Embark on a 4-day Galapagos cruise to the North Islands and experience encounters with giant tortoises, red-footed boobies, and playful sea lions. Explore remote areas of the archipelago only accessible by cruise and enjoy the comfort and privacy of the M/C Galapagos Seaman Journey catamaran.
- Baltra Island - FRIDAY - AM: FLIGHT TO GALAPAGOS BALTRA AIRPORT - PM: NORTH SEYMOUR ISLAND
This day you will fly to the Galapagos Island. 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, your guide will pick you, and will carry your luggage to the bus. Passengers will arrive to the Catamaran Seaman Journey on a motorized boat called panga.
- North Seymour Island - North Seymour is an uplifted (as opposed to volcanic) island. Therefore, it is generally flat and strewn with boulders. There are good nesting sites here for a large population of magnificent frigate birds. Blue-footed boobies perform their courtship dance in the more open areas and swallow-tailed gulls perch on the cliff edges.
Despite the tremendous surf that can pound the outer shore, sea lions haul out onto the beach and can be found bodysurfing.
- Prince Phillip’s Steps - SATURDAY - AM: GENOVESA, ISLAND EL BARRANCO - THE CLIFF - PM: DARWIN BAY
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.
- 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. Birdwatching 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.
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South Plaza Island - SUNDAY - AM: PLAZAS, SANTA CRUZ - PM: SANTA FE
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.
- Santa Fe Island - Located in the southeastern part of the Galapagos, this island was formed from an uplift instead of 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 Prickly pear cactus: gigantism is a characteristic of oceanic islands. There are great possibilities of snorkeling with playful sea lions and tropical fish.
- San Cristobal Interpretation Center - MONDAY - AM: SAN CRISTOBAL, Jacinto Gordillo Breeding Center - End of the Tour
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 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 this breeding centre does what it does.
After the morning excursion you will be taken to the airport for your flight to the mainland.
- Zodiac / Dinghy rides at Galapagos visitor sites
- Use of snorkeling equipment
- Bilingual naturalist guide (English, Spanish) / French and German on demand
- Guided nature hikes to main Galapagos visitor sites
- On-board restrooms
- Gratuities
- Airport and departure taxes
- Non mencioned meals and alcoholic beverages
- Air Ticket
4 day Galapagos cruise to the North Islands. Encounter Red Footed boobies, Giant tortoises, swim with playful sea lions and reach remote areas of the archipelago that only have cruise access.
M/C Galapagos Seaman Journey is a first class catamaran that began sailing the Galapagos Islands in January 2008.
It is a Boutique Yacht Catamaran offering superior comfort, size, style, and stability. During these Galapagos cruises, guests encounter many endemic species like Galapagos Giant Tortoises, Penguins, Land and Marine Iguana´s, Frigate Birds, Blue Footed Boobies, and much more! During one of the cruises, each guest can enjoy the well-furnished facilities offering comfort and privacy. Galapagos Seaman Journey has a maximum capacity of 16 passengers allowing privacy and camaraderie at the same time. We have several resting areas for those who are looking for a quiet place to relax during their Galapagos trip with family and friends in the lazy mid-afternoon sun.
If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.
