galapagos
Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, a 90-passenger Galapagos expedition ship, offers 8, 5, and 4 day itineraries (2011) and 6 & 5 days in 2012. Excellent service, cheerful, a comfortable range of cabins and social areas and a relaxed atmosphere. It has gained worldwide recognition for excellent standards, including superb service, expert crew, and excellent knowledgeable naturalist guides.
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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
2011: Mon & Fri, weekly, all year: 8, 5 & 4 days
2012: Mon, Wed & Fri, weekly, all year: 6 & 5 days
Rates: 2011 sample of rates for 8 Day cruises
Main Deck Twin Standard $3,711
Upper Deck Twin Standard $3,909
Boat Deck Twin Standard $4,274
Click "Read More" for 2012 rates & more information
Read More2011 & 2012
Departures weekly, all year:
2011: Mon & Fri, 8, 5 & 4 day cruises
2012: Mon, Wed & Fri, 6 & 5 days
2011 Rates, per person
| CABINS |
8 DAYS Mon & Fri |
5 DAYS Mon-Fri |
4 DAYS Fri-Mon |
| Main Deck Standard Twin | $3,711 | $2,120 | $1,590 |
| Upper Deck Standard Twin | $3,909 | $2,233 | $1,675 |
| Boat Deck Standard Twin | $4,274 | $2,442 | $1,832 |
| Boat Deck Standard Plus Twin (triple) | $4,467 | $2,552 | $1,914 |
| Boat Deck Superior Twin / Double | $4,660 | $2,662 | $1,997 |
| Boat Deck Jr. Suite Twin | $4,879 | $2,788 | $2,091 |
| Boat Deck Master Suite Double | $5,617 | $3,211 | $2,408 |
| Boat Deck Standard Single* | $6,411 | $3,663 | $2,748 |
| Fuel Surcharge | $168 | $96 | $72 |
*Only 1 cabin available for single use
2012 Rates:
| CABINS |
5 DAYS Northern Islands Mon-Fri |
6 DAYS Western Islands Wed-Mon |
6 DAYS Eastern Islands Fri-Wed |
| Main Deck Standard Twin | $2,312 | $2,890 | $2,890 |
| Upper Deck Standard Twin | $2,425 | $3,032 | $3,032 |
| Boat Deck Standard Twin | $2,634 | $3,293 | $3,293 |
| Boat Deck Standard Plus Twin | $2,744 | $3,430 | $3,430 |
| Boat Deck Superior Twin / Double | $2,855 | $3,568 | $3,568 |
| Boat Deck Jr. Suite Twin | $2,980 | $3,725 | $3,725 |
| Boat Deck Master Suite Double | $3,402 | $4,253 | $4,253 |
| Boat Deck Standard Single* | $3,855 | $4,819 | $4,819 |
*Only 2 cabins available for single use
Galapagos Airfare (from Quito or Guayaquil): $335 to $435, depending on the routing and the season, subject to change
Single supplement (in twin/double cabins for single use): 2011: +50% of per person double rate in any cabin (100% in peak season); 2012: +100%.
Additional fees: $100 Galapagos Park Fee; $10 INGALA tourist card
Peak Season Surcharges: $130/adult; $100/child
Peak Season Dates: 2011: Apr 18-25, *Dec 19-Jan 2; 2012: Apr 4-9, Dec 21-Jan 4
Children’s Discount: 25% for ages 6-11
Wet Suit Rentals: 2011: $20 per person for 4 or 5 day cruise; $42 per person for 8 day cruise. Snorkel gear rental is included. 2012: $20/person 5 & 6 days
2011 ITINERARY (2012 itineraries are different; please contact Andean Treks for details)
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
Read More2011 ITINERARY
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
Read MoreType: 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
On 3 of the 4 decks, cabins are all stylish and comfortable and come in a variety of styles: Master suites with double beds (plus a sofa bed for a child) and a private balcony; junior suites with twin beds (plus a sofa bed); Superior cabins with twin or double beds. Families can choose from single, double and triple accommodations.
Read MoreAll 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.
Quick Facts
- 8, 5, and 4 days (2011); 6 & 5 days (2012)
- Mon & Fri departures (2011); Mon, Wed, Fri (2012)
- 90 passengers
- 237 feet long
- Expedition ship
- Naturalist & Family cruises