Trip Overview

Discover the Galapagos National Park from the comfort of the premium MV Evolution

The Galapagos Islands are a treasure meant to be experienced with a group of true nature enthusiasts. The MV Evolution, a premium yacht, is the perfect spot to relax between daily hiking and snorkelling excursions, or for joining fellow travellers for a briefing by our knowledgeable naturalist guides.

During our premium Galapagos Islands cruise, find yourself just inches 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 the Galapagos amid the spectacular landscapes and distinct endemic wildlife that so intrigued Charles Darwin. From spouting whales crossing the Bolivar Channel to waved albatrosses nesting along the Española cliffs, you’ll experience the undeniable wonder of these enchanted isles.

At a Glance

• One night in premium accommodation in Quito and seven nights on the premium yacht MV Evolution
• Starts in Baltra and ends in San Cristobal
• Islands visited: San Cristóbal, Santa Cruz, Isabela, Fernandina, Bartolomé, Santiago, Española and Rabida
• Group normally 26-32 passengers plus crew

Is This Trip for You?

This trip is graded Activity Level 1 (Leisurely) with a Wildlife Rating of Five. Visit our Activity Level Guidelines page for more on our trip gradings or our Wildlife Holidays page for more on our Wildlife Ratings.

Great for wildlife enthusiasts, photographers and those with an interest in history or geology. Though you do not need to be particularly fit, though you should note there will be walking on rough ground and sharp volcanic rocks. The ability to withstand high temperatures and to swim will maximize your enjoyment. Due to local regulations, we have specific time slots for our landings and site visits. There is usually very little disruption to the schedule, but this can mean little room for deviation in the event of poor weather or other circumstances.

In the Galapagos, each day will feature a mixture of walking, snorkelling and exploring the islands by boat. To get closer to the designated landing sites, we disembark into small pangas (motorised dinghies). Landings on the islands are divided into two types – wet and dry. For dry landings, the panga will take you right up to a landing stage or rocky outcrop where you can disembark without getting wet. Where there is no landing stage, the panga will stop close to a beach and you will need to walk through shallow water (generally no more than ankle-deep) to the shore. Our wonderful guides will always advise on conditions prior to leaving and it is possible to skip any particular excursion if you would rather relax on the boat.

There are plenty of opportunities for snorkelling in the Galapagos and this is one of the best ways to experience the marine life. A mask and snorkel will reveal an exciting underwater world with sea lions, rays, turtles, marine iguanas and a colourful array of fish. On most days of the itinerary, there will be one or two snorkelling sessions. Snorkelling in the Galapagos does not require any special skills, however, at times you will be snorkelling in open water where there are fairly strong currents. Before going into the water, the guide will evaluate the strength of the currents and the general sea conditions to make sure they are suitable. The dinghy will remain very close at all times; if you get tired or feel like coming out, you only have to raise your arm and they will pick you up so you can rest for a while before going back in or stay in the dinghy until it is time to return to the boat. Snorkelling equipment (snorkel, fins and masks) is provided; however, it is advisable to wear a wetsuit which not only protects you from the cold but also makes floating much easier.

We offer this Galapagos cruise in conjunction with our Ecuadorian partners, and Exodus participants will join an international group, not all of whom have booked through Exodus. Occasionally some of these may be younger than Exodus’ minimum age for this trip.

Booking conditions:

Please note this tour is excluded from our standard booking conditions. The following conditions apply instead:

Deposit: 25 percent
Balance: Due at 90 days
Cancellation within 90 days:

• 89 days to 71 days: 50 percent of trip costs retained
• 70 days or less: 100 percent of trip costs retained

Islands visited on this itinerary

Isabela: One of the youngest and most volcanically active islands with stark lava fields blackening the landscape, Isabela is larger in size than all the other islands put together. Isabela was formed when six volcanoes merged and the lunar landscape of its interior is perfect for an unusual trekking experience, while the cloud forest is home to five distinct subspecies of the giant Galapagos tortoise. Marine life here is rich and varied – it’s possible to see stingrays, white-tipped reef sharks and turtles in the mangroves and submerged lava tunnels, plus playful dolphins and the odd glimpse of breaching humpback whales.

