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Motor Vessel Santa Cruz - 8 Day Cruise
important information
- Departure Days:
- 8 days: Friday/Monday
5 days: Monday
4 days: Friday
- Price:
- between USD 3.501 – USD 6.078
between USD 2.000 – USD 3.473
between USD 1.500 – USD 2.604
-
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Characteristics:
The 46 cabin cruise ship Santa Cruz, built exclusively for Galápagos Islands cruises was completely renovated in 1998, having been redesigned and refurbished inside and out. The Santa Cruz has gained worldwide recognition for its excellent standards, including superb service, expert crew, the most knowledgeable multilingual naturalist/guides and menus that feature the very best international cuisine and celebrated Ecuadorian dishes. Its capacity is for 90 guests. The expedition team consists of a chief naturalist and five SC naturalists. All will delight guests with diverse natural history explanations, superb on-deck talks, and eye-catching lectures regarding natural history issues. Their multimedia presentations and recaps will complement the day's activities. Together with the captain, they will plan the day's program. They are masters of Galápagos' knowledge. Soon enough, the SC naturalist will become the highlight of your voyage. At night, when pitch-dark starry skies are seen, stargazing is an amazing nocturnal activity. The southern skies are beautifully arranged with exuberant constellations. On the Boat Deck, there are two master suites with double beds (plus a sofa bed for a child) and a private balcony, and two junior suites with twin beds (plus a sofa bed for a child). Four Superior-Class cabins have twin or double beds, that together with the remaining Standard Cabins on the Upper and Main decks offer a variety of accommodations, all meeting the same high standard for comfort and style. Families have ample choice among single, double, triple and quad accommodations. The Sun Deck features a bar and Jacuzzi, along with the observation platform for dolphin and whale watching. The dining room, lounge and bar are elegantly appointed, as is the well-stocked library/reading room. As an alternative to snorkeling, the glass-bottom boat offers another opportunity to observe the marine life. The entire ship is air-conditioned.
| Motor Vessel Santa Cruz - Specifications |
| Type |
First class Motor Yacht |
Year of construction: | 1979 |
| Year of reconstruction: |
1998 |
| Length: |
237 ft (72 Meters) |
| Beam: |
39 ft (12 Meters) |
| Speed: |
13 knots |
| Electricity: |
110 V |
| Crew |
46 Plus 6 Naturalist guides |
| Facilities |
90 Passenger in 48 double cabins with Private Bathroom with hot/cold water / comfort Equipment-Air Conditioning throughout / al fresco dining area / bar lounge / sun deck / library / boutique and souvenir shop / infirmary |
| Itinerary Overview |
|
| Friday: |
Island San Cristobal – Cerro Brujo |
| Saturday: |
Island Española – Suarez Point / Island Floreana – Cormorant Point |
| Sunday: |
Island Fernandina – Espinoza Point / Island Isabela – Punta Vicente Roca |
| Monday: |
Island Baltra / Island Santa Cruz – Cerro Dragon |
| Tuesday: |
Island Bartolome / Island Santiago – Puerto Egas |
| Wednesday: |
Island Rabida / Island North Seymour |
| Thursday: |
Island Santa Cruz – Highlands - Charles Darwin Station |
| Friday: |
Island San Cristobal – Interpretation Center – return flight |
Detailed Itinerary:
Friday: flight to Galápagos - Island San Cristóbal - Cerro Brujo
In the morning flight to the Galapágos Island San Cristóbal from which you will start your cruise. After paying the National Park Entrance Fee, a crew member will accompany you to your cruise ship which anchors at Baquerizo Moreno harbour. After arrival on board, check- in and explanations in general, lunch will be served. Afterwards you will start with your first excursion to Cerro Brujo. This fascinating lava landscape is located on the northeast coast of San Cristobal. On the rocks you can observe boobies, sea gulls and some pelicans. The protected bay is very popular by young ocean turtles and rays and there are excellent swimming and snorkeling possibilities. -/L/D
Saturday: Española Island - Suarez Point / Floreana Island - Point Cormorant
Española is the southernmost and oldest island of the Galápagos archipelago. Because of its isolated position you can explore a lot of endemic wildlife. In the morning you will have an excursion to Point Suarez which is one of the most outstanding wildlife areas of the archipelago, with a long list of species found along its cliffs and sand or pebble beaches. In addition to five species of nesting seabirds there are the curious and bold Española Island mockingbirds, Galapagos doves and Galapagos hawks. Several types of reptiles, including the marine iguana and the oversized lava lizard, are unique to this island. When heavy swells are running, Point Suarez is also the site of a spectacular blowhole, with thundering spray shooting 30 yards into the air. The walkabout on a stony path is about 2km (duration about 3 hours). Floreana Island is perceived as one of the most exotic Island of the archipelago. At Cormorant Point you land on a green olivine sand beach. Following a 100 m long path you will soon reach a lagoon with flamingoes, white-checked pintail ducks and other shorebirds. B/L/D.
