Grace

M/Y Grace's stellar past includes ownership by millionaire tycoons like Sir George Tilley and Aristotle Onassis, a brief stint in the British navy and the vacation home of guests recognized worldwide, including Winston Churchill. Built by Camper & Nicholson, this yacht has traversed the waters of this world under many names, but has been rechristened with a name that takes her back into her history, to the very best of her times. Named after her late owner, Her Serene Highness Princess Grace of Monaco, the name is a representation of her elegance, beauty and prestige.

Grace is the ideal yacht for the traveler who seeks a true explorer experience, complemented with excellent service, superb accommodations and excellent dining. All who travel aboard this yacht will be part of a unique mission: to bring to life the natural living legacy of the islands through an experience unlike any other in Galapagos.

Grace is outfitted to allow for a variety of cruise styles: for individual passengers, private charters, family departures, and active departures that include more kayaking, snorkeling and hiking.

Grace features a main salon equipped with a bar, TV/Video system and stereo system, Jacuzzi, and sea kayaks. Snorkeling gear and wetsuits are available for use (currently at no charge.) SCUBA diving is available on an "occasional" basis on certain dates.For meals, served buffet style, passengers can choose to eat inside, in the interior dining room or outside at the al-fresco dining area. Meals are wholesome with a variety of menus, with tropical exotic fruits always available. The sundeck has a bar and plenty of space. Guests can also relax in the front of the boat where the jacuzzi and sun chairs are located.

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, weekly, all year

8 Day cruises only

2010 Rates, per person, double occupancy

Galapagos Airfare, round-trip (from Quito or Guayaquil): $325 to $420, depending on the routing and season, and subject to change

Single Supplement: 75% Surcharge (if passenger is not willing to share cabin; surcharge is subject to change)

Additional Fees:

NO FUEL SURCHARGE

Galapagos Park Fee: $100

INGALA Galapagos entry card: $10

Children's Discount: 11 yrs and under receive 30% discount on cruise rate (not applicable for departures on or between Christmas, New Years and Easter)

Holiday Surcharge: $400/person (Easter, Christmas and New Year's weeks)

Day 1: Saturday

Morning: Arrival to San Cristobal Island

Afternoon: San Cristobal: Playa Ochoa and Kicker Rock

Day 2: Sunday

Morning: Tower (Genovesa) Island: Prince Phillip's Steps

Afternoon: Tower: Darwin Bay

Day 3: Monday

Morning: Fernandina (Narborough) Island: Punta Espinosa

Afternoon: Isabela (Albemarle) Island: Tagus Cove

Day 4: Tuesday

Morning: Isabela (Albemarle) Island: Urbina Bay

Afternoon: Isabela (Albemarle) Island: Punta Vicente Roca

Day 5: Wednesday

Morning: Bartolome (Bartholomew) Island: Pinnacle Rock & Overlook

Afternoon: Santa Cruz (Indefatigable) Island: Black Turtle Cove

Day 6: Thursday

Morning: Santa Cruz (Indefatigable) Island: Highlands

Afternoon: Santa Cruz Island: Charles Darwin Research Station

Day 7: Friday

Morning: Hood (Española) Island: Punta Suarez

Afternoon: Hood (Española) Island: Gardner Bay

Day 8: Saturday

Early Morning: San Cristobal: Interpretation Centre

Late Morning: Depart for Mainland Ecuador

Included in the cruise cost:

All meals on board & non-alcoholic beverages; all services throughout the cruise; snorkeling gear & wetsuits

Not included:

Air tickets to and from Galapagos; Galapagos National Park entrance fee ($100); Transit Control Card ($10); Fuel surcharge of $306 per person (waived on several promotional dates -- please call for further information); bar consumption on board; gratuities & tips to crew and staff

Length: 145 feet

Beam: 22 feet

Type: Motor yacht

Safety: EPIRB; ISM certified. All emergency equipment is SOLAS certified. Meets or exceeds USA Coast Guard Regulations

Crew: 10 plus up to 2 naturalist guides & 1 cruise director

Speed: 12 knots cruising

Eight spacious staterooms of up to 18 square meters (194 square feet) wtih private bathrooms, individual climate controls, safe boxes, telephones and plenty of storage space for clothing and luggage. Four cabins are located on the Sun Deck: 2 with Queen beds and 2 with twin beds. Four decks on Lower Deck, 2 doubles and 2 twins. Cabins are light and airy, handsomely decorated with all the amenities.

• 8 Days only
• 16 passengers
• Saturday departures
• 145 feet long
• Motor yacht
• Naturalist, family, active, occasional diving, private charters

• Galapagos Islands Descriptions
• Additional Galapagos Information
• Galapagos Map