Fernandina: The third-largest island is an active shield volcano noted for its fine examples of aa and pahoehoe lava flows. The ecosystem is remarkably untouched, and the island has never been invaded by foreign species or predators. As a result, the cormorants here had no real need to fly, gradually evolving into flightless birds with small wings and feet that are extremely well-adapted to swimming. Land iguanas have also flourished due to the lack of predators, and the island is home to the largest colony in the Galapagos.

Bartolomé: One of the most photographed of all the islands, Bartolomé is an extinct volcano with many interesting geological features and a semi-lunar landscape. Pinnacle Rock, seen in countless photos, is actually a tuff cone – a column of hardened volcanic ash formed when molten rock fused after coming into contact with seawater. It’s possible to swim with Galápagos penguins here, and the island is home to sea lions, nesting marine turtles and white-tipped reef sharks.

Santiago: Home of the Galapagos fur seal, which likes the rocky shoreline and shady spots of Santiago. Around 30,000 to 40,000 fur seals live on the islands, and the majority can be found close to Puerto Egas, either on the rocks or on the black beaches. The island is a good place to see Galapagos hawks and Darwin finches, and there’s a popular snorkelling site called Chinese Hat where penguins, rays, turtles and playful sea lion pups reside.

Santa Cruz: The second-largest island in the archipelago, Santa Cruz is home to Puerto Ayora – where most Galapagos ships are docked for embarkation – and the Charles Darwin Research Station, which conducts tortoise research programmes and is heavily involved in the management and conservation of the islands along with the national park authorities. The Santa Cruz highlands are much greener than the dry lowlands of the other islands and are home to free-roaming tortoises. In common with the rest of the group, Santa Cruz has many interesting volcanic features, such as pit craters and lava tunnels, and there is a flamingo lagoon at Cerro Dragón.

Rabida: The striking russet sand differentiates Rabida from the other islands; rich in iron, this is one of the most colourful islands in the Galapagos. Pelicans nest among the red cliffs, while pink flamingos feed in the saltwater lagoon. 

Española: The southernmost island of the chain, Española is also the oldest. As it is relatively isolated from the other islands, it has developed endemic fauna, including the only marine iguanas that change colour to attract mates during breeding season. The island is the favoured breeding ground for almost the entire world’s population of waved albatross due to its easy access to prime fishing grounds and the steep cliffs that provide an ideal place for the large birds to take off. There are also large colonies of mockingbirds, boobies, Darwin finches and doves, plus sea lions, which surf the breaking waves.

San Cristóbal: The easternmost island of the archipelago and the first landing point for Charles Darwin in 1835. The provincial capital of the Galapagos Islands, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, is on San Cristóbal, and the town is home to the excellent Galapagos Interpretation Centre. Popular sites include El Junco Lake (one of the few freshwater lagoons in the archipelago), Frigatebird Hill (named for the large colonies of magnificent and great frigatebirds), and Kicker Rock, a towering split rock that rises more than 328ft (100m) from the ocean. The highland cloud forests provide a natural habitat for giant tortoises. Huge numbers of sea lions are also present on San Cristóbal and nearby Isla Lobos, reachable by boat, is a big nesting site for blue-footed boobies.

All guides have Level 3 National Park Certification

Guides will join all excursions and activities, providing daily recaps and briefings, and are always available to answer questions. We can’t guarantee which guides will be available on a specific departure date but guide profiles are on our website to show who may lead your Galapagos adventure. If the boat is at full capacity, there will be three guides on board and an average of 10 guests per guide. 

Please see our COVID Travel Guide for Ecuador (including the Galapagos Islands) for more information on current guidelines for travel in Ecuador.