Galapagos cruise holidays
| country: | Ecuador, Galapagos Islands |
| location: | Galapagos Islands |
| departures: | This trip can be tailor made throughout the year and can be adapted to suit your interests, budget and requirements as necessary |
| price: | From US $3165 - US $4590 (8 days) excluding flights. Price depends on cabin choice and season. See below for full prices. |
| more info: | All prices are per person for 8 days. Price includes accommodation based on double room, English-speaking certified naturalist guides, guided tours and excursions, all meals. Excludes a US $182 fuel surcharge and flights |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
the amazing things you'll be doing
Galapagos cruise holidays This 100-passenger ship started cruising in 1999. Explorer II is extremely comfortable with large "Suites" (not cabins), large public areas including a outdoor dining area with pool and Jacuzzi, a sundeck for soaking up the sun and relaxing in between visits, a lounge and piano bar. There is a doctor on board. Naturalist guides are top-notch and help make your Galapagos experience a rewarding education in nature and wildlife. There is a naturalist room, where visitors can watch videos, read books, look at pictures and maps all related to the Galapagos Islands. One of the unique offerings the Explorer also provides is the opportunity for individuals to sit with one of the naturalists one-on-one to discuss anything visitors wish to know about the Galapagos. The Galapagos Explorer II is the only vessel in the islands to have one of the scientists from the Darwin Station travel during each departure. This is the most deluxe ship cruising the islands.
Best time to go on our Galapagos cruise holidays: Galapagos has 2 seasons; the humid one (from Jan to Jun) when there is rain at noon and night; this time is considered as the best time to enjoy the sun and beach in Galapagos. During this time the water is hot and it is easier to see animals on land, because the marine animals migrate elsewhere looking for colder waters.
From Jun to Jan, the water temperatures go down, so the marine animals are the most easily visible during this season. This is the dry season and it is recommend for snorkelling and diving because there are a lot of fishes, turtles, sharps and so forth.
Best time to go on our Galapagos cruise holidays: Galapagos has 2 seasons; the humid one (from Jan to Jun) when there is rain at noon and night; this time is considered as the best time to enjoy the sun and beach in Galapagos. During this time the water is hot and it is easier to see animals on land, because the marine animals migrate elsewhere looking for colder waters.
From Jun to Jan, the water temperatures go down, so the marine animals are the most easily visible during this season. This is the dry season and it is recommend for snorkelling and diving because there are a lot of fishes, turtles, sharps and so forth.
Galapagos cruise holidays prices
| Suite type | High Season | Low Season |
| Renaissance | US $4590 | US $4290 |
| Deluxe Balcony | US $4300 | US $4025 |
| Premium | US $3720 | US $3480 |
| Classic | US $3385 | US $3165 |
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Saturday. AM: Arrival by air Baltra Airport. PM: Cerro Dragon, Santa Cruz Island. |
| Day 2: | Sunday. AM: Bartholomew Island. PM: Puerto Egas, Santiago Island. |
| Day 3: | Monday. AM: Punta Espinoza, Fernandina Island. PM: Punta Vicente Roca, Isabela Island. |
| Day 4: | Tuesday. AM: Seymour Norte. PM: Highlands, lava tunnels and Wild Giant Tortoises, Santa Cruz Island. |
| Day 5: | Wednesday. AM: Lobería or Islas Lobos or Tijeretas or El Junco Visit or Interpretation Center, San Cristobal Island. PM: Cerro Brujo, San Cristobal Island. |
| Day 6: | Thursday. AM: Punta Suarez, Española Island. PM: Bahia Gardner, Española Island. |
| Day 7: | Friday. AM: Charles Darwin Station and Puerto Ayora Town, Santa Cruz Island. PM: Rabida Island. |
| Day 8: | Saturday. AM: Visit to Bachas Beach, Santa Cruz Islands. PM: Departure by air from Baltra Airport. |
highly commended
This tourism business was Highly Commended in our 2009 Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards - organised by responsibletravel.com in association with The Daily Telegraph, World Travel Market and Geographical Magazine, of the Royal Geographical Society. Since 2004, the Awards has recognised individuals, companies and organisations in travel making a big commitment to the culture and economies of local communities and helping to conserve biodiversity.
how this holiday makes a difference
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Galapagos Explorer cruise
The Galapagos Explorer II is designed to reduce impact in the archipelago and support the local communities. The products used onboard such as soap, detergents and shampoo are biodegradable. Water is purified with ozone (purified oxygen) instead of chlorine. Organic waste, non toxic paper and solids are incinerated on board. Aluminum, plastic and non-biodegradable waste are compressed, packaged and delivered to San Cristobal’s local community for recycling and processing. Biodegradable waste and glass are crushed transforming it into sand and thrown into the open sea in accordance with the Galapagos National Park regulations. The Galapagos Explorer II provides permanent training to the crew on Island conservation; as a result Galapagos Explorer successfully complies with all the rules and regulations imposed by the Galapagos National Park. Our permanent training program includes students of the Ignacio Hernandez school. Students are trained in sustainable tourism practices. This practice benefits the islanders. Only certified guides can direct groups on island excursions. The Galapagos Explorer II is committed to conservation on the islands. It participates in programs with Galapagos National Park, Charles Darwin Scientific Station and local schools and organizations. Part of the entrance fee to the Galapagos National Park is assigned to the preservation of this unique ecosystem. The ship is fully equipped to minimize possible impacts on the Archipelago. All soaps, detergents and shampoos used on board are biodegradable. The residual water is filtered an purified with ozone. Water is produced on board utilizing a desalinization plant by reverse osmosis. Paper and non toxic solids are incinerated; metal cans are compacted and together with non-biodegradable trash, returned to port. The ship promotes the development of locally base tourism when we share the economical benefits or tourism with direct or indirect local tour operators. The overall economical impact of the ship in the Islands is around USD 870.000,00 which includes USD 500.000,00 because of the entrance fee of our guest to the National Park. USD 140.000,00 in hiring local crew and naturalist. And about USD 230.000 goes to local direct or indirect tour operators and local suppliers. In this way our operation makes direct business deals with the local communities encouraging the development of locally based tourism. |
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