Footsteps Back in Time
8 Days - M/V Evolution
The luxurious M/V Evolution accommodates 32 passengers and is an elegant ship for your Galapagos adventure. This cruise takes you from Santa Cruz Island through to the western islands of Fernandina and Isabela before making your way to Floreana, Espanola and San Cristobal. Over 8 glorious days you will experience all the wonderful flora and fauna of the Galapagos Islands.
from AUD $11953pp
Home » 8 Day M/V Evolution: Footsteps Back in Time
Itinerary Highlights
- Enjoy swimming and snorkeling amongst the playful sea lions and rays
- Stroll along the spectacular white coral sand beach and enjoy the beautiful landscape of the Chinese Hat Islet
- Visit North Seymour Island to see the largest nesting site of the magnificent frigate bird
- Stopover at Santa Fe to see sea turtles and get a glimpse of the Galapagos White-tipped Shark in one of the oldest island in Galapagos
- See a range of marine species including a variety of corals, pencil sea urchin, wrasses, angelfish, amberjacks and many other creatures
- Visit Wild Land Tortoise Reserve and spot the giant tortoise in one of the best places in the Galapagos
Itinerary in Brief
- Day 1: Arrive to San Cristobal Island Airport - San Cristobal Island: Cerro Brujo
- Day 2: South Plazas Island - Santa Cruz Island: Punta Carrion / Mosquera Island
- Day 3: Santiago Island: Chinese Hat - Santiago Island: James Bay
- Day 4: Genovesa Island: Darwin Bay Beach - Genovesa Island: Prince Phillip’s Steps
- Day 5: North Seymour Island - Santa Fe Island
- Day 6: Floreana Island: Post Office Bay - Floreana Island: Punta Cormorant, Champion or Devil’s Crown
- Day 7: Santa Cruz Island: Charles Darwin Research Station - Santa Cruz Island: Pit Craters & Highlands (Tortoises Reserve)
- Day 8: Santa Cruz Island: Black Turtle Cove - Baltra Island Airport
Day 1: Arrive to San Cristobal Island Airport - San Cristobal Island: Cerro Brujo
Today, fly to San Cristobal Island in the Galapagos in the morning. Flight time is just under two hours from the mainland. Upon arrival we board M/V Evolution where you will have lunch and a quick briefing en route to our first visitor sites: Cerro Brujo.
We set out along the coast of San Cristobal heading northeast toward our first landing at Cerro Brujo. This inviting powdery beach beside a turquoise waters is a great introduction to the islands offering your first opportunity to go snorkeling with sea turtles, rays and the archipelago’s playful ‘wolves of the sea’ i.e. sea lions.
After this visit you have time to get ready for our welcome cocktail and our first formal briefing before dinner.
Day 2: South Plazas Island - Santa Cruz Island: Punta Carrion / Mosquera Island
In the morning, visit South Plaza Island - one of the smallest yet most colorful islands in the Galapagos. Yellow land iguanas wander through bright red carpet weed, waiting from prickly pears to drop from green cactus. Orange sally lightfoot crabs dot the blackened lava above the landing site, all surrounded by turquoise waters. We'll see swallow tailed gulls nesting along the up-tilted end of the tiny island, while red-billed tropicbirds, frigatebirds and shearwaters fly in dancing displays. You''ll also have the chance to see blue footed boobies along the cliff's edge.
In the afternoon, go snorkelling at Punta Carrion followed by a visit to Mosquera. While Mosquera is little more than a large sandbar, it is home to a playful colony of sea lions.
Day 3: Santiago Island: Chinese Hat - Santiago Island: James Bay
Morning visit to Chinese Hat Islet, a fairly recent volcanic cone; it has the shape of a down-facing Chinese hat. On the rocky shoreline of nearby Santiago, Galapagos penguins are often seen. There is a small sea lion cove on the north shore, where boats anchor and land at the visitor site. Late morning snorkelling with sea lions and penguins and swimming opportunities in the cove.
Afternoon visit to James Bay, where you willl land on a black beach with intriguing eroded rock formations. A trail leads to a series of crystal-clear grottos with a natural bridge formed of broken lava tubes. This is the best place in the Galapagos to see fur seals and equally best place to see samurai like marine iguanas feeding in tidal pools nearby. You will find a colony of sea lions here and Galapagos hawk frequent the area. Snorkelling offers encounters with Green Sea Turtles and tropical fish.
