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Ecuador Wildlife Tour

Embark on an extraordinary eight-day journey through the breathtaking Galapagos Islands aboard the Seaman Journey. This adventure offers you the perfect blend of wildlife encounters, stunning landscapes, and underwater wonders.

Key information

  • Group safari
  • Maximum group size: 16 participants
  • Children from the age of 4 to 18 year are allowed to participate under the supervision of a parent or guardian
  • Starting point: San Cristóbal Island
  • Ending point: Baltra
  • English and Spanish-speaking guide
  • Park fee and local taxes not included

Highlights

  • Snorkeling with sea lions, turtles, and vibrant marine life at top sites
  • Walking among giant tortoises, marine iguanas, and exotic bird species
  • Exploring dramatic volcanic landscapes
  • Discovering hidden lagoons and mangrove forests
  • Experiencing the rich history of Tagus Cove
  • Chances to see flightless cormorants, Galapagos penguins, and Darwin’s finches
  • 7 nights accommodation
  • Daily meals

Styles


8 activity days in English
The organizer also speaks: Spanish
Group size: Maximum of 16 participants
Airport transfer included: Seymour Airport
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Accommodation

Facilities

  • Air-conditioned public areas
  • Air-conditioned rooms
  • Dining area
  • Multilingual staff
  • Restaurant
  • Meeting room
  • Wireless internet

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. The Galapagos Seaman Journey makes it possible to enjoy several cruises in the Galapagos with different itineraries that include amazing land tours on most of the Galapagos Islands. During these Galapagos Cruises, guests encounter many endemic species like Galapagos Giant Tortoises, Penguins, Land and Marine Iguana, Frigate Birds, Blue Footed Boobies, and much more.

During one of the cruises, each guest can enjoy the well-furnished areas offering comfort and privacy. Galapagos Seaman Journey has a maximum capacity of 16 passengers allowing both intimacy and camaraderie at the same time. They 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, or likewise after a busy day of swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, or walking on one of the Galapagos Islands.

To check out the gorgeous ocean views with fellow shipmates, guests can spend some time on the liveaboards’ spacious sundecks. Whether they feel like getting a little sun on their vacation or want the best place to enjoy the gorgeous sunsets over the Galapagos Islands, sundecks are the best place to be.

For the adults who might want to relax and kick back, they offer a great bar and lounge area where they are served by your bartender who will be happy to attend to all their needs and desires whilst you relax. The Galapagos Seaman Journey, another jewel from the well-known Galapagos Journey Fleet is the perfect combination of adventure, comfort, service, and excellence.

First class or superior expedition cruise

With a capacity of 16 passengers, this cruise is perfect for families and friends looking for a niche boutique experience in the Galapagos.

Activities for everyone

On board, there are plenty of activities to choose from, like snorkeling, kayaking, hiking, and more.

Spacious suites and cabins

On the main deck, there are six standard suites, and on the upper deck, there are two matrimonial suites.

Cabins

  • Panoramic windows to enjoy the wonderful landscapes of the islands
  • Private bathroom, hot or cold water, hair dryer
  • Air conditioning with independent controls
  • Twin beds on standard suites
  • Queen beds on matrimonial cabins
  • Sofa beds for converting the matrimonial cabin into a triple room
  • Safe box in all cabins for personal belongings

Facilities

  • Indoor dining and living room
  • Al fresco dining room
  • Tanning area
  • Cocktail area
  • Lounge area

Enjoy aboard

  • Menus for special requirements (vegan, vegetarian, kosher, and gluten-free)
  • Organic toiletries and amenities by ECO TERRA
  • Interactive cooking lessons
  • Four sea kayaks
  • Snorkeling equipment
  • All-size wetsuits available for rent

Commitment to the environment

Galapagos Seaman Journey uses good-quality fuel, as well as a manufacturer's certificate validating the boat's machinery as a minimum pollution component. It has one of the lowest fuel consumption rates per guest on any yacht in the Galapagos, being within the lower one percent consumption range. At the anchoring sites, the main machines are switched off, and only one of the generators is allowed to work, whose power (60 hp) ensures that it is a low-noise source.

The machines are also lined on the inside with noise-insulating material. The catamaran, when underway or when anchored in any permitted location on the islands, uses lights necessary only for the activity in all external sectors of the decks, so as not to affect the nocturnal marine life. Food waste that is discharged into the sea passes through a food grinder during navigation. The same process is done with black water, which is filtered until it reaches the status of potable water.

No liquid ballast is used for the operation of the catamaran, and tank cleaning is done exclusively during the dry dock. They also maintain a means of communication with the community to clarify doubts about the environmental management of the project. They support activities that contribute to the sustainability of community relations as well.

