Galapagos Expedition: Darwin’s Playground, Central and North · GALAPAGOS EXPEDITION: DARWIN’S PLAYGROUND, CENTRAL AND NORTH EXPEDITION DOSSIER | 4 EXTEND YOUR STAY Contact our

GALAPAGOS EXPEDITION: DARWIN’S PLAYGROUND, CENTRAL AND NORTH EXPEDITION DOSSIER | 1

DID YOU KNOW? During his five weeks at the Islands, Darwin went ashore to collect plants, rocks, insects and birds, and observed unusual life forms and their adaptations to the harsh environment. He noted it was possible to distinguish which island a tortoise came from by the shape of its shell. His most well-known research is of the numerous species of finches which inspired his ground breaking theory The Origin of Species, published in 1859.

EXPEDITION IN BRIEF:• 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 South

American “Equator to Pole” adventure combined with an

Antarctic Explorer expedition

Galapagos Expedition: Darwin’s Playground, Central and NorthWhen exploring the Galapagos Islands, there is never a dull moment. From the time you board

our small expedition ship Evolution, you’ll recognize this as the adventure of a lifetime. Stroll

among prickly-pear 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.


KAYAKING

Sea kayaking is offered on all of our departures and you

require no previous experience to enjoy this activity. Our

sea kayaks are the ideal means by which to get some good

exercise and explore the cliffs and shores of the various

visitor sites around the archipelago. A typical cruise week

offers great opportunities to go kayaking around secluded

coves, shores, mangrove estuaries and beautiful beaches.

Galapagos penguins, flightless cormorants, sea lions and

many other animals can be seen up close on a kayak and

even as they swim!

SNORKELING

Snorkeling is a favorite activity in the Galapagos Islands and

requires no previous experience to be enjoyed immensely.

You will be offered the opportunity to go snorkeling almost

every day at various snorkeling sites around the archipelago.

You will have the chance to snorkel with playful sea lions,

marine iguanas, green sea turtles and many other wonderful

creatures. For non-divers, this is an incredible way to get a

glimpse of the marine.

Included Activities

While in the Galapagos you will find that you are constantly active, doing nature hikes, snorkeling, swimming

and sea kayaking all in an effort to get up close to the islands’ amazing animals. The Galapagos National Park has

structured activities in the Galapagos around interaction with wildlife and the habitat. That is really what the

Galapagos is all about. We make our trips more active by planning landings in places that offer better hikes like at

Tagus Cove or to the top of Bartolomé Island. We also offer itineraries that take in the more remote sites and outer

islands, rather than staying solely in the more traveled inner islands (not all yachts are equipped to travel to the

outer islands). We maximize our opportunities to snorkel and kayak on each trip.


EXTEND YOUR STAY Contact our Polar Travel Advisers via email, live chat or phone (1.888.892.0073) for seamless, worry-free booking of all trip extensions.

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

colorful carpetweed plants. Enjoy a

Zodiac cruise and swim before lunch.

This afternoon, search the tide pools

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 prickly-

pear cactus. Non-hikers can enjoy a

Zodiac cruise, 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.

Actual itinerary may vary based on weather conditions.

ISABELA

PINTA

MARCHENA GENOVESA

BALTRA

SOUTH PLAZAS

SANTIAGO

SANTA CRUZ SANTA FE

ESPAÑOLA

FERNANDINA

FLOREANA

SAN CRISTÓBAL

Paci�c Ocean

Galapagos Islands

Kicker Rock

Carrion Point

North Seymour

Island

Darwin Bay BeachPrince Phillip’s Steps

James BayEgas Port

Chinese Hat Islet

Charles Darwin Research Station

from Mainland Ecuador

to Mainland Ecuador

Cormorant PointPost O�ce Bay

HighlandsPINZÓN

RÁBIDA

LOS HERMANOS

TORTUGA

PTO. BAQUERIZO MORENA

Black Turtle Cove

FlyCruise StartEnd

EQUATOR

DAY 1 Arrive Guayaquil, Ecuador

Fly independently to Guayaquil,

Ecuador, and transfer to the pre-

expedition 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.

Itinerary



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 Galapagos 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.

All itineraries are subject to approval by

the Galapagos National Park and may vary

according to changes in park regulations.

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

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

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 petrels 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

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 the

open areas. 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.

IMPORTANT REMINDER Embracing

the unexpected is part of the legacy –

and excitement – of expedition travel.

When traveling in extremely remote

regions, your expedition staff must allow

the sea and the weather to guide route

and itinerary details. This itinerary

is a tentative outline of what you’ll

experience on this voyage; please be

aware that no specific itinerary can be

guaranteed. A measure of flexibility is

something all of us must bring to a polar

expedition.

Last revised: March 18, 2016



Note: Baggage allowance on charter flight is 44 lbs (20 kg) checked

and 22 lbs (10 kg) carry-on.

*MANDATORY FLIGHT AND PARK FEES INCLUDE:• Roundtrip domestic airfare

from mainland Ecuador to Galapagos Islands

$575 (2016)$600 (2017)

• National Park entrance fee $100

• Galapagos National Park INGALA transit card

$20

Total Package Cost: $695 USD (2016)

$720 USD (2017)

THIS EXPEDITION EXCLUDES

• Mandatory domestic flights and park fees*

• International airfare

• Passport and applicable visa expenses

• Government arrival and departure taxes not

mentioned above

• Meals ashore unless otherwise specified

• Baggage, cancellation, interruption, and medical

travel insurance

• Excess baggage charges

• Laundry, bar, beverage and other personal charges

unless specified

• Phone and internet charges

• Voluntary gratuity at the end of the voyage for

shipboard staff and crew

• Additional overnight accommodation

THIS EXPEDITION INCLUDES

• Shipboard accommodation with daily

housekeeping

• All breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks on

board

• Complimentary soft drinks and juice on board

• All shore landings per the daily program

• Leadership throughout the voyage by our

experienced Expedition Leader

• All Zodiac transfers and cruising per the daily

program

• Formal and informal presentations by our

Expedition Team and special guests as scheduled

• Photographic journal documenting the

expedition

• Coffee, tea and cocoa available around the clock

• Hair dryer in every cabin

• All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges

throughout the program

• All luggage handling aboard ship

• Emergency evacuation insurance to a maximum

benefit of US$100,000 per person

• Arrival and departure transfers in Guayaquil

• One night pre- and post-expedition hotel

accommodation in Guayaquil, with breakfast

• Transfers to and from domestic flight to

Galapagos

Inclusions


HOW TO BOOK YOUR EXPEDITION & ADVENTURE OPTIONSTo book your cabin or inquire about the availability of Adventure Options, contact a Polar Travel Adviser 1.888.892.0073 (+1.203.803.2666).

1.888.892.0073

Mandatory flight and park fees additional at $695 (2016) and $720 (2017)All rates per person in USD.

Dates Days Start/End Category 1 Category 2 Category 3 Category 4 Category 5

Nov 4 –

Nov 13, 2016

10 Guayaquil $7,498 $7,048 $6,548 $6,198 $5,998 • •

Jan 27 –

Feb 5, 2017

10 Guayaquil $7,698 $7,248 $6,748 $6,398 $6,198 • •

Expedition Aboard the Adventure Ship EVOLUTION

GALAPAGOS EXPEDITION Darwin’s Playground, Central and North

Dates & Rates

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Galapagos Expedition: Darwin’s Playground, Central and North · GALAPAGOS EXPEDITION: DARWIN’S PLAYGROUND, CENTRAL AND NORTH EXPEDITION DOSSIER | 4 EXTEND YOUR STAY Contact our