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Playful sea lions

Northern Islands

Example 11 Day Cruise aboard San Jose
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This 11-day Northern Islands Galapagos cruise on the ship, San Jose, ventures through Isabela, North Seymour, Mosquera, and more! Enjoy some of the world's best bird watching on Genovesa, swim with sea lions in San Cristobal, and snorkel with amazing tropical fish and other marine life throughout your 11 days in the Galapagos!
san jose-from websiteBlue Footed Booby on North SeymourHiking volcanic fields on IsabelaYoung Nazca Booby with hikersPlayful sea lions
Highlights
  • Walk along a white sand beach and look for sea turtle nests
  • Take a panga ride to observe volcanic tuff cones
  • Snorkel in Buccaneers Cove
  • Learn about the protection and conservation of the islands
Activity Level: Relaxed
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Baltra - Santa Cruz

Arrive in Baltra and be escorted to your ship, the San Jose.

The first stop on your Galapagos adventure is Bachas Beach on Santa Cruz. Walk along two soft, white beaches and look for sea turtle nests. Behind one of the beaches is a beautiful lagoon where you may spot flamingos, black-necked stilts, whimbrels, and other coastal birds.

Day 2: Isabela

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Start today with a zodiac ride to Isabela. Travel through Tintoreras where you may observe white-tipped reef sharks, lava herons, Galapagos penguins, and sea lions.

In the afternoon, visit the wetlands close to Puerto Villamil village. Visit lagoons, swamps, and mangroves to observe many incredible species of migrant birds. Also visit the Arnaldo Tupiza Breeding Center to learn about the breeding, rearing, and protection of giant tortoises.

Day 3: Isabela - Fernandina

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Start the day with a walk around the West coast of Isabela. Start at Moreno point and stroll around a trail that follows a pahoehoe-lava flow into a complex of beautiful coastal lagoons full of different bird species.

After lunch, take a zodiac ride along the cliffs of Tagus Cove and look for the Galapagos penguin, the flightless cormorant, and other sea birds. Then take a 30 minute hike to a cliff, where there is an excellent view of several volcanoes and Darwin Lake, an uplifted ultrasaline lake.

Day 4: Fernandina - Isabela

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Today begins with a trip to Espinoza Point on Fernandina, where you may closely observe many of the unique species of the Galapagos, including marine iguanas, flightless cormorants, and Galapagos penguins.

In the afternoon, sail to Vicente Roca Point in Isabela. Take a panga ride and observe impressive geological formations including volcanic tuff cones and a large cave. Scan the cliffs for a variety of nesting birds such as Nazca and blue-footed boobies, storm petrels, gulls, and brown noddy terns. Also be sure to look into the clear waters for sea turtles.

Vicente Roca Point is an excellent area to snorkel. If you enjoy snorkeling, put on a wetsuit and swim around with Galapagos penguins, sea lion, sea turtles, and other marine life.

Day 5: Santiago

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Spend the morning searching for nesting marine turtles and exploring the palo santo forest on Espumilla Beach. Then head to Buccaneers Cove where you may enjoy great snorkeling, or walk around the beautiful area.

After lunch, walk along the black beach of Puerto Egas where you may find sea lions and marine iguanas sunbathing on the rocks. The unique color of the sand on this beach is due to volcanic tuff deposits.

Day 6: Rabida-Chinese Hat

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Start today with a beautiful hike around the red beaches of Rabida. Walk along a trail to a coastal lagoon, where you may find a variety of land birds such as yellow warblers, doves, mocking birds, finches, and flamingos. The beach is often full of sea lions and is a great base for snorkeling.

Enjoy the afternoon on Chinese Hat, a small islet near the Southeastern tip of Santiago Island. Chinese Hat is an excellent place to observe geological features such as lava tubes and lava flows, and is also home to many colonies of sea lions, marine iguanas, and Galapagos penguins.

Day 7: Santa Cruz

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Today begins with a trip to the Charles Darwin Research Station, where you have the opportunity to learn about the protection and conservation of the islands, as well as the breeding, rearing, and protection of Galapagos tortoises.

