Santa Cruz

Built exclusively for the Galapagos, the Santa Cruz was completely renovated, re-designed and refurbished in October, 1998, inside and out. There are 44 cabins on 3 of the 4 decks with a variety of cabin styles. The sun deck has been lengthened, there’s a new bar and Jacuzzi, and observation platform. All public areas have been remodeled (dining room, bar, lounge, boutique) and a reading room added. There’s a Boston Whaler with glass-bottom for underwater observation.

To accommodate your individual style, additional activities are available such as shorter walks, boat rides, snorkeling and swimming.  Staff and naturalist guides are top of the line, delighting guests with diverse natural history explanations, superb on-deck talks, and eye-catching natural history lectures. Their multimedia presentations and recaps complement the day's activities. Together with the Captain, the guides plan the day's program. Masters of Galapagos' knowledge, your naturalists soon become the highlight of your voyage. At night, under pitch-dark starry skies, guides will enlighten you with their stargazing knowledge. The southern skies dazzle with exuberant constellations.

Phone, fax and full-time doctor are on board for your convenience. Snorkeling gear is available for use, free of charge. Shortie wetsuits are available for rental and are advisable June to December when the cool ocean currents lower the water temperature.

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: Monday and Friday

2010 Rates, per person

Fuel Surcharges: $168 (8-day);   $96 (5-day);   $72 (4-day)

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

Single supplement (in other than designated single cabin): +100% of per person double rate in any cabin

Additional fees: $100 Galapagos Park Fee; $10 INGALA tourist card

Peak Season Rates: Mar 29-Apr 4, Dec 20, '10  - Jan 2, 2011, add $130 per adult; $100 per child. No discounts apply;

Cruises from Dec 20-27, 2010 and Dec 27, 2010 - Jan 3, 2011 will operate as 8 Day cruises only.

Children’s Discount: 25% for ages 6-11

Wet Suit Rentals: $19 per person for 4 or 5 day cruise; $38 per person for 8 day cruise.

Day 1 Friday

Morning: San Cristobal Island: arrival Puerto Baquerizo Moreno (8-day Fri/Fri and 4-day Fri/Mon)

Afternoon: San Cristobal Island: Cerro Brujo

Day 2 Saturday

Morning: Española (Hood) Island: Punta Suarez

Afternoon: Floreana Island: Punta Cormorant

Day 3 Sunday

Morning: Fernandina Island: Punta Espinoza

Afternoon: Isabela Island: Punta Vicente Roca

Day 4 Monday

Morning: Baltra Island: airport departure/arrival (4-day passengers depart from Baltra; Mon/Mon passengers arrive Baltra

Afternoon: Santa Cruz Island: Cerro Dragon (Mon arrivals and Fri/Fri passengers)

Day 5 Tuesday

Morning: Bartolome Island

Afternoon: Santiago (James) Island: Puerto Egas

Day 6 Wednesday:

Morning: Rabida Island (Jervis)

Afternoon: North Seymour Island

Day 7 Thursday

Morning: Santa Cruz Island: highlands

Afternoon: Santa Cruz Island:  Charles Darwin Research Station

Day 8 Friday

Morning: San Cristóbal Island: Puerto Baquerizo Moreno Airport, departure/arrival (Fri/Fri and 5-day Mon-Fri passengers depart; 4-day Fri/Mon & new Fri/Fri passengers arrive)

Afternoon: San Cristobal Island: Cerro Brujo (Fri/Mon, Mon/Mon and new Fri/Fri passengers)

Included in the Cruise rate:

All meals on yacht, daily excursions led by experienced English-speaking naturalist guides

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.

Type: Expedition ship

Safety: ABS + A1E, SOLAS, ISM

Crew: 52+ 6 naturalist guides (includes Chief Naturalist)

Cruising speed: 13 knots

Air Conditioning: yes, throughout

Diving: No

Length: 237’ Beam: 38.86 feet

Type: Expedition ship

Safety: ABS + A1E, SOLAS, ISM

Crew: 52+ 6 naturalist guides (includes Chief Naturalist)

Cruising speed: 13 knots

All cabins meet the same high standard for comfort and style, and are very bright and cheerful.

On 3 of the 4 decks, cabins come in a variety of styles:

Boat Deck has 2 master suites with double beds (plus a sofa bed for a child) and a private balcony, and 2 junior suites with twin beds (plus a sofa bed for a child).

Superior-Class cabins have six cabins with twin or double beds, that together with the remaining Standard Cabins on the Upper and Main decks offer a variety of accommodations.

Family guests have ample choice among single, double and triple accommodations. All cabins have modern bathrooms with shower, safety deposit boxes and hair dryers.

• 8, 5, and 4 days
• 90 passengers
• Monday & Friday departures
• 237 feet long
• Expedition ship
• Naturalist & family-friendly cruises

• Photo Gallery
• Galapagos Islands Descriptions
• Detailed Galapagos Information