Samba

The Samba is a true European Dutch classic and best in her class. Built in Holland, this 78-foot solid, steel-hulled motor yacht (with stabilizing sail) accommodates 14 guests, a perfect number to enjoy the magic of the Islands with privacy and flexibility. She is comfortable and well laid out, offering good cabin and public-area accommodations.. An ample dining-room/salon connects to an outdoor dining facility with large tables, TV with video-system, sound-system, mini-library with books and videos and a small bar.

Her main salon and aft dining facilities make her socially versatile while top-side lounge chairs and ample forward deck provide great getaways or extra space for group activities such as stargazing, whale watching or simply sunbathing.

The Samba?s professional, experienced, friendly crew and naturalist guide are devoted to go the extra mile to make your journey a trip of a life time. She is a graceful, top-quality craft and very environmentally friendly as well as socially responsible.

A great ocean-going vessel with her specially designed high bow, she provides safe crossings and boasts a special stabilizing sail. She is locally owned and all the crew members are from the Galapagos.

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: Tuesday, weekly, all year

8 Days only

Rates, per person, double occupancy

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

Fuel Surcharge: currently no fuel surcharge, but subject to change

Additional Fees:

Galapagos Park Fee: $100

INGALA Galapagos entry card: $10

Children's Rate: $1,600 for children under 12.

Holiday Surcharge: Christmas and New Year dates will have a 10% surcharge.

Day 1

AM: Baltra Island: arrival

PM: Plazas Island

Day 2

AM: Santa Cruz Island: Charles Darwin Station

PM: Highlands of Santa Cruz Island

Day 3

AM: Espanola Island: Gardner Bay

PM: Espanola Island: Punta  Suarez

Day 4

AM: Floreana Island: Punta Cormorant

PM: Floreana Island: Post Office Bay

Day 5

AM: Isabela Island: Punta Moreno

PM: Isabela Island: Elizabeth Bay

Day 6

AM: Isabela Island: Urbina Bay

PM: Fernandina Island: Punta Espinoza

Day 7

AM: Santiago Island: Puerto Egas

PM: Bartolome Island

Day 8

Santa Cruz Island: Black Turtale Cove

PM: Baltra Island & return flight to Quito or Guayaquil

Included in the cruise rate:

Accommodation, all meals, daily excursions led by naturalist guide, snorkeling gear.

Not included: international air, airfare Quito or Guayaquil to Galapagos, Galapagos National Park fees $100/person, the Transit Control Card of US$10.00, and beverages on board.

Length: 78 feet / 23 meters

Beam: 18 feet / 5.4 meters

Type: motor-sailer

Safety: EPIRB (Emergency Positioning Indicating Radio Beacon), two bi-directional VHF emergency-radios, one VHF (Motorola) wide-range radio, VHF and HF radios and one cell-phone communication system

Crew: 6 (captain, mechanic, chef, helmsmen, two sailors) + licensed naturalist guide

Speed: 8.5 knots

Samba accommodates 14 guests in 6 charming air-conditioned twin cabins and 1 exterior double bed cabin, all with private bathrooms and hot water.

• 8 Days only
• 14 passengers
• Tuesday departures
• 78 feet long
• Naturalist cruises