Galápagos Expedition: Darwin’s Playground, Central and North

10 days
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4.6/5 Excellent
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Small Ship Cruise
Exploring the Galapagos Islands is never mundane, and from the time you board our small expedition ship Evolution, you’ll recognize this as the adventure of a lifetime. Stroll among pricklypear cactus and look for yellow land iguanas on one of the smallest islands of the archipelago. Take a Zodiac cruise, or frolic in waters teeming with marine life. Genovesa...
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Overview

Trip type
Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Highlights

    • Snorkel with sea lions, marine iguanas and sea turtles, walk among giant Galapagos tortoises, and see one of the largest bird populations on Genovesa Island
    • Explore volcanic islands, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and Zodiac cruise through the Black Turtle Cove mangroves
    • Enjoy this journey on its own, or as part of an epic adventure combined with an Antarctic Explorer expedition

What's this trip about?

    Exploring the Galapagos Islands is never mundane, and from the time you board our small expedition ship Evolution, you’ll recognize this as the adventure of a lifetime. Stroll among pricklypear cactus and look for yellow land iguanas on one of the smallest islands of the archipelago. Take a Zodiac cruise, or frolic in waters teeming with marine life. Genovesa Island, often called “Bird Island”, is home to one of the largest and most diverse bird populations in the Galapagos - bird species here include red-footed boobies, short-eared owls and the rare lava gull.  A true highlight is your opportunity to swim, kayak or snorkel in the water-filled calderas of extinct volcanoes! Wrap it up with a visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station, where you can learn about conservation efforts on the islands, and see giant tortoises in their natural habitat.

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Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeStandard Group - 25 + people
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CityGuayaquil
End CityGuayaquil

Travel Themes

  • Nature & Wildlife
  • Birding
  • National Parks
  • Small Ship Cruise

Destinations

Activities

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Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1: Arrive Guayaquil, Ecuador

Fly independently to Guayaquil, Ecuador, and transfer to the preexpedition hotel.

Day 2: Embarkation Day, Playa Ochoa and Kicker Rock

Fly to the islands, landing on San Cristobal, 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

At only 426 feet (130 m) wide, South Plaza is one of the smallest islands in the archipelago. Look for yellow land iguanas on a walk to a grove of pricklypear cactus.  Non-hikers can enjoy a Zodiac cruise, watching for swallowtailed 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: Puerto Egas

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 colorf...

Day 5: Genovesa Island

Genovesa is often referred to as “Bird Island” for the vast numbers of pelagic seabirds that come here to nest. And while Genovesa harbors one of the Galapagos’ largest and most diverse bird populations, there are no land reptiles — with the exception of some very sma...

Day 6: North Seymour Island / Santa Fe Island

North Seymour is the nesting site for a large population of magnificent frigate birds 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 ...

Day 7: Floreana Island

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 snorkeling at Devil’s Crown, where sea water has filled the sunken cone of an extinct volcano.

Day 8: Santa Cruz Island

Begin at the Charles Darwin Research Station, learning about work being done to preserve Galapagos wildlife. Head into the forested highlands, with ample opportunity to see giant tortoises in their verdant habitat. Walk through the forest surrounding a pair of pit craters, an excellent place to spot vermillion flycatchers. Time permitting, walk underground to explore a lava tube.

Day 9: Depart Galápagos for Mainland Ecuador

Enjoy a Zodiac cruise through Black Turtle Cove, drifting silently through this area of mangroves. Fly to Guayaquil, with time to relax at the post-expedition hotel.

Day 10: Depart Guayaquil

Board independent flights home.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $5,998
Price per day$600
Last Updated: 2/23/2024

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Quark Expeditions.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Quark Expeditions Reviews & Ratings

4.6/5  Excellent
Excellent
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Other Quark Expeditions Reviews

A

Anonymous

Mar 2024

Whales!!!

Zodiac trips are fantastic. The whale watching is amazing.

T

Tuck Wah

Mar 2024

Most memorable

Sunset, crossing the circle, zodiac cruises, watching all penguins, seals, wales especially while we were on the deck. Surprising orca visit, professional talks. Mak...

C

Carrie

Mar 2024

Stepping onto the 7th continent

During the zodiac cruise of Graham Passage we were very close to about 7 or 8 humpback whales and were able to see their feeding behavior close up. It was also wonde...

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Logistics

Accommodation

Transportation & Flights

There is an additional cost of $695 USD (2016) /  $720 USD (2017) required for charter flights. Mandatory Flight And Park Fees Include: Roundtrip domestic airfare from mainland Ecuador to Galapagos Islands $575 (2016) $600 (2017) National Park entrance fee $100 Galápagos National Park INGALA transit card $20 ,
Ship & cabin information
Evolution
Travel with the comforts of home aboard the Evolution. Enjoy delicious meals and first-class service as you explore the Galapagos Islands and take advantage of complimentary snorkeling equipment and sea kayaks. Hike and explore among volcanic rock, flora and fauna under the expert tutelage of our naturalist guides.
Staff and Crew: 22 Guests: 32 Length: 192 feet, 58.5 meters Draft: 10.5 feet, 3.2 meters Cruising Speed: 10-12 knots in open water Lifeboats: 4 life rafts, open Registration: Ecuador
Cancellation policy

All requests for cancellation must be received in writing. Cancellations received 180 days or more prior to departure, are refunded less an administrative fee of minimum US$1250, AU$1000, £650, €800 per person. If cancellation is received between 179 days and 120 days, the deposit is forfeited. If cancellation occurs less than 120 days prior to departure, all payments are forfeited. If full payment has not yet been received, the full penalty will still apply and any unpaid balance is due immediately. To protect the traveler’s investment, we recommend that you obtain adequate trip cancellation insurance.

Cancellations cannot be made online.

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Optional Activities
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Additional Information
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Trip ID
quarke-GalExpQua

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