Simply stated, the Alta is the most elegant sailing ship in the Galápagos and ideal for modern-day explorers seeking uniqueness and exclusivity. This 8 cabin, spacious first class sailboat is a 140 ft three masted staysail schooner. The romance of the Alta comes from being a single hulled sailing vessel. The interesting architecture of her cabins makes the most of the available space, providing an authentic, yet comfortable experience.
Under sail she cuts an attention-grabbing profile while making for an exhilarating onboard experience.
Experience a series of daily peak experiences including snorkeling with playful sea lions, tracking giant tortoise, trading stares with unconcerned iguanas and sea kayaking with frolicking dolphins.
Highlights
With room for 16 passengers, each air conditioned cabin has private walk-in showers.
There are many places to relax, including a sundeck with lounge chairs forward of the bridge, and another with large cushions on the bow of the yacht.
When conditions permit, the sails are hoisted aboard the Alta making it one of the more truly beautiful yachts in the archipelago.
The Alta offers 8-day cruises departing almost every Saturday. ...view more details
Abbreviated Itinerary
Day 1 (Saturday)
AM: Fly to Galapagos – San Cristobal & Puerto Baquerizo
PM: San Cristobal – Kicker Rock
Day 2 (Sunday)
AM: Tower (Genovesa) Island - Prince Phillip's Steps
PM: Tower - Darwin Bay
Day 4 (Tuesday)
AM Isabela (Albemarle) Island: Urbina Bay
PM Isabela (Albemarle) Island: Punta Vicente Roca
Day 5 (Wednesday)
AM Bartolome (Bartholomew) Island: Pinnacle Rock
PM Santa Cruz Island: Black Turtle Cove
Day 6 (Thursday)
AM Santa Cruz (Indefatigable) Island: Puerto Ayora
P.M. Santa Cruz: Puerto Ayora
Day 7 (Friday)
AM Hood (Española) Island: Punta Suarez
PM Hood: Gardner Bay
Day 8 (Saturday)
AM San Cristobal: Galapagos National Park Visitor Centre
PM Depart for Mainland Ecuador ...see full itinerary
Trip Dates
The Alta departs for its 8 Day/ 7 Night cruise every Saturday. ...view more details
Trip Options
Prices recorded in the trip calendar are for Cabins 3-8.
Cabins 1 & 2: $4,895
*******************************
Discounts for children 11 years and under:
• 50% discount* on the Galapagos National Park Entrance fee and Galapagos flight fare.
• 30% discount on the published cruise prices above (no discounts apply for Christmas, New Years and Easter week cruises). A maximum of 2 discounts allowed per family.
* Discounts and fees on Galapagos Park items and air tickets are subject to change without notice due to the rules and regulations of
airlines and the Galapagos National Park.
Surcharges
* Single Supplement: 75% surcharge
* Christmas, New Years and Easter week cruises have a surcharge a $400 for FIT bookings.
* Surcharge for charters are $4500 (Alta), $3500 (Grace), $9000 (Evolution). These surcharges are non-commissionable.
* Diving is an optional activity in our Active and Naturalist cruises and has an additional charge for charters & FIT bookings. Please inquire with us for this additional charge. ...view more details
Why should I choose this trip? What makes it better (different) than other trips?
The Alta is one of the most elegant yachts sailing the Galapagos. With a large sundeck, inviting main salon and sea kayaking and snorkeling available, the Alta offers a great package for your Galapagos adventure.
Explorers seeking the uniqueness and exclusivity of a true sailing yacht, offering a full range of services with open air spaces to better enjoy the welcoming atmosphere of the islands.
Those seeking a first class yacht but realize that even with all the amenities, individual cabin space aboard a sailing vessel can feel limited. ...view more details
Morning: Fly to Galapagos – San Cristobal & Puerto Baquerizo:
Transfer to the airport for your flight to the Galapagos Islands stopping briefly in the coastal city of Guayaquil en route where you can also board the flight. The turquoise blue water surrounding the coast is visible from the air as we approach the island of San Cristobal. Charles Darwin reported encountering a pair of giant tortoises feeding on cactus during his first landing here in 1835.
Upon arrival in Puerto Baquerizo, the administrative capital of the islands and a sleepy little port town, you’ll pass through Park Inspection, after which you’ll be met by your guide holding a sign for the Alta. Heading to the port, you'll be treated to views of the harbor where your yacht awaits you below. It’s a very short ride to the harbor and it’s not long before you will be crossing from shore to reach the Alta, your home and adventure center for the next week. Your captain and crew will be waiting to greet you and will take care of seeing to it that your bags reach your cabin. Now it’s time to get settled in and relax as we set out on our voyage.
Afternoon: San Cristobal – Kicker Rock:
Early afternoon, we pay a visit to Leon Dormido, also known as Kicker Rock. Kicker Rock is a spectacular formation that rises 152 meters (500 feet) out of the Pacific. It takes the form of a sleeping lion, but from another angle you can see that the rock is split, forming a colossal tablet and, piercing the sea, a great chisel ready for etching. Small vessels can navigate through the narrow channel between the rocks.
We then embark for Playa Ochoa. We set out along the coast of San Cristobal heading northeast toward our first landing at Playa Ochoa. This inviting powdery beach beside a turquoise bay is home to a small colony of sea lions. A tidal lagoon sitting behind the beach is frequented by flamingos, Darwin Finches, and the endemic San Cristobal (Chatham) Mockingbird. Play Ochoa is a great introduction to the islands. This will be your first opportunity to go snorkeling , often with sea turtles. Dinner on the Alta.
(B, L, D… Accommodations: Alta)
Day 2, Sunday
Morning: Tower – Phillips Steps:
Type of Landing: Dry
Level of Walk: Moderate
Other Activities: Dinghy ride along the cliffs
Tower Island could serve as a film set for a secret submarine base! The southwestern part of the island is an ocean-filled caldera ringed by the outer edges of a sizeable and mostly submerged volcano. The island sits to the northwest, slightly removed from the Galápagos archipelago. It is also known as “Bird Island,” a name it lives up to in a spectacular way. Named for a visit by the British Monarch in 1964, 25 meter (81-foot) Phillips Steps leads to a narrow stretch of land that opens out onto the plateau surrounding Darwin Bay, and extends to form the north side of the island. Red-footed boobies wrap their webbed feet around branches to perch in the bushes, and, in contrast, their “masked-booby” cousins dot the surface of the scrublands beyond.
Crossing through the sparse vegetation, you will come to a broad lava field that extends towards the sea; this forms the north shore. “Storm petrels” flutter out over the ocean in swarms, then return to nest in the cracks and tunnels of the lava field, where their predator, the short-eared owl, is a frequent.
