The flight from Quito (via Guayaquil) to the Galapagos is approximately 2 ½ hours on a Boeing 727. Upon arrival your guide will meet you, collect your luggage and escort you on the short bus ride to the harbor.  Motorized rafts, called ‘Pangas’ will then transport you to the M/C Galapagos Journey I and our crew will welcome you onboard.  After a safety briefing, we set sail and eat lunch to Plaza Island. 

Despite its small size, some of the most interesting and outstanding species of the archipelago occur here.  The principal attractions of Plazas are the land iguanas, sea lions and swallow–tailed gulls. (B,L,D)

Day 2: San Cristobal Island - Interpretation Center & Tijeretas Hill

Built with the cooperation of the Spanish Science Centre, the interpretation centre gives a very good introduction to the Galapagos islands; its marine and land life and fauna and flora. It is located in the outskirts of the small city of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, (the capital of the Galapagos Province). In the afternoon we visit Isla Lobos to check out the Sea Lions!

Located on the north-eastern coast of Hood, Gardner Bay is an excellent beach for relaxing, swimming and observing sea lions. Here we will also have the opportunity to observe sharks in the crystal-clear ocean waters.

Aferwards we will head to Española Island. This rocky land-point sustains one of the most impressive and varied colonies of sea birds in the Galápagos. (B,L,D)

Day 4: Floreana Island - Cormorant Point & Devils crown

This site offers one of the largest and best flamingo lagoons in the Galapagos. It is situated between two tuff cones, giving the area its special atmosphere.

In the afternoon Post Office Bay will be our destination.  This site is home to a wooden barrel, historically placed there in the 18th century by the crew of a whaling ship.  Ever since this time the barrel has been used by mariners and tourists as a sort of postal service. (B,L,D)

Day 5: Santa Cruz Island - Charles Darwin Station

Some of the principal attractions of the National Park Information Center are; the Van Staelen Exhibition Hall, the Breeding and Rearing Center for young tortoises, Lonesome George (the last surviving tortoise from Pinta Island) and other adult Galapagos tortoises in captivity.

Santa Cruz Island is next and we will take a trail through the agricultural zone, near the National Park boundary, the Miconia Zone and then goes to the Fern and Sedge zone.  With clear weather (unpredictable) this area offers beautiful scenes of rolling hills and extinct volcanic cones covered with grass and lush greenery all year round. (B,L,D)

Day 6: Chinese Hat

Chinese hat (sombrero chino) is a tiny Island just off the southeastern tip of Santiago Island and is less than a quarter of 1 sq km in size. It is a recently-formed volcanic cone and its descriptive name accounts for the fact that it appears to take the shape of a downward-facing Chinese hat.

Then we will head to Saniago Island and to Puerto Egas.  For many, this is the only opportunity to see the Galapagos fur seal, once thought to be on the verge of extinction. (B,L,D)

Day 7: Santiago Island - Bahia Sullivan

This visitor site provides a unique opportunity to view lava flow that is approximately 100 years old. The Sullivan Bay Lava is known a Panoehoe (Hawaiian for Rope) due to the lava flow having solidified in a mostly ropey-like appearance.

Next we visit Bartolome Island which has 2 main visitor sites. The first site offers the possibility to climb to the summit of the island,  At the second site, visitors have the chance to relax on a beautiful beach, which offers great snorkelling opportunities.  Multi –coloured fish and occasionally penguins and sea turtles have been seen at the base of the tall pinnacle rock, which dominates Bartolome’s landscape. (B,L,D)

Day 8: Santa Cruz Island - Bachas Beach

Located to the West of Turtle Cove, the sand on these two small beaches is made of decomposed coral.  As a result the sand here is very white and soft, making it a favorite nesting site for sea turtles.

After your visit to Bachas, a bus transfer to Baltra airport is provided allowing you to catch your flight back to Quito or Guayaquil. (B)

Note: Itineraries are subject to change due to weather conditions or Galapagos National Park regulations. B= breakfast, L= lunch, D= dinner.

Boat Specifications:

Category: Luxury Class

Type: Motor Catamaran

Year: 2006

Capacity: 16 Passengers

Length: 90,50 ft/ 27.6 m

Beam: 36,08 ft/ 11 m

Speed: 10 knots

Water Capacity: 3000 gallons

Diesel Capacity: 2000 gallons

Construction: Fiberglass

Equipment: 2 radars Furon 24 mls, Furon video Sonar, GPS

Crew: 8 + 1 naturalist bilingual guide

Navigation and Safety Equipment: One 48 miles radar; Echosounder; GPS; One VHF radio; Epirb; Magnetic compass; 2 Rigid life rafts for 15 passengers each; 30 life jackets; fire & smoke detectors; complete fire system; 2 Zodiac rafts for 10 persons each. Safety equipment complies with international Coast Guard regulations.

Accommodation: 16 passengers in 6 twin bed cabins on main deck and 2 suites on the upper deck.