Internationale groepsreis Galapagos Voyage: Pirates & Darwin - Premium Adventure

Welcome to Ecuador! Today is an arrival day into the port city of Guayaquil, often known as the gateway to the Galapagos Islands. On arrival, you'll be met at the airport and transferred to the Hotel Oro Verde, a premium hotel with a contemporary design in the heart of the city. Arrival transfers are included for everyone, regardless of which flight you arrive on today.Premium accommodation: Hotel Oro Verde (5*)

Fly 600 miles across the shimmering Pacific Ocean to Baltra Airport on the Galapagos Islands. After passing through the Galapagos National Park Inspection, your guide will greet you and accompany your onward journey by bus and Zodiac to board the elegant Evolution yacht. The crew will be waiting to welcome you on board, and help you get settled into your cabin and familiar with the boat. M/V Evolution is a beautiful and intimate yacht, carrying only 32 passengers at a time. Because of its size, you can enjoy a more personal experience with nature and the wildlife of the Galapagos Islands. There will be a safety briefing and chance to get to know your fellow travellers and guides.  Begin this exciting voyage with a circumnavigation of Daphne Major, a paradise for sea birds such as the magnificent frigatebird. As the sun sets over the Pacific, enjoy a welcome toast with your fellow voyagers and inhale the ocean views. Premium accommodation: The Evolution

Punta Vicente Roca is at the northern edge of Isabela Island and a well known snorkelling spot. Our landing site this morning is near an ancient volcano which has formed two stunning turquoise coves with a protected bay. Board the Zodiac and enjoy a dramatic ride into the heart of this partially sunken volcano. Experience one of the greatest wildlife adventures as you take to the water and swim and snorkel among sea turtles, penguins and possibly even sea horses. The Galapagos Islands is an incredible volcanic archipelago and today we explore the magnificent lava fields of Punta Espinosa. Located on Fernandina, this is the youngest and most volcanically active island in the Galapagos and is also home to one of the biggest marine iguana colonies in the Galapagos. Look out for flightless cormorants and the extraordinary marine iguanas. The Evolution's open-air decks are perfect for wildlife spotting, and as we cross the Bolivar Channel we may witness these immense creatures gliding through the ocean. Premium accommodation: The Evolution

Isabela is the Galapagos archipelago's largest island, home to diverse wildlife as well as several volcanoes – Cerro Azul, Sierra Negra, Darwin, Wolf and Alcedo – all of which are considered active. Hike along the uplifted section of sea floor in Urbina Bay at the base of the Alcedo Volcano and marvel at the boulder sized dried coral heads. Our expert naturalist guide will explain how this landscape was created, amongst a backdrop of Giant tortoises, colourful land iguanas and other wildlife that feed on the vegetation. Jump on board the Zodiac for a thrilling excursion to Tagus Cove, where we look for penguins, flightless cormorants and pelicans along the cliffs before snorkelling in the turquoise waters. Premium accommodation: The Evolution

Experience nature's finest handiwork at Bartolomé Island, where we hike to the top of a dormant volcano. From here, admire the dramatic panorama of Pinnacle Rock - probably the most iconic landscape in the Galapagos. The island is dotted with craters, cinder cones, lava flows, spatter cones and broken lava tunnels which run down from the summit, creating a unique lunar-like landscape. Bartolome is home to sea lions, penguins and turtles, as well as an underwater kaleidoscope of tropical fish, sea anemones, urchins and sea stars. The hike is not too strenuous and follows a set of steps to the summit, however, Zodiac drivers will take any “non-hikers” on a journey around the cliffs to observe the stunning volcanic landscape. Swim and snorkel with sea lions and maybe even penguins. This afternoon, hike across the unusual, swirly panoehoe lava of Sullivan Bay and see some of the hearty flora colonising the landscapes. As we stroll along the coralline beach, we may spot American oystercatchers characterised by their black and white plumes and orange beaks. Premium accommodation: The Evolution

Towards the northern end of Santa Cruz Island is the exotic Bachas Beach, a sandy white-coral beach that is a major egg laying site for sea turtles. Las Bachas is also home to one of the last remnants of the US World War II presence in Galapagos. Discover this floating pier, where Sally Lightfoot crabs, Black necked stilts and whimbrels often congregate on our morning walk before snorkelling in the azure waters where sea turtles nest.Explore the colourful red sand beach of Rabida Island at the archipelago’s geologic centre, where up to nine species of Darwin’s finches, doves, yellow warblers and mockingbirds can be found. A small saltwater lagoon on the island is also home to white-cheeked pintail ducks and black-necked stilts. Rabida is a great place for snorkelling and getting up close to sea lions, sea turtles and reef fish such as damsels and pufferfish. Embark on a guided kayaking excursion and watch out for brown pelicans and Blue-footed boobies while savouring views of the island’s sloping volcanic peak.Premium accommodation: The Evolution

Today we visit Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island, a small picturesque port town with restaurants, hotels, souvenir shops and other faciltiies. This coastal town is also the home of the Charles Darwin Research Station. After breakfast on board the Evolution, learn about the Giant tortoise and the vital work being done at the breeding centre. 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. Later, visit the Wild Tortoise Reserve in the forested highlands of Santa Cruz to see and photograph these wonderful creatures in a natural setting. Before returning to the Evolution, enjoy some free time in Puerto Ayora to discover more of the town.  Premium accommodation: The Evolution

As the southernmost island in the archipelago, Española’s relative isolation has resulted in not only an abundance of unusual wildlife, but species and subspecies that are endemic to the island, such as Española (Hood) mockingbird, Española (Hood) racer snake, Española (Hood) lava lizard, waved albatross and brightly colored marine iguanas. Enjoy a captivating Zodiac ride before wading ashore to Punta Suarez through a sea lion colony. Walk along the cliffs looking for waved albatrosses, Galapagos hawks, Hood mockingbirds and the red-colored race of marine iguana en route to Española’s blowhole, where huge waves spout 90 feet into the air. After lunch on board the Evolution, swim, snorkel and kayak in the glistening waters off Gardner Bay, a long white sandy beach where colonies of sea lions laze in the sun, and schools of tropical fish can be found. Owing to the sheer quantity of wildlife and variety of species on the island, Espanola will no doubt be one of the greatest highlights of your Galapagos adventure.Premium accommodation: The Evolution

Discover the fascinating natural history and learn about the settlements at the Interpretation Centre in San Cristóbal, which was opened by the park in 1998, before your Galapagos adventure comes to an end. From San Cristóbal fly to Guayaquil, where it's possible to connect with international flights later this evening. If organising your own flights, we would recommend speaking to your sales consultant about post-tour accommodation in Guayaquil so that you can fly home the following day and avoid any tight connections.