Sunday: Island Fernandina - Espinoza Point / Isabela Island - Punta Vicente Roca
In the morning you will visit Fernandina Island which is not only the westernmost but also the youngest and most pristine Island found in Galapagos. The last eruption of the volcano La Cumbre in 2005 created huge interesting fields of lava. Punta Espinoza, one of Fernandina’s visit points, is situated within a fascinating lava scenery with Lava-Cactuses and on the surface of the lava growing mangroves. Beside this unique scenery you will come in contact with numerous animals here. The highlights are sea lions, penguins, the flightless cormorant (especially in spring and summer) and one of the biggest iguana colonies of Galápagos. Do not miss a snorkeling trip during which you have the possibility to explore the beautiful underwater world. The afternoon will lead you to the largest island of the archipelago, Island Isabela. With a surface of 4588 sq.km the isle engages more than the half of the land area of whole Galápagos. Located at the ‘mouth’ of the head of the sea horse, which forms the northern part of the Isabela, is Punta Vicente Roca, an interesting rock formation. Here the remnants of an ancient volcano form two turquoise coves with a bay well protected from the ocean swells. With good luck you can observe penguins in the deep blue sea. Masked and blue-footed boobies and pelicans sit perched along the point and the sheer cliffs, while flightless cormorants inhabit the shoreline. B/L/D
Monday: Baltra Island / Island Santa Cruz - Cerro Dragon
In the morning you set course for Baltra Island. In the midmorning you have free time. Use this time, to relax on board: Read your favourite lecture, write postcards or relax in the Jacuzzi. Alternatively you can enjoy the white coral beach of Aeolian to take a sunbath, go swimming or snorkelling. There you will encounter a diverse underwater world and especially between December and March you can observe marine turtles. Furthermore your guides can recommend you various excursions possibilities on Baltra Island. In the afternoon you will visit Cerro Dragon. This mountain is an excellent spot for observing land lizards, wading birds and Darwin´s finks. B/L/D.
Tuesday: Island Bartolomé / Island Santiago - Egas Port
Arriving at Bartolomé you will ascend a lookout point from where you can admire the spectacular panorama of the Sullivan Bay and the famous needle shaped rock, the so called Pinnacle Rock. The beaches at the foot of the Pinnacle Rock boast some fine snorkeling spots from which you can discover the marvelous underwater world with a good chance to encounter penguins or the softly gliding turtles. In the afternoon you will land at Santiago Island, also known as James, or San Salvador Island, which is the fourth largest island in the archipelago. The influences of the former salt mine workers and their imported animals are still alive on the island. The last tries to populate Santiago Island were given up forty years ago. Visit the dark sand beach with a lot of marine iguanas at Egas Port after a wet landing. After a short walk of about 2 km along the coast you will reach the cliffy lava coast with natural pools where sea lions take a bath and herons and other sea birds are as well local. Additionally you can encounter a small group of sea bears. The surrounding area is good for spotting and observing colonies of sea lions, red sally light-foot crabs, lava iguanas, Galápagos buzzards and lava herons. B/L/D
Wednesday: Rábida Island / North Seymour Island
Today you will make an excursion to the small volcano island Rábida with its dark red beach. A small path there leads you to the little lagoon, which is often visited by flamingos. On your way to this lagoon you will pass nesting pelicans and other sea birds. The beach of Rábida Island is considered as one of the most beautiful places to go snorkeling. Because of a huge richness of fishes you can also observe a lot of sea lions there. After a dry landing, you will have a short walk along the coast of the northernmost island of Seymour. Guests will encounter swallow tailed gulls, sea lions and cliff crabs. This site is also known for being a major nesting colony of blue footed boobies, and the largest colony of the magnificent frigate bird, a species different to the great frigate bird. You can also spot both endemic species of iguanas, the marine iguanas and land iguanas. You will enjoy this relaxing hike around the nesting sites. B/L/D
