where bulls contend for the right to be 'beach master'. Kayaking and snorkelling can be done from the beach.
Premium accommodation: The Evolution
Day 7 : Floreana Island
Location: Floreana Island
Accommodation Name: The Evolution
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The colourful history of Florena includes pirates, whalers and convicts. This morning we'll hike to Post Office Bay, used by navigators to send mail with homebound messengers. The tradition continues to this day and you can join in and try it for yourself. 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.
Premium accommodation: The Evolution
Day 8 : Santa Cruz Island
Location: Santa Cruz Island
Accommodation Name: The Evolution
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning we'll visit Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island, a small port town with restaurants, hotels, souvenir shops and other faciltiies. This area is also the home of the Charles Darwin Research Station. After breakfast on the Evolution, we'll visit the giant tortoise breeding programme to learn about the vital work being done. Since 1970, more than 2,000 tortoises have been hatched, raised and released from the Fausto Llerena Tortoise Breeding Center at the Charles Darwin Research Station, which was founded in 1959 and was once the home of Lonesome George. Today we'll also visit the Wild Tortoise Reserve in the forested highlands of Santa Cruz to see and photograph giant tortoises in a natural setting.
Later enjoy some free time in Puerto Ayora before returning to the Evolution.
Premium accommodation: The Evolution
Day 9 : Black Turtle Cove And Fly To Quito
Location: Quito
Meals Included: Breakfast
On the northern shore of Santa Cruz, Black Turtle Cove has a rich habitat of mangroves. Enjoy a Zodiac ride in this area, drifting silently through the mangroves. After this early morning excursion, we'll disembark the Evolution and head to Baltra Airport.
From Baltra, fly to Quito, where it's possible to connect with international flights later this evening. If organising your own flights, we would recommend speaking to your sales representative about post-tour accommodation in Quito so you can fly home the following day and avoid any tight connections.
What's Included
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Eight breakfasts, seven lunches and seven dinners
Enjoy eight breakfasts, seven lunches, and seven dinners during your trip.
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Select wines, local beers, cocktails, spirits, soft drinks, juice, coffee, hot chocolate and tea
Select wines, local beers, cocktails, spirits, soft drinks, juice, coffee, hot chocolate, and tea are included.
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One night at the Premium Swisshotel Quito and seven nights' Premium accommodation on the MV Evolution
Stay one night at the Premium Swisshotel Quito and enjoy seven nights of Premium accommodation on the MV Evolution.
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Arrival transfers in Quito (to/from Swisshotel Quito)
Arrival transfers in Quito to and from Swisshotel Quito are included.
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Internal flights from Quito to the Galapagos
Internal flights from Quito to the Galapagos are included.
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Daily shore excursions, interpretive walks, swimming, snorkelling, hiking and panga rides
Participate in daily shore excursions, interpretive walks, swimming, snorkelling, hiking, and panga rides.
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Snorkelling gear and wetsuits
Snorkelling gear and wetsuits are provided for your use.
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Use of kayaks during the expedition cruise
Kayaks are available for use during the expedition cruise.
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Full educational programme, including lectures on history, ecology, marine life and field interpretation
A full educational programme is included, featuring lectures on history, ecology, marine life, and field interpretation.
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Tips to the Evolution crew (only the cost of tipping the naturalist guide will be extra)
Tips to the Evolution crew are included, except for the naturalist guide.
What's Not Included
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International flights
International flights are not included in the package.
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Travel insurance
Travel insurance is not included and must be arranged separately.
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Single accommodation (available on request)
Single accommodation is not included but is available on request.
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Visas or vaccinations
Visas or vaccinations are not included and must be arranged separately.
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Tipping for the naturalist guide
Tipping for the naturalist guide is not included and is an additional cost.
Food
Eight breakfasts, seven lunches and seven dinners are included. Meals are served in one seating in the dining room, and each meal includes international and traditional Ecuadorian cuisine, fresh fruit and sumptuous desserts. Select wines, local beers, cocktails, spirits, soft drinks, juice, coffee, hot chocolate and tea are also included on board. Certain premium brands of wines, beer or spirits are not included but can be purchased onboard.
Accommodation
Experience premium comfort with a night at Swissôtel Quito, offering diverse dining options and a relaxed bar. The highlight is the MV Evolution, a classically styled yacht with spacious cabins, ample outdoor space, and luxurious amenities, ensuring a comfortable and memorable Galapagos adventure.
Mode of Transport
The tour includes arrival transfers in Quito and internal flights to the Galapagos. On the islands, transportation is provided by the MV Evolution yacht, with additional excursions via Zodiac boats, ensuring seamless travel between the stunning Galapagos destinations.
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of wildlife can I expect to see during the Galapagos Voyage?
During the Galapagos Voyage, you can expect to see a diverse range of wildlife including giant tortoises, sea lions, yellow land iguanas, marine iguanas, various species of birds such as red-footed boobies, blue-footed boobies, and magnificent frigatebirds. You may also encounter marine life like hammerhead sharks, manta rays, and fur sea lions.
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What activities are included in the Galapagos Voyage?
The Galapagos Voyage includes a variety of activities such as guided nature walks, snorkelling excursions, Zodiac rides, kayaking, and swimming. There are also educational programs with lectures on history, ecology, and marine life.
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What is the accommodation like on the MV Evolution?
The MV Evolution offers premium accommodation with the largest cabins in its class, featuring private bathrooms, climate controls, and ample storage space. The yacht has a generous amount of public space, including a sundeck, lounge, and a canopied bar. It also has an 'open bridge' policy, allowing guests to visit the captain and crew.
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Are meals and drinks included during the tour?
Yes, eight breakfasts, seven lunches, and seven dinners are included, featuring international and traditional Ecuadorian cuisine. Select wines, local beers, cocktails, spirits, soft drinks, juice, coffee, hot chocolate, and tea are also included on board.
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What is the guest-to-guide ratio on the tour?
The tour offers the best guest-to-guide ratio in the archipelago, with a ratio of 10:1, ensuring personalized attention and guidance.
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What conservation efforts will I learn about during the tour?
You will learn about conservation efforts at the Charles Darwin Research Station, including the giant tortoise breeding program, which has successfully hatched, raised, and released over 2,000 tortoises since 1970.
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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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Free Date Changes
CTS demo white label allows you to make 20 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 0 days before the start of the tour.
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Low Deposit
CTS demo white label requires a minimum deposit of 55% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 30 days before departure.
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