8 days
The Origin and the Theory are two identical deluxe yachts in the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador. They offer weekly departures (on Sundays) and showcases two comprehensive 7-night itineraries visiting unique Islands. The A-route visits the Southern & Central Islands whereas the B-route takes you to the Northern & Western part of the Galapagos. You can combine them for a two-week exploration of the entire archipelago. During your exploration, you will not only take hikes and zodiac rides, but you will also have the opportunity to do snorkelling, sea kayaking or Stand-up-paddleboarding.
During the Southern & Central itinerary begin your wildlife-rich Galapagos journey on San Cristobal Island, where – after searching for nesting frigate birds and lava lizards – you’ll visit Punta Pitt. This site is a tuff formation and home to all three species of boobies. Then, you can swim with sea lions at the white coral beach of Cerro Brujo. This itinerary also includes stops at Española Island (the only place on earth you can see the waved albatross)and Gardner Bay. Then, head to Floreana Island with its famed olivine-hued beach, and the sunken crater of Devil’s Crown. This itinerary highlights the fantastic wildlife, striking landscapes, magnificent marine environment and fascinating history.
On the Western & Nothern route, you’ll depart from San Cristobal Island and then sail northwest to Genovesa (Tower) Island. Watch for lava flows, and for swallow-tailed gulls that nest near the tidal pools at Darwin Bay. Then, the journey continues to Fernandina Island, the youngest and most unspoiled island in the archipelago, with zero introduced species. Here, marine iguanas and sea lions bask on the shoreline. At Isabela, the largest Galapagos Island, look for the iconic giant tortoises. Additional stops include Santiago and Rabida islands, the latter of which has a dark ochre-coloured beach formed by volcanic iron.
The Origin and the Theory blend the best of tasteful design and decor, luxury amenities, and environmental sustainability. Both 20-passenger vessels were custom built to maximize fuel efficiency and comfort. Each vessel has ten deluxe staterooms (13.4 sqm) featuring large windows showcasing expansive unobstructed views. All ten cabins are on the Beagle deck with two twin beds that convert to a king-size bed; two cabins have interconnecting doors and two accommodate triples with a third pull-down berth.
Cabin amenities include fine bed linens, memory-foam and soft pillows, climate controls and blackout curtains ensure a good night’s rest. A flat-screen TV with pre-loaded movies, universal docking station, USB, clock, safety deposit box, Espresso and tea kettle set up.
In September 2018, the Origin, became the first luxury expedition yacht in the Galapagos Islands to become an official member of the esteemed Relais & Châteaux collection.
Morning arrival to San Cristobal Island by plane and immediate transfer to the dock and then by zodiac to your vessel anchored in the bay. Welcome introductory briefing and lunch.
Please remember that the exact route and program may vary according to weather and ocean conditions and the wildlife you will encounter.
There are two types of landings throughout your Galapagos tour:
Dry landing: guests step from the dinghy onto rocks or a dock.
Wet landing: as the dinghy edges onto a sandy beach, guests step into knee-deep water and wade ashore.
PM: La Galapaguera Cerro Colorado- travel by bus to Cerro Colorado to visit Centro de Crianza Jacinto Gordillo (La Galapaguera) where the National Park has established a breeding program for giant tortoises in their natural habitat. At the visitor centre, learn about the origin and evolution of tortoises, as well as threats by introduced animals. Along the trail, watch for the San Cristobal mockingbird and Calandrinia plant, both endemic to this Island. Return to the yacht for a briefing followed by the Captain’s welcome cocktail party and dinner prepared by our chefs.
AM: Prince Philip’s Steps (Genovesa)- this site is one of the most spectacular places in Galapagos for bird watching because of its diversity of species. Throughout the day, you’ll want to have your camera ready. Your guides will point out red-footed boobies nesting in palo santo trees, Nazca boobies nesting near the trail, and storm petrels gather in large numbers in an open lava field. With luck, you may even get to see the elusive short-eared owl. After a BBQ lunch on the yacht’s sun deck and a demonstration on how to make Ecuadorian ceviche, you’ll have the option to explore the cliffs up close, either by kayak or stand-up paddleboard or on a deep-water snorkelling excursion from the Zodiac. Look for the red-billed tropic bird hiding in the crevices of the rock.
