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south america: galapagos

Journey I Catamaran (7, 8 or 11 Days)

Carrying only 16 passengers, the Journey I Catamaran provides guests with a stable, spacious and comfortable voyage through the Galapagos Islands. The shallow draft design allows access to remote waterways where guests have the opportunity for up-close and personal encounters with wildlife. Experienced naturalist guides teach travelers about the flora, fauna and natural history of the Galapagos Islands during daily shore excursions. Time is spent observing the great diversity of wildlife found in the Galapagos Islands, snorkeling in crystalline waters, enjoying idyllic beaches, walking through surreal lava landscapes, stargazing at night from the decks of the ship and much, much more.

Our Galapagos cruises combine the finest small ships with the most talented naturalist guides and offer a range of activities designed to bring you into intimate contact with the unique creatures and ecosystems of the Galapagos Islands. Spend more time ashore hiking among nesting birds, more time snorkeling with sea lions, or perhaps just relaxing on a crescent beach.

The Journey Catamaran I cruise packages begin and end in colonial Quito, Ecuador and include Quito hotel accommodations, airport/hotel transfers, round trip flights from mainland Ecuador to the Galapagos Islands and a half day tour of Quito's old town, a UNESCO designated World Heritage Site. Join us and see why, quite simply, our small ship and yacht cruises to the Galapagos Islands have all the ingredients for a vacation of a lifetime!

New exciting Itinerary Combinations for 2011! Call for details.

Day 1 - WED - Arrive Quito Ecuador

Upon arrival at the Quito, Ecuador international airport you are met by our local representative and transferred to your hotel.

Accommodations: Hotel Patio Andaluz or similar
Included Meals: na

Day 2 - THU - Colonial Quito

South America's oldest capitol city, Quito sits at 9,184-feet elevation. It has been amazingly preserved and is protected as a UNESCO world heritage site. Enjoy a three hour guided walking tour of Quito's colonial center including Independence Plaza, La Compania Church and San Francisco Cathedral. The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy this lively city, rest or prepare for your Galapagos Cruise.

Accommodations: Hotel Patio Andaluz or similar
Included Meals: breakfast

Day 3 - FRI - Quito to Baltra & Plazas Island

This morning, depart on a three-hour flight to the island of Baltra in the Galapagos. Meet your Expedition Leader upon arrival, transfer to the ship and then continue on to Plazas Island. This small islet offers some of the most interesting and outstanding species within the Galapagos. The principal attraction of Plazas are the land iguanas, the sea lions and the swallow – tailed gulls. Yellow – tailed mullets, Audubon’s shearwaters, red-billed tropicbirds, frigate birds, and brown pelicans can be seen gliding past the cliffs. The protected rocky seashore is a prime habitat for a large colony of noisy sea lions. The first landing of the cruise leads to a one hour hike in search of sea lions and flamingos. The perfect introduction to the Galapagos Islands.

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

Day 4 - SAT - San Cristobol: Interpretive Center, Tijeretas Hill & Lobos

Visit the San Cristobal Interpretation Center. This informational center, built with the cooperation of the Spanish Science Center, provides a very good introduction to the Galapagos Islands and its fauna and flora. It is located in the outskirts of the small city of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the capital of the Galapagos Province. Take a 20-40 minute walk to nearby Cerro Tijeretas (Frigate Bird Hill), home to Magnificent Frigate birds and Great Frigate birds that coexist in the same colony. From the top of the hill enjoy the spectacular views of the white sand beaches and Puerto Baquerizo below. Visit nearby Lobos Island (Sea Lion Islet) a small islet, located only an hour by boat from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. It is separated from the main Island by a narrow stretch of calm water. Take advantage of snorkeling without strong currents, and look for sting rays, barber fish and butterfly fish. Upon its rocky shores blue-footed boobies nest and sea lions rest. The atmosphere is one of tranquility and primitive beauty, showing a very typical Galapagos environment.


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

Day 5 - SUN - Espanola Island: Gardner Bay, Punta Suarez

Hood is the southernmost island of the archipelago, and is one of the most popular due to the breathtaking variation and sheer number of fauna that greet the visitor. On the northeastern shore of Hood, Gardner Bay offers a magnificent long white sandy beach, where colonies of sea lions laze in the sun, sea turtles swim offshore, and inquisitive mockingbirds boldly investigate new arrivals. Relax on the beautiful beach, swim in the turquoise waters, or take a walk along the shore to observe the curious sea lions. Later in the day visit Punta Suarez, also on Espanola Island. This rocky point of land 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.