Used lubricating oils and similar products are rigorously retained for delivery to the port, and other waste is managed according to the procedures of the approved waste management plan. The paints used on the catamaran are lead-free, and they prevent the attachment of sessile organisms such as mollusks or algae, which is also known as "antifouling." This reduces the catamaran's environmental impact when sailing.

Technical specifications

  • Type: Motor Catamaran Electric system: 2x 50 kw IMO
  • Category: Boutique Yacht Naturalist Liveaboard
  • Electric power: 110v and 220v AC/DC
  • Material construction: Fiberglass
  • Cruising Speed: 10 knots
  • Length: 90 feet (27.6 meters)
  • Water capacity: 3000 gallons
  • Beam: 36.08 feet (11 meters)
  • Diesel capacity: 2500 gallons
  • Draft: 4.75 feet (1.45 meters)
  • Passengers: maximum 16
  • Year build: 2007
  • Crew: nine members
  • Main engines: 2x Cummins 350 hp IMO
  • Diving: Sport platform
  • Equipment for sports: Snorkeling (free use of equipment) and sea kayaking

Program

Day 1: Flight to Galapagos

Today, you will fly to the Galapagos Islands. Upon arrival in Santa Cruz, passengers must go through an inspection point at the airport to ensure no foreign plants or animals are introduced to the archipelago. Here, you will also need to pay the Galapagos National Park entrance fee: 200 USD for foreign adults and 100 USD for children under 12. A guide will meet you, help with your luggage, and escort you to a bus that will take you to the ferry to cross the Itabaca Channel. Afterward, another bus will transport you to your first stop at Ranch Manzanillo.

For this visit, you should wear comfortable walking shoes, light clothing, a waterproof jacket, and sunscreen as well as bring a camera and insect repellent. A picnic lunch is included, and you will have time for a short walk before boarding the Seaman Journey Catamaran. Santa Cruz offers excellent opportunities to observe wild Galapagos tortoises. In addition to tortoise tracking, you can explore lava tubes, sinkholes, and craters. After the visit, you will head to the Seaman Journey.

Day 2: Fernandina Island, Mangle Point - Punta Moreno

Today, you will explore Mangle Point, located off the eastern coast of Fernandina. This is a prime snorkeling spot and a scenic location for panga or zodiac rides through mangrove forests. A half-mile hike is also possible, and you may see sea lions, tortoises, pelicans, rays, and various bird species. Next, you will visit Punta Moreno on Isabela Island's north coast, situated between the Sierra Negra and Cerro Azul volcanoes. The trail runs through a Pahoehoe lava flow, leading to coastal lagoons where numerous bird species thrive among the mangroves.

Day 3: Isabela Island, Urbina Bay - Tagus Cove

Urbina Bay, located at the base of Alcedo Volcano on the west coast, experienced a massive uplift in 1954, raising the land over 16 feet and expanding the coast by half a mile. This area is excellent for snorkeling. The trail begins with a wet landing and runs for about 3,200 meters through sand, pumice, lava, coral, and vegetation, where you can spot iguana burrows and observe red and blue lobsters.

Urbina Bay is also home to Darwin’s finches, large land iguanas, and wild Galapagos tortoises. Next, you will visit Tagus Cove on Isabela Island, a historic site favored by pirates and whalers. Here, you will find inscriptions on rocks dating back to the 1800s. The area is rich in volcanic rocks, with unique formations like lapilli or petrified rain.

Day 4: Espinoza Point - Vicente Roca Point

Espinoza Point is famous for its large colonies of marine iguanas and its unique wildlife, including the flightless cormorant, Galapagos penguin, Galapagos hawk, and Galapagos snake. Next, you will explore Punta Vicente Roca on Isabela Island's northwestern coast. This spectacular bay is home to diverse marine life, including seahorses, sea turtles, and the fascinating Mola-mola (sunfish). Here, you can snorkel or take a panga ride. Wildlife such as penguins, blue-footed boobies, terns, and sea lions are also abundant.

Day 5: Santiago Island, Playa Espumilla - Puerto Egas

Espumilla Beach on Santiago Island's northern coast in James Bay was once home to a large colony of flamingos, but sedimentation during the El Niño phenomenon altered the area. The main attractions here are the Palosanto forest and baby turtle nests. Puerto Egas, located on Santiago Island's west side, features a black sand beach formed by volcanic tuff deposits. Historically, there was an attempt to extract salt from this area, but it was abandoned when prices on the mainland made it unprofitable.