PM: Darwin Bay (Genovesa)- land at this gorgeous coral sand beach. Here, you’ll see both swallow-tailed gulls and lava gulls gathered near the tide pools. A forest of Opuntia cactus and mangroves provide shelter for Great frigate birds. Males are looking to attract a mate inflate a red pouch on their chests. Round out the afternoon by relaxing on the beach, or choose to swim with friendly, playful sea lions in these warmer northern waters. When you return to the yacht, you’ll have a short briefing followed by a delicious dinner. If the night is clear, take a stroll on the deck and enjoy the sky full of bright stars. Your guides can point out constellations and help you identify the species of birds flying alongside the yacht.
AM: Las Bachas (Santa Cruz)- here, dozens of bright pink flamingos feed on the interior lagoons, and a long white sand beach is a beautiful site for a stroll. Your guides will point out endemic plant species and share some fascinating Galapagos history. Before returning to the yacht for lunch, you’ll have time to snorkel from the beach. Bring your underwater camera to take photos of colourful tropical fish and sea stars, along with sea turtles and maybe even sharks along the ocean floor. Your guide will offer an enrichment lecture that is informative and entertaining; the topic is on marine currents, climate and geology of the Islands.
PM: Dragon Hill (Santa Cruz)- step ashore on Cerro Dragon you’ll have a magnificent panoramic view of the bay and island landscape. You may see flamingos in the brackish lagoon, along with a variety of plants, including opuntia cactus, Palo Santo and Muyuyo trees (Cordia letea). As you walk the trail, look for Darwin’s finches, Galapagos flycatchers, yellow warblers, and Audubon shearwaters. The guides will also pause to point out birds such as stilts, pintail ducks and sandpipers. Scan the path for yellow Land iguanas, strikingly different from their marine cousins, resting in the sun. These iguanas, which are endemic to the Galapagos, were once part of the Station’s breeding program. After walking the trail, you’ll return to the yacht for a briefing and dinner.
AM: Punta Vicente Roca (Isabela)- begin your morning with a Zodiac ride at Punta Vicente Roca. Your skilled driver will navigate you through the wave-sculpted caves and bring you up close to the tuff walls covered in colourful Sally light-foot crabs. Don’t miss the opportunity to snorkel here, with penguins diving playfully in the water or grooming themselves on rock formations. Look for sea turtles poking their heads above water before swimming gracefully beneath the surface. After lunch, take a seat on the sun deck to enjoy the scenery as we sail through the Bolivar Chanel. In addition to the dramatic scenery, you might get to see whales riding the bow wave or dolphins jumping in graceful arcs. You may even spot the Mola-Mola, an odd-looking giant sunfish with triangular fins on the top and bottom and a short, stubbly tail fin.
PM: Urbina Bay (Isabela)- here you’ll see some surprising evidence of volcanic activity. Four files of the coastal seabed were exposed due to a dramatic uplift during an eruption in 1954, and some of the remaining coral skeletons still stand several feet high. A diverse collection of animal species await on the Island as well, including Galapagos land iguanas, marine iguanas, Darwin’s finches, brown pelicans, flightless cormorants, and the occasional giant Galapagos tortoise. When you’re finished exploring, return to the vessel for your nightly briefing and dinner. After dessert, step outside and observe the pale glow of the Milky Way. As we cross the Equator, you may get a visit from King Neptune himself! Guests of all ages will enjoy this fun-filled evening, and maritime ritual, our crew dress as pirates and guest participation is optional.
AM: Punta Espinoza (Fernandina)- this morning you’re in for another geological wonder. Stop at Punta Espinoza, the youngest and most pristine Island in Galapagos, formed by active volcanoes that stretch around the coast. With no introduced animals on this Island, you can observe the ecosystem at its most pristine. Sealion harems lie on the beach, with resident bulls carefully guarding their territory and keeping a lookout for sharks that threaten the colony’s pups. Hundreds of marine iguanas, forming the largest colony in Galapagos, warm themselves along the rugged shoreline, blending in with the dark rocks. Out on the point, your guide will show you the nests of flightless cormorants, which stay close to shore since they lost their ability to fly. You’ll have an opportunity to snorkel here, in the company of the large sea turtles that frequent the area. Return to the yacht for a BBQ lunch served on the sundeck where you’ll have a prime view for whale watching.