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

Day 6 - MON - Floreana Island: Punta Cormorant, Post Office Bay

Floreana Island has had a colorful history: Pirates, whalers, convicts, and a small band of somewhat peculiar colonists-a Baroness among them-who chose a Robinson Crusoe existence that ended in mystery and death. Punta Cormorant offers one of the largest and the best flamingo lagoon in the Galapagos. It is situated between two tuff cones that give the area a special atmosphere. In addition to the flamingos, there are various species of shorebirds to be seen, the most frequent being common stilts, white-checked pintail ducks and other migratories. This is a unique zone due to the high percentage of endemism in the plant life. Very interesting to visitors are the two distinct beaches found here: the “green beach (due to high percentage of olivine crystals in the sand) and the “Flour sand beach” made up of coral. Continue on to Post Office Bay, the location of a historic wooden barrel that was placed in the 18th century by the crews of a whaling ship to function as an unofficial mailbox. The idea was for early sailors to help each other and carry letters or postcards to their destination by hand on their journeys away from the Galapagos. Apart from being the sight of the “post office”, this site was the landing area for some of the first colonists. Explore this historic area, and, if you like, try your luck at sending your own letters and cards back home.

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

Day 7 - TUE - Santa Cruz Island: Darwin Research Station, Highlands

Dry landing at Puerto Ayora to visit the Charles Darwin Research Station. 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. The principal attractions are: National Park information Center, the Van Straelen Exhibition Hall, the Breeding and Rearing Center for young tortoises, and Lonesome George, the oldest La Pinta Tortoise alive. Later in the afternoon, travel to the Highlands for a chance to view tortoise in their natural surroundings. Take a trail that leaves from Bellavista and passes through the agricultural zone, near the National Park boundary, the Miconia Zone and then goes to the Fern and Sedge zone. With clear weather this area affords beautiful views of rolling hills and extinct volcanic cones covered with grass and lush greenery all year round.

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

Day 8 - WED - Santiago Island: Chinese Hat, Puerto Egas

Chinese Hat 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 fairly recent volcanic cone and has the shape of a down-facing Chinese hat. The hat shape is best appreciated from the north side. Opposite Sombrero Chino, on the rocky shoreline of nearby Santiago, Galapagos penguins are often seen. A 400 m. trail goes around the cove and through a sea lion colony - marine iguanas cover the landscape. The volcanic scenery is attractive, and there are good views of the cone. Snorkeling and swimming opportunities in the cove. Later in the day, a wet landing on the dark sands of Puerto Egas, James Bay leads to one of the more rewarding visits in the Galapagos. Take the trail that leads inland to the remains of a salt mining operation, one of several largely unsuccessful attempts to commercialize the Galapagos. Some visitors may decide to continue on and make the 1-hour round trip to the Sugarloaf Volcano (about 1000 ft elevation). Without a doubt, though, it is the Fur Seal Grotto that produces the most pleasure for visitors. Get close views of both fur seals and sea lions in a series of rocky pools. For many, this is the only opportunity to see the Galapagos fur seal, once thought to be on the verge of extinction. In addition to the fur seals. James Bay offers the best opportunity for tide-pooling in the Galapagos.

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

Day 9 - THU – Santiago(James) Island: Sullivan Bay & Bartolomé Island

Sullivan Bay provides a unique opportunity to view a recent lava flow of approximately 100 years old. The East Side of James Island is known to have barren volcanic landscapes, dominated by black pahoehoe (ropy) lava flows of very young age. On the surface of the lava, look for a tree that was carried down by the flow of the fresh lava. It is also interesting to see how some Mollugo plants are starting to colonize the small lava fissures. The next island visit of the day takes place at Bartolome, famous for Pinnacle Rock, a towering spearheaded obelisk that rises from the ocean's edge and is the best known landmark in the Galapagos. Galapagos penguins - the only species of penguin found north of the equator - walk precariously along narrow volcanic ledges at its base. Sea lions snooze on rocky platforms, ready to slide into the water to play with passing snorkelers. Just below the surface, shoals of tropical fish dodge in and out of the rocks past urchins, sea stars and anemones. A perfectly crescent, pink-and-white sandy beach lies just to the east of the pinnacle. Take a walk up the 2000-foot pathway, complete with stairs and boardwalks, leading to Bartolome's summit. The route reveals a site left untouched after its last eruption, where cones stand in various stages of erosion and lava tubes form bobsled-like runs from the summit. At the top enjoy the spectacular views of Santiago Island and James Bay to the west, and far below, Pinnacle Rock.br>

