If someone deserves credit for changing the modern views of what happens around us, it must be given to Charles Darwin. With his theory of evolution by means of natural selection, Darwin was able to explain the dilemma about where species come from, and how they interact with their surrounding environment. Many of these conclusions were inspired by the most remarkable trip any Naturalist can take; a voyage to the Galápagos Islands.
Charles Darwin explored Galápagos while on board the H.M.S. Beagle, between September and October 1835. We want to explore with our guests the islands that gave him the same inspiration, and what a better opportunity to do so on board our expedition vessel M/V Santa Cruz and Finch Bay Ecohotel, next to a group of fellow explorers, a team of seasoned Naturalists, and the most remarkable wildlife experience of this planet. Come with us and rediscover Galápagos…in Darwin’s Footsteps.
Enjoy a 5 night/ 6 day Galapagos program with 3 nights/ 4 days on board the expedition vessel, the MV Santa Cruz and 2 nights at the Finch Bay Hotel in Puerto Ayora, Galapagos.
Friday
Island: San Cristóbal (Chatham)--89º30’W-0º50’S
Landing site: Cerro Brujo. Wet landing.
The northern coast of San Cristóbal holds a large harbour called Stephen’s Bay. Our site welcomes us with a white coralline beach, while inland a black lava flow dominates this volcanic coastline. The dramatic landscape includes a selection of tuff cones, spatter cones, and vast lava flows. Swimming and snorkeling available from the beach.
Wildlife highlights: Sea lions, Chatham mockingbird, Darwin’s finches, blue-footed boobies, Chatham lava lizards, lagoon birds, brown pelicans.
Charles Darwin’s relevance: Being his first island, the volcanic setting of this place got his attention, and chances are you will notice these unique features too; just like Darwin did. In Voyage of the Beagle, and while referring to this island, he writes: “One night I slept on shore on a part of the island, where black truncated cones were extraordinarily numerous: from one small eminence I counted sixty of them, all surmounted by craters more or less perfect.” Charles Darwin, September 17th, 1835.
Saturday
Island AM: Española (Hood)--89º15’W-1º20’S
Landing site: Punta Suárez. Dry landing.
Española Island is one of the oldest islands in the archipelago. Perhaps one of the most rewarding wildlife contacts in Galápagos will happen here.
Wildlife highlights: Black and red marine iguanas, sea lions, swallow-tail gulls, Hood mockingbird, Nazca boobies, Darwin’s finches, blue-footed boobies, waved albatrosses (April to December), Hood lava lizards, yellow warblers.
Charles Darwin’s relevance: Actually, this island was the first approach for the HMS Beagle. Although, no landing was scheduled, Captain Robert Fitzroy managed to send a boat to extensively survey the coastline. Charles Darwin writes about his arrival to the islands, and first impressions: “This archipelago consists of ten principal islands, of which five exceed the others in size. They are situated under the Equator, and between five and six hundred miles westward of the coast of America.” Charles Darwin, September 15th, 1835.
Island PM: Floreana (Charles)--90º30’W-1º15’S
Landing site: Punta Cormorant. Wet landing.
Back in the 1700’s, Floreana Island was the place pirates chose for getting most fresh water. Later, in 1832, the first Ecuadorian settlers placed Ecuador’s flag and claimed the islands as a new territory. Swimming, snorkeling and glass-bottom boat can be arranged.
Wildlife highlights: Greater flamingos, pintail ducks, common stilts, frigatebirds, sea turtles, Galápagos flycatchers, tropical and subtropical fish, sea lions.
Charles Darwin’s relevance: On this island Charles Darwin met with the Governor of the Galápagos. This meeting was crucial as Darwin was introduced to why giant tortoises are different from island to island. This simple, but solid, fact is mentioned in Origin of the Species. Charles Darwin writes about Floreana Island: “Higher up, the woods gradually became greener; and as soon as we crossed the ridge of the island, we were cooled by a fine southerly breeze, and our sight refreshed by a green and thriving vegetation.” Charles Darwin, September 17th, 1835.
Sunday
Island AM: Fernandina (Narborough)--91º30’W-0º15’S
Landing site: Punta Espinoza. Dry landing.
Fernandina Island is the western-most island of Galápagos. It is an island of frequent volcanic activity and we can witness this by walking on lava flows younger than 300 years of age. Its main volcano shows the classical dome shape of young volcanic islands. Snorkeling can be arranged, but it will depend on sea conditions.
Wildlife highlights: Blue-footed boobies, flightless cormorants, densest colony of marine iguanas, Galápagos hawks, intertidal pools, Galápagos penguins, brown pelicans, sally-lightfoot crabs.
Charles Darwin’s relevance: He was quite amazed to see how different the younger volcanos can be. Also, he mentioned about the cooler waters around the islands. Charles Darwin’s entry: “We doubled the south-west extremity of Albemarle Island, and the next day was nearly becalmed between it and Narborough Island. Both are covered with immense deluges of black naked lava, which have flowed either over the rims of the great caldrons, like pitch over the rim of a pot in which it has been boiled, or have burst forth from smaller orifices on the flanks; in their descent they have spread over miles of the sea-coast.” Charles Darwin, September 29th, 1835.
Island PM: Isabela (Albemarle)--91º15’W-0º20’S
Landing site: Urbina Bay. Wet landing.
Isabela is the largest of the Galápagos Islands. It is formed by the fusion of six large-shield volcanos. Urbina Bay uplifted from the sea bed back in 1954, and it shows the greatest evidence of how species colonize a relatively new area. Gaunt marine skeletons of white coral can be seen as evidence of this major volcanic event. Swimming can be arranged from the beach.
