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south america: galapagos

Journey I - Southern Galapagos Islands 4 day/3 night

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

This 4 day itinerary explores the southern islands; taking you from San Cristobal to Santa Cruz with stops at all the famous visitor sites on Española and Florena. With this itinerary you will get to experience the basics of the Galapagos with the history at Post Office Bay, the conservation at the Charles Darwin Research Station, and all the spectacular views and charming wildlife along the way.

The Journey I Southern Islands Cruise can be combined with the Eastern or Western 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 Southern Islands Cruise details below or click on the following links to view details of the other Journey I Galapagos Cruises.

Eastern Galapagos Islands 5 day/4 night

Western Galapagos Islands 8 day/7 night

Galapagos Journey I Main Page

Day 1 - TUE - Mainland to Galapagos

This morning fly to Galapagos from Quito/Guayaquil Airport. Upon arrival at San Cristobal 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 La Lobería - a coral sand beach with sea lions. After exploration around the beach, head to the Highlands for a spectacular view of the El Junco Lagoon. Rainwater and condensation have collected in the caldera for hundreds of years creating this haven for frigatebirds. The lake supplies water both for the people of the island and for many of the tourist boats. Hiking around the lake offers views of practically the entire island including San Joaquin Hill the island's highest point.

Accommodations: Journey I
Included Meals: lunch & dinner

Day 2 - WED - Punta Suarez & Gardner Bay

Begin today on 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.

The afternoon will be spent at Gardner Bay. Located on the north-eastern coast of Hood, it provides an excellent beach for relaxing, swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and the opportunity to observe sea lions. Here we can also observe sharks in the crystal clear ocean waters.

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

Day 3 - THR - Cormorant Point & Post office bay, Floreana

Cormorant Point offers probably the best flamingo lagoon in the Galapagos and is our first visit of the day. It is situated between two tuff lava cones that give the area a special atmosphere. There are various species of shorebirds to observe besides flamingos. After visiting this special site, head to Devil's Crown for some of the best snorkeling in the Galapagos! In fact, the only way to see the Crown is by water; it is termed a Marine Visitor Site, and no landings are allowed.

After lunch tour Post office bay & Baroness Lookout. Historically, the bay is the location of a wooden barrel that was placed in the 18th century by the crew of a whaling ship. It has been used since this time by mariners and tourists as a post office. Continue to the north of the island and ascend an elevated slope to enjoy a beautiful vista at the Baroness lookout. From this lookout, the landscape covers the coastline from the Enderby islet to Post Office Bay, as well as Cerro Pajas, the pool of flamingos and wide forest of Palo Santo.

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

Day 4 - FRI - Charles Darwin Station, Baltra

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. One of the main attractions are the National Park information center, the Van Straelen Exhibition Hall, the Breeding and Rearing Center for young tortoises, Lonesome George (turtle from Pinta), and adult Galapagos tortoises in captivity. After the morning excursion you will be taken to the Baltra airport for your flight to the mainland. Transfer to your hotel.

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.

For additional information and reservations, please contact us:

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