Day 4: Genovesa Island: Darwin Bay Beach - Genovesa Island: Prince Phillip’s Steps
Tower Island could serve as a film set for a secret submarine base! The southern part of the island is an ocean-filled caldera ringed by the throat of a sizeable and mostly submerged volcano. The island sits to the northwest, slightly removed from the Galapagos archipelago. It is also known as "Bird Island," and Darwin Bay, where we land first, lives up to that name in a spectacular way! A gorgeous tidal grotto forms the backdrop to the gaggle of nesting and soaring seabirds birds and path leads up to the rookery cliffs for views of the bay and colonies of gulls, tropic birds and frigates.
Take time to kayak beside the walls of the sunken caldera before your afternoon visit to Prince Philips Steps. This is the best Galapagos landing site to see red footed boobies, comically perched by wrapping big red feet around tiny branches. We walk a short distance to seek out short eared owls preying on swarms of storm petrels. The snorkelling at the foot of the steps is amazing with large, brightly coloured tropical fish taking on a neon quality against the black lava background.
Day 5: North Seymour Island - Santa Fe Island
Morning visit to North Seymour Island which is teaming with wildlife! Cliffs only a few meters high form the shoreline are home to swallow-tailed gulls. A tiny forest of silver-grey Palo Santo trees stands just above the landing, where a trail will take us to see sea lions, marine iguanas, blue footed boobies, pelicans, magnificent frigatebirds and land iguanas.
Afternoon visit to Santa Fe Island, home to one of the most beautiful and sheltered bays of the archipelago, and to some of the best snorkelling - with its crystal clear waters. Certainly one of the best locations to see sea turtles, swim with sea lions and glimpse of the Galapagos White-tipped Shark. After a wet landing, you will walk up to a nearby cliff to see the land iguanas through an area of Opuntia Cactus.
Day 6: Floreana Island: Post Office Bay - Floreana Island: Punta Cormorant, Champion or Devil’s Crown
Floreana has had a colourful history: Pirates, whalers, convicts, and a small band of somewhat peculiar colonists—a Baroness among them—who chose a Robinson Crusoe existence that ended in mystery and death. We visit Post Office Bay, where in 1793 British whalers set up a barrel as the island's Post Office, to send letters home on passing ships. A stairway leads down into a natural lava cave where you can literally swim in a grotto under the ocean!
After lunch, visit Punta Cormorant which offers two highly contrasting beaches; a green-olivine beach and an iron-red beach. Between the two beaches is a salt lagoon frequented by flamingoes, pintails, stilts and other wading birds. Late afternoon snorkelling at Devil's Crown, which is home to a myriad of marine species including a variety of corals, pencil sea urchin, wrasses, angelfish and amberjacks - making for some of the best snorkelling in the Galapagos.
Day 7: Santa Cruz Island: Charles Darwin Research Station - Santa Cruz Island: Pit Craters & Highlands (Tortoises Reserve)
Santa Cruz is the second largest island in the Galapagos and its capital, Puerto Ayora, is the economic center of the Islands. In the afternoon, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to visit the Giant Tortoise and Land Iguana Breeding and Rearing Program. Here used to be home to the famous Lonesome George (now deceased), the last of his particular race of tortoise.
Afternoon visit to the Highlands, where the dry coastal vegetation transitions to lush wet fields and forests overgrown with moss and lichens. Your next destination is the Tortoise Reserve, where you will have chances see these animals in the wild and explore a lava tube.
Day 8: Santa Cruz Island: Black Turtle Cove - Baltra Island Airport
In the morning, take a visit to Black Turtle Cove before heading off to the Airport. This beautiful mangrove estuary where you will drift along on pangas to spot eagle rays, diamond shaped mustard rays, white-tipped reef sharks, pacific green sea turtles and a large variety of shore birds.
Afterwards, transfer to Baltra Island airport for your flight back to the Ecuadorian mainland.
