Galapagos Seaman Journey 7D – 6N (A1)

AM: Flight to Galapagos

Photo: MindStorm-inc

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.

PM: North Seymour

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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.

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AM: Genovesa, Island El Barranco – The Cliff

Photo: CampPhoto

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

Photo: PeskyMonkey

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 blackcrowned 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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AM: Plazas, Santa Cruz

Photo:  blueorangestudio

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, redbilled tropicbirds, frigate birds, and brown pelicans.

PM: Santa Fe

Photo:  Exploder1

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.

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AM: San Cristobal, Jacinto Gordillo Breeding Center

Photo:  DanFLCreativo

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 center does what it does.

After the morning excursion you will be taken to the San Cristobal Deck.

PM: Visit to “Tijeretas”

Photo: DanFLCreativo

It is called Tijeretas because this is the name commonly known for the frigates. It is located within walking distance of Port Baquerizo Moreno.
Close to this site operated La Predial, which was a fishing society and who was present on the island between 1952 and 1960. In one of the vists, there is American-made cannon dating from the Second World War which taken by the Ecuadorian Navy in the early 1970s for military exercises.
Another vista offers a panoramic view of the north coast of the island from where one can see the Kicker Rock (León Dormido), Cerro Mundo and Cerro Tijeretas.
At the third vista, there is a statue of Charles Darwin in honor of his stay in San Cristobal. The upper vista is located on Cerro Tijereta.

In the night you will be transferred to Golden Bay Hotel, to spend two more days of adventure in Galápagos.

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AM: Leon Dormido

Photo: fotocruz

Today’s excursion begins with an early navigation of approximately one hour, we arrive at the ¨León Dormido¨. Here you can discover the marine world once you put on your snorkel.
Accompanied by your guide you can go diving, where you will see fish, turtles and several species of sharks. You will live a unique experience within the sea, knowing the marine world.
Afterwards, you will return to the hotel where you can rest and spend an afternoon of relax and enjoying the hotel facilities.
At night you can go for a walk to get to know the island a little more, don’t forget to enjoy a delicious dinner.

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AM: Española Island, Punta Suarez

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In the morning after breakfast in Golden Bay Hotel, you will transfer to Española Island.
The first stop is Punta Suarez, this rocky land spot sustains one of the most impressive and varied colonies of sea birds in the Galapagos.
Along its southern shore, high cliffs rise up from the sea affording the visitor spectacular views of soaring birds and of the blow whole where water spouts up to 50-75 feet into the air according to the intensity of the surf.

PM: Gardner Bay

Photo: Miles Hardacre

Located on the north-eastern coast of Hood, Gardner Bay provides an excellent place for relaxing, swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and the opportunity to observe sea lions.
Here we can also observe sharks in the crystal clear ocean waters. (Visit the site while snorkeling).
In the afternoon you will return to the hotel to rest and prepare your bags to return to the next mainland day.

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After enjoying a wonderful breakfast, depending on the time you will be taken to the Airport for your International
connection.

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