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Queen of Galapagos
One of the most remote island chains in the world and definitely most interesting from a naturalist's perspective, the Galapagos Islands remain one of the great feathers in any wildlife-oriented traveler's cap. Isolated from humans for millennia, the Galapagos famously plays host to dozens of species found nowhere else on the planet.
Established as an ecological park to help protect it from human destruction and abuse, the Islands are now viewed only by guided daily expeditions. As a traveler, your lifestyle is luxurious. Staying aboard a ship such as the Galapagos Explorer II for a grand cruise liner experience in the evenings and traveling to different islands with expert naturalist guides by day.
The Galapagos Explorer II is a full-service cruise ship on a scale small enough to navigate through the archipelago of the Galapagos. On board, you will find every luxury you are familiar with from far larger transcontinental cruise ships.
Cabins are spacious ( 250 sqfeet average ) with many amenities. Every one has a TV and VCR, a phone for international calls, a private bath with marble vanity and a hairdryer. Each cabin also has full air conditioning and temperature control. In the cabin, you will find a workspace for reviewing your day's travels or referencing field guides for information about wild life in the Galapagos Islands.
Enjoy views of the islands from the lounge and bar areas on the main deck of the Galapagos Explorer II. Relaxing in the ship's library, you can read books about the islands and their natural history, extensive maps and charts, contemporary literature, and an extensive collection of the classics. The library also houses the video collection for you to watch in your cabin.
The kitchen on-board creates exciting selections three meals a day. Breakfast and lunch are buffet style and offer both local in international dishes. Lunch is usually served on deck to take advantage of the beautiful mid-day weather. A more upscale seated dinner is served every night in the dining room.
While traveling between islands, take a few laps in the fresh-water pool, soak away your afternoon in the jacuzzi, or read a book in a relaxing chair on the hard-wood pool deck.
Boat Statistics
- Type: Motor Catamaran
- Year: 2007
- Category: Deluxe
- Capacity: 16 passengers
- L.O.A.: 90 feet
- Beam: 28 feet
- Cruising Speed: 9 knots
- Electronic Equipment: Radar Furuno FR-1510 Mark III, Radar Arpa Furuno FR-2125, Navtrac GPS, Shipmate Sat. Navigator, Echo sounder Simrad, Giro Compass Anschuts, fire alarm Salwico, GMDSS Raytheon Radio, Sat. phone Trane and Trane.
- Certificate of safety and navigation: ISM Certificate, SOLAS Passenger Certificate, Load Line, Marpol (prevention of pollution), Classification RINA (Registro Italiano Navale).
- Accommodation: 1 suite and 8 luxury cabins with private bathroom and hot tubs.
- Crew: 7 crew members and 1 naturalist bilingual guide
Photo Gallery
Prices
| Year 2008 |
| All cabins have sea views |
3 nights |
4 nights |
7 nights |
Deluxe Suite
(main deck) |
$1,800 |
$2,200 |
$3,280 |
Standard cabins
(main and upper decks) |
$1,500 |
$1,900 |
$2,980 |
| Charter |
|
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$48,000 |
Not included in price:
- Air tickets to and from Galapagos
- Galapagos National Park entrance fee ($100 for foreigners)
- Bar consumption onboard
- Gratuities & Tips to Crew and Staff
- Use of Wetsuits ($30/week)
Note:
Air tickets and National Park fee can be subject to change without prior notice.
Itinerary
| Galapagos Explorer 8 days/7 nights |
| Monday |
AM: |
Arrival in San Cristobal Airport |
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PM: |
Sea Lion Island |
| Tuesday |
AM: |
Plazas Island |
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PM: |
Santa Fe Island |
| Wednesday |
AM: |
Gardner Bay, Espanola Island |
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PM: |
Punta Espinoza, Espanola Island |
| Thursday |
AM: |
Cormorant Point,Floreana Island |
| |
PM: |
Post Office Bay, Floreana Island |
| Friday |
AM: |
Charles Darwin Station Sta. Cruz Island |
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PM: |
Highlands of Santa Cruz Island |
| Saturday |
AM: |
North Seymor Island |
| |
PM: |
Visit to Bachas Beach |
| Sunday |
AM: |
Sullivan Bay |
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PM: |
Pinnacle Rock, Bartolome Island |
| Monday |
AM: |
Lobería or Islas Lobos or Tijeretas or El Junco and Interpretation Center, San Cristobal Island |
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PM: |
Departure from San Cristobal |
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