galapagos
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Tip Top IV
The fleet of 3 Tip Top yachts, Tip Top II, III, and IV, are owned by the same Ecuadorian family-run company, for over 25 years. One of the first companies to offer Galapagos cruises , they continue to provide excellent service with qualified guides and staff. Still owner-operated, they are committed to the preservation of the islands by practicing minimal impact and environmental sustainability practices, and are also very involved with supporting the local communities. The Tip Top IV, Built in 2006, is the newest yacht, the flagship of the Tip Top fleet. One of the few companies to offer 15-day cruises.
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Built in Guayaquil in 2006, the newest of the Tip Top fleet, the Tip Top IV, was built to the same high standards as the other two Tip Top yachts, and was designed and constructed to offer the highest level of security and comfort. It too accommodates 16 guests in comfortable cabins. Somewhat longer and wider than the first two, the Tip Top IV is the flagship of the Tip Top Fleet and is one of the best ships in its category. It offers a 15-day cruises, one of a very to do so.
The 10 cabins are fully carpeted, each with private bathroom. All cabins, six in the Lower Deck and four in the Upper Deck, have two single lower berths that may be transformed to a king size bed. The cabins in the lower deck can be transformed in family suites by interconnecting doors.
Cabins, Bar and lounge are fully carpeted. A beautiful teak floored sun deck and dining room create a delightful place for resting and relaxing on board.The captain, multilingual guide, engineer, international cook, barman, waitress and two sailors will be at your service. Our relatively numerous crew on board will ensure the best personal service to all guests.
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 Friday and Monday
4, 5, 8, & 15-Day itineraries
2010 Rates, per person in double and single cabins
5 Days / 4 Nights
Cabins 1-6, $2,090 Double; $3,135 Single
Cabins 7-10, $2,240 Double; $3,360 Single
Click on "Read More" for more rates & details
Read MoreDepartures: Friday and Monday, weekly, all year
4, 5, 8, & 15-Day itineraries
2010 Rates, per person in double and single cabins
| 2010 Rates |
2010 4 Days |
2010 5 Days |
2010 8 Days |
2010 15 Days |
|
Cabins No. 1 - 6, Double
Single |
$1,672
$2,508 |
$2,090
$3,135 |
$2,926
$4,389 |
$5,852
$8,778 |
|
Cabins No. 7 - 10, Double
Single |
$1,792
$2,688 |
$2,240
$3,360 |
$3,136
$4,704 |
$6,272
$9,408 |
No Fuel Surcharge
Galapagos Airfare (round-trip from Quito or Guayaquil): $325 to $425, depending on the routing and season, subject to change
Additional Fees:
Galapagos Park Fee: $100 per person
INGALA Tourist Card: $10 per person
Children's Discount: 25% for children up through age 11
Day 1 Friday
AM: Baltra arrival
PM: North Seymour Island
Day 2 Saturday
AM: Genovesa Island: Darwin Bay
PM: Genovesa Island: Prince Phillip's Steps
Read MoreScroll down to see all the different itineraries (2 options for 8-day cruise; and 15 Day cruise)
8-DAY CRUISE
Day 1 Friday
AM: Arrive Baltra, transfer to yacht
PM: North Seymour Island
Day 2 Saturday
AM: Genovesa Island: Darwin Bay
PM: Genovesa Island: Prince Phillip's Steps
Day 3 Sunday
AM: Isabela Island: Punta Vicente Roca
PM: Isabela Island: Punta Espinoza
Day 4 Monday
AM: Isabela Island: Urbina Bay
PM: Isabela Island: Elizabeth Bay
Day 5 Tuesday
AM: Floreana Island: Punta Cormorant
PM: Floreana Island: Post Office Bay
Day 6 Wednesday
AM: Espanola Island: Punta Suarez
PM: Espanola Island: Gardner Bay
Day 7 Thursday
AM: Santa Cruz Island: Charles Darwin Research Station
