Eclipse

The Eclipse offers the best of all worlds. One of the finest expedition vessels in Galapagos, the discerning traveler will appreciate the Eclipse’s superior comfort, elegance, spaciousness and exclusively, due largely to the fact that the Eclipse is operated and managed by the owners.  Designed specifically for Galapagos expeditions, the Eclipse provides generous space both in the cabins and social areas yet preserving the intimate atmosphere of a smaller yacht. All the spacious staterooms have ocean views and are fully air-conditioned, adorned in warm dark wood, and ample full-sized closets. Bathrooms are well-appointed including complimentary use of bathrobes. Cabins can be configured to accommodate every situation – twin beds can be converted to Queen beds, and triples are also an option in some rooms.

Each evening in the well-equipped lounge, you’ll enjoy the nightly briefings on the day’s discoveries and the next day’s activities. Delicious meals are served buffet style, in the elegant indoor dining room and the al fresco dining area on the Weather Deck around the Jacuzzi. The Eclipse’s other amenities include a well-stocked library & video room, elliptical machines for a work-out, an indoor and outdoor bar and boutique. Laundry service is also available. There is a well-equipped infirmary and MD on board. Satellite phone and internet are available for emergency use (at your own cost, payable on board.) The observation/sun deck is one of the most popular areas ideal for stargazing, whale watching, or relaxing on the comfortable lounge chairs. From December – April, when skies are clearest, there are nightly lectures with visual aids for star gazing. Tuesday and Thursday evenings there will be musical entertainment after dinner. Family Departures feature special activities for children such as faster abut educational walks, beach games, on-board activities, special briefings for children, and special menus and meal times.

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: weekly, Saturdays, all year

8 Days & *6 Days

2010/2011 Rates for 8-Day cruise, per person, double occupancy 

*6 Day cruises depart on Saturday and end on Thursday. Subject to availability and are not available during Easter, Christmas and New years departures. The 6-Day cruise does not include transfer to Baltra Airport on Day 6. Please contact Andean Treks for price and availability.

Cruise rate includes: all shore excursions with English speaking guides; all meals on board; all soft drinks and juices; VIP lounge at Baltra airport on outbound flight from Galapagos; complimentary use of snorkeling equipment and wet suits; complimentary one-time fully stocked minibar in Deluxe Staterooms; transfers between Baltra airport and the dock.

Additional fees:

Galapagos Airfare (from Quito or Guayaquil): $325 to $425, depending on the routing and the season, subject to change

Galapagos Park Fee $100

INGALA tourist card $10

Single Rates: 2 single cabins (see above); single supplement in double cabins: 1.5 x twin rate; 2 x superior and deluxe staterooms

Triple Rates: 3rd person in Deluxe Stateroom (child) receives only the child's discount. 3rd person in Deluxe Staterooms (adult) rate is the current twin cabin rate.

Children’s discount: 25% discount for children 5-11 on "family cruises"; regular cruises minimum age for children is 10; same 25% discount applies for children age 10 & 11. Discounts are NOT applicable for cruises during Easter, Christmas and New Years.

Day 1 Saturday

Morning: Baltra Island: arrival, transfer to yacht

Afternoon: Santa Cruz Island: Las Bachas Beach

Day 2 Sunday

Morning: Santiago Island: Puerto Egas

Afternoon: Bartolome Island

Day 3 Monday

Morning: Santa Cruz Island: Cerro Dragon

Afternoon: Rábida Island

Day 4 Tuesday

Morning: Isabela island: Tagus Cove

Afternoon: Isabela island: Elizabeth Bay

Day 5 Wednesday

Morning: Fernandina Island: Punta Espinoza

Afternoon: Isabela Island; Punta Vicente Roca

Day 6 Thursday

Morning: Santa Cruz Island: Charles Darwin Research Station

(6-Day cruise ends after visiting the Charles Darwin Station. You will be transferred to Baltra Airport for the flight back to Quito or Guayaquil.)

Afternoon: Santa Cruz Island: Highlands

Day 7 Friday

Morning: Española Island: Gardner Bay

Afternoon: Española Island: Punta Suarez

Day 8 Saturday

Morning: Santa Cruz Island: Black Turtle Cove

Departure from Baltra

A typical day’s schedule: Early wakeup, 6:45AM. Breakfast is served between 7:00 and 7:30, followed by the first shore excursion at 8:00. With groups of maximum 12 passengers with one English-speaking naturalist guide, you’ll hike, swim, snorkel, bird watch and have great opportunities for close-up photos of the flora and fauna. Back to the  yacht for lunch, usually served at 12:30, then open time until the next island excursion. Around 3:00PM, disembark for the afternoon excursion, returning between 5:30 and 6:00PM. Before dinner each night there is a lecture and briefing. Dinner is served at 7:30PM.

Included in the Cruise rate: all meals on yacht, daily excursions led by experienced English-speaking naturalist guides in groups of 12/per naturalist guide; 2 glasses of house wine with meals (2009 only,) all soft drinks & juices; complimentary use of snorkeling equipment and wetsuits; complimentary one-time fully stocked minibar in Deluxe staterooms.

Not included:Round-trip airfare (figured separately & prepaid); Fuel Surcharge, Galapagos Park Fee & Galapagos Transit Control Card (figured separately & prepaid;) tips to guide, crew and staff; alcoholic beverages on board. 6-Day cruise does not include transfer to Baltra Airport on Day 6. Costs are as follows: 1 person $150; 2-3 people $75 per person; 4-7 people $45 per person; 8-14 people $24per person)

Number of passengers: 48

Number of Days: 8 & 6 Days

Departures: Saturday

Air Conditioning: Yes, throughout

Diving: No

Length: 210’

Beam: 41’

Type: Expedition Vessel

Safety: ISM & SOLAS

Crew: 31+ 4 naturalist guide

Cruising speed: 11 knots

All cabins are outside with 1 to 3 portholes or large windows

Main Deck cabins 3-15 and Boat Deck cabins 21-28 are twins and doubles, with either two lower twin beds or one double bed

Boat Deck cabins 17-20 are Queens & Triples

Cabins have 2 bedside tables, a writing desk, chair, ample closet space, private safety deposit box, and internal communications system. All twin beds can be converted to queen size beds. Cabins are serviced 3 times a day. Bathrooms are well-appointed and consist of a shower, toilet, sink, cabinet, hairdryer, basket of toiletries, and bathrobes. Fresh bath towels are provided every day. Beach towels are provided for island excursions.

• 8 & 6 days
• 48 passengers
• Saturday departures
• 210 feet long
• Cruise ship
• Naturalist & Family cruises