Exploring Quito and the Galapagos aboard the Seaman Journey

Upon arrival at Quito airport, you will meet with your guide, who will transfer you to your hotel.
Situated in a circle of Andean peaks, Quito is the world’s second-highest capital, with arguably one of the finest settings in the world. Originally settled by the Quitu tribe in the first millennium, Quito was an important part of the Inca Empire, before being destroyed and re-founded by the Spanish conquistador Sebastián de Benalcázar in 1534.
The colonial center – declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1978 – is one of the largest and best-preserved in Latin America. It is home to excellent museums, churches, and art galleries.

Early in the morning and right after breakfast, you and our local guide start the travel tour at the downtown area, well known as Quito Colonial. You start your journey along the “churches ́ trail” by visiting first the cathedral. In the cathedral, you learn about its history and the guide explains the internal
design of the cathedral such as the “mudejar ́s" influence on its first stage, the area with 3 longitudinal wings, and a small transversal wing behind the choir.
After finishing the round in the cathedral, we have a short walk to the church La Compania along with the guide’s expertise. The guide will enlighten you with history and fun facts of every place, in this case La Compania. Its decoration is based on muslin features and the altars are covered by gold leaf along with faces and birds carved. It is considered as an architectonic jewel in the American baroque style. It also has a religious value, because the rest of Saint Marianita of Jesus is located there, and according to some, she was the protector of the city.
Afterwards, we visit San Francisco, which is famous for the Cantuña story. San Francisco is well known due to its legends and stories, which make the place culturally wealthy. At the San Francisco church, there is a local hand craft store called Tianguez, where you can find a variety of items from the Ecuadorian
culture. Here, you can buy postcards, books, Ecuador in music, natural products, and even get a coffee with Humitas (which is sweet corn tamale) offered at the local Café Cantuña located at the Plaza San Francisco.
Around midday, you head to “Mitad del Mundo”, a monument at the equator line that passes through our country.
You may choose to either visit the Ethnographic or the Inti Ñan Museums, both located near the monument. Along the way, we will stop for a traditional Ecuadorian lunch (optional and not included).
After the tour, you will return to your hotel.

The guide will pick you up from the hotel and take you to the airport.
You will enjoy 4d/3n onboard the Seaman Journey yacht. Once in Santa Cruz, passengers must go through an inspection point at the airport to make sure that no foreign plants or animals are being introduced to the archipelago. Also, this inspection point is where passengers have to pay for the entrance to the Galapagos National Park.

Later on, your guide will pick you up and will carry your luggage to the bus. Passengers will arrive at the Catamaran Seaman Journey on a motorized boat
called Panga.

PM: North Seymour

North Seymour is an uplifted(as opposed to volcanic) island. Therefore, it is generally flat and strewn with boulders. There are good nesting sites
here for a large population of magnificent frigatebirds. Blue-footed boobies perform their courtshipdance in the more open areas and swallow-
tailed gulls perch on the cliff edges.

Despite the tremendous surf that can pound the outer shore, sea lions haul out onto the beach and can be found bodysurfing.

AM: Genovesa Island - El Barranco - The Cliff

Situated in the southern part of Darwin Bay on Genovesa Island, the visitor site of El Barranco offers a captivating exploration through unique volcanic landscapes. The trail, spanning 1.5 kilometers, winds its way across volcanic rock, providing an immersive experience that can be completed in about two hours. This area boasts the island's youngest geological formations, characterized by fragile lava cliffs. These cliffs serve as an essential nesting ground for Storm Petrels, with their cavities and holes carved by natural erosion. Witness the fascinating nesting behaviors of these petrels and spot the short-eared owl, a prominent predator in the region. Genovesa Island is also home to exclusive avian residents like the red-footed booby and masked booby, offering a rare opportunity for wildlife observation. During "panga rides" along the cliffs, encounter fur sea lions and various seabird species, adding to the enchantment of this unique ecosystem.

PM: Darwin Bay

Darwin Bay, formed from the collapsed crater of Genovesa Island, presents a picturesque landscape with a wet landing on a pristine white coral sandy beach. Renowned among birdwatchers, this bay offers sightings of diverse species, including red-footed boobies, masked boobies, wandering tattlers, and lava gulls. As visitors traverse the trail, they ascend gradually to the cliff's edge, where mangrove trees provide nesting sites for Red-Foots. Birdwatching enthusiasts will delight in spotting sharp-beaked finches, Galapagos doves, and swallow-tailed gulls along the way. Upon reaching the cliff's edge, a breathtaking panorama awaits, showcasing the island's vibrant avian population against the backdrop of the azure sea.

AM: Plazas, Santa Cruz

Situated to the east of Santa Cruz Island, Plazas forms part of the Islas Plazas and despite its compact size, it boasts some of the most captivating species found in the Galapagos. Notably, the land iguanas of Plazas exhibit a unique smaller size compared to their counterparts on other islands. The island is also home to several hybrid iguanas, a fascinating result of crossbreeding between male marine iguanas and female land iguanas. These hybrids, distinguishable by their black/gray color with the crest of a land iguana but the face and tail of a marine iguana, add to the island's distinctive biodiversity. Plazas' thriving iguana population owes much to the abundance of their favorite food, tunas. Additionally, rugged cliffs provide nesting sites for swallow-tailed gulls, alongside other seabird species such as Audubon shearwaters, red-billed tropicbirds, frigate birds, and brown pelicans.

PM: Santa Fe

Nestled in the southeastern part of the Galapagos, Santa Fe Island offers a stark contrast as it was formed from uplift rather than volcanic activity, resulting in its predominantly flat terrain. There are theories suggesting Santa Fe could be the oldest island in the archipelago. This island serves as a sanctuary for several endemic species, including the Galapagos hawk, Galapagos snake, and Galapagos mockingbird, as well as one of the two species of land iguanas found in the region. Upon disembarking, visitors are greeted by the crystal-clear waters and the enchanting presence of sea lion colonies. Along the trail, salt bushes and giant Prickly pear cactus dot the landscape, showcasing the unique gigantism characteristic of oceanic islands. Snorkeling opportunities abound, offering encounters with playful sea lions and a vibrant array of tropical fish, adding to the allure of Santa Fe's captivating ecosystem.

AM: San Cristobal, Jacinto Gordillo Breeding Center

Established in 2004, the Jacinto Gordillo Breeding and Rearing Center for young tortoises, located in Cerro Colorado on San Cristobal Island, stands as a testament to conservation efforts in the Galapagos. Named after a renowned settler, this center was created to safeguard and nurture young tortoises, playing a crucial role in their preservation. In 2008, an assisted reproduction program was initiated following the historic birth of a turtle in captivity, marking a significant milestone in Galapagos conservation. Visitors to the Jacinto Breeding Center not only gain insights into the intricate breeding processes but also actively engage in understanding the center's mission and significance in the broader context of conservation efforts in the region. This immersive experience offers a deeper appreciation for the vital work carried out at the breeding center.

After an enlightening morning excursion, guests are transferred to the airport for their flight to the mainland, concluding their journey with a transfer to Baltra airport.