Seaman Journey – North & East Galapagos Islands

• Santa Cruz Island - North Seymour Island

  AM - Arrive Galapagos Islands
  This day you will fly from Quito or Guayaquil, Ecuador to the Galapagos. Due to the Galapagos Government, a fee of 20 USD must be paid for the migration control card.
  Once in Santa Cruz, passengers must go through an inspection point at the airport to make sure that no foreign plants or animals are being introduced to the archipelago. Also, this inspection point is where passengers have to pay for the entrance to the Galapagos National Park under the following parameters: Passengers Foreigners $100 and Children $50 (under 12 years old).
  Later on our guide will pick visitors and will carry the luggage to the bus from the port that transports the passengers to the Catamaran Seaman Journey on a motorized boat called panga.

  PM: North Seymour
  North Seymour is an uplifted (as opposed to volcanic) island. Therefore, it is generally ­at and strewn with boulders. There are good nesting sites here for a large population of magni‑cent frigate birds. Blue-footed boobies perform their courtship dance in the more open areas and swallow-tailed gulls perch on the cli edges.
  Despite the tremendous surf that can pound the outer shore, sea lions haul out onto the beach and can be found bodysur‑ng. (L. D.) (Private Transfer) (Shared Guide)

• Genovesa Island

  AM: El Barranco
  The visitor site of El Barranco is located in the southern part of Darwin Bay from Genovesa Island. The trail is on volcanic rock, consists of 1.5 km and can be done in about 2 hours. The youngest area of the island, from a geological point of view, lies on this area. The cliff is located in the south, are composed of very fragile lava. The natural erosion in these lava flows has become the ideal place for nesting Storm Petrels. You can see two species of petrels that nest in cavities and holes in the lava.
  One of its main predators is the short-eared owl. The red-footed booby nests only in the outer islands of the archipelago, Punta Pitt, Gardner (Floreana), Wolf, Darwin and Genovesa. Also present on this island is the masked booby. During the “panga rides” along the cliffs, fur sea lions and several species of seabirds can be seen.

  PM: Darwin Bay
  This bay has its origin when the crater of this island collapsed below sea level. The wet landing is on a beautiful white coral sandy beach. This is a favorite island for birdwatchers that allow the following species to be seen: red footed-booby, masked boobies, wandering tattlers, lava gulls, whimbrels, yellow-crowned, and black-crowned lava herons, and yellow warblers.
  Continuing on the trail, visitors climb gradually to the edge of the cliff seeing Red-Foots nesting in the Mangrove trees below. Bird watching includes sightings of sharp-beaked finches, large cactus and ground finches, Galapagos doves, and swallow-tailed gulls. Reaching the end of the trail, at the cliff’s edge an incredible view of the island and the many birds living there can be observed. (B. L. D.) (Shared Guide)

• Plazas Islands - Santa Fe Island

  AM: Plazas
  Plazas is located at the east of Santa Cruz Island, and forms part of two islands known as Islas Plazas. Despite its small size, some of the most interesting and outstanding species of the Galapagos are found here. The Plazas land iguanas are smaller than its relatives found at other islands.
  Throughout the island are several hybrid iguanas, a result of crossing a male marine iguana and a female land iguana, they are unique, recognizable at first glance by their black/gray color, with a land iguana’s crest, but face and tail of the marine iguana. The big population of iguanas is due to the presence of tunas, their favorite food. Swallow tailed gulls nesting in the rugged cliffs are seen along with other seabirds as: Audubon shearwaters, red-billed tropicbirds, frigate birds, and brown pelicans.

  PM: Santa Fe
  Located in the southeastern part of the Galapagos, this island was formed from an uplift instead than a volcanic origin, this is why it is mostly flat. There are some theories which assure this could be the oldest island in the Archipelago. Santa Fe is the home of a number of endemic species like the Galapagos hawk, Galapagos snake, Galapagos mockingbird, rice rats, and one of the two species of land Iguanas of the islands. After disembarking in the beautiful and clear waters you will be in contact with one of the many sea lion colonies. Along the trail many salt bushes can be seen as well giant Pickly pear cactus: gigantism is a characteristic of oceanic islands. There are great possibilities of snorkeling with playful sea lions and tropical fish. (B. L. D.) (Shared Guide)

• San Cristobal Island

  AM: Jacinto Gordillo Breeding Center
  In 2004 the Breeding and Rearing Center for young tortoises Jacinto Gordillo, named after a famous settler, was located in Cerro Colorado, San Cristobal Island, in order to take care of young tortoises. In 2008 an assisted reproduction program started on the island with due to the birth of a little turtle in captivity. All of this will be learnt at the Jacinto Breeding Center. One can not only learn about breeding processes but as well get engaged and experience why they this breeding centre does what it does.

  Assisted by some crew members, the dinghy will bring you and your luggage to San Cristobal airport , where we will take the shuttle back to the airport for your flight to Guayaquil or Quito. (B.) (Shared Guide)

Upper Deck Suites

Located on the upper deck, one queen bed, one sofa bed, large panoramic windows, private bathroom with hot/cold water, air conditioning with independent controls, hairdryer & table lamp, sofa bed available on request.

Layout: 2 Decks / 8 Cabins
Main deck: Cabin 1,2 = twins or triples
Main deck: Cabin 3,4,5,6 = twins
Upper deck: Cabin 7,8 = suites or triples
Beds layout: Twins, suites, triple
Rooming: Private or shared cabins
Sharing: Allowed / Same sender: Yes

WHAT’S INCLUDED

• Accommodation, use of onboard facilities
• All meals, water, coffee & tea
• Pre and post cruise transfers
• All expedition shore excursions
• Bilingual naturalist guide
• Use of kayaks, and snorkelling equipment

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED

• International and National (Ecuador-Galapagos-Ecuador) flights
• Galapagos National Park Entrance, US $ 100 (To be paid upon arrival, in cash)
• Transit Control Card, US $ 20 (To be paid upon departure from the mainland to Galapagos, in cash)
• Galapagos Airport Transport, if the flight has not been booked together
• If necessary, single room supplement
• Optional wetsuit
• Soft drinks and alcoholic drinks
• Personal expenses, extras & gratuities
• Travel insurance

NOTE: Long itineraries are the combination of short ones; please let us know if you would like to book a long cruise.