Galapagos Islands
I n t i m at e Voyag e a b oa r d t h e E v o l u t i o n
Mote Marine Laboratory is proud to
present a 10-day Galapagos Voyage.
Ma r ch 27 a n d July 31, 2009
T
he Galapagos Islands live in the spirits and minds of those who love
nature like nowhere else on Earth. Tortoises that have grown to dramatic
proportions, superb bird life and an astounding undersea world are all
set against a sublime landscape of deserts, beaches, lush forests and volcanoes.
For more than 26 years, International Expeditions’ guests and staff have
raved about these islands and the incredible diversity of sites and activities
they’ve enjoyed. And who can blame them? Our ship (the Evolution), the
guides, and a great itinerary make our voyage THE choice for the Galapagos.
On this extraordinary journey to Galapagos, you have the perfect way to explore:
aboard the 32-guest Evolution. She is the ideal ship, with spacious cabins and
public areas — highly comfortable and intimate at the same time. Our highly
qualified naturalist guides are authorities on the Galapagos Islands, and they’re
also a pleasure to be with. They’ll see that you get the most from your experience.
YOUR MOTE HOST
Tim Oldread, Public Programs Coordinator at Mote Marine
Laboratory and Aquarium in Sarasota, Florida, certainly
knows how to coordinate! He currently designs, implements,
and evaluates educational programs for a variety of students,
ages two through adult. He is currently working on his MBA
degree at the University of South Florida and has earned a
graduate certificate in informal science.
A native of Plainville (yes, Plainville), Massachusetts, Tim
received his undergraduate degree in Wildlife and Fisheries
Science from Penn State. This led him into an internship at Laguna Atascosa
National Wildlife Refuge and full-time employment with SeaWorld Orlando’s
Education Department. He has traveled throughout New England; “birded” up and
down the Rio Grande Valley of Texas; co-lead a ten-day excursion to Costa Rica;
studied in Mexico; and taught throughout the Everglades and Florida Keys.
Destination Highlights
• Because of the Galapagos Islands’ isolation
in the Pacific Ocean, there is a wealth of
animal and plant life found only here.
• Stand next to blue-footed boobies doing
a courtship display, and swim with sea
lions and penguins.
• The Galapagos have an otherworldly
beauty — from the desert landscapes
at sea level to tall volcanoes and lush
highland forests.
• The islands are a living laboratory of
evolution. Charles Darwin visited in
1835, and his examination of the beaks
of the Galapagos finches was
instrumental in his formulating the
theory of evolution.
• Visit the world-renowned Charles Darwin
Research Station and encounter
giant Galapagos tortoises, endemic
to the islands.
G enovesa
(Tower )
Darwin Bay
a re a
enl a rged
Equator
E cuador
G uayaquil
Punta Espinosa
Tagus Cove
S a ntiago
(J a mes )
Ferna ndina
B a rtolomé
(N a rborough )
N orth S ey mour
Black Turtle Cove
S a nta Cruz
m
o
/ Fr i l
To a y a q u
Gu
(I ndefatifable )
Kicker Rock
I sabel a
Puerto Ayora
(A lbem a r le )
San Cristóbal
S a n Cr istóba l
(C h ath a m )
Punta Suarez
our voyage route
E spa ñol a
(H ood )
Days 1-3 • Friday-Sunday
Days 4 & 5 • Monday & Tuesday
Day 6 • Wednesday
U.S. / Guayaquil / San Cristóbal
Santa Cruz
Genovesa
Fly to Guayaquil and spend the night
at the Oro Verde before flying to the
islands, where we board the Evolution.
Sail out to Kicker Rock before visiting
Cerro Brujo. (Day 1: Meals Aloft; Day
2: B,L,D)
Begin at the Charles Darwin Research
Station, then head into the highlands
to spend an afternoon with the giant
tortoises in their verdant habitat. (B,L,D)
As one of the privileged operators
permitted to visit Genovesa Island,
this feels like our private sanctuary.
