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.

AM: FLIGHT TO GALAPAGOS
Your journey begins with a flight to this remarkable
archipelago. Upon arrival, our VIP representatives will
assist you with all entry formalities, including the
migration card ($20) and National Park fee $200 for adults
(as of September 2024) and Children $100 (under 12
years old). After a brief biosecurity clearance, your
personal naturalist guide will greet you and escort you to
our private transport.
While our crew handles your luggage, you'll be
transferred to the Seaman Journey via our comfortable
tender boat, known locally as a "panga." This short scenic
ride delivers you directly to your boutique yacht, where
our crew awaits with refreshments to welcome you
aboard. We've arranged every detail to ensure your
arrival is seamless and comfortable, allowing you to begin
your Galapagos adventure in style.

PM: BARTOLOME ISLAND
Bartolome Island is situated across Sullivan Bay. It has an
altitude of 114 meters (aprox 375 feet), from where we
can observe one of the most beautiful sceneries of the
Galapagos Islands featuring Volcanic cones, lunar-like
craters, lava fields, and the famous Toba-formed pinnacle
eroded by the sea.
It has two breathtaking beaches where marine turtles can
be spotted alongside sea lions and at the base of the
pinnacle, there is a tiny colony of Galapagos penguins.

AM: MOSQUERA ISLET
Located between North Seymour and Baltra,
Mosquera Islet is one of the smallest islands in the
Galápagos. It is of volcanic origin, formed by
geological uplift, has no visible crater, and its terrain
is very flat.
One of the most striking features of Mosquera is the
contrast of colors. A beautiful beach of white sand,
transparent turquoise waters, lush green
vegetation, and jet-black lava rocks. Landscape
photography is highly recommended here,
especially in the golden light conditions of early
morning or at sunset.
PM: NORTH SEYMOUR
This remarkable elevated island offers an easy, level
walking experience across a pristine landscape.
Here, nature provides an intimate theater of
Galapagos wildlife. Watch magnificent frigatebirds
nesting among the low shrubs, their males
displaying their brilliant red throat pouches, while
charming blue-footed boobies perform their
delightful courtship dances a few feet from the trail.
Along the shoreline, playful sea lions ride the waves,
while elegant swallow-tailed gulls perch gracefully
on the cliffs. Our expert guides will lead you along
well-maintained paths, ensuring comfortable
viewing of these fascinating creatures in their
natural habitat.
Your visit can be as active or relaxed as you prefer,
with ample opportunities to observe and
photograph from convenient resting spots.

AM: GENOVESA, ISLAND EL BARRANCO - THE CLIFF
El Barranco offers an enchanting morning
exploration along Darwin Bay's southern edge. This
1.5 km trail traverses volcanic terrain and typically
requires two hours at a leisurely pace. The path
reveals one of Genovesa's most remarkable bird
sanctuaries, where red-footed and masked boobies
nest in close proximity.
In the cliff's natural cavities, observe fascinating

storm petrels and their primary predator, the short-
eared owl. The dramatic coastline can be admired

both from the trail and during a comfortable panga
ride, where you might spot fur sea lions resting on
the rocks.
Note: This is one of only five locations in the
archipelago where the red-footed booby nests,
making it a particularly special destination for wildlife
enthusiasts.
PM: DARWIN BAY
This bay originated when the crater of this island
collapsed below sea level. The wet landing is on a
beautiful white coral sandy beach. This island is a
favorite destination for birdwatchers, allowing the
observation of several species including: red-footed
boobies, masked boobies, wandering tattlers, lava
gulls, whimbrels, yellow-crowned and black-crowned
lava herons, and yellow warblers.
Continuing on the trail, visitors can see Red-Foots nesting in the Mangrove trees below. Birdwatching
opportunities include sightings of sharp-beaked finches, large cactus and ground finches, Galapagos doves,
and swallow-tailed gulls. Alongside the trail, there are tidal pools, here you can observe coastal and sea
birds like night herons as well playful sea lions. It is also a very good snorkeling spot to encounter marine
life like small reef-trip sharks, sea turtles and hundreds of colorful fish. Sea Kayaking is also possible.

AM: PLAZAS ISLANDS
South Plazas is located to 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.
The Plazas land iguanas are smaller than their relatives
found on other islands.
Throughout the island, there are several hybrid iguanas,
a result of crossing a male marine iguana and a female
land iguana. They are unique, recognisable at first
glance by their black/gray colour, with a land iguana’s
crest, but face and tail of the marine iguana. The large
population of iguanas is due to the presence of tunas,
their favourite food. Swallow-tailed gulls nesting in the
rugged cliffs are seen along with other seabirds such as
Audubon shearwaters, red-billed tropicbirds, frigate
birds, and brown pelicans.
PM: SANTA FE
After disembarking in the beautiful and clear waters,
you will be in proximity with one of the many sea lion
colonies. Along the trail, many salt bushes can be seen
as well as giant prickly pear cacti: gigantism is a
characteristic of oceanic islands. There are great
possibilities for snorkelling with playful sea lions and
tropical fish.
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 as giant prickly pear cacti: gigantism is a
characteristic of oceanic islands. There are great
possibilities for snorkelling with playful sea lions and
tropical fish.

AM: DAVID RODRIGUEZ LAND TORTOISE
BREEDING CENTRE
Your final morning in the Galapagos features a
visit to the prestigious David Rodriguez Tortoise
Center, a conservation jewel dedicated to
protecting San Cristóbal's native giant tortoises.
Named after a devoted park ranger who served
these islands for 39 years, this sophisticated
breeding facility plays a crucial role in preserving
these magnificent creatures.
Located in a serene setting near Cerro Colorado,
the center is a 40-minute scenic drive from port
through the island's highlands. Here, you'll
witness the remarkable Chelonoides
chathamensis tortoises in a carefully designed
natural habitat. The facility, established in 2002
and refined over the years, represents the
pinnacle of conservation excellence in the
Galapagos.
Following this memorable encounter, our staff
will ensure a seamless transfer to San Cristóbal
airport for your departure flight.