Wildlife highlights: Marine iguanas, Galápagos penguins, flightless cormorants, Galápagos mockingbirds, land iguanas, giant tortoises, sea turtles, Darwin’s finches, hermit crabs.
Charles Darwin’s relevance: Charles Darwin visited Isabela just few miles north of this site. His amazement grew with every site visited. He writes about Isabela Island: “On both of these islands, eruptions are known to have taken place; and in Albemarle, we saw a small jet of smoke curling from the summit of one of the great craters. In the evening we anchored in Bank's Cove, in Albemarle Island.” Charles Darwin, September 29th, 1835.
Monday
Island: Santa Cruz (Indefatigable)--90º20’W-0º40’S
Landing site: Itabaca Channel. Dry landing.
This morning we transfer early to the island of Santa Cruz, as we say goodbye to our expedition vessel. Our Naturalist will introduce us to great features on Santa Cruz Island, including a bus ride up through the lush and vibrant green highlands. This area is perhaps the least seen by visitors to the Galápagos. Seeing the changes in vegetation will be new to us, and the wildlife found here will have no comparison to any other area explored. We will travel by bus from the north shores of the island, towards the south end. In route we will explore pit craters, lava tunnels, the Scalesia forest, and the giant tortoises’ wild habitat. Check-in at Finch Bay and lunch. Then, off to the famous Charles Darwin Research Station, and some time afterwards to stroll in the town of Puerto Ayora.
Wildlife highlights: Vermillion flycatchers, giant tortoises, Darwin’s finches (look for tree finches and woodpecker finches), egrets, Galápagos doves, lava lizards, Galápagos mockingbirds.
Charles Darwin’s relevance: Santa Cruz Island is the only location in Galápagos, where up to nine species of Darwin’s finches can be observed (there are thirteen in total). Although he was not on Santa Cruz Island, his description of his visit to the highlands of another island in the archipelago is quite interesting. He writes: “In the first part of the road we passed through leafless thickets. Higher up, the woods gradually became greener; and as soon as we crossed the ridge of the island, we were cooled by a fine southerly breeze, and our sight refreshed by green and thriving vegetation.” Charles Darwin, September 23rd, 1835.
Tuesday
Island: Santa Cruz (Indefatigable)--90º20’W-0º40’S
Landing site: Academy Bay. Dry landing.
Finch Bay Ecohotel setting is right at the shoreline. Mangroves host an array of wildlife, and low tide is the best time to experience this. Right from the start, Darwin’s finches dominate the landscape, but it is quite a thrill to see a cacti forest in the tropics, and right next to the ocean. Your outings today include a list of activities that allow you to have a “Galápagos a la carte” adventure. May we suggest ocean kayaking along the azure waters of Devine’s Bay, or hiking to Las Grietas, a crack in the volcanic shores where sea water has seeped in, or a walk to Tortuga Bay, a coralline beach of about six miles in length, or mountain biking up in the highlands, or a refreshing swim right off our beach, or snorkeling to nearby shallows? Do it all, or do none. It is your holiday. Tonight, enjoy the view of the bay by dining at Angermeyer’s Point, our partner and the finest Galápagos restaurant.
Wildlife highlights: Of course it will depend on what you do, but expect Darwin’s finches, cattle egrets, lava lizards, Galápagos mockingbirds, sea turtles, lava herons, lava gulls, and all the rest you can see.
Charles Darwin’s relevance: As our voyage ends, nothing can be more relevant than Charles Darwin’s overall impressions about Galápagos: “Considering the small size of the islands, we feel the more astonished at the number of their aboriginal beings, and at their confined range. Seeing every height crowned with its crater, and the boundaries of most of the lava- streams still distinct, we are led to believe that within a period geologically recent the unbroken ocean was here spread out. Hence, both in space and time, we seem to be brought somewhat near to that great fact -- that mystery of mysteries -- the first appearance of new beings on this earth.” Charles Darwin, October 8th, 1835.
Wednesday
Island: Baltra (South Seymour)--90º20’W-0º30’S
Landing site: Baltra. Dry landing.
It is time to take our flight back to the Ecuadorian mainland. We will transfer from Santa Cruz Island to Baltra Island, and as we go from the lowlands to the highlands, and back to the lowlands we will have our last contact with the Galápagos environment. All airport procedures will be assisted by Finch Bay Ecohotel’s staff. Make sure you have your passport ready for I.D. verification before entering the departure lounge. Our flight will take us first to Guayaquil and then to Quito. Don’t forget we will go back to mainland’s time, so please add an hour to your watch during the flight. Bon Voyage!
Wildlife highlights: who knows, but, maybe a farewell committee of Darwin’s finches at breakfast, or a cluster of marine iguanas by the hotel’s dock. Let’s keep our eyes open.
Charles Darwin’s relevance: More than 25 years passed between Darwin’s time in Galápagos and when he wrote his masterpiece. Interestingly enough, he never used the word “evolution”. It seems Darwin’s most elaborate writing is the way he ends Origin of Species, and with a humble attitude he writes: “There is grandeur in this view of life, with its several powers, having been originally breathed by the Creator into a few forms or into one; and that, whilst this planet has gone circling on according to the fixed law of gravity, from so simple a beginning endless forms most beautiful and most wonderful have been, and are being evolved.” Charles Darwin, November 24th, 1859.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Include all excursions and meals on board, lodging and meals at the hotel and transfers to/from Galapagos airport
Doesn't include: air tickets, beverages, personal items, gratuities.
Also see tour packages in:
South America
Ecuador
Nature & Wildlife
National Parks
Marine Biology
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