Thursday: Island Santa Cruz - Highlands – Charles Darwin Station
In the morning you will visit the highlands of Santa Cruz. The lush landscape there is a welcome contrast to the arid scenery of the smaller, lower islands. On your way you will cross the different zones of vegetation, from the dry lower region full of cactuses to the woods of scalesia in the highlands. During a visit of a hacienda in the highlands you can observe the Galapágos giant tortoises in their natural habitat. You will have lunch in a nice restaurant in the highlands. The Charles Darwin Research Station and the Galapagos National Park offices are based on Santa Cruz Island. The station encompasses an information centre, a museum, a library and the tortoise breeding station as well. Here you will have an opportunity to visit some of the best scientists of the Galápagos. Park rangers and park managers among others, who make huge efforts to preserve this Unesco World Heritage Site, conduct the conservation of the islands. In the tortoise breeding and rearing centre you can encounter tortoises of different subspecies, which are prepared for reintroduction to their natural habitats. The most popular inhabitant of this island is probably Lonesome George. He is the only survivor of his specific turtle species. In the past all approaches to find a partner for him failed. But in July 2008 the scientists found a carved nest wit nine eggs from a female tortoise. Three of them could be saved and now accordingly to strict instrcuctions they are incubated syntheticly. B/L/D
Friday: Island San Cristóbal - Interpretation Center – flight back to mainland
At the port of Baquerizo Moreno, which is the capital of the province Galápagos, you will visit the Interpretation Center. The center will give you a good impression of the history of the Galápagos Islands. Around midday you will fly back to mainland of Ecuador. Enjoy the last view back to the enchanting islands, this unique paradise with its fascinating nature. B
B: Breakfast / L: Lunch / D: Dinner
Prices per person 2009:
| Cabin |
4 days / 3 nights |
5 days / 4 nights |
8 days / 7 nights |
| Boat Deck Master Suite Double |
USD 2,272.- |
USD 3,029.- |
USD 5,299.- |
| Boat Deck Junior Suite Twin |
USD 1,973.- |
USD 2,630.- |
USD 4,603.- |
| Boat Deck Superior Twin / Double |
USD 1,884.- |
USD 2,511.- |
USD 4,396.- |
| Boat Deck Single Standard |
USD 2,604.- |
USD 3,473.- |
USD 6,078.- |
| Boat Deck Standard Plus Twin |
USD 1,806.- |
USD 2,408.- |
USD 4,214.- |
| Boat Deck Twin Standard |
USD 1,728.- |
USD 2,304.- |
USD 4,032.- |
| Upper Deck Twin Standard |
USD 1,580.- |
USD 2,107.- |
USD 3,688.- |
| Main Deck Twin Standard |
USD 1,500.- |
USD 2,000.- |
USD 3,501.- |
| Fuel surcharge per person: |
USD 72.- |
USD 96.- |
USD 168.- |
Single supplement: 100 %
Discount for children under 12 years: 25 %
Eastern, Christmas and New Year surcharge of USD 130.- per adult and USD 100.- per child (under 12 years)
Included in the price:
All transfers in Galapagos, cruise on board of the SANTA CRUZ in double accommodation with all facilities, naturalist guide, purified water free to drink.
Not included in the price:
flights mainland to/from Galápagos (e.g. Quito – Galapagos – Quito USD 420.- per person), entrance fee to Galapagos National Park USD 100.- per person, migration card USD 10.- per person, beverages, tips, personal items, insurance.
NB: Itinerary is subject to change without previous notice, due to weather conditions, operational matters, National Park Authorities advice, or Captain´s decision for passengers security.
| NET RATE FOR THE FLIGHT TICKETS TO GALAPAGOS: |
ROUTE |
ADT |
CHD |
| Quito - Galápagos - Quito |
420.00 |
216.00 |
| Quito - Galápagos - Guayaquil |
396.00 |
205.00 |
| Guayaquil - Galápagos - Guayaquil |
369.00 |
195.00 |
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