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The Journey I - Eastern Galapagos Islands cruise is no longer operating. Click to our Galapagos small ship cruises and land adventures for current trips.

This 5 day itinerary tours the Eastern Islands allowing for exploration of the famous Genovesa - prime nesting site of Red-footed Booby before bringing you to places like Islas Plazas which has the most interesting and outstanding species of the Galapagos and Isla Lobos for opportunities to snorkel with juvenile sea lions, manta rays and sea turtles.

The Journey I Eastern Islands Cruise can be combined with the Western or Southern Islands Cruise to create either a 11 day/10 night or 12 day/11 night itinerary or both to create a comprehensive 15 day/14 night cruise. View the Eastern Islands Cruise details below or click on the following links to view details of the other Journey I Galapagos Cruises.

Southern Galapagos Islands 4 day/3 night

Western Galapagos Islands 8 day/7 night

Galapagos Journey I Main Page

Day 1 - FRI - Mainland to Galapagos

Upon arrival at Baltra meet your Expedition Leader, transfer to the M/C Journey I and settle into your new home. After departure and lunch, the first island visit is made at Bachas Beach on Santa Cruz Island. Here, explore two small beaches to the West of Turtle Cove. Behind one of the beaches there is a small brackish water lagoon, where occasionally is possible to observe flamingos and other coastal birds, such as black-necked stilts and whimbrels. The other beach is longer, but it has two old barges that were abandoned during the Second World War, when the USA used Baltra Island as a strategical point to protect the Panama Channel.

Accommodations: Journey I
Included Meals: lunch & dinner

Day 2 - SAT - Darwin Bay & El Barranco, Genovesa

Begin today with a wet landing on beautiful white coral beach of Darwin Bay. Enjoy a hike which climbs 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 the trail at the cliff's edge offers an incredible view of the island and the many birds living there.

This afternoon will be spent hiking at El Barranco, located in the southern part of Darwin Bay on Genovesa Island. The trail is on volcanic rock that has a length of 1.5 km which can be completed in about 2 hours. The natural erosion that has occurred in these lava flows has become the ideal place for nesting Storm Petrels. Also present on this island is the masked booby. During the panga rides along the cliffs fur sea lions can be seen and several species of seabirds.

Accommodations: Journey I
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Day 3 - SUN - Plazas & Santa Fe, 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. 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. Swallow tailed gulls nesting in the rugged cliffs are seen along with other sea birds as: audubon shearwaters, red-billed tropicbirds, frigate birds, and brown pelicans.

Spend the afternoon at Santa Fe. Located in the southeastern part of the Galapagos, this island was formed from an uplift instead than a volcanic origin, this is why is mostly flat. 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 lands 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 Pickly pear cactus, gigantism is a characteristic of oceanic islands. There are great possibilities of snorkeling with playful sea lions and tropical fishes.

Accommodations: Journey I
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Day 4 - MON - Pitt Point, Kicker Rock & Lobos Island, 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 on the high part of the island. You may be lucky to see the red footed booby - the least seen of the bunch. It's also the home of the Chatham mockingbird, only found here on San Cristobal Island. After touring Pitt Point, head to Kicker Rock - also known as the Sleeping Lion because of its resemblance. 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 home to a small population of blue-footed boobies and common frigate birds. 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.

Accommodations: Journey I
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Day 5 - TUE - Interpretation Center, Tijeretas Hill to San Cristobal

The Interpretation Center's lush gardens and sweeping ocean views are a strong contrast to the 1960's style buildings at the Charles Darwin Center. Here, you can learn about both the geological and human history of the islands, conservation issues, and natural history. After touring the center, head to Tijeretas Hill for a beautiful hike. It is called Tijeretas because this is the name commonly known for the frigates. The loop is 3.5 miles and estimated travel time is 2 hours. There are many vistas where you can appreciate the beautiful scenery and there is also an inlet where you can go snorkeling. It is one of the only places where you can watch the two species of frigate birds nesting in the same colony. After visiting this amazing place you will be taken to the San Cristobal airport for your return flight to the mainland.

Accommodations: n/a
Included Meals: breakfast

GALAPAGOS CRUISE INCLUSIVE PACKAGE: For your convenience we offer an Inclusive Package with three nights hotel accommodations in Quito, all airport/hotel transfers, Galapagos flights, Galapagos National Park entrance fees and taxes, Galapagos migration card and your Galapagos Coral cruise. View details of our Galapagos Cruise Inclusive Package.