Genovesa harbors one of the most
diverse bird populations in the
Galapagos, including red-footed
boobies, storm petrels, great
frigatebirds and short-eared owls.
We climb Prince Philip’s Steps before
visiting Darwin Bay. Bring along your
camera and relax on the beach after
our hike, or swim and snorkel. (B,L,D)
Española: Punta Suarez & Gardner Bay
Wade ashore at Punta Suarez, looking
for red-colored marine iguanas and
the waved albatross colony that
inhabits the island part of the year en
route to Española’s blowhole. (B,L,D)
Santiago / Bartolomé
Santiago is an excellent place to
spot doves, hawks and fur seals. Visit
Bartolomé Island, hiking up a dormant
volcano for a dramatic panorama of
islands and Pinnacle Rock. (B,L,D)
Day 7 • Thursday
Day 8 • Friday
Fernandina: Punta Espinosa /
North Seymour / Black Turtle Cove
San Cristóbal / Guayaquil / U.S.
Isabela: Tagus Cove
North Seymour is a favorite nesting
place for frigatebirds and the best
place to spot colorful land iguanas.
Blue-footed boobies perform their
courtship dance in the open areas.
Take a panga ride through Black Turtle
Cove, drifting silently through the
mangroves, home to turtles and whitetipped reef sharks. Enjoy a farewell
dinner aboard the Evolution. (B,L,D) Return to San Cristóbal and visit the
Interpretation Center, with time to
stroll through the interactive exhibits.
Fly to Guayaquil, where you have time
to relax. Sunday we fly to the U.S. and
connect with flights home. (Day 9: B,L
Aloft; Day 10: B,L Aloft)
Explore the lava fields of Punta
Espinosa, where we are apt to spot
flightless cormorants and some of the
largest marine iguanas. As our ship
sails to Isabela, enjoy a power siesta
before exploring Tagus Cove. Walk
uphill for a view of Darwin’s Lake, or
“non-hikers” may enjoy a panga ride
along the cliffs. (B,L,D)
Days 9 & 10 • Saturday & Sunday
Join sea lions in their underwater home,
take pangas along the coastlines, or simply
relax aboard the Evolution and take in the
view — it is all part of the adventure of the
Galapagos.
Machu Picchu
Optional 6-Day Pre-Voyage Extension
$2,798
Cost above is per person, double occupancy. Plus flights within South America starting at $600, subject to change.
Days 1 & 2 • Saturday & Sunday Day 3 • Monday
Day 4 • Tuesday
Lima / Cusco / Urubamba Valley
Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu
Fly to Lima and transfer to the
Swissôtel. The next morning, we fly
to Cusco. We drive to the Urubamba
Valley, dotted with picturesque
churches, Andean markets and
impressive Inca ruins. We stay at the
Acqua Hotel in the valley. (Day 1: B,L;
Day 2: B,L,D)
Explore Ollantaytambo, where ancient
temples and fortresses were built
to protect the Sacred Valley before
boarding the train to Machu Picchu.
Spend our afternoon exploring the
mysterious ruins with our guide.