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

Day 10 - FRI - Santa Cruz Island: Bachas Beach & Return to Quito

Enjoy a morning at Bachas Beach. This is a great place to see large schools of Golden Rays, Green Sea Turtles (they are on the rare and endangered species list), White-tipped Sharks, Galapagos Sharks, Lava Herons, Yellow Warblers and a variety of other bird species. Sail into Baltra and transfer by bus to the airport for the flight back to the mainland, arriving around 5:30pm. Transfer to your hotel.

Accommodations: Hotel Patio Andaluz or similar
Included Meals: breakfast

Day 11 - SAT - Depart Quito

Transportation will be provided to the airport for return flights home or for excursions to Ecuador's Highlands or Jungle or Peru's Machu Picchu.

Accommodations: n/a
Included Meals: breakfast


11 Day Itinerary - Sun - Wed:
Day 1: Arrive Quito, Hotel
Day 2: Quito
Day 3: Fly Baltra, transfer to Pto. Ayora. Visit Highlands of Santa Cruz Island.
Day 4: Chinese Hat & Pto. Egas (Santiago Island)
Day 5: Sullivan Bay. Bartolome Island.
Day 6: Bachas Beach (Santa Cruz). Plazas Island.
Day 7: Sa Cristobol: Interpretation Center & Tijeretas Hill / Lobos Island
Day 8: Española island: Gardner Bay. Punta Suarez.
Day 9: Floreana Island: Cormorant Point. Post Office Bay.
Day 10: Charles Darwin Station (Santa Cruz). Fly to Quito. Hotel
Day 11: Depart


8 Day Itinerary - Wed - Wed:
Day 1: Arrive Quito, Hotel
Day 2: Quito
Day 3: Fly Baltra. Transfer to yacht. Visit Plazas Island.
Day 4: San Cristobol: Interpretation Center & Tijeretas Hill / Lobos Is
Day 5: Española island: Gardner Bay & Punta Suarez.
Day 6: Floreana Island: Cormorant Point & Post Office Bay.
Day 7: Santa Cruz: Charles Darwin Station. Fly to Quito. Hotel
Day 8: Depart



7 Day Itinerary - Sun - Sat:
Day 1: Arrive Quito, Hotel
Day 2: Quito
Day 3: Arrival Baltra, transfer to Santa Cruz: Pto. Ayora & Highlands
Day 4: Santiago: Chinese Hat & Pto. Egas
Day 5: Sullivan Bay. Bartolome Island.
Day 6: Santa Cruz: Bachas Beach. Fly to Quito. Hotel.
Day 7: Depart


Notes on Itinerary: We may occasionally alter itineraries slightly for safety, or to take advantage of weather, wildlife, and unplanned discoveries. Our ability to be flexible makes our style of cruising unique.

Single 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.

Land Cost Includes: Three nights Quito hotel accommodations with breakfast included, all airport/ hotel transfers, Galapagos flight, Galapagos National Park entrance fees & taxes, Galapagos transit card, Galapagos cruise including all meals while aboard and an experienced Galapagos Islands naturalist guide.

Not Included: Airfare from US to Quito; excess baggage charges; airport departure tax from Quito; tips to local staff and items of a personal nature such as soft drinks or alcoholic beverages, laundry fees and insurance of any kind.

Arrival and Departure: This trip begins and ends in Quito, Ecuador. Plan flights to arrive at any time on Day 1 and depart anytime on the last day. Airport transfers are included for travelers arriving and departing on scheduled arrival/departure days. This trip can also be arranged to begin and end in Guayaquil, Ecuador.

Payment and Cancellation Policy: We charge a deposit of $1000 at the time of booking with the final payment due 90 days from 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. We highly recommend our travelers protect their investment with

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.

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 roundtrip 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. Easy-to-use, sit-on-top kayaks are also available.

Extending Your Trip: Call AdventureSmith Explorations about the possibilities of combining this trip with our Mainland Ecuador and Peru: Machu Picchu extensions.

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. If purchased within 14 days of sign-up, the pre-existing condition exclusion is waived.

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

For additional information and reservations, please contact us:

800-728-2875 | 530-583-1775 | fax 530-583-1711 | travel@AdventureSmithExplorations.com