Afternoon: Tower - Darwin Bay:
Type of Landing: Wet
Level of Walk: Easy to difficult
Landing on the white coral sands of Darwin Bay and walking up the beach, you will be surrounded by the bustling activity of “great frigate birds.” Puffball-chicks with their proud papás, who sport their bulging scarlet throat-sacks, crowd the surrounding branches, while both yellow-crowned and lava herons feed by the shore. Farther along you will discover a stunning series of sheltered pools set into a rocky outcrop, forming another natural film set. A trail beside the pools leads up to a cliff overlooking the caldera, where pairs of swallow-tailed gulls, the only nocturnal gulls in the world, can be seen nesting at the cliff’s edge. Lava gulls and pintail ducks ride the sea breezes nearby.
A brief panga ride brings us to the base of those same cliffs to reveal the full variety of species sheltering in the ledges and crevices created by the weathered basalt. Among them, red–billed tropic birds enter and leave their nests trailing exotic kite-like tails. This is also an intriguing place to go deep-water snorkeling, where the truly fortunate swimmer can spot one of the giant manta rays that frequent the inner bay along the cliff walls. You might also see them at the surface as the sun set’s on your first full day in the Galápagos. Tonight we cross from the eastern side to the far western side of the archipelago.
(B, L, D… Accommodations: Alta)
Day 3, Monday
Morning: Fernandina – Punta Espinosa:
Type of Landing: Dry
Level of Walk: Moderate to hard
Other Activities: Snorkeling, Dinghy ride
At 1495 meters (4,858 feet), the big news on this youngest and westernmost of the islands is La Cumbre volcano that erupts frequently, most recently in May 2005. Fernandina sits across the Bolivar Channel opposite Isabela. Our destination is Punta Espinosa, a narrow split of land in the northeast corner of the island, where a number of unique Galapagos species can be seen in close proximity.
As our panga driver skillfully navigates the reef, penguins show off by throwing themselves from the rocks into the water. Red and turquoise-blue zayapas crabs disperse across the lava shoreline, while herons and egrets forage through the mangrove roots. The landing is a dry one, set in a quiet inlet beneath the branches of a small mangrove forest. A short walk through the vegetation leads to a large colony of marine iguanas – a schoolyard of Godzilla’s children – resting atop one another in friendly heaps along the rocky shoreline, splitting water to clear their bodies of salt. Nearby, sea lions frolic in a sheltered lagoon. This is one of the few places you can glimpse iguanas grazing on seaweed underwater.
Farther down this stretch of shore, the world’s only species of flightless comorants have established their colony near an inviting inlet frequented by sea turtles. Because these birds evolved without land predators – it was easier to feed on the squid, octopus, eel and fish found in the ocean – the cormorants progressively took to the sea. They developed heavier, more powerful legs and feet for kicking, serpent-like necks, and wet, fur-like plumage. Their wings are now mere vestiges. Back toward the landing and farther inland, the island’s black lava flows become more evident, forming a quiet, inner lagoon. Galapagos hawks survey the entire scene from overhead.
Afternoon: Isabela – Tagus Cove
Type of Landing: Dry
Level of Walk: Moderate
Other Activities: Dinghy ride along the coast
Isabela is the largest island in the archipelago, accounting for half of the total landmass of the Galapagos at 4,588 square kilometers. Though narrow in places, the island runs 132 km from north to south, or 82 miles. Isabela is formed from six shield volcanoes that merged into a single landmass. It is also home to the highest point in the Galapagos, Wolf Volcano at 1707 meters (5,547 feet), and calderas of up to 20 kilometers (12 ½ miles) across.
On the way to Tagus Cove, the boat will sail through the Bolivar Channel. These are the coldest, most productive waters in the Galapagos, the upwelling of the Cromwell Current, where dolphins and whales are frequently seen. Tagus Cove, named for a British naval vessel that moored here in 1814, was used historically as an anchorage for pirates and whalers. One can still find the names of their ships carved into the rock above our landing, a practice now prohibited, of course. The cove’s quiet waters make for an ideal panga ride beneath its sheltered cliffs, where blue-footed boobies, brown noddies, pelicans and noddy tems make their nests, and flightless cormorants and penguins inhabit the lava ledges.
From our landing, a wooden stairway rises to the trail entrance for a view of Darwin Lake, a perfectly round saltwater crater, barely separated from the ocean by above sea level! The trail continues around the lake through a dry vegetation zone, and then climbs inland to a promontory formed by spatter cones. The site provides spectacular views back toward our anchorage in the bay, as well as, Darwin Volcano and Wolf Volcano farther north.
(B, L, D… Accommodations: Alta)
Day 4 Tuesday
Morning Isabela - Urbina Bay
Type of Landing: Wet
Level of Walk: Easy to Difficult
Urbina Bay is directly west of Isabella’s Volcano Alcedo, where we will make an easy, wet landing (a hop into a few inches of water) onto a gently sloping beach. In 1954, a Disney film crew caught sight of this gleaming white strip, and on further investigation found pools of stranded sea creatures! To their astonishment, three miles (5 km) of the marine reef had been uplifted by as much as 13 feet (4 meters) in moments. Now visitors can walk amongst the dried coral heads, mollusks and other organisms that formed the ocean floor. A highlight of this excursion is the giant land iguanas, whose vivid and gaudy yellow skin suggests that dinosaurs may have been very colorful indeed. Giant tortoises inhabit this coastal plain during the wet season, before migrating to the highlands when it turns dry. Our landing beach also provides opportunities to snorkel amongst marine creatures, or just relax on shore. Here we must take care not to step on the sea turtle nests dug carefully into the sand.
Punta Vicente Roca is located at the ‘mouth’ of the head of the sea horse, which forms the northern part of the Isabela. Here the remnants of an ancient volcano form two turquoise coves with a bay well protected from the ocean swells. The spot is a popular anchorage from which to take panga rides along the cliff where a partially sunken cave beckons explorers. Masked and blue-footed boobies sit perched along the point and the sheer cliffs, while flightless cormorants inhabit the shoreline.
The upwelling of cold water currents in this part of the Galápagos, give rise to an abundance of marine life which, in combination with the protection of the coves, make Punta Vicente Roca one of the archipelago’s sough after dive spots. One cove is only accessible from the sea by way of an underwater passage. The passage opens to calm waters of the hidden cove where sea lions like to laze on the beach having traveled along the underwater route. The entire area of Punta Vicente Roca lies on the flank of 2,600 foot Volcano Ecuador. This is the island’s sixth largest volcano. Half of Volcano Ecuador slid into the ocean leaving a spectacular cutaway view of its caldera.