Dates | Cabin | From | Special Offer |
---|---|---|---|
23 Nov 2024 - 30 Nov 2024 | AUD $11953pp | ||
Deluxe Stateroom | AUD $11953pp | Contact us | |
Premium Stateroom | AUD $12891pp | Contact us | |
Suite | AUD $14609pp | Contact us | |
Master Suite | AUD $15391pp | Contact us | |
07 Dec 2024 - 14 Dec 2024 | AUD $11953pp | ||
Deluxe Stateroom | AUD $11953pp | Contact us | |
Premium Stateroom | AUD $12891pp | Contact us | |
Suite | AUD $14609pp | Contact us | |
Master Suite | AUD $15391pp | Contact us | |
21 Dec 2024 - 28 Dec 2024 | AUD $11953pp | ||
Deluxe Stateroom | AUD $11953pp | Contact us | |
Premium Stateroom | AUD $12891pp | Contact us | |
Suite | AUD $14609pp | Contact us | |
Master Suite | AUD $15391pp | Contact us | |
04 Jan 2025 - 11 Jan 2025 | AUD $14844pp | ||
Deluxe Stateroom | AUD $14844pp | Contact us | |
Premium Stateroom | AUD $15781pp | Contact us | |
Suite | AUD $17188pp | Contact us | |
Master Suite | AUD $17813pp | Contact us | |
18 Jan 2025 - 25 Jan 2025 | AUD $14844pp | ||
Deluxe Stateroom | AUD $14844pp | Contact us | |
Premium Stateroom | AUD $15781pp | Contact us | |
Suite | AUD $17188pp | Contact us | |
Master Suite | AUD $17813pp | Contact us | |
01 Feb 2025 - 08 Feb 2025 | AUD $14844pp | ||
Deluxe Stateroom | AUD $14844pp | Contact us | |
Premium Stateroom | AUD $15781pp | Contact us | |
Suite | AUD $17188pp | Contact us | |
Master Suite | AUD $17813pp | Contact us | |
15 Feb 2025 - 22 Feb 2025 | AUD $14844pp | ||
Deluxe Stateroom | AUD $14844pp | Contact us | |
Premium Stateroom | AUD $15781pp | Contact us | |
Suite | AUD $17188pp | Contact us | |
Master Suite | AUD $17813pp | Contact us | |
01 Mar 2025 - 08 Mar 2025 | AUD $14844pp | ||
Deluxe Stateroom | AUD $14844pp | Contact us | |
Premium Stateroom | AUD $15781pp | Contact us | |
Suite | AUD $17188pp | Contact us | |
Master Suite | AUD $17813pp | Contact us | |
15 Mar 2025 - 22 Mar 2025 | AUD $14844pp | ||
Deluxe Stateroom | AUD $14844pp | Contact us | |
Premium Stateroom | AUD $15781pp | Contact us | |
Suite | AUD $17188pp | Contact us | |
Master Suite | AUD $17813pp | Contact us | |
29 Mar 2025 - 05 Apr 2025 | AUD $14844pp | ||
Deluxe Stateroom | AUD $14844pp | Contact us | |
Premium Stateroom | AUD $15781pp | Contact us | |
Suite | AUD $17188pp | Contact us | |
Master Suite | AUD $17813pp | Contact us | |
12 Apr 2025 - 19 Apr 2025 | AUD $14844pp | ||
Deluxe Stateroom | AUD $14844pp | Contact us | |
Premium Stateroom | AUD $15781pp | Contact us | |
Suite | AUD $17188pp | Contact us | |
Master Suite | AUD $17813pp | Contact us | |
26 Apr 2025 - 03 May 2025 | AUD $14844pp | ||
Deluxe Stateroom | AUD $14844pp | Contact us | |
Premium Stateroom | AUD $15781pp | Contact us | |
Suite | AUD $17188pp | Contact us | |
Master Suite | AUD $17813pp | Contact us | |
10 May 2025 - 17 May 2025 | AUD $14844pp | ||
Deluxe Stateroom | AUD $14844pp | Contact us | |
Premium Stateroom | AUD $15781pp | Contact us | |
Suite | AUD $17188pp | Contact us | |
Master Suite | AUD $17813pp | Contact us | |
24 May 2025 - 31 May 2025 | AUD $14844pp | ||
Deluxe Stateroom | AUD $14844pp | Contact us | |
Premium Stateroom | AUD $15781pp | Contact us | |
Suite | AUD $17188pp | Contact us | |
Master Suite | AUD $17813pp | Contact us | |
07 Jun 2025 - 14 Jun 2025 | AUD $14844pp | ||
Deluxe Stateroom | AUD $14844pp | Contact us | |
Premium Stateroom | AUD $15781pp | Contact us | |
Suite | AUD $17188pp | Contact us | |