In the afternoon, venture around the highlands of Santa Cruz. Admire the rolling hills and extinct volcanic cones covered with grass and lush greenery year round. Also visit the Twin Craters and a local ranch where you can observe the giant tortoise species of Santa Cruz in its natural habitat.

Day 8: North Seymour - Baltra - Mosquera

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Spend your last morning exploring North Seymour Island. Walk along a circular path that takes you through the island to a gorgeous, rocky shore where the waves crash with a silvery-blue color. While on the trail, look for blue-footed boobies, frigate birds, swallow-tailed gulls, and other amazing wildlife.

After a quick stop in Baltra, sail to Mosquera, an islet formed by a geological uplift. Here you will find a reef of rocks and coral as you walk along a great white sand beach. You may also find a population of sea lions, Sally light-foot crabs, and many species of shorebird.

Day 9: Genovesa

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Today explore the island of Genovesa. In the morning, head to Darwin Bay, a favorite for birdwatchers. Here, you may see wandering tattlers, lava gulls, red-footed boobies, masked boobies, whimbrels, sharp-beaked finches, Galapagos doves, swallow-tailed gulls, and yellow-crowned, blacked-crowned, and lava herons.

In the afternoon, climb Prince Phillip's Steps, where who can find a variety of birds nesting the the lava flows, including storm petrels and short-eared owls. You may also see large populations of red-footed and Nazca boobies hanging out in the trees.

Day 10: South Plaza - Santa Fe

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Start the day with a trip to South Plaza Island, where you may find large populations of Plazas land iguanas, marine iguanas, land iguanas, and hybrid iguanas, as well as many different kinds of tuna, iguana's favorite food! South Plaza is also home to a variety of sea birds, including Audubon shearwaters, red-billed tropicbirds, frigate birds and brown pelicans.

After lunch, head to Santa Fe, where you may see many endemic species such as the Galapagos mockingbird, rice rats, two species of land iguanas, and the Galapagos hawk. As you walk along a beautiful trail, you may see many salt bushes, as well as giant prickly pear cactus. Take the opportunity to snorkel with playful sea lions and tropical fish in the clear waters of Santa Fe.

Day 11: San Cristobal

  • 1 Breakfast
In the morning, head to San Cristobal. Begin the day walking along the incredible beach at Cerro Brujo, which is composed of white coral and volcanic ash. Cerro Brujo is an eroded tuff cone that is partly composed of the a'a' lava type, creating a fascinating landscape. Here, you may find young sea turtles and rays, sea lions, warblers, finches, and many different sea birds. Then sail to Leon Dormido, an old lava cone that is now home to many birds such as blue-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, and frigatebirds. The snorkeling is phenomenal, with great opportunities to see spotted eagle rays, sea turtles, tropical fish, and the Galapagos shark.

After this excursion, transfer to the airport for your connecting flight to either Quito or Guayaquil.

Ship/Hotel

San Jose

Outside deck on the San Jose
Outdoor lounge on the San Jose
Dining area on the San Jose

Dates & Prices

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Per person starting at
$7,245
Cabin on board the San Jose
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Standard Cabin
Cabins offer private bath facilities and ocean view. There are 8 twin cabins equipped with two twin beds. 4 cabins are on the upper deck, and 4 are on the main deck. The two twin beds can be pushed together to form one king bed.

Notes

Children of all ages are accepted on-board but parents are held fully responsible for any accidents or damages.
 

Child Discount

Child discount is 20% of net rate. Only applicable for 1 child under 12 years traveling with two adults

Children under 12 may receive discounts on Galapagos flight fares and entrance fees. Contact us for details.
Included
  • 10 Breakfasts, 9 Lunches, 10 Dinners
  • 10 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
Excluded
  • Gratuities
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
  • Galapagos Park Entrance Fee: $200 per adult, $100 per child under 12 (fees of $100 per adult and $50 per child valid on arrivals through Aug 1, 2024). Payable upon arrival to the Galapagos, only in cash dollars. Subject to increase by Galapagos Park Service.

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