(B, L, D… Accommodations: Alta)
Day 5, Wednesday
Morning: Bartolome – Pinnacle Rock:
Type of Landing: Wet on beach. Dry at the summit site.
Level of Walk: Easy on the beach, moderate clime on the summit
Other Activities: Swimming, snorkeling
This Island is famous for Pinnacle Rock, a towering spearheaded obelisk that rises from the ocean’s edge and is the best known landmark in the Galápagos. Galápagos penguins, the only species of penguin found north of the equator, walk precariously along narrow volcanic ledges at its base. Sea lions snooze on rocky platforms, ready to slide into the water to play with passing snorkelers. Just below the surface, shoals of tropical fish dodge in and out of the rocks past urchins, sea stars and anemones. A perfectly crescent, pink and white beach lies just to the east of the pinnacle. Sea turtles use the beach as a nesting site and can sometimes be found wading in the shallow water near the shore, or resting in the sand to recover from the arduous task of digging nests, laying eggs and covering them over.
Penguins dot the nearby rocks of the next landing site, less than a kilometer along the eastern shore. Here the submerged walls of a tiny volcanic crater give the impression of a fountain pool. This dry Voyage landing (no wet feet) is the entrance to a 600-meter (2000-foot) pathway complete with stairs and boardwalks leading to Bartolome’s summit. The route is not difficult and presents a museum of vulcanology; a site left untouched after its last eruption, where cones stand in various stages of erosion and lava tubes form bobsled-like runs from the summit. At the top you will be rewarded with spectacular views of Santiago Island and James Bay to the west, and far below, Pinnacle Rock and our beach, where the crystal blue waters of the bay cradle your yacht.
Afternoon: Santa Cruz – Black Turtle Cove:
Activities: Dinghy ride
On the north shore of Santa Cruz, is a living illustration of how mangroves alter the marine environment to create a rich and unique habitat. Three species of mangrove crowd the shore out into the lagoon, which reaches almost a mile inland. As we drift through the quite waters in our panga, we are likely to see spotted eagle rays and diamond shaped mustard rays, which swim in a diamond formation. White-tipped reef sharks slip beneath the boat and Pacific green sea turtles come to the surface for air and to mate. Waterfowl, including pelicans, herons and egret, all feed in the cove. This is a peaceful place that will leave you feeling that way.
(B, L, D… Accommodations: Alta)
Day 6, Thursday
Morning: Santa Cruz – Puerto Ayora:
Type of Landing: Dry
Level of Walk: Easy
Other Activities: Shopping in Puerto Ayora
Santa Cruz is the second largest island in the Galápagos and something of a hub for the archipelago. The small town of Puerto Ayora in the southwest of this large, round volcanic island is the economic center of the Islands, with the largest population of the four inhabited islands (approx. 10,000). Tourism, including refurbishing and resupplying yachts, along with fishing and boat building, are major sources of commerce.
Santa Cruz Highlands: A highlight of any trip is a visit to the Santa Cruz Highlands, where the sparse, dry coastal vegetation transitions to lush wet fields and forests overgrown with moss and lichens. Our destination is the Tortoise Reserve, where we will have chances to track and view these friendly ancient creatures in their natural setting. This extends to the adjacent pasturelands, where farmers have given tortoise safe quarter in exchange for allowing paying visitors to see them. The best times to see tortoises here is during the cool dry season from June through December. Another attraction close by is a very large lava tube. A wooden stairway descends to the mouth of its arched entrance and continues underground to the narrow passage that marks its exit.
Afternoon: Puerto Ayora
Puerto Ayora is home to both the Galápagos National Park and Charles Darwin Research Station, the center of the great restorative efforts taking place in the park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Here we go ashore to visit the Giant Tortoise Breeding and Rearing Program run by the research station, which began by rescuing the remaining 16 tortoises on the island of Española in the 1970s. This program has restored the population of animals there to over 1,000 today. You will see many of these animals, with their long necks and faces, from hatchlings to juveniles to large, distinguished individuals like Lonesome George, the last of his particular race of tortoise— may be 150 years old! The local color of this port makes for an attractive stop-off, with restaurants, souvenir shops and even an internet café.
(B, L, D…Accommodations: Alta)
Day 7, Friday:
Morning: Española (Hood) - Punta Suarez:
Type of Landing: Wet
Level of Walk: Easy
Other Activities: Swimming, snorkeling
Hood is the southernmost island of the archipelago, and is one of the most popular due to the breathtaking variation and sheer number of fauna that greet the visitor. The giant tortoise was reintroduced to Hood in the 1970’s and counts as one of the park’s great success stories. They reside in an off-limits area, but don’t worry— the famous giant tortoise awaits you on other islands!
The quantity and variety of wildlife at Punta Suarez is remarkable. Sea lions surf the waves beyond the breakwater landing, and tiny pups are known to greet your toes upon arrival. A few steps inland are the largest variety of marine iguana in the Galápagos. They bear distinctive red and black markings, some with a flash of turquoise running down their spine, and nap in communal piles. The trail then takes us beside the western edge of the island where masked boobies nest along the cliff’s edge, and then descends to a rocky beach before rising to an open area and a large gathering of nesting blue-foot boobies. Galápagos doves, cactus finch and mocking birds forage by, unconcerned by human presence.
The trail continues to the high cliff edge of the southern shore; below, a shelf of black lava reaches out into the surf where a blowhole shoots a geyser of water into the air. Further east along the cliffs is the “Albatross Airport” where “waved albatross” line up to launch their great winged bodies from the cliffs, soaring out over the dramatic shoreline of crashing waves and driven spray. In the trees set back from the cliff is one of only two places in the world where the waved albatross nests. In fact, the 12,000 pairs that inhabit Hood Island comprise all but a tiny fraction of the world’s population of this species. Lucky visitors can watch courtship ‘fencing’ done with great yellow beaks and necks among the large, fluffy, perfectly camouflaged chicks. Mating occurs year round.
Afternoon: Española (Hood) - Gardner Bay:
Type of Landing: Wet
Level of Walk: Easy
Other Activities: Swimming, snorkeling
On the northeastern shore of Hood, Gardner Bay offers a magnificent long white sandy beach, where colonies of sea lions laze in the sun, sea turtles swim offshore, and inquisitive mockingbirds boldly investigate new arrivals. You will be lured into the turquoise water for a swim, but just a little further off-shore, the snorkeling by Tortuga rock and Gardner Island offers peak encounters with playful young sea lions and large schools of surprisingly big tropical fish, including yellow tailed surgeonfish, king angelfish and bump-head parrot fish. Sleepy white-tipped reef sharks can be seen napping on the bottom.
