Isabela II

One of the first and one of the few mid-size yachts, the Isabela II is known for its elegance, comfort and excellent service with a relaxed atmosphere. With three decks and a variety of spacious social areas, it feels like a much larger yacht, yet you receive the personalized service of a smaller vessel. The yacht is fully air-conditioned. All of the spacious cabins have private modern bathrooms complete with hair dryers. Each cabin also has a safe deposit box.

Common areas on the three decks include a dining room, bar-salon, and sun deck with comfortable lounge chairs for relaxation. Also on the sun deck is a bar with plenty of seats, a Jacuzzi, solarium, and an observation area for whale and dolphin watching. Recently a small gym has been added to the Sun Deck.

For snorkelers, the Isabela includes the use of shortie wetsuits and snorkeling gear free of charge. A glass bottom boat, as an alternative to snorkeling, allows passengers another way to view the rich Galapagos marine life. Sea kayaks offer another activity available to enthusiasts.

The library contains a large selection of reference books on Galapagos and Ecuador, as well as excellent nature and conservation videos – a very complete reference library to further enhance your experience. On board you’ll also find a gift shop, facilities for email and faxing, and a full-time medical doctor.

In the evenings, the staff of expert naturalist guides provide delightful and insightful multi-media presentations to complement what you’ve seen, as well as an explanation of the next day’s excursions. Another highlight is the stargazing program at night where you gaze at the black sky blanketed with star formations, accompanied by a naturalist guide.

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: 8 Days, Tuesday, weekly, all year (shorter cruises may be available on request)

2010  Rates, per person

Master Suite with Queen bed, $4,198 (Cabin #22)

Classic Cabin with Twin or Double Beds, $3,998 (16 cabins: 1-10 & 16-21)

Standard Cabin with Double Bed, $3,750 (Cabins 14 & 15)

Standard Cabin Single, $4,875 (Cabins 14 & 15)

Fuel Surcharge: $203

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

Additional fees per person:

Galapagos Park Fee $100; $10 INGALA tourist card

Peak Season Surcharge: Mar 26-Apr 5 & Dec 24, 2010 -Jan 3, 2011: additional $130/adult; $100/child. No other discounts apply.

Children’s discount: 25% for children 6-11, not applicable during holiday season

Day 1 Tuesday

Morning: Baltra Island – Arrival

Afternoon: North Seymour Island

Day 2 Wednesday

Morning: Española (Hood) Island: Gardner Bay

Afternoon: Española (Hood) Island: Punta Suárez

Day 3 Thursday

Morning: Floreana Island: Point Cormorant

Afternoon: Floreana Island: Post Office Bay

Day 4 Friday

Morning: Santa Cruz Island: disembark yacht and board a bus to visit the highlands

Afternoon: Santa Cruz Island: lunch at Finch Bay Eco Hotel. Visit Charles Darwin Research Station and Puerto Ayora town.

Day 5 Saturday

Morning: Genovesa (Tower) Island: Darwin Bay

Afternoon: Genovesa (Tower) Island: Prince Philip’s Steps

Day 6 Sunday

Morning: Isabela Island: Tagus Cove

Afternoon: Ferjnandina Island: Punta Espinoza

Day 7 Monday

Morning: James Island: Puerto Egas

Afternoon: Bartolome Island

Day 8 Tuesday

Morning: Baltra Island – Departure back to mainland

Included in the Cruise rate: all meals on yacht, daily excursions led by experienced English-speaking naturalist guides, glass-bottom boat outings, snorkeling gear (mask, snorkel, fins, floating device & mesh bag) use of shortie wetsuits, bottled drinking water. Not included:Round-trip airfare (figured separately & prepaid); Galapagos Park Fee, Galapagos Transit Control Card; tips to guide, crew and staff; soft drinks and alcoholic beverages.

Length: 166’

Beam: 38’

Type: deluxe motor yacht

Safety: SOLAS 74 – ISM

Crew: 24+ 3 naturalist guides

Cruising speed: 10 knots

Air Conditioning: Yes, throughout

Diving: No

Number of passengers: 40

Number of Days: 8 days only

Departures: Tuesday

20 cabins are located on Cabin Deck, and consist of 16 cabins with two beds, 2 with one double bed for single or a double; and 2 with double bed plus a single bed for double or triple use. Cabin sizes are either 128 or 139 square feet. There is one master suite, the owner’s cabin, on the Sun Deck. All cabins are cheerful, comfortable, with private modern bathrooms, hair dryer, plenty of storage space, and window.

• 8 days only
• 40 passengers
• Tuesday departures
• 166 feet long
• Motor yacht
• Naturalist cruises