AM: FLIGHT TO GALAPAGOS - This day you will fly to the Galapagos Island. Due to the Galapagos Government, a fee of AUD 47 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 AUD 234 and Children AUD 117 (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.
PM: NORTH SEYMOUR - 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.
AM: GENOVESA, ISLAND EL BARRANCO - THE CLIFF
The visitor site of El Barranco is located in the southern part of Darwin Bay from Genovese 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 Genovese. 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 favourite 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.
AM: PLAZAS, SANTA CRUZ - 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 colour, 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 favourite 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 south-eastern part of the Galapagos, this island was formed from an uplift instead of a volcanic origin, and 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 snorkelling with playful sea lions and tropical fish.
AM: SAN CRISTOBAL, Jacinto Gordillo Breeding Centre. In 2004 the Breeding and Rearing Centre 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 Centre. One can not only learn about breeding processes but as well get engaged and experience why this breeding centre does what it does.
PM: SAN CRISTOBAL, INTERPRETATION CENTER - This is an interpretation centre with exuberant gardens and stunning ocean views. Visitors at the interpretation centre 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 all of their research and attempts.
AM: SAN CRISTOBAL ISLAND, GALAPAGUERA - A short visit will take place at the Galapaguera, a good place to observe Galapagos tortoises in its natural habitat. San Cristobal Island has endemic species such as: the Mockingbird Nesomimus melanotis, lava lizard (Microlophus bivittatus), Chatham Leaf-toed Gecko (Phyllodactylus leei) and the tortoises. All of these species can be observed in this place, the beach is really big and it 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 is a worthy experience to be a part of.
PM: CERRO BRUJO - 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 marvellous 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 in order to preserve food for the local population. Among the fauna you can observe the Chatham Mockingbird and the San Cristobal Lava Lizards, 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 Isla San Cristobal it is a peaceful place with white sand and crystal water, a perfect combination for an incredible stay.
AM: ESPAÑOLA ISLAND, GARDNER BAY - Located on the north-eastern coast of Hood, Gardner Bay offers an excellent beach to relax, swim and even kayak, plus the opportunity to observe sea lions (Zalophus Wollebaki), here we can also observe sharks in the crystal clear ocean waters. At this place you can see three species of Darwin finches: A subspecies of the large-billed cactus finch (Geospiza fuliginosa), which is similar to the large- billed terrestrial finch;
The small-beaked ground finch (Geospiza fuliginosa and; the singing finch (Certhidea Olivacea) which is another endemic subspecies. Both resident and migratory birds are observed.
PM: SUAREZ POINT - This area is great for spotting blue-footed boobies, albatrosses and Nazca boobies. A beautiful site on the oceanfront, the large 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.
AM: CORMORANT POINT, CHAMPION ISLET - 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 snorkelling and underwater wildlife. Some of the animals that can be seen are sea turtles, sea lions, and multiple fish thanks to the nearby coral reef.
PM: 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.
AM: TURTLES TRAIL - 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 the airport for your flight to the mainland. Transfer to Baltra airport.
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Airport assistance (Quito or Guayaquil, if flights are booked through Sonia Jones Travel).
Transfers in Galapagos.
Accommodation on board in double cabin.
All meals during the cruise.
Naturalist Bilingual Guide level III.
All visits and excursions according to the itinerary.
Snorkel Gear (mask, tube and fins).
Kayaks.
Unlimited purified water, coffee and tea.
International / Domestic Airfare
Round trip flight to/from Galapagos
Galapagos National Park Entrance fee AUD 234,oo p/p
Galápagos Ingala card AUD 47,00 p/p
Negative PCR test for Covid-19 (taken 96 hours before the departure)
Wet suit rental
Local taxes
Meals, drinks, tips and other personal expenses or services not specified in the program
Travel insurance
Gratuities
Voluntary tips for drivers
Travel and medical insurance.
Rates do not apply for Christmas and New Year departures, please ask your agent for high season rates.
10% discount for children under 12 years (Applies for 1 child for every 2 adults).
Rates are subject to change in case of additional taxes, fuel increases or many other unforeseen circumstance.
Charter - Maximum 16 pax. (Available on request).
Friday departure.