(B, L, D…Accommodations: Alta)
Day 8, Saturday
Morning: San Cristobal:
Today our voyage comes to an end. But before we bid farewell to the Alta and her crew we visit the Interpretation Centre. In 1998 the Galapagos National Park Visitor Centre opened for the benefit of islanders and travelers alike, presenting a comprehensive exhibit of the islands’ natural history, human interaction, ecosystems, flora and fauna. Our guide will use the exhibits to provide an illustrated overview of the natural history of the islands. From the Interpretation Center, a short trail arrives at Frigate Bird Hill, where both “magnificent-frigates” and “great-frigates” can be seen in the same colony – ideal for learning to distinguish the two bird species. Following this visit we return to Puerto Baquerizo, where you’ll have time for some last minute island shopping.
Morning: Return to Mainland Ecuador: Next we return to the airport where we began our journey in the Galápagos for the flight back to the Ecuadorian mainland.
*** This itinerary is an accurate representation of what takes place during a typical trip through the Galapagos Islands at the indicated landing sites, as well as, during the excursions in mainland Ecuador. The Galapagos is a natural ecosystem, making animal encounters there ultimately unpredictable and therefore exceptional in the way they typically occur. Though Galapagos species seem to have little fear of humans, they are wild animals subject to environmental factors, including their own instincts that can affect sightings, which means these encounters cannot be guaranteed. Accepting all these factors, including adhering to the rules of the Galapagos National Park, is a condition of participation on this trip.
This provider can help with your other additional needs
local flights
transfers
additional accomodations
trip extensions
... and other requirements.
Request these additional services when you check availability above
What's Included
The published rates above include:
• All meals, guides and activities throughout the cruise
• All non-alcoholic beverages consumed onboard
• Use of snorkeling equipment (mask, snorkel, fins and wetsuit)
• Fuel Tax
Not Included
The published rates above do not include:
• Roundtrip airfare to Galapagos
• Galapagos National Park Entrance Fee* ($100)
• INGALA Transit Control Card ($10)
• Gratuities and tips to Crew and staff
• Alcoholic beverages consumed onboard
To review this trip please register or login (if already registered).
Overall Rating:
1 customer review
Destination:
5.0
Activity:
4.0
Equipment:
4.0
Food:
3.0
Guides & Service:
5.0
Provider Rating: 4 trip reviews
Equipment:
4.0
Food:
3.8
Guides & Service:
5.0
Social & Environmental Responsibility:
4.5
Trip Rating:
Destination:
Equipment:
Activity:
Food:
Guides & Service:
Alta Trip
by Harvey A., Proficient,
Apr 14, 2008
Some negatives first, boat engine was very noisy, particularly
for rooms 7 and 8, so overnight sails were difficult to sleep through.
But when docked at night, boat anchorage was such that it rocked
considerably. Both of these made sleep very problematic. Second, I
would have preferred to spend more time snorkeling, less down time on
the boat. The standard day was an early hike, a snorkel and a ponga
ride along the shore. I could have used another snorkel dive each day,
they were special. Third, we had a leak in our bathroom due to water on
the deck above due to some heavy rain on day one, and the crew's
reaction suggested that this was a very normal event. Fourth, the whole
tipping thing on these cruises bothered me, especially because given
what we saw as the pay scales in Ecuador, the provider's recommended
tipping levels seemed outrageous.
The positives far outweigh the negatives and we had a great trip. The
crew and guide were excellent, the passengers pleasant, the boat design
offered plenty of space for dining indoors and outdoors and lounging
outdoors in sun or (very important to me) in shade. The hikes and
snorkeling were excellent.
Our mainland part of the trip was also first rate, the provider's
airport greeters were very helpful. The Oro Verde Hotel in Guayaquil
was very luxurious and very reasonably priced. The Swiss Hotel is Quito
was also very posh, but not better than the Oro Verde yet at more than
twice the price.
The published rates above include:
• All meals, guides and activities throughout the cruise
• All non-alcoholic beverages consumed onboard
• Use of snorkeling equipment (mask, snorkel, fins and wetsuit)
• Fuel Tax
Not Included
Not Included
The published rates above do not include:
• Roundtrip airfare to Galapagos
• Galapagos National Park Entrance Fee* ($100)
• INGALA Transit Control Card ($10)
• Gratuities and tips to Crew and staff
• Alcoholic beverages consumed onboard
Notes
Trip Notes
Surcharges, supplements and discounts:
• Single Supplement: 75% surcharge
• 50% discount* off the Galapagos National Park Entrance fee
and Galapagos flights for all children 11 years of age and under.
* This discount is subject to change without notice due to the
rules and regulations of the airline and the Galapagos
National Park.
• Christmas, New Years and Easter week cruises have a
surcharge of $400 for FIT bookings. Surcharge for charters:
$4500 (Parranda & Alta), $5500 (Grace) and $9000 for
Evolution. These surcharges are non-commissionable.
• 15% discount on the published cruise prices for children 11
years and under (no discounts apply for Christmas, New Years
and Easter week cruises).
• Diving and Active cruises have a special surcharge for charters
& FIT bookings. Please inquire with us for these surcharges
Transportation On Trip
Transportation Description
Alta offers many spots for relaxing or sunning, including a sundeck with lounge chairs just forward of the bridge, and another with cushions on the bow of the yacht. When the conditions are appropriate, the sails will be hoisted and Alta will become the most beautiful yacht in the Galapagos.
Transportation Types
Yacht/Sailboat
Lodging - Accommodations
What are the accommodations like?
All cabins have ample hanging locker and drawer space. Each cabin has their private facilities with fresh, hot and cold water showers.
Lodging Types
7 Nights Yacht
Average number of rooms in boat/lodge/hotel average
6-10
Details
Provider Social and Environmental Responsibility
Our Commitment to OUR Planet
It is our love for nature that inspired us to create this company nearly 20 years ago and it has always been the vision of Quasar Expeditions to offer travelers environmentally educational, active life-seeing travel. We see it as our responsibility, to preserve nature in its purest form so that future generations will be able to see precisely what inspired us in the beginning.
Supporting Conservation Projects
Here at Quasar Expeditions we not only try to keep nature in its purest form, but we also support projects which try to restore the parts of nature harmed by man. In the Galapagos Islands, Quasar Expeditions is a permanent supporter and member of the Charles Darwin Foundation that works to preserve the islands and its endangered species. As a member of Fundacion Natura in Ecuador, Quasar Expeditions also gives funds to preserve all national parks both in mainland Ecuador and in the Galapagos Islands.
