Quito and 5 Day Galapagos Seaman Journey Cruise – Southern Islands

Flamingo, Galapagos

8 Days/7 Nights

From $3,759 per person

(Dbl. Occupancy, Not Incl. Airfare)

Alternating Saturday Departures Throughout the Year

Feefo logo

Overview

This tour combines Quito with a five day Galapagos Islands cruise on the Galapagos Seaman Journey, a 90 ft., a first class motor catamaran that was built in 2007. The ship accommodates 16 passengers in eight comfortable air conditioned cabins. Each cabin features ocean view picture windows, lower beds, private bathrooms, and safe deposit boxes. There are nine crew members, and social areas include a dining room, lounge, library, al fresco dining area, sundeck with day beds, and a Jacuzzi. Use of snorkeling equipment and kayaks is complimentary. Wetsuits can be rented for $30.

Lodging and Meals: This tour includes accommodations for 7 nights (3 nights in Quito and 4 nights aboard the Galapagos Seaman Journey) and 15 meals (7 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 4 dinners).

Best Time to Go: Year-Round.

Destinations: South America, Ecuador, and Galapagos.

Interests: Adventure, Culture & History, Expedition Cruising, Sea Kayaking, Snorkeling, and Wildlife Viewing.

Places Visited: Quito, the Galapagos Islands, Española Island, Floreana Island, San Cristóbal Island, Santa Cruz Island.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Note: The route and program may vary according to National Park policies and regulations, weather conditions, seasonal changes, safety reasons and wildlife encounters.
Dry Landing: Guests step from the dinghy directly onto rocks or a dock.
Wet Landing: As the dinghy edges onto a sandy beach, guests step into knee-deep water and wade ashore.

Day 1 (Sat): Quito.

Depart to Quito. After passing through immigration and customs, proceed to the reception area, where our representative will be holding a sign with your name on it. You will be greeted and then transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Quito.

Day 2 (Sun): City Tour of Quito-Middle of the World.

In the morning, you will have a city tour of Quito. You will explore the bustling streets and squares of the largest historical center in the Americas and visit some of its most important churches such as the majestic La Compania and iconic San Francisco, guardians of a stunning multi-ethnic artistic and cultural heritage. You will drive through the traditional neighborhood of San Juan and finish the morning at the Panecillo hillside, with its breathtaking views of the old and modern parts of the city.

Following the city tour, you will be driven to the “Middle of the World City” complex, which is located 11 miles north of Quito. Here, you will see the monument of the equatorial line, a 98-foot-high stone trapezoidal monument with a brass globe on top. The monument forms the focal point of a park and leisure area with gift shops and restaurants. Overnight in Quito. (B)

Day 3 (Mon) Quito-San Cristobal Airport-Interpretation Center (San Cristobal).

Morning transfer to the airport in Quito for the flight to Galapagos. Upon arrival at San Cristobal Airport, visitors must go through an inspection to verify that no foreign plants or animals are being introduced to the islands. An entrance fee of $100 adults/$50 children must be paid to the Galapagos National Park to conserve the islands. A representative of the M/C Galapagos Seaman Journey will meet you outside, help collect your luggage, and take you to the ship.

Interpretation Center. This is an interpretation center with exuberant gardens and stunning ocean views. Visitors at the interpretation center can learn a lot from the geological and human history of the islands, conservation facts and natural history. This is the oldest museum of Natural History in the Galapagos Islands which attempts to preserve the archipelago. It is indeed inspiring and motivating to watch and learn about all of their research. Overnight aboard the ship. (B,L,D)

Day 4 (Tue) Galapaguera-Cerro Brujo (San Cristobal).

A short visit will take place at the Galapaguera, a good place to observe Galapagos tortoises in their natural habitat.

San Cristobal island has endemic species such as: the Mockingbird, lava lizard, Chatham Leaf-toed Gecko, and tortoises. All of these species can be observed in this place, the beach is large and works as a nesting zone for marine tortoises. Between January and May, it is common to find the footprints of the female tortoises who have climbed to the sand dunes to deposit their eggs! This truly a worthwhile experience to be part of.

Cerro Brujo is a beautiful white coral beach where you can swim and watch birds and sea lions, plus you can snorkel. This is the first coast where Charles Darwin walked on, in 1835. In this marvelous lava landscape, you can watch seabirds like blue-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, herons, frigate birds and shore birds. The protected bay is well known for its young tortoises which like to swim around.

The pools with salty water behind the sand dunes were used by the fishermen as a salt mine to preserve food for the local population. Among the fauna you can observe the Chatham Mockingbird and the San Cristobal Lava Lizard, both species are endemic to the island and unique to the area.

Furthermore, you will see the Galapagos turtles and with luck, the little bird known as the Pájaro Brujo in Spanish, an endemic species in San Cristobal Island. The vegetation covers all the route, where you can find species like the candelabrum cactus and carob trees. Located on the north coast of San Cristobal, it is a peaceful place with white sand and crystal water, a perfect combination for an incredible stay. Overnight aboard the ship. (B,L,D)

Day 5 (Wed): Gardner Bay-Suarez Point (Española).

Located on the north-eastern coast of Española Island, Gardner Bay offers an excellent beach to relax, swim and even kayak, plus the opportunity to observe sea lions. Here we can also observe sharks in the clear ocean waters.

At this place one can see three species of Darwin finches: A subspecies of the large-billed cactus finch, which is similar to the large-billed terrestrial finch; the small-beaked ground finch, and the singing finch which is another endemic subspecies. Both resident and migratory birds are observed.

Suarez Point. This area is great for spotting blue-footed boobies, waved albatrosses, and Nazca boobies. A beautiful site on the oceanfront, the waved albatrosses use the cliff as a launching pad. The famous attraction is the magnificent blowhole, spurting water high into the air at least from 50 to 75 meters high. This site presents wonderful photograph opportunities. Overnight aboard the ship. (B,L,D)

Day 6 (Thu): Cormorant Point (Champion)-Post Office Bay (Floreana).

Cormorant Point. This site offers probably the best flamingo lagoon in the Galapagos; it is also one of the largest in the islands. It’s situated between two tuff lava cones that give the area a special atmosphere.

There are various species of shorebirds to observe besides flamingos; the most frequent are common stilts, white-checked pintail ducks, and other migratory birds. It is very interesting to see the two distinct beaches: “The Green Beach” (due to its high percentage of olivine crystals in the sand) and the “Flour Sand Beach” which is made up of coral.

After the interesting walk, the group is taken to Champion Islet, a great place to enjoy snorkeling and underwater wildlife. Some of the animals that can be seen are sea turtles, sea lions, and schools of fish thanks to the nearby coral reef.

Post Office Bay. Historically, this site is the location of a wooden barrel that was placed in the 18th century by the crew of a whaling ship. It has been used since this time by marines and tourists as a post office. The idea is to carry letters or postcards to their destination by hand. Besides, this site was the landing area for some of the first colonists. This day’s afternoon is thought to be a relaxing time for visitors to enjoy the beach and the beauty of Galapagos. Overnight aboard the ship. (B,L,D)

Day 7 (Fri): Turtle’s Trail (Santa Cruz)-Baltra Airport-Quito.

Although the great majority of Galapagos visitors come here to observe and appreciate natural wonders, it is also interesting to learn how the protection and conservation of the islands are carried out. This path offers the possibility to learn aspects and feel synchronized with nature.

After the morning excursion you will be taken to Baltra Airport for your flight to the mainland. Overnight in Quito. (B)

Day 8 (Sat): Quito.

Transfer to the airport for your return flight to your final destination. (B)

B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

Itinerary Map

Galapagos Seaman Journey 5 Day B Itinerary

Prices & Dates

Price per Person

Category Single Double Triple
Twin Cabin (Main Deck) $6,499 $3,759 $3,569
Matrimonial Suite (Upper Deck) $6,859 $3,969 $3,779
** The prices shown above are in U.S. Dollars. See the cost of this tour in your currency at xe.com.

Notes:

  1. The above prices are valid until December 23, 2022.
  2. There is a high season surcharge to be determined.
  3. Single sharing is available.
  4. Triple prices are based on one child under 12 sharing cabin with two paying adults. The child sleeps in a sofa bed.

Departure Dates

Alternating Saturday Departures Throughout the Year.

What's Included

Price Includes

  • South American Vacations’ expert pre-departure planning services and documentation.
  • Private airport/hotel transfers including baggage handling in Quito.
  • Three nights hotel accommodations at Hotel Patio Andaluz (or similar) including service fees and taxes.
  • Accommodations on board the M/C Galapagos Seaman Journey.
  • All meals scheduled on board and others as indicated on the itinerary.
  • Water, coffee, and tea.
  • Excursions to the islands conducted by English-speaking naturalist guides.
  • Use of snorkeling equipment and sea kayaks.

Price Does Not Include

  • International airfare.
  • Domestic airfare.
  • Galapagos National Park Entrance Fee ($100).
  • Transit control card ($20).
  • Meals not indicated on the itinerary.
  • Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
  • Wet suit rental.
  • Gratuities to ship crew and guides.
  • Gifts and personal items.
  • Travel insurance.

We will be happy to quote the cost of airfare and travel insurance, and to make these arrangements for you.

Accommodations

Quito & Galapagos

Additional Details

Group Private: All services and tours in Quito are private, and all services and tours in Galapagos are operated on a group basis.

Elevations: Quito is 9,350 feet above sea level.

IGTOA’S Galapagos Traveler Conservation Fund: South American Vacations is an active member of IGTOA (International Galapagos Tour Operators Association).  In support of IGTOA’s Galapagos Traveler Conservation Fund, we contribute $20 for each passenger that we send to the Galapagos Islands.  You’ll travel knowing that you support the lasting protection of Galapagos Islands.

Sixty percent of the funding of this program goes directly to the Charles Darwin Foundation for science, conservation, and education.  Their work, carried out through the Charles Darwin Research Station and Galapagos National Park, is vital to the preservation of the islands.  You can visit their web site to learn more www.darwinfoundation.org.  The remainder goes toward IGTOA’s mission of creating a model of responsible and sustainable tourism.

Passport/Visa: U.S., Australian, Canadian, and EU citizens require a passport valid for at least six months from date of entry and return ticket for stays of up to 90 days. Citizens of other countries are advised to contact the Ecuadorian embassy in their country before traveling.

Travel Insurance: In order to protect your travel investment from unforeseen circumstances that may arise before or during your trip, we strongly recommend that you purchase travel insurance. We offer Allianz Global Assistance’s Classic Comprehensive and other plans. The Benefits and Coverage Limits are summarized on our Travel Insurance page. Call your travel counselor if you have any questions or to purchase a plan.

To Book This Trip: Call or email us to confirm the availability of this ship and the domestic airfare for your desired dates of travel. Once we have confirmed availability, you will need to pay a non-refundable deposit of $1,700 per person for Single Occupancy and $1,200 per person for Double/Triple Occupancy, plus the cost of the international airfare (if we arrange it for you).

Have Questions? Call 1-888-268-9753 to Speak to An Expert.