PM: Santa Cruz Island: visit the highlands
Day 8 Friday
AM: Santa Cruz Island: Puerto Ayora town
PM: Baltra Airport, return flight to mainland
8 DAY OPTION #2
Day 1 Friday
AM: Arrive Baltra, transfer to dock
PM: Santa Fe Island
Day 2 Saturday
AM: San Cristbal Island: Cerro Brujo
PM: San Cristobal Island: Lobos Island
Day 3 Sunday
AM: South Plaza Island
PM: Bartolome Island
Day 4 Monday
AM: Santa Cruz Island: Black Turtle Cove
PM: Santa Cruz Island: Las Bachas Beach
Day 5 Tuesday
AM: Isabela Island: Puerto Villamil
PM: Isabela Island: overland up to volcano Sierra Negra in the highlands
Day 6 Wednesday
AM: Santiago Island: Sullivan Bay
PM: Santiago Island: Chinese Hat
Day 7 Thursday
AM: Santiago Island: Puerto Egas
PM: Rabida Island
Day 8 Friday
AM: Santa Cruz Island: Dagon Hill
PM: Baltra Airport, return flight to mainland Ecuador
15 DAYS
Day 1 Friday
AM: Arrive Baltra, transfer to yacht
PM: North Seymour Island
Day 2 Saturday
AM: Genovesa Island: Darwin Bay
PM: Genovesa Island: Prince Phillip's Steps
Day 3 Sunday
AM: Isabela Island: Punta Vicente Roca
PM: Isabela Island: Punta Espinoza
Day 4 Monday
AM: Isabela Island: Urbina Bay
PM: Isabela Island: Elizabeth Bay
Day 5 Tuesday
AM: Floreana Island: Punta Cormorant
PM: Floreana Island: Post Office Bay
Day 6 Wednesday
AM: Espanola Island: Punta Suarez
PM: Espanola Island: Gardner Bay
Day 7 Thursday
AM: Santa Cruz Island: Charles Darwin Research Station
PM: Santa Cruz Island: visit the highlands
Day 8 Friday
AM: Santa Cruz Island: Puerto Ayora town
PM: Santa Fe Island
Day 9 Saturday
AM: San Cristbal Island: Cerro Brujo
PM: San Cristobal Island: Lobos Island
Day 10 Sunday
AM: South Plaza Island
PM: Bartolome Island
Day 11 Monday
AM: Santa Cruz Island: Black Turtle Cove
PM: Santa Cruz Island: Las Bachas Beach
Day 12 Tuesday
AM: Isabela Island: Puerto Villamil
PM: Isabela Island: overland up to volcano Sierra Negra in the highlands
Day 13 Wednesday
AM: Santiago Island: Sullivan Bay
PM: Santiago Island: Chinese Hat
Day 14 Thursday
AM: Santiago Island: Puerto Egas
PM: Rabida Island
Day 15 Friday
AM: Santa Cruz Island: Dagon Hill
PM: Baltra Airport, return flight to mainland Ecuador
Included in the cruise rate:
All meals; daily excursions led by expert naturalist guide; transfers from airport in Galapagos to dock and back to airport.
Not included: $100 Galapagos Park Fee, $10 INGALA Tourist card, round-trip airfare from mainland Ecuador to Galapagos; tips to guides and staff; bottled drinks on board.
Type: Steel-hulled motor yacht
Length: 130 feet
Beam: 25 feet
Safety: complies with international Coast Guard regulations
Crew: 7 + 1 naturalist guide
Cruising speed: 12 knots
Diving: Yes
Read MoreType: Steel-hulled motor yacht
Length: 130 feet
Beam: 25 feet
Safety: complies with international Coast Guard regulations
Crew: 7 + 1 naturalist guide
Cruising speed: 12 knots
Diving: Yes
The 10 cabins are fully carpeted, air-conditioned, with private bathroom with hot and cold water. All cabins, six in the Lower Deck and four in the Upper Deck, have two single lower berths that may be transformed to a king size bed. The cabins in the lower deck can be transformed into family suites by interconnecting doors.
Read MoreThe 10 cabins are fully carpeted, air-conditioned, with private bathroom with hot and cold water. All cabins, six in the Lower Deck and four in the Upper Deck, have two single lower berths that may be transformed to a king size bed. The cabins in the lower deck can be transformed into family suites by interconnecting doors.
Quick Facts
- 4, 5, 8 & 15 Days
- 16 passengers
- Fridays and Mondays
- 130 feet long
- Steel-hulled motor yacht
- Naturalist cruises