Quito and 8 Day Galapagos Seaman Journey Cruise – Northern/Southern Islands
11 Days/10 Nights
From $6,859 per person
(Dbl. Occupancy, Not Incl. Airfare)
Overview
Intro Goes Here…
Lodging and Meals: This tour includes accommodations for 10 nights (3 nights in Quito and 7 nights aboard the Galapagos Seaman Journey) and 00 meals (0 breakfasts, 0 lunches, and 0 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, North Seymour Island, San Cristóbal Island, Santa Cruz Island, Santa Fe Island, Santiago Island, South Plaza 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 (Wed): Quito.
Day 2 (Thu): City Tour of Quito-Middle of the World.
Around midday, the tour will head north to the equator for a trip to the monument at the Middle of the World. You may choose to visit either the Ethnographic or the Inti Ñan Museum, both located near the site of the monument. Along the way you will stop for a traditional Ecuadorian lunch (not included. Overnight in Quito. (B)
Day 3 (Fri): Quito-San Cristobal Airport-Kicker Rock-Isla Lobos.
Kicker Rock, also known as the Sleeping Lion because of its resemblance to a sleeping lion, is located off the coast of San Cristobal. The remains of a lava cone eroded by the sea, the two vertical rocks rising 500 feet from the ocean form a small channel that is navigable by small boats. This Galapagos Islands natural monument has become a favorite sight for cruises due to the many tropical birds, frigates, and boobies that fill the surrounding air. Beneath the sea the nearly crystal waters offer a brilliant show of colorful tropical fish and invertebrates.
Isla Lobos is about an hour by boat from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. The length of the trail is 850 meters and the estimated travel time is one hour. There is a small population of blue-footed boobies and common frigate birds nesting on this site. You can observe the two species of sea lions present in the archipelago. During the tour you go through a dry vegetation zone, substrate of volcanic rocks, and a sandy area. During the panga tour, brown pelicans and several species of shorebirds can be observed. While snorkeling, it’s common to see juvenile sea lions, manta rays and sea turtles. Overnight aboard the ship. (B,L,D)
Day 4 (Sat): Natural Galapaguera-Pitt Point (San Cristobal).
Pitt Point is on the north of San Cristobal. Here, there are endemic species such as lava lizards and red-footed boobies. The view is impressive when you walk up to the high part of the island. You may be lucky to see red footed boobies – the least seen of booby species. It’s also the home of the Chatham mockingbird, only found on San Cristobal Island. Overnight aboard the ship. (B,L,D)
Day 5 (Sun): Punta Suarez (Espanola)-Gardner Bay (Hood).
Gardner Bay is located on the north-eastern coast of Hood. It provides an excellent beach for relaxing, swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and the opportunity to observe sea lions. Here, you can also observe sharks in the crystal clear ocean waters. Overnight aboard the ship. (B,L,D)
Day 6 (Mon): Punta Cormorant-Post Office Bay-Baroness Lookout (Floreana).
Post Office Bay 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 mariners and tourists as a post office. The idea is to carry letters or postcards to their destination by hand. Apart from being the Post Office Barrel, this site was the landing area for some of the first colonists. You will continue to the north of the island and will ascent to an elevated slope to enjoy a beautiful vista at the Baroness Lookout. It is said that Baroness Eloisa Von Wagner loved this place and spent several hours watching the horizon. Within walking distance (30 m) are the ruins of what is known as her house. From this lookout, the landscape covers the coastline from the Enderby Islet to Post Office Bay, as well as Cerro Pajas, the pool of flamingos, and wide forest of Palo Santo. Overnight aboard the ship. (B,L,D)
Day 7 (Tue): Punta Cormorant-Post Office Bay-Baroness Lookout (Floreana).
Post Office Bay 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 mariners and tourists as a post office. The idea is to carry letters or postcards to their destination by hand. Apart from being the Post Office Barrel, this site was the landing area for some of the first colonists. You will continue to the north of the island and will ascent to an elevated slope to enjoy a beautiful vista at the Baroness Lookout. It is said that Baroness Eloisa Von Wagner loved this place and spent several hours watching the horizon. Within walking distance (30 m) are the ruins of what is known as her house. From this lookout, the landscape covers the coastline from the Enderby Islet to Post Office Bay, as well as Cerro Pajas, the pool of flamingos, and wide forest of Palo Santo. Overnight aboard the ship. (B,L,D)
Day 8 (Wed): Punta Cormorant-Post Office Bay-Baroness Lookout (Floreana).
Post Office Bay 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 mariners and tourists as a post office. The idea is to carry letters or postcards to their destination by hand. Apart from being the Post Office Barrel, this site was the landing area for some of the first colonists. You will continue to the north of the island and will ascent to an elevated slope to enjoy a beautiful vista at the Baroness Lookout. It is said that Baroness Eloisa Von Wagner loved this place and spent several hours watching the horizon. Within walking distance (30 m) are the ruins of what is known as her house. From this lookout, the landscape covers the coastline from the Enderby Islet to Post Office Bay, as well as Cerro Pajas, the pool of flamingos, and wide forest of Palo Santo. Overnight aboard the ship. (B,L,D)
Day 9 (Thu): Punta Cormorant-Post Office Bay-Baroness Lookout (Floreana).
Post Office Bay 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 mariners and tourists as a post office. The idea is to carry letters or postcards to their destination by hand. Apart from being the Post Office Barrel, this site was the landing area for some of the first colonists. You will continue to the north of the island and will ascent to an elevated slope to enjoy a beautiful vista at the Baroness Lookout. It is said that Baroness Eloisa Von Wagner loved this place and spent several hours watching the horizon. Within walking distance (30 m) are the ruins of what is known as her house. From this lookout, the landscape covers the coastline from the Enderby Islet to Post Office Bay, as well as Cerro Pajas, the pool of flamingos, and wide forest of Palo Santo. Overnight aboard the ship. (B,L,D)
Day 10 (Fri): Charles Darwin Station-Baltra Airport-Quito.
After this excursion, you will be taken to the airport for your return flight to the Quito. You will be greeted and then transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Quito. (B)
Day 11 (Sat): Quito.
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
Itinerary Map
Prices & Dates
Price per Person
| Category | Single | Double | Triple |
|---|---|---|---|
| Twin Cabin (Main Deck) | $12,089 | $6,859 | $6,449 |
| Matrimonial Suite (Upper Deck) | $14,269 | $8,109 | $7,629 |
Notes:
- The above prices are valid until December 31, 2021.
- There is a high season surcharge to be determined.
- Single sharing is available.
- 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 Wednesday 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
Boutique – Hotel Patio Andaluz
First Class – Galapagos Seaman Journey
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 $1,600 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).