Master Suite | AUD $17813pp | Contact us | |
21 Jun 2025 - 28 Jun 2025 | AUD $14844pp | ||
Deluxe Stateroom | AUD $14844pp | Contact us | |
Premium Stateroom | AUD $15781pp | Contact us | |
Suite | AUD $17188pp | Contact us | |
Master Suite | AUD $17813pp | Contact us | |
05 Jul 2025 - 12 Jul 2025 | AUD $14844pp | ||
Deluxe Stateroom | AUD $14844pp | Contact us | |
Premium Stateroom | AUD $15781pp | Contact us | |
Suite | AUD $17188pp | Contact us | |
Master Suite | AUD $17813pp | Contact us | |
19 Jul 2025 - 26 Jul 2025 | AUD $14844pp | ||
Deluxe Stateroom | AUD $14844pp | Contact us | |
Premium Stateroom | AUD $15781pp | Contact us | |
Suite | AUD $17188pp | Contact us | |
Master Suite | AUD $17813pp | Contact us | |
02 Aug 2025 - 09 Aug 2025 | AUD $14844pp | ||
Deluxe Stateroom | AUD $14844pp | Contact us | |
Premium Stateroom | AUD $15781pp | Contact us | |
Suite | AUD $17188pp | Contact us | |
Master Suite | AUD $17813pp | Contact us | |
16 Aug 2025 - 23 Aug 2025 | AUD $14844pp | ||
Deluxe Stateroom | AUD $14844pp | Contact us | |
Premium Stateroom | AUD $15781pp | Contact us | |
Suite | AUD $17188pp | Contact us | |
Master Suite | AUD $17813pp | Contact us | |
30 Aug 2025 - 06 Sep 2025 | AUD $14844pp | ||
Deluxe Stateroom | AUD $14844pp | Contact us | |
Premium Stateroom | AUD $15781pp | Contact us | |
Suite | AUD $17188pp | Contact us | |
Master Suite | AUD $17813pp | Contact us | |
13 Sep 2025 - 20 Sep 2025 | AUD $14844pp | ||
Deluxe Stateroom | AUD $14844pp | Contact us | |
Premium Stateroom | AUD $15781pp | Contact us | |
Suite | AUD $17188pp | Contact us | |
Master Suite | AUD $17813pp | Contact us | |
27 Sep 2025 - 04 Oct 2025 | AUD $14844pp | ||
Deluxe Stateroom | AUD $14844pp | Contact us | |
Premium Stateroom | AUD $15781pp | Contact us | |
Suite | AUD $17188pp | Contact us | |
Master Suite | AUD $17813pp | Contact us | |
11 Oct 2025 - 18 Oct 2025 | AUD $14844pp | ||
Deluxe Stateroom | AUD $14844pp | Contact us | |
Premium Stateroom | AUD $15781pp | Contact us | |
Suite | AUD $17188pp | Contact us | |
Master Suite | AUD $17813pp | Contact us | |
25 Oct 2025 - 01 Nov 2025 | AUD $14844pp | ||
Deluxe Stateroom | AUD $14844pp | Contact us | |
Premium Stateroom | AUD $15781pp | Contact us | |
Suite | AUD $17188pp | Contact us | |
Master Suite | AUD $17813pp | Contact us | |
08 Nov 2025 - 15 Nov 2025 | AUD $14844pp | ||
Deluxe Stateroom | AUD $14844pp | Contact us | |
Premium Stateroom | AUD $15781pp | Contact us | |
Suite | AUD $17188pp | Contact us | |
Master Suite | AUD $17813pp | Contact us | |
22 Nov 2025 - 29 Nov 2025 | AUD $14844pp | ||
Deluxe Stateroom | AUD $14844pp | Contact us | |
Premium Stateroom | AUD $15781pp | Contact us | |
Suite | AUD $17188pp | Contact us | |
Master Suite | AUD $17813pp | Contact us | |
06 Dec 2025 - 13 Dec 2025 | AUD $14844pp | ||
Deluxe Stateroom | AUD $14844pp | Contact us | |
Premium Stateroom | AUD $15781pp | Contact us | |
Suite | AUD $17188pp | Contact us | |
Master Suite | AUD $17813pp | Contact us | |
20 Dec 2025 - 27 Dec 2025 | AUD $14844pp | ||
Deluxe Stateroom | AUD $14844pp | Contact us | |
Premium Stateroom | AUD $15781pp | Contact us | |
Suite | AUD $17188pp | Contact us | |
Master Suite | AUD $17813pp | Contact us |
Alternative itinerary options:
Please note that prices change and vary based on occupancy levels per departure and seasonality. These are “from” prices, please contact us for an exact quote on your preferred dates.
**Prices are per person based on twin / shared accommodation.
**Single supplements may apply
Cabin Details
Deluxe Stateroom
16m-19m², 2 single beds or 1 queen bed, located on darwin deck, porthole, private bathroom, bathroom amenities, shower, storage space, safe, A/C.
Premium Stateroom
15-18m², 2 single beds or 1 king bed in rooms C2, C3, C6, C7 & C8, queen bed in rooms C1, C4, C5, C6, C7 & C8, located on cormorant deck, porthole, private bathroom, bathroom amenities, shower, storage space, safe, A/C. Extra bed available in rooms C1, C2, C6, C7 & C9 on request.
Suite
18-18.8m², 2 single beds or 1 queen bed or 1 king bed, located on albatross deck, window, private bathroom, bathroom amenities, shower, storage space, safe, A/C.
Master Suite
24.4m², 2 single beds or 1 queen or 1 king bed, located on albatross deck, window, private bathroom, bathroom amenities, shower, storage space, safe, A/C, reading area.
M/V Evolution Deckplan
Specifications
- Capacity: 32 Guests
- Guest to Guide Ratio: 10 to 1
- Number of Staterooms & Suites: 16
- Last Renovation: 2017
- Type: Motor Yacht / Expeditions Vessel
- L.O.A: 192 feet / 58.5 meters
- Beam: 29 feet / 8.9 meters
- Engines: Caterpillar 3512 TITA 1300hp
- Generators: Northern Lights 150 KVA
- Builder: Kanasashi Shipyard, Japan
- Crusing Speed: 10-12 knots
- Crew: 18 plus up to 2 naturalist guides & 1 cruise director.
- Dingies: 3 dingies (pangas/zodiacs). 2 dingies are for 16 pax each / 1 for 12 pax
- Navigation Equipment: 72 mile Furuno Radar 19-53 CBB Navnet, Furuno GPS satellite navigator system, Furuno Depth Sounder, Simrad HS50 Electronic Girocompass, speed and distance log, compasses, barometers, forward looking echo sounder
- Onboard Safety Equipment: EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon), 4 x 25 person open sea life rafts, life jackets, flares and signals, fire extinguishing system, and sprinkler system throughout the vessel. Safety equipment on board either meets or exceeds USA Coast Guard regulations
- Communications Equipment: UHF, VHF radio, Satellite Phones
- Electricity: 110 volts AC / 60 Hz: 2 flat prongs
Whats included?
- Expert guidance and service from your own personal Expedition Designer
- Comprehensive pre-and post-cruise information material
- Daily buffet breakfast and lunch offering a wide choice of dishes
- Daily served dinner offering a choice of two main courses
- Guides & activities throughout the cruise
- All transfers (with rest of group) while in Galapagos
- Soft drinks, juice, coffee, hot chocolate, water and tea throughout the cruise
- Lectures and entertainment on board
- Snorkeling equipment (masks, snorkels & fins) and wetsuits (3mm long wetsuits)
- Kayaks and equipment
What’s not included?
- Flights, accommodations, meals, excursions and transfers other than those included in the itinerary
- Galapagos flights (required to book with Quasar)
- Galápagos National Park fee: US$200 per person
- Transit control card: US$20 per person
- Alcoholic beverages purchased at the yacht’s bar (all-inclusive packages available)
- Gratuities to guides, crew and staff
- Personal expenses (communication, Wi-Fi, souvenirs, etc.)
- Trip Insurance and Medical Evacuation Insurance
- Personal travel insurance (required by Quasar)
- Temporary Fuel Surcharge of $150 USD per person
Notes
- 15% discount off the above rates (cruise only) for children 15 years and younger. Maximum of 3 children discounts per family, per booking. (discounts do not apply for Christmas and New Year's cruises)
- 75% Supplement surcharge for Single travelers on suites. 50% Single Supplement surcharge applies to all other staterooms.
- 100% Single Supplement applies to all staterooms for Christmas and New Year’s cruises.
- An additional $800 per person holiday surcharge applies for FIT (individual passengers) for Christmas and New Year’s cruises for 2022.
- Private charter surcharges apply for Christmas and New Year’s cruises. Please inquire with us for full details.
Please note that prices change and vary based on occupancy levels per departure and seasonality. These are “from” prices, please contact us for an exact quote on your preferred dates.