PM: Tagus Cove (Isabela)- your guide will offer an enrichment lecture about Charles Darwin and his Theory of evolution as well as social/environmental projects that benefit the Galapagos. After lunch, you’ll get to see some of the human history of the Galapagos when you go ashore on Tagus Cove. This was a favourite stopping point for pirates and whalers for centuries, and sections of the rocky cliffs are covered in graffiti from as far back as the 1800s. Hike at a faster pace to a saltwater lagoon and scenic overview, and take in the ocean, lava fields, and volcanic formations. You may choose to explore the shoreline of the secluded cove by kayak or paddleboard. There are many animals to see, including Galapagos penguins, boobies, pelicans and other seabirds. Tonight, as sail towards the geographic centre of the archipelago, and cross the Equator for the third and final time.
AM: Rabida – you’ll disembark on the dark red beach of Rabida. This small island is considered the geographic centre of the Galapagos because its volcanic rocks are the most diversified in the archipelago. A short trail will lead you to a saltwater lagoon filled with greater flamingos. Along the way, look for marine iguanas, mockingbirds and yellow warblers. You may also see Darwin’s finches. Over a dozen species of finches live on the islands and observing them contributed to Charles Darwin’s ideas that formed the basis for his theory of evolution. If you choose to snorkel this morning, you may be able to see a colony of sea lions or rays. Several species of rays live on the Galapagos, but golden rays and spotted eagle rays are the most common.
PM: Black Turtle Cove- take a Zodiac excursion through a series of coves and inlets surrounded by mangroves. View pairs of mating sea turtles (Sept to Feb), white-tipped reef sharks and golden cow-nosed rays. Return to the vessel for the Captain’s Farewell cocktail party and dinner as well as a special presentation by your guides.
AM: Breeding Center & Charles Darwin Research Station (Santa Cruz)- here, you’ll learn about ongoing conservation efforts from exhibits set up along the wooden trail. You’ll see hatchlings and miniature tortoises that will be repatriated by the National Park when grown. The newest exhibit honours Lonesome George, the last surviving tortoise from Pinta Island that tragically died of natural causes. With his species now extinct, Lonesome George has become a worldwide icon, emphasising the importance of efforts to preserve and protect endangered wildlife. A more hopeful story is Diego, a saddleback tortoise whose species was reduced to 14 individuals before he was transported from the San Diego Zoo and who has since fathered hundreds of descendants. Afterwards, you’ll learn about the history of the settlers of this island on a guided tour through the back streets of Puerto Ayora. Stroll through town to shop for handmade souvenirs, Ecuadorian chocolate ice cream or coffee grown in Galapagos.
PM: Los Gemelos (Santa Cruz)- return to the yacht for lunch and later board a bus for a short ride to a lava tunnel, a hollow formation created when lava on the earth’s surface cools and hardens while molten lava continues to flow in the middle. Your next stop will be Los Gemelos (The Twins), a pair of large, deep craters with vibrant plant life at a higher elevation. Next stop is at a privately-owned hacienda, where giant tortoises roam freely – some weighing over 500 pounds – in their natural habitat, feeding or resting in shallow pools.
Return to the yacht for dinner or, if you wish, remain ashore on your own at a local restaurant. Your guides or concierge will be glad to provide a recommendation. Zodiac shuttles from the yachts to the main dock will be offered throughout the evening for your convenience.
AM: Frigatebird Hill (San Cristobal)- travel by bus to Frigate Hill where it is possible to see nesting colonies of both species of frigate birds; Great and Magnificent, lava lizards, medium ground finches and San Cristobal mockingbird. Follow the trail to Punta Carola for a spectacular view. Afterwards, spend time in port before heading to the airport for your flight back to the mainland.