Spend tonight at the Sumaq Machu
Picchu Hotel, where you spend two
nights being lulled to sleep by the
sounds of the Urubamba River. (B,L,D)
Today you may return to the ruins,
with private time to stroll around the
ancient citadel, seeing the rocky hulls
of homes and temples; or stay at our
hotel to enjoy cooking demonstrations
and relax with a treatment at the Aqlla
spa. (B,L,D)
Day 5 • Wednesday
Days 6 & 7 • Thursday & Friday
Cusco / Sacsayhuamán
Cusco / Lima
Leave Machu Picchu by train, then
Spend a morning in Koricancha, the
sacred Inca sun temple. Return to Lima
and visit the Archaeological Museum,
which houses one of the largest
collections of pre-Hispanic artifacts in
the world. The rest of the day is free to
explore independently. (B) head into the mountains surrounding
Cusco, where the Incas built the massive
fortress of Sacsayhuamán, which zigzags
along the side of a mountain. We tour
picturesque Cusco before a farewell
dinner. Spend the night at the Hotel
Libertador. (B,L,D)
Lima / Guayaquil
Transfer to the airport for our flight to
Guayaquil. (B)
fernando diez
Expert Naturalists
So intensely is the Galapagos National Park and
Marine Reserve protected that visitors are prohibited from landing on a beach without the
guidance of a licensed naturalist. But beyond
just “visiting” the islands, we strive for you to
reach a deeper understanding. That’s why we’ve
selected guides like Bolivar Sanchez and Alex
Cox, who are certified at the highest level
(Level 3) by the Galapagos National Park and
combine for more than 37 years of guiding
experience. More than just lecturers, these
natives will ensure you understand life on the
islands — pointing out favorite places to play
as you pass Alex’s boyhood home in San
Cristóbal, or strolling the streets of Puerto
Ayora past Boli’s childhood haunts.
10-Day Voyage
Our Ship — The Evolution
March 27 and July 31, 2009
While the intimate Evolution may carry
just 32 guests, she features a great deal
of public space, including a comfortable
lounge for briefings by our naturalists,
a canopied bar perfect for enjoying a
drink, and a sun deck to relax between
excursions. Your air-conditioned cabin
is the perfect haven, featuring private
facilities and ample storage space. And
each meal boasts international and traditional Ecuadorian cuisine, fresh fruit and
sumptuous desserts.
SPECIAL MOTE PRICE
Cabins C4-C5 & D1-D4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 4,4 4 8
Cabins C1-C3 & C6-C9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 4 ,74 8
Cabins A2 & A3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 5 ,14 8
Cabin A1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 5,4 4 8
Cost listed above is per person, double occupancy.
Plus in-country air: $410, subject to change.
INTERNATIONAL AIRFARE BETWEEN YOUR HOME CITY
AND GUAYAQUIL IS ADDITIONAL. ASK ABOUT OUR
SPECIAL GROUP FARE FROM TAMPA.
What’s Included
• All scheduled transportation in Ecuador
by land and ship.
A1
• All excursions accompanied by Englishspeaking naturalist guides.
A3
BRIDGE
BAR
ROOF DECK
CREW
• Complete pre-departure information to help
you get the most out of your expedition.
A2
• Meals as shown in the itinerary.
PANTRY
LOUNGE
DINING ROOM
RECEPTION
AREA
HOT TUB
SUN DECK
BOARDING
PLATFORM
AL FRESCO
DINING AREA
• All transfers (when taking group flights),
porterage and service charges.
INFIRMARY
CREW
C7
GALLEY
C8
C9
CREW
C6
C5
C4
CREW
C3
C2
D4
C1
D1
CREW
ENGINE ROOM
CREW
D3
D2
Cabin Sizes:
Ship’s Registry: Ecuador
A1: 263 sq. ft.
Crew: 16
A2 & A3: approx. 198 sq. ft.
Naturalist Guides: 2 (1 as Expedition Leader)
C1-C3 & C6-C9: approx. 183 sq. ft.
Ship Length: 204 ft.
C4-C5 & D1-D4: approx. 166 sq. ft.
Ship Width: 29 ft.
• In summary, everything except international
and in-country airfare; ticketing fee; U.S.
domestic and international departure taxes;
air or ship fuel surcharges; tips to naturalist
guides and Evolution crew; passport fees; and
items of a personal nature, such as laundry,
alcoholic beverages, etc.
Cancellations: Because the Mote departures are being
operated as private charters, all payments are nonrefundable.
Travel Insurance: Travel insurance including “Cancel for
Any Reason” benefits and medical evacuation from the
Galapagos Islands is available and recommended.
Rates and Fares: All rates and fares are accurate and
available at the time of publication.
Galapagos Islands
I n t i m at e Voyag e a b oa r d t h e E v o l u t i o n
For more information, or to
make a reservation contact:
CRUISE & TOUR
(800) 383-3131