Origin, Theory & Evolve Galapagos Cruises

Discover Cerro Brujo, or Witch Hill, on San Cristóbal’s coast, where pale sand meets clear water and wildlife gathers along the shore. Enjoy time to explore the beach and, conditions permitting, swim or snorkel in the surrounding waters.

At Pitt Point, on the island’s northeastern tip, follow a trail through a landscape known for its seabird colonies. Look for Nazca, blue-footed, and red-footed boobies, along with frigatebirds and storm petrels. The coastal cliffs and open ocean views make this a rewarding stop for wildlife enthusiasts.

• Activity:Hiking. Snorkeling. Exploring.
• Meal:Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner.
• Accommodation:Double or single cabins.

At Punta Suárez, follow a trail across Española’s rugged terrain, watching for blue-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, and the waved albatross, which nests here seasonally. The route passes dramatic coastal cliffs where albatrosses launch into flight and leads to a blowhole that sends seawater surging into the air.

Later, visit Gardner Bay, known for its broad white-sand beach and sea lion colony. Walk along the shore among resting sea lions and look for Española mockingbirds. If conditions allow, snorkel in the clear water, where curious sea lions may join you.

• Activity:Hiking. Exploring. Snorkeling.
• Meal:Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner.
• Accommodation:Double or single cabins.

Explore Cormorant Point, where a green-sand beach gets its distinctive color from olivine crystals. A trail leads past a lagoon that may attract flamingos and other waterbirds before reaching a fine white-sand beach. Along the way, look for coastal birds and take in Floreana’s distinctive volcanic landscape.

At Post Office Bay, discover a tradition dating back to the days of whaling ships in the late 18th century. Visitors still leave postcards in a wooden barrel, continuing an informal mail exchange that relies on travelers to deliver messages by hand. Browse the postcards and, if one is addressed near your home, consider taking it along to deliver in person.

• Activity:Hiking. Exploring. Snorkeling.
• Meal:Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner.
• Accommodation:Double or single cabins.

Visit Puerto Ayora, the Galápagos’ largest town, where the busy harbor offers a glimpse of daily life in the archipelago. Depending on the confirmed schedule, travel into the Santa Cruz Highlands to see the island’s striking geology, including the lava tunnels at El Mirador and the twin volcanic sinkholes known as Los Gemelos.

Later, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn about conservation efforts and the work being done to protect the islands’ giant tortoises. Exhibits tell the story of Lonesome George, the last known Pinta Island tortoise, and Diego, whose breeding contribution helped restore his Española tortoise population.

• Activity:Hiking. Exploring.
• Meal:Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner.
• Accommodation:Double or single cabins.

Visit Bartolomé Island and climb the wooden staircase to a panoramic viewpoint overlooking Pinnacle Rock and the surrounding volcanic landscape. Along the way, your naturalist guide will explain the island’s geological history, pointing out lava formations and evidence of past eruptions.

In the afternoon, excursions vary by yacht. Origin guests visit Sombrero Chino, or Chinese Hat, a small volcanic islet named for its distinctive shape. Theory guests explore Las Bachas on Santa Cruz, where coastal lagoons may attract flamingos before a snorkeling excursion. Evolve guests take a Zodiac ride through Black Turtle Cove, weaving among mangroves and sheltered inlets where marine life may be spotted.

• Activity:Hiking. Exploring. Snorkeling.
• Meal:Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner.
• Accommodation:Double or single cabins.

Explore South Plaza, a small island with steep cliffs, distinctive vegetation, and abundant wildlife. Follow the trail among sea lions and land iguanas, and look for swallow-tailed gulls, shearwaters, ground finches, and red-billed tropicbirds along the rocky coastline.

After lunch, continue to North Seymour, known for its nesting seabirds and breeding colonies of frigatebirds. Males display their striking red throat pouches during courtship, while blue-footed boobies and land iguanas can also be seen along the island’s trails. Your guide will help you spot wildlife and explain the behaviors that make this island such a memorable visit.

• Activity:Hiking. Snorkeling.
• Meal:Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner.
• Accommodation:Double or single accommodation.

After breakfast, disembark and visit the San Cristóbal Interpretation Center, where exhibits explore the islands’ human history, geology, and conservation. The visit offers a final opportunity to reflect on the natural and cultural stories behind the Galápagos.

Afterward, transfer to the airport for your flight back to mainland Ecuador. Your expedition concludes with a final look at the archipelago, carrying memories of its remarkable wildlife, volcanic landscapes, and remote shores.

• Activity:Walking. Departure.
• Meal:Breakfast.