Travelers not interested in our inclusive package must purchase Galapagos flights in conjunction with their Galapagos Cruise.

GALAPAGOS CRUISE CUSTOM PACKAGE: If you are booking a cruise only program our experts can assist with hotels, transfers, flights and tours. Call AdventureSmith Explorations about customizing your tour or the possibilities of combining this trip with our Mainland Ecuador and Peru: Machu Picchu extensions. We are Galapagos cruise and Ecuador travel experts and our staff can help you customize the perfect Galapagos Cruise or Ecuador Tour Package.

Notes on Itinerary: Use the itinerary as a guide only. Itinerary may be altered due to weather, wildlife, National Park regulation, or at the captains discretion. The ability to be flexible makes this type of Galapagos cruising unique.

Single/Triple Travelers: Single cabins are available for a 75% supplement. If you are traveling alone and wish to share accommodations, we will guarantee double occupancy rates for cabins even if we are unable to match you with a roommate. This program is not available during peak season or during holidays. Only the suites can be converted into triples with a sofa bed. Two travelers will pay the suite price and the 3rd will pay the standard price. Children between the age of 4-12 will receive a 15% discount.

Family Travelers: Children under 12 years old at the time of sailing receive 25% off when sharing the cabin with 2 adults. Some Junior cabins and Moon cabins are interconnected and are great for accommodating families and small groups. Minimum child age is 7 years old. Galapagos Family Cruises are available, call for details.

Included aboard Journey I: Cruises include double accommodation in cabins with air conditioning, private facilities, all meals, welcome and farewell cocktail, water, 24 hour coffee station, two daily visits to Galapagos Islands with naturalist guide, snorkeling opportunities, activities on board, briefings, lectures, airport and port assistance, transfers to port and dinghy ride to ship.

Not Included aboard Journey I: International airfare; Airfare from mainland Ecuador; Galapagos National Park Entrance Fee (US $100 per adult, $50 for children under 12 years old. This can be paid directly by passengers [cash only] or it is included in our INCLUSIVE PACKAGE TOURS), Galapagos National Institute Migration Control Card (US $10 per person; departure tax ($40.80), Gratuities for guides, crew, drivers or local staff; alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages; other personal expenses; medical services or insurance of any kind.

Wet suit rental available for US $25 per person per each 3-4 night cruise; Internet available $15 per hour or fraction.

Arrival and Departure: Most flights to the Galapagos will depart Quito or Guayaquil between 7:00am-9:00am on day 1 and return between 2:00pm-5:00pm on the final day. We highly recommend travelers arrive Ecuador 2 days prior to their Galapagos Cruise.

Payment and Cancellation Policy: A cruise deposit of $700 per person is required at the time of booking. For land packages a deposit of $300 per person is required at the time of booking. Final payment is due 90 days prior to departure. A special cancellation policy also applies to all Galapagos trips, which is stricter than the AdventureSmith Explorations policy. When a trip cancellation is received inside of 70 days from departure, all trip costs are 100% non-refundable. Please see AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions.

Travel Insurance: We highly recommend our travelers protect their investment with Travel Insurance. Please note that you must purchase your Travel Insurance policy within 14 days of booking your trip for it to cover pre-existing medical conditions.


Accommodations Aboard: The Journey I Catamaran is a luxurious motor catamaran with room for 16 persons in spacious cabins. On board the Journey I you will have the comfort of a stable, spacious, luxurious and fast catamaran built for Galapagos travel. The advantages of a catamaran are a smoother, more stable ride, more deck space and more environmently-friendly. Yacht descriptions, deck plans Journey I

Qualifications: This trip will be enjoyed by anyone who is in good health and leads an active life. Daily excursions from the boat to the islands will be made in pangas (dinghies). Trip members will hike from the landing point to specific areas for wildlife observation. Hiking time for most landings will be a couple of hours round trip with lots of time to stop to study, photograph and enjoy the flora and fauna. Some landings are dry but many are "wet", requiring cautious footing on slippery rocks. The boat staff will be on hand to assist. There are numerous opportunities to swim and snorkel.

Snorkeling: The underwater experience is an integral part of any Galapagos cruise. We encourage all travelers to try snorkeling. Snorkeling gear (mask, snorkel, fins, floating vest and net bag) are available to rent for the duration of the cruise. Shortie wet suits are also available for rent and are recommended from June to December.

General Information: This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A packing list, extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information is sent upon confirmation. We strongly recommend the purchase of Trip Insurance through AdventureSmith Explorations.

We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Call today.

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