What special equipment will we use on this trip? Tell me about it.
Sperry Gyrocompass, Furuno 21 mile Si-tex radar, Robertson AP 7 autopilot, knot log, wind speed and direction indicator, Raytheon Loran C, Si-tex, GPS Satellite Navigator, forward looking echo Sounder, NVI (Night Vision Instruments, depthfinders, Decca Navigator, Si-tex video sonar, Furuno weatherfax, Taiyo RDF Simrad watch receiver, two VHF radios, 1200 gal/day watermaker, air-conditioning throughout, icemaker, stereo, TV, VCR Communication Equipment: Furuno single sideband radio, VHF radio, SSB radio.
EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon), life jackets, flares and signals, 2 x 18 man life floats. In short, safety equipment on board either meets or exceeds USA Coast Guard Regulations.
Tell me about the guides on this trip
Because of our philosphy and approach, we have attracted a team of the very best guides the Galápagos National Park has to offer. Each has spent years studying biological and earth sciences at
university, combined with years of experience leading trips in the Galápagos Islands. They are
personable, interesting and entertaining individuals intent on conveying their deep understanding and love of their treasured island archipelago.
Maximum Age
None
Weather
The Galapagos Islands have a subtropical climate regulated by the cold Humboldt current and the warm El Nino current. Weather varies during the year. From December until May temperatures range from low 80°s to low 90°s (with possibilities of rain). From June to September temperatures vary from low 60°'s to high 70°'s. This is the garua season (mist in the mornings). From October until December temperatures range from 70°s to 80°' (dry season).
Travel Provider
Provider Name
Quasar Expeditions
Why should I choose this provider?
Our knowledge and professionalism has given us the reputation of being the best Galapagos operator and throughout these years we have had the satisfaction of giving to our clients the vacation of their dreams.
Provider FAQ's
AIR TRANSPORTATION
Please be sure to reconfirm your international flight 48 hours before departure. National flights are handled by Quasar Expeditions.
ATM's
Automated Teller Machines can only be found on San Cristobal Island and on Santa Cruz Island. You will have access to an ATM only at the beginning and end of your cruise and once more during your cruise. Most ATM's accept international ATM cards.
BAGGAGE
We recommend you take a soft sided bag to the Galapagos. You will only need the essentials in clothing and personal items and space is limited on board yachts. A duffel works best as it can be stored into a small drawer or closet. On flights to Galapagos you are allowed a maximum of 20 Kg (44 pounds) of luggage (excluding your hand-bag and carry on).
BANKS AND BANK HOURS
Banks are open to the public from 9:00 hrs to 17:00 hrs. Most banks in Galapagos will allow you to make a transaction with your National bank.
BEST TIME TO VISIT GALAPAGOS
The Galapagos Islands can be visited during any time of the year. The warmest season is from December to May when you get the most hours of clear skies. Clear skies however do not guarantee the best wildlife viewing on the islands due to the intensity of the sun. If you are a diver, the best time to visit Galapagos is from June - November. During these months, the water temperature is the coldest but there are much better chances to see larger schools of hammerheads and even whale sharks.
BOOKING AND PRICING INFORMATION
Our booking and pricing information allows you to see our rates as well as our booking and cancellation policies. Click here to open a PDF version of our Booking/Pricing policy.
CLIMATE
The Galapagos Islands have a subtropical climate regulated by the cold Humboldt current and the warm El Nino current. Weather varies during the year. From December until May temperatures range from low 80°s to low 90°s (with possibilities of rain). From June to September temperatures vary from low 60°'s to high 70°'s. This is the garua season (mist in the mornings). From October until December temperatures range from 70°s to 80°' (dry season).
COMMUNICATION FACILITIES
During your Galapagos Cruise, you can call home the day that you visit Puerto Ayora. Please check your boat's itinerary link to see on what day you will visit Puerto Ayora.
CURRENCY
The currency in Galapagos is the same as that of mainland Ecuador: the US Dollar.
CUSTOMS
The Galapagos Islands does not have customs since there are no international airports. In the airport your personal luggage will receive a slight inspection for things like fruits or seeds that might be introduced to the islands.
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED
According to Ecuadorian Immigration regulations, every foreign passenger entering the Country must have a passport with a time validity of at least 6 months from the day of arrival to Ecuador.
Provider Policies
Terms and Conditions
PUBLISHED RATES & PRICING
The Tour Company publishes its cabin prices as per person double occupancy unless otherwise indicated. All prices are in US Dollars, which is the official currency of Ecuador. All prices are subject to change without notice. The Tour Company’s most recent pricing can be found on its website at http://www.galapagosexpeditions.com
Single Travelers: The Tour Company may endeavor to accommodate single travelers who seek to pay the per person double occupancy rate by helping them to find a roommate. This is referred to as a ‘willing to share’ reservation and means the Customer is willing to share a cabin with a person of the same gender to obtain the per person double occupancy rate. Should the Tour Company confirm the reservation of a roommate of the same gender into a cabin with the Customer who has made a ‘willing to share’ reservation, the Tour Company is in no way responsible for the conduct of the roommate and cannot be held liable in any way for his or her actions and the Customer agrees to hold the Tour Company harmless for any and all said actions. In some cases the Customer may request ‘willing to share’ accommodations and not be matched with a roommate, in which case he or she will only be required to pay the per person double occupancy rate.
Single travelers who require or request their own cabin will be required to pay a 75% single supplement surcharge to insure that they have their own unshared cabin. Single accommodations and ‘willing to share’ accommodations are not available on all departures at the discretion of the Tour Company.
Triple Accommodations: Especially for the benefit of parents traveling with a child, the Tour Company allows three passengers to share certain cabins aboard its vessels. Because the number of passengers the Tour Company may carry aboard each vessel is predetermined by Galapagos National Park (GNP) permit, it derives no benefit from unused spaces in other cabins beyond the permitted number and therefore does not offer rates for triples other than the per person double occupancy rate.
TOUR INFORMATION, DOCUMENTS & FORMS
To prepare you, our Customer, for your tour, the Tour Company will provide you with the following documentation and information, either via the web, PDF file or if requested, in hard copy form. Each document serves a specific purpose to insure both parties meet their obligations to one another in carrying out a successful tour. If, for some reason, you do not have access to the documents listed below, you should contact the Tour Company, which will provide the information in a timely fashion. The Tour Company will also provide you with the forms listed below, which it requires to be completed and returned prior to departure in a timely fashion, so it is able to perform its obligations of providing services to the Customer. All the following documents may be updated as changes occur, in which case the Tour Company will strive to provide the Customer with the most up to date version.