Explore Prince Philip’s Steps, also known as El Barranco, a trail through Genovesa’s rugged volcanic landscape. The island is renowned for its seabird colonies, and your naturalist guide will help you spot red-footed boobies nesting in the trees, Nazca boobies along the trail, and storm petrels moving above the cliffs.

Later, visit Darwin Bay, where a coral-sand beach curves around a sheltered inlet. Look for swallow-tailed and lava gulls near the shore, while mangroves and prickly pear cacti provide habitat for other wildlife. Male frigatebirds may be seen displaying their bright red throat pouches during courtship.

• Activity:Hiking. Swimming.
• Meal:Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner.
• Accommodation:Double or single accommodations.

Walk along Las Bachas, a white-sand beach on the northern coast of Santa Cruz. Nearby lagoons sometimes attract flamingos and other waterbirds, while your guide points out native plants and shares insights into the island’s natural history. If conditions permit, enjoy a snorkeling excursion before returning to the yacht.

At Cerro Dragón, or Dragon Hill, follow a trail through dry coastal vegetation to viewpoints overlooking the bay. A brackish lagoon may host flamingos, while opuntia cacti, palo santo trees, and other native plants shape the landscape. Keep an eye out for Darwin’s finches, Galápagos flycatchers, yellow warblers, and other island birds along the way.

• Activity:Hiking. Snorkeling.
• Meal:Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner.
• Accommodation:Double or single accommodations.

Take a Zodiac excursion along Punta Vicente Roca, where waves have sculpted caves and steep tuff cliffs along Isabela’s coast. Look for Sally Lightfoot crabs clinging to the rocks, and watch for Galápagos penguins in the surrounding waters. Snorkeling may offer a closer look at the area’s marine life, depending on sea conditions.

Later, land at Urbina Bay, where a major geological uplift in 1954 exposed part of the seabed. Remnants of marine life, including coral skeletons, can still be seen above the waterline, offering a striking illustration of the volcanic forces that continue to shape the archipelago. The surrounding trail also provides opportunities to look for land iguanas and other wildlife.

• Activity:Hiking. Snorkeling.
• Meal:Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner.
• Accommodation:Double or single accommodations.

At Punta Espinoza on Fernandina Island, explore a rugged coastline shaped by recent lava flows. The area is known for its large marine iguana colonies, along with sea lions and seabirds. Your naturalist guide will explain how wildlife survives in this stark volcanic environment.

Continue to Tagus Cove on Isabela Island, a sheltered inlet with a history of visits by sailors and explorers. Follow a trail to viewpoints overlooking the cove and surrounding volcanic landscape, and learn about the region’s geological history. Look for seabirds along the coast and marine life in the waters below.

• Activity:Hiking. Snorkeling.
• Meal:Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner.
• Accommodation:Double or single accommodations.

Visit Post Office Bay, where whalers established an informal mail exchange in the 18th century. The tradition continues today: visitors leave postcards in a wooden barrel and may take others addressed near their home to deliver by hand. Later, explore Devil’s Crown, an eroded volcanic formation known for its underwater scenery. Snorkeling can reveal colorful fish and other marine life when conditions are suitable.

At Cormorant Point, follow a trail past a brackish lagoon where flamingos, common stilts, and white-cheeked pintails may be seen. The visit also includes two distinctive beaches: Green Beach, colored by olivine crystals, and Flour Sand Beach, whose pale sand is formed largely from finely ground coral and shells.

• Activity:Snorkeling. Hiking.
• Meal:Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner.
• Accommodation:Double or single accommodations.

Explore Santa Fe Island, known for its sheltered bay, turquoise waters, and distinctive vegetation. Visitor trails lead from the beach toward a scenic viewpoint and through a forest of giant prickly pear cacti. Watch for Santa Fe land iguanas, sea lions, and seabirds as you explore the island.

Later, visit Lobos Island, named for its resident sea lions. Watch these playful marine mammals resting along the shore or moving through the water, and look for blue-footed and Nazca boobies along the coast. If conditions allow, snorkeling offers another chance to observe the area’s marine life.

• Activity:Hiking.
• Meal:Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner.
• Accommodation:Double or single accommodations.

After breakfast, visit the David Rodríguez Land Tortoise Breeding Center at La Galapaguera de Cerro Colorado, in southeastern San Cristóbal. A network of trails passes through native vegetation, where you may spot giant tortoises as well as finches, warblers, and mockingbirds. Learn about conservation efforts to protect the island’s tortoise population.

After the visit, transfer to San Cristóbal Airport for your return flight to mainland Ecuador, bringing your Galápagos expedition to a close.

• Activity:Hiking. Departure.
• Meal:Breakfast.