Eden

The Eden was built in Ecuador specifically for Galapagos in 1996. In 2002 she was totally refurbished. For a small yacht, it is spacious and comfortable with pleasing decor and refined details. 8 double cabins, all have private bathrooms and hot water. The yacht is fully air-conditioned, has a spacious sun deck and dining area, comfortable social areas including a library, T.V. with VHS video, and a bar.

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 on Sunday

8 Days only

2010 Rates, per person, double cabin

$2,935 per person, double cabin

Single cabin + 80%

Galapagos Airfare, round-trip from Quito or Guayaquil: $325 to $425, depending on the routing and season, subject to change.

Additional Fees: Park Fee: $100/person; INGALA Entry card: $10

Children's Discount: 20% for children under age 12

Day 1 Sunday

AM: Arrive Baltra, transfer to dock and board the yacht

PM: Santa Cruz Island: Bachas Beach

Day 2 Monday

AM: North Seymour Island

PM: Santa Fe Island

Day 3 Tuesday

AM: Española Island: Punta Suarez

PM: Espanola Island: Gardner Bay

Day 4 Wednesday

AM & PM: Floreana Island

Day 5 Thursday

AM: Santa Cruz Island: Charles Darwin Research  Center

PM: Santa Cruz Highlands

Day 6 Friday

AM: Santiago Island: James Bay

PM: Bartolome Island

Day 7 Saturday

AM & PM: Genovesa (Tower) Island

Day 8 Sunday

AM: Santa Cruz Island: Black Turtle Cove

PM: Baltra  Airport, fly back to mainland Ecuador

Included in the Cruise Rate:

All meals on board, services of crew and staff, twice-daily island excursions led by English-speaking naturalist guide.

Not included:

$100 Galapagos Park Fee, $10 INGALA Tourist Card, round-trip airfare between Quito or Guayaquil & Galapagos; bottled beverages, tips to guide and staff, insurance, airport departure taxes (currently $41 from Quito / $28 from Guayaquil.)

Length: 80 feet

Beam: 16.4 feet

Crew: 8 + 1 naturalist guide

Type: Motor-cruiser

Speed: 10 knots

Safety: Meets or exceeds US Coast Guard requirements

8 double cabins, all have private bathrooms and plenty of water, hot or cold.  Four cabins have 2 lower berths, three have upper/lower berths, and there is one cabin with a Queen size bed.

• 8 Days only
• 16 Passengers
• Departures Sunday
• 80 Feet long
• Motor-cruiser
• Naturalist cruises