Galapagos Explorer II

Built in Italy in 1990 and cruising the Galapagos Islands since 1998, the Galapagos Explorer, one of the largest and most elegant ships in Galapagos, and its crew have provided countless travelers incredible journeys throughout the archipelago. Originally one of the Renaissance cruise ship's fleet, the Galapagos Explorer II was later specially outfitted for the Galapagos and continues to offer educational nature explorations in comfort and safety. Whether you take one of the shorter cruises or the full 8-day cruise, you'll appreciate the emphasis on extensive itineraries, top-notch expert naturalist guides, and impressive environmental policies. The ship's large size and spaciousness is especially conducive to family groups, folks young and old, individuals and friends.  Over 70 staff provide excellent service to guests.

On 5 decks are many choices of common space to relax and explore: boutique, library, karaoke bar, conference room, Jacuzzi, solarium, observation deck. Other amenities include full time doctor and infirmary, communication via satellite, internet and wireless service; hearty, healthy meals served buffet style in the inside dining room and outside on deck; massage suite, piano bar, elevator, 24-hour coffee and tea station, guided star-gazing (December through April), whale watching, naturalist room (serious eco-tourists can work with guides and scientists); lessons on towel folding and cocktail-making lessons and the King Neptune Celebration (a Galapagos Explorer original!)  The Galapagos Explorer is committed to protect the fragile environment. It received the SMART Voyager certification in 2000, and International Certification ISO 14001 for recognition of its strict international standards and codes relating to improvement, control and preservation of the environment. It has implemented many environmental policies on board.

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: Saturday & Wednesday, weekly throughout the year

8, 5, and 4 day cruises

2010 Rates, per person

HIGH SEASON Jan 15-Apr 30; Jun 16-Nov 23; Dec 16-Jan 7

LOW SEASON: January 8 to 14; May 1 to June 15; November 24 to December 15

Single & Triple rates available, on request

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

Fuel Surcharge: $182/person (8 Days) / $104 (5 Days) / $78 (4 Days), subject to change

Additional fees (per person, for all cruises of any length):

Galapagos Park Fee $100; INGALA tourist card $10

Children's discount: 50% for children 7-11 on cruise except during holidays; 25% on internal air; 25% discount during the holidays.

Day 1 Saturday

Morning: arrive Baltra Airport, transfer to dock; board yacht (8-day and 5-day passengers)

Afternoon: Santa Cruz Island: Cerro Dragon

Day 2 Sunday

Morning: Bartolome Island

Afternoon: Santiago Island: Puerto Egas

Day 3 Monday

Morning: Fernandina Island: Punta Espinosa

Afternoon: Isabela Island: Punta Vicente Roca

Day 4 Tuesday

Morning: North Seymour Island

Afternoon: Santa Cruz Island, Highlands, lava tunnels and wild giant tortoises

Day 5 Wednesday

Morning: 8-day Saturday passengers & 5 -day passengers: San Cristobal Island: Loberia or Islas Lobos or Tijeretas or El Junco & Interpretation Center; 4-day passengers and Wednesday 8-day passengers arrive, transfer to yacht

Afternoon:5-day passengers: Departure to airport; previous 8-day Wednesday passengers depart; 8-day Saturday passengers visit Cerro Brujo.

Day 6 Thursday

Morning: Espanola Island: Punta Suarez

Afternoon:Espanola Island: Gardner Bay

Day 7 Friday

Morning: Santa Cruz Island: Charles Darwin Station & Puerto Ayora town

Afternoon: Rabida Island

Day 8 Saturday

Morning: Santa Cruz Island: Bachas Beach

Afternoon: 8-day Saturday passengers and 4-day passengers depart from Baltra Airport; 8-day Wednesday passengers go to Cerro Brujo.

Included in the Cruise rate: all meals on yacht, snacks, bottled water; daily excursions led by experienced English-speaking naturalist guides in groups of 15/per guide; use of snorkeling equipment and wetsuits (must be ordered in advance.)

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; soft drinks and alcoholic beverages.

Number of passengers: 100

Number of Days: 8, 5 & 4 days

Length: 289 feet

Beam: 50.2 feet

Type: cruise ship/expedition vessel

Safety: EPIRB, ISM, ISPS & SOLAS; meets or exceeds US Coast Guard regulations

Crew: 70, including 6 naturalist guides and 1 medical doctor

Cruising speed: 14 - 17 knots

Air Conditioning: Yes, throughout

Diving: No

Located on 5 decks, the suites average 250 square feet, and are the largest suites of all Galapagos yachts. Amenities include spacious private bath with marble vanity and hairdryer, minibar, TV set, movies, walk-in or large closets, two twin beds or one queen bed and small sitting area; sofa bed for triple configuration; safety deposit box; phone for national or international calls. Most suites are very similar in size and decorated wtih rich mahogany and large mirrors, the price difference only has to do with the deck location. Deluxe suites on Erickson deck have balconies.

• 8, 5 & 4 days
• 100 passengers
• Saturday and Wednesday departures
• 293 feet long
• Cruise ship / expedition vessel
• Naturalist and Family departures