Day 6: Rabida Island - Chinese Hat

Rabida Island is known for its striking red sand and rocks, caused by the oxidation of its volcanic material. A short walk along a trail leads to a coastal lagoon where you can spot finches, doves, yellow warblers, mockingbirds, and a colony of flamingos. Next, you will visit Chinese Hat, a small islet near Santiago Island, which gets its name from its resemblance to a Chinese hat. This area is great for observing lava formations, sea lion colonies, marine iguanas, and Galapagos penguins.

Day 7: Sullivan Bay - Bartolome Island

Santiago Island, also known as James or San Salvador Island, is the fourth-largest in the Galapagos. It has two volcanic systems: a shield volcano and a fissure volcano. Santiago is volcanically active, and you can see recent lava flows and cones along the coasts. Bartolome Island, across from Sullivan Bay, offers stunning views of volcanic cones, lunar-like craters, lava fields, and the famous Toba pinnacle. This island has two beautiful beaches where marine turtles nest and a small colony of Galapagos penguins.

Day 8: Bachas Island, Santa Cruz

You will visit two small beaches west of Turtle Cove. The white sand is made from decomposed coral, making it a favorite nesting site for sea turtles. Behind one beach is a small brackish lagoon where you might see flamingos and other coastal birds. After the morning excursion, you will be taken to the airport for your return flight to the mainland.

Location

The wildlife tour will take place in Ecuador.

Galapagos Islands

Situated 1,000 kilometers (600 miles) off the coast of Ecuador, the Galapagos archipelago consists of 19 islands and more than 40 islets, created six million years ago when they emerged from the Pacific in a flurry of volcanic activity. The islands were discovered in 1535 by Tomas de Berlanga, who sent the first known description of the Galapagos to the King of Spain. Perhaps the first association with the word “Galapagos” is the name “Darwin” and for good reason. He sailed into the Galapagos Islands in 1835 on board the Beagle and was amazed by the extraordinary life he found on the islands.

Each island forms a unique ecosystem, a series of specialized relationships that have adapted to the volcanic and isolated nature of the islands. As a result, the Galapagos Islands are home to a wide variety of endemic species. It has been more than 450 years since their discovery, yet the islands remain largely intact thanks to the conservation efforts of the Galapagos National Park and the Charles Darwin Research Station.

A further boost to the protection of the islands was given in 1978 when UNESCO declared them a World Heritage Site. The waters around the Galapagos, which are the lifeblood of the archipelago, are also legally protected within the Galapagos Marine Reserve, making the islands one of the best places on the planet for scuba diving. The Galapagos Islands offer a unique interaction with nature, and their name is synonymous with survival and the celebration of the diversity of species on Earth.

Food

All meals on board the cruise and unlimited purified water, coffee, and tea are included in the price.

Latin Trails have their own hydroponic orchards on San Cristobal Island, where they harvest produce such as lettuce, tomatoes, lemons, oranges, and more. in order to supply ourselves with organic ingredients. This avoids the arrival of introduced species that come with sourcing from mainland Ecuador.

The following meals are included:

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Snacks
  • Drinks

The following drinks are included:

  • Water
  • Coffee
  • Tea

The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:

  • Vegetarian
  • Vegan
  • Gluten Free
If you have special dietary requirements it's a good idea to communicate it to the organiser when making a reservation

Things to do (optional)

  • Wetsuit rental: 10 USD per day (available on board)

What's included

  • All visits and excursions according to the itinerary
  • Kayaks
  • 7 nights accommodation
  • All meals during the cruise
  • Unlimited purified water, coffee, and tea
  • Airport transfers
  • Snorkel gear (mask, tube, and fins)
  • Airport assistance in Galapagos
  • Transfers in Galapagos
  • Naturalist bilingual guide - level II or III
  • Fuel surcharge

What's not included

  • Airfare
  • Galapagos Ingala card
  • Tips
  • Local taxes
  • Galapagos National Park entrance fees
  • Travel insurance
  • Meals and services not mentioned above
  • Alcoholic drinks and soft drinks
  • Extras and personal expenses

How to get there

Recommended Airports

Arrival by airplane

Please book your flight to arrive at Seymour Airport (GPS). Transfer from and to the airport is included. Latin Trails will pick you up from the airport. When passengers arrive at the airport, the Seaman Journey cruise staff will welcome and transfer them to the catamaran. At the end of the itinerary, they will also ensure the passengers are returned to the airport for their departure.

Airport: Seymour Airport Airport transfer included: Seymour Airport No additional charges. You can request this in the next step.

Cancellation Policy

  • A reservation requires a deposit of 14% of the total price.
  • The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
  • The rest of the payment should be paid 60 days before arrival.
8 days / 7 nights
from --
Friday November 29, 2024
(8 days / 7 nights)

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