Beluga

This bright, sleek yacht is one of the best values for yachts in its class in Galapagos. With panoramic windows in the salon & dining area, ample deck space and roomy cabins, you cruise the islands in speed and style. Its crew of 9 provide some of the best on-board service. Owner operated. Steel hull, originally built in 1968 in Hamburg, Germany. Rebuilt in 1994 in Florida. Awarded the Smart Voyager Certificate for adherence to sound conservation practices. For 2011, Beluga will have 2 new different itinerary: Itinerary F: Fernandina & Itinerary G: Genovesa

Use these Activity Level Ratings as a general guide to help determine which of our adventures is best for you. Your perception of level of difficulty may vary from ours according to your own level of fitness and travel experience. Whether or not you stay in your comfort zone on the trip you select may also be influenced by the pacing we build into the itinerary, and your own preparation for the trip. While relatively high elevations are unavoidable when you're traveling in the Andes Mountains, we may judge a trip as "moderate" so long as passengers have sufficient time for acclimation. Our detailed trip itineraries give much more information about what you can expect. If you are unsure which trip is best for you, please call us. We'll help guide you toward the right fit.

Moderate

These adventures involve fairly easy travel. There is no camping: you sleep in hotels and country inns each evening. Trips may include short hikes and/or walks of two to three hours. Our itineraries include excursions in passenger mini-vans, over roads with many curves and potholes. Elevations rarely exceed 12,600'. At Machu Picchu and other Inca sites, we climb and descend relatively steep stone staircases. Trips to Amazon lodges involve travel by boat and canoe, plus hikes on forest trails at a moderate pace. In the rainforest, you may encounter rain, mud, and pooled water. Trips to the Galapagos include optional hikes on sometimes uneven rocky and/or slippery terrain. Passengers must get into and out of dinghies on beaches and at docks.

Active

These adventures include more hiking than in our moderate trips. You negotiate a variety of terrain, at elevations no more than 15,000'. Some trips include long days of overland travel. You sleep comfortably in hotels each evening.

Strenuous

While we rate all of our treks as strenuous, there is a substantial range of challenge between the easiest and the most demanding of our treks. Expect to hike 6-8 hours each day over steep and rugged terrain. You may hike to elevations of 17,000', with options to hike higher from several camps. Many include camping multiple nights at relatively high elevations. On most treks in the Andes, night-time temperatures can drop below freezing on one or more nights. On our Inn to Inn based treks, you'll spend each evening in a comfortable mountain lodge.

Extreme

Our toughest treks are suitable for those that enjoy a good physical challenge. You trek (and in some cases climb) over steep, rugged terrain at high elevations with substantial altitude gains. Some glacier travel requires knowledge of basic climbing techniques including use of crampons, ice axe, and ropes. These trips are in remote wilderness areas and include camping as high at 17,700'. Successful summit bids top out at 18,871' (Nevado Pisco), 19,347' (Volcan Cotopaxi) and 20,945' (Nevado Ausangate).

Departures Friday / 8 Days only

2011 & 2012 Rates, per person, double cabin: 

HIGH SEASON (Jan - Apr, Jun 16-Aug 31, Nov & Dec 8-31):

LOW SEASON (May - Jun 15, Sep, Oct, Dec 1-7)

Fuel Surcharge: included in the rates

Galapagos Airfare (from Quito or Guayaquil): $340 to $450, depending on the routing and the season, subject to change

Additional fees:

$100 Galapagos Park Fee

$10 INGALA tourist card

Christmas & New Year's supplement: $130 per person

Single Supplement: +50%

Children’s discount: 50% under age 12

2011 & 2012: NEW ITINERARIES, 2 different alternating 8-Day itineraries.

Itinerary G: Genovesa & Itinerary F: Fernandina

ITINERARY G: GENOVESA

Day 1 Friday

Morning: Baltra Island, arrival

Afternoon: Baltra Island: Cerro Dragon 

Day 2 Saturday

Morning: Santa Fe Island

Afternoon: Plazas Island 

Day 3 Sunday

Morning: San Cristobal Island: Punta Pitt

Afternoon: San Cristobal: Isla Lobos 

Day 4 Monday

Morning: Espanola Island: Gardner Bay, Punta Suarez

Afternoon: Espanola Island: Islote Gardner; Islote Orborn

Day 5 Tuesday

Morning: Santa Cruz Island: Puerto Ayora Town: Charles Darwin Station

Afternoon: Santa Cruz: Highlands

Day 6 Wednesday

Morning: James Island: Espumilla / Caleta Bucanero

Afternoon: James: Sullivan Bay 

Day 7 Thursday

Morning: Genovesa Island: Darwin Bay

Afternoon: Genovesa: El Barranco 

Day 8 Friday

Morning: Santa Cruz Island: Turtle Cove

Afternoon: Baltra Island: return flight to mainland Ecuador

ITINERARY F: FERNANDINA

Day 1 Friday

Morning: Baltra Island, arrival / Santa Cruz Island

Afternoon: Santa Cruz: Highlands, Los Gemelos (Twin Craters), Charles Darwin Station

Day 2 Saturday

Morning: Floreana Island: Punta Cormorant/Champion/Mirador de la Baronesa

Afternoon: Floreana: Post Office Bay/Asilo de la Paz

Day 3 Sunday

Morning: Isabela Island: Puerto Villamil: Tintoreras/Humedales

Afternoon: Isabela: Breeding Center/Volcano Sierra Negra

Day 4 Monday

Morning: Isabela: Punta Moreno

Afternoon: Isabela: Elizabeth Bay 

Day 5 Tuesday

Morning: Isabela: Urbina Bay

Afternoon: Isabela: Tagus Cove 

Day 6 Wednesday

Morning: Fernandina Island: Punta Espinoza

Afternoon: Isabela: Punta Vicente Roca

Day 7 Thursday

Morning: James: Puerto Egas

Afternoon: Bartolome Island

Day 8 Friday

Morning: North Seymour Island

Afternoon: Baltra Airport: return flight to mainland Ecuador

Included in the Cruise rate: all meals on yacht, daily excursions led by experienced English-speaking naturalist guides

Not included: Round-trip airfare (figured separately & prepaid); Galapagos Park Fee, Galapagos Transit Control Card & Fuel Surcharge (figured separately & prepaid); tips to guide, crew and staff; soft drinks and alcoholic beverages; snorkel gear rental, wet suit rental.

Number of passengers: 16

Number of Days: 8 days only

Departures: Friday

Air Conditioning: Yes, throughout

Diving: occasional diving on request

Length: 110’ Beam: 23’’

Type: motor cruiser, rebuilt in Florida in 1994

Safety: DIGMER certification (Ecuadorian Government Maritime Administration); EPIRB

Crew: 8+ 1 naturalist guide

Cruising speed: 12 knots cruising

8 double cabins:

4 with lower/lower berths

2 with matrimonial beds

2 with upper/lower berths

1 triple with 3 beds (2 lower and 1 upper)

all have private toilet/shower with hot & cold water

• 8 days only
• 16 passengers
• 2 new different itineraries
• Friday departures
• 110 feet long
• Steel-hulled Motor cruiser
• Naturalist departures
• Occasional diving on request

Contact Us

• Photo Gallery
• Galapagos Islands Descriptions
• How to Choose Your Yacht