Cruise / Tour Itinerary: This document provides a detailed day-by-day account of the Customer’s upcoming trip.
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THE FOLLOWING ARE PROVIDED UPON CONFIRMATION OF RESERVATION:
Reservation Form: This document is used to disclose important personal information to the Tour Company prior to the trip and is necessary to insure you have a safe tour. Disclosures include passport number, meal requirements, emergency contacts, flight information and more. The Reservation form, the medical form, the invoice and this document constitute the entire Agreement (per above), therefore this document must be returned completed, signed and dated as a condition of participation in the tour as the signature part of this Agreement. This form should be submitted within two weeks of confirming a booking and ideally as soon as possible following confirmation.
General Medical Information Form: This document is used to disclose important medical information to the Tour Company prior to the trip and is necessary to insure you have a safe tour. Disclosures include medical conditions including allergies, medications you're taking or medical conditions which the Tour Company should be made aware of in order for the Tour Company to safely provide services to you, especially in the case of a medical emergency. All information provided in the form will be kept in strict confidence and only be shared with appropriate Tour Company personnel, medical professionals, insurance providers or immediate family members or those specified you in the form as necessary. This document must be returned completed, signed and dated as a condition of participation on the tour. This form should be submitted within two weeks of confirming a booking and ideally as soon as possible following confirmation.
Invoice: Your invoice shows, in brief, the services that have been contracted for and the days they are scheduled to take place along with the cost of the tour, when payments are due and detailed information on the forms of payment that are accepted by the Tour Company. If you, the Customer, have not received a copy of your invoice, please contact the Tour Company, which will provide one in a timely fashion. Your invoice may be updated to reflect the service ordered should they be revised.
Pre-departure Information: This document provides detailed information to prepare you for your travels with the Tour Company. It contains recommendations on clothing and equipment, information on passports and visas, weather and climate, health and medical issues and much more. These matters are addressed in good faith but without responsibility on the part of the Tour Company.
Agreement Concerning Assumption of Hazards & Risks Concerning Minor Children: This document applies to and must be filled out by those who are bringing minor children on a Tour Company tour, or by the parents or legal guardians of the minor who are sending the minor on the tour. A key purpose of this agreement is to heighten the awareness surrounding the risks of bringing a minor on a tour of the Galapagos to better insure safety. If you need to complete this form and have not received this document you should request one immediately and the Tour Company will provide one in timely fashion to be completed and returned prior to the tour by you.
SAFETY AGREEMENT & ASSUMPTION OF RISKS (guests with disabilities): The Galapagos, being a completely natural habitat, come with some challenges for those with disabilities. To insure a safe trip, this document helps to insure those parties so affected understand and acknowledge the challenges inherent in a Galapagos expedition.
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YOUR TRAVEL DOCUMENTS & VACCINATIONS
It is you, the Customer's, responsibility to be in possession of all valid travel documents prior to and during their entire tour with the Tour Company. This includes a passport valid for six months from the date of entry into Ecuador or Peru.
Amazon Travelers Only: A proof of vaccination card is required to be carried and presented when traveling to the Amazon and must show that you have been vaccinated against yellow fever.
INSURANCE
Medical Evacuation (Medivac) Insurance Requirement: The Tour Company requires each Customer to purchase and show proof of Medical Evacuation Insurance coverage for the tour with the Tour Company as a condition of participation. This requirement is designed to protect you against the high costs of becoming ill or injured in a remote location, where medical evacuation costs can run well into the tens of thousands of dollars, should medical evacuation become necessary. You are advised to be aware of the coverage provided by the policy they purchase. Some policies provide coverage of transport for you to the nearest acceptable medical facility, which may mean the nearest hospital in the Ecuadorian mainland, while other coverage will insure full medical transport back to you, the Customer's, country of origin. As proof of such coverage you are required to state on the medical form provided by the Tour Company, the name of you, the Customer’s, covering insurance company, policy number and the international phone number provided by the insurance company to contact should an emergency arise. In some instances medical evacuation coverage may be provided through your ongoing health insurance provider or other insurance entity; you, the Customer, is therefore advised to check with his or her providers for such coverage. Medivac coverage is typically included as a component of a good travel insurance policy (see below). Because passengers are responsible for any and all costs that may arise from medical evacuation, in the event you, the Customer, claims to, but does not have medical evacuation coverage, you will be required to cover all his or her own medical evacuation expenses. You should also make sure to purchase more than adequate coverage as you are responsible for all medivac expenses.
Travel Insurance - Trip Cancellation / Interruption Coverage: The Tour Company recommends that you purchase a good travel insurance policy that includes trip cancellation/interruption coverage and baggage loss protection as well as addition coverage (per above). These policies insure against paying out-of-pocket for non-refundable expenses of a tour in the form of cancellation fees should you have to either cancel or miss part of a tour due to reasons covered in the policy, which typically include illness, injury and flight delay. Many of these policies include coverage for emergency medical evacuation mentioned above. The Tour Company may recommend or offer such policies under a recognized Travel Insurance Company to you, the Customer.
Pre-existing conditions: The Tour Company cannot over emphasize to those with pre-existing conditions that trip cancellation / interruption insurance must typically be purchased within 24 hours from the time the reservation is confirmed to cover cancellation resulting from the pre-existing condition.
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MEDICAL & HEALTH ISSUES / PHYSICAL QUALIFICATIONS You, the Customer, agrees that you are in good health and good physical condition and are physically qualified to participate in a tour of the Galapagos Islands, mainland Ecuador or Peru provided by the Tour Company. If there is any question that the physical or health condition of you, the Customer, may disqualify you from participating in the tour you should immediately contact the Tour Company so that both parties may clarify the issue and jointly arrive at a determination of participation. Experiencing the islands will involve the following:
• Frequent transfers ashore to landing sites, or to snorkeling/dive sites, aboard dinghies (called pangas in the islands), requiring some physical effort and balance
• Some panga landings on stone jetties with wet, slippery lava rocks, and others on sandy beaches with some surf, all of which require some sure footedness and physical effort on the part of the Customer
• Daily hikes that may include walking on irregular and elevated terrain including boulders in the hot sun
• Snorkeling from the panga in open waters that at times will be fairly deep, cold and with current
Therefore, having a good sense of balance and being relatively sure footed is a requirement of qualification by the Tour Company of its Customers for participation on its cruises and tours, as is being a good swimmer who is comfortable swimming in the open ocean. Those who are less sure footed can still participate by joint agreement per above.
Briefings will be given by the Galapagos National Park Guide in advance of the landing and snorkeling outings and other activities to better assist you, the Customer, to determine levels of difficulty so that you may assess whether or not you wish to participate in a given activity. The Galapagos National Park Guide has the authority to disqualify any Customer from a specific activity based on conditions, the Customer’s level of physical ability and especially if the guide perceives a potential safety risk of any kind whatsoever.
Traveling through the Ecuadorian highlands may involve experiencing altitudes between 2,500 and 3,600 meters (8,203 and 11,812 ft) above sea level. Those who are easily susceptible to altitude sickness or have difficulty breathing at higher elevations should consider flying in and out of the port city of Guayaquil, Ecuador, where they can both join and depart the tour, thereby avoiding the higher elevations of Quito and the Andes.
If you, the Customer, suffers from any medical condition, either physical or mental (including allergies) that might impact your travel experience, you should consult with your physician before participating in a Galapagos, mainland Ecuador or Peruvian tour and must advise the Tour Company of your condition and associated medical needs two weeks following confirmation (or at the earliest opportunity) once you have been given the medical go ahead by your doctor. The Tour Company reserves the right not to accept passengers on its tours based on medical and health issues. As mentioned above, all Customers are required to complete and return the Tour Company’s medical form prior to travel.
Should you, the Customer, represent yourself as being qualified for the tour when you are not qualified, then the Tour Company, upon such discovery, may dismiss you, the Customer, from the tour and you, the Customer, will forfeit all funds paid to the Tour Company without recourse to substitution or refund and bear any cost associated with leaving the tour. To avoid this situation, the Tour Company strongly urges you to accurately, fully and truthfully complete all tour related forms and for you to contact the Tour Company immediately if there is any question as to qualification. The Tour Company is more than willing to accommodate persons with disabilities when it is able to do so, so long as it is informed in a timely fashion and agrees to such accommodation in advance so it may adequately make preparation. The Tour Company’s ultimate aim is to ensure the safety of its customers and crew members. Those with disabilities must fill out and complete the form called SAFETY AGREEMENT & ASSUMPTION OF RISKS (guests with disabilities) per above.
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SPECIAL DIETS
The Tour Company offers a varied menu, including international and local cuisines, designed to accommodate a variety of dietary needs including vegetarian diets. The Customer with special dietary needs is required to inform the Tour Company of additional dietary requirements two weeks following confirmation or at the earliest opportunity and should use the specified area in the Reservation Form for this purpose. General and specific needs must be clearly conveyed to the Tour Company. Every effort will be made to cater to such requests within reason and subject to availability of products in Ecuador and the Galapagos.
SCUBA DIVING
The Tour Company has special requirements, qualifications and documentation for Customers with confirmed reservations that include scuba diving. Customers who have confirmed reservations with the Tour Company that include scuba diving are required to meet all scuba diving requirements of the Tour Company, which are based on international scuba diving safety standards, as well as being thoroughly familiar with the Tour Company’s special diving documents, information and forms and should request these immediately if he or she does not already have them. The Tour Company will provide all such documents and forms in a timely fashion prior to departure and the Customer should then thoroughly familiarize themselves with their content and complete and return the required forms in the time stated on the forms.
SUBSTITUTION
On the rare occasion that the Tour Company is not able to provide the yacht originally booked, the Tour Company reserves the right to substitute yachts and/or alter itineraries and/or other travel services including, but not limited to, land accommodations and excursions, if it deems necessary due to force majeure, mechanical failures or lack of passengers booked on a specific departure, in addition to other reasons including, but not limited to, the directives of the Galapagos National Park and local government. In such cases, the Tour Company may place those affected on any other yacht in the Tour Company’s fleet and under such circumstances; the Tour Company will provide a refund for the difference in the price paid for the cabins, if you are moved to a cabin of lesser value. If it is not possible to substitute space within the Tour Company’s fleet, the Tour Company will make every effort to find a similar category Galapagos based yacht and cruise as an alternative. If there is a difference in the price between the original yacht and substitution yacht, that difference will be refunded accordingly only if the price of the substitute yacht is less than the price paid for the originally booked vessel.
If the those affected accept any substitution, the offered substitution will encompass the full extent of the offer with the understanding that by accepting any such offer, you waive any right to further substitution, refund or additional compensation of any kind and will be asked to sign an agreement to this effect at the time the substitution is made.
If those affected choose not to accept the substitution offered, the Tour Company reserves the right to cancel the trip (or the remainder of the trip) upon a refund pro rata per cruise night not used according to the price paid by you, the Customer. In such cases, the Tour Company’s responsibility is limited to the net price pro rata it was paid for the trip as the full extent of the refund.
CANCELLATION OF A TOUR
On the very rare occasion the Tour Company deems it necessary to cancel a cruise and is not able to arrive at any suitable substitution options, it reserves the right to cancel the cruise in total and offer those affected the following options:
• A replacement trip to be offered at a later date in accommodations of equal or greater value and replacement of any unused services such as hotels and excursions as well as the cost of changing international air tickets depending on the rules governing the ticket and subject to proof of cost of change. The cost of intervening hotels, meals and transportation associated with substitutions will be equal to the originally booked services. Expenses beyond the original booked services and/or any items not expressly covered in the original services, such as use of additional hotel services, are the sole responsibility of you, the Customer, and not of the Tour Company.
• A refund of the net amount the Tour Company was paid for the tour by you, the Customer, including the refund of any unused services such as airfare between mainland Ecuador and the Galapagos, as well as the cost of changing or refunding the affected passenger’s international air tickets, depending on the rules governing the ticket and subject to proof of cost of change.
In all the above mentioned cases in which the Tour Company pays a refund, either in total or pro rata, its responsibility will be limited to the net amount it was paid by you, the Customer, for the tour.
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INABILITY TO PERFORM
The Tour Company shall not be liable for debacle or inability to perform its cruises of the Galapagos Islands and mainland Ecuador trips by reasons of strikes or industrial action, war, riot, acts of terrorism, civil commission, inability to obtain supplies and other circumstances beyond its control, including answering any distress call or any action necessary to save or preserve life at sea. The Tour Company may, due to circumstances of force majeure, or unexpected events, vary the time of day of the departures of its vessels and trips, or alter its tour programs and itineraries without advance notice for the above mentioned reasons. These reasons include, but are not limited to: changing weather and the forces of nature, wildlife nesting habits, the vessel’s safety, the safety of its passengers and crew, the discretion, rules, regulations and legislation of the Galapagos National Park and the local government and technical reasons. Under the aforementioned conditions the Tour Company is under no obligation whatsoever to provide substitution, replacement of services or refunds to the Customer so affected.
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CUSTOMER OBLIGATIONS
In addition to obeying GNP rules and the rules of other National Parks visited in mainland Ecuador, you, the Customer, have a responsibility to the Tour Company, its crew members and other passengers as well as to GNP Guides, dive masters, land guides and drivers for understanding the conditions explicitly and implicitly communicated in the trip itinerary, this document and pre-trip documents, as well as information communicated by guides/dive masters and crew members throughout their tour, following normal patterns of social behavior and observing all safety requirements without exception, while acting in an appropriate and respectful manner toward crew members. The Tour Company reserves the right to disembark you, the Customer, at any time, without recourse to refund or reimbursement, who acts in a hostile and/or disruptive manner, who fragrantly displays disregard for the welfare of other passengers, crew members and wildlife or for failing to adhere to the above stated responsibilities.
The Galapagos National Park
The Tour Company’s tours of the Galapagos Islands take place within and under the auspices of the Galapagos National Park (GNP), which stipulates that without exception all its rules and regulations must be followed by all park visitors, whose responsibility it is to know and obey GNP rules. The Tour Company’s cruises are led by certified Galapagos National Park Guides, who inform visitors of GNP rules as well as enforce them. The GNP and the Tour Company, through the authority of the GNP Guide reserve the right to deny any Customer, in violation or disregard of GNP rules, the ability to disembark upon or visit any GNP landing site or dive site. Such violation may cause you, the Customer, to be disembarked at the nearest port of call, offering transportation from the islands back to the mainland without recourse to refund.
Forbidden Items
The Tour Company, in conjunction with international law, local laws, and the rules of the Galapagos National Park (GNP), prohibit the Customer from carrying, either upon their person or in their baggage, any object or material of any nature that may be considered dangerous to the security of other passengers, the crew, the yacht, travelers or the general public, including but not limited to, explosives, weapons of any kind including those used for sport, and inflammable objects while participating on any of the Tour Company’s trips. Furthermore, protecting the Galapagos National Park from introduced species is a serious business, which is why the GNP forbids visitors from transporting biological items, including, but not limited to, flowers, plants, fruits and seeds grown elsewhere, into the GNP. You should not attempt to bring items such as roses or tropical flowers purchased in the mainland to the Galapagos as these will be confiscated and the offender may be subject to a fine.
Illegal Substances
As well as being against the local laws, the transport or use of any illegal substance, including illicit drugs, is expressly forbidden while on a Tour Company tour. Penalties are severe for the discovery of illegal substances in Ecuador. Therefore, if such substances are used by, or found to be in the possession of you, the Customer, you will be put ashore at the next port of call without refund and be subject to arrest and prosecution under the law. The possession of even minor amounts of any illegal substances can lead to charges of trafficking, resulting in the offender serving over 6 months jail time prior to coming to trial where there is no true presumption of innocence and the burden of proof rests with the defendant.
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GENERAL BOOKING DISCLOSURES
Beneficiary Entitlements: If a trip is purchased from the Tour Company in the name of a third person to be the beneficiary, that person is also bound to all statements and conditions contained herein as the Customer.
Surcharges & Taxes: The Tour Company reserves the right to apply additional surcharges and taxes to new and existing bookings for circumstances or reasons including, but not limited to the rules, regulations, legislation and discretion of the Galapagos National Park and the local government. Every effort will be made by the Tour Company to communicate new surcharges to you in a timely manner.
LIABILITY & ASSUMPTION OF RISK
Release of Liability & Assumption of Risk: The Customer participating in and/or purchasing a trip from the Tour Company, does so with the full knowledge that an expedition to the Galapagos Islands, mainland Ecuador or Peru with the Tour Company, and/or the areas visited by their trip, inherently involves risks and dangers including, but not limited to, the forces of nature, the unpredictable behavior of wild animals, strikes and/or civil unrest, roads, trails, travel by vehicles including taxis, buses, airplanes and ocean going vessels, exposure to high altitude, the consumption of alcoholic beverages, physical exertion for which the participant may not be prepared, and or negligence (but not willful or fraudulent conduct) on the part of the Tour Company, or others. During the trip you, the Customer, may be exposed to additional risks and hazards including but not limited to the possibility of accident, injury or illness in a remote area without access to emergency care, rapid evacuation, adequate medical facilities or availability of medical supplies. You, the Customer, acknowledges that the enjoyment and excitement derived from an expedition and/or adventure trip comes in part from the inherent risks incurred when traveling including exposure to the activities offered during a Tour Company tour such as, but not limited to, swimming, hiking, sea kayaking, snorkeling, horseback riding and scuba diving, which are all enjoyed with voluntary participation. Fully understanding these risks and that the cost of the Tour Company’s tours are based upon full acceptance of the conditions stated and implied herein, as lawful consideration for being permitted by the Tour Company, to participate on a Tour Company tour and take part in corresponding activities and use of facilities and equipment. You, the Customer, agrees to be responsible for their own welfare, and accept any and all risks of delay, unanticipated events, death, illness, injury or emotional trauma and acknowledge that they are voluntarily participating on the tour in full knowledge of these risks and therefore discharge the Tour Company and its owners, agents, contractors, affiliates and employees from and against any and all liability arising from their participation in the tour. You, the Customer, further agrees that this release shall be legally binding upon themselves and all minors under the age of 21 traveling with them, their heirs, successors, assigns, and legal representatives; it being their intention to fully assume all the risk of travel and to release the Tour Company from any and all liabilities to the maximum extent permitted by law. In the unlikely event a legal dispute should arise involving any part of these statements whatsoever, the following conditions will apply: the dispute will be submitted to a neutral third-party mediator in Miami, Florida, with both parties splitting equally the costs of such a mediator. If the dispute cannot be resolved through mediation then the dispute shall be submitted for binding arbitration through an arbitration center in Miami, Florida. Resolution of the dispute will be governed by the laws of the state of Florida, and the maximum recoverable amount to which you, the Customer, will be entitled under any and all circumstances will be the net cost of your trip paid to the Tour Company.
Special Liability Release Regarding Land Services: The Tour Company gives notice that many of the services it provides in connection with its land services, including transportation, hotels and other forms of accommodations, restaurants and other services are often purchased from various independent suppliers not affiliated with the Tour Company. While the Tour Company seeks to work with the best suppliers available, the Tour Company has only a limited ability to control the operations of these providers. Therefore, those purchasing land based programs through the Tour Company does so upon the express condition that the Tour Company shall not be liable for any delay, cancellation, mishap, inconvenience, expense, irregularity, bodily injury or death to you, the Customer, or damage to property, occasioned through the conduct of default of any company or individual engaged in providing these services. Each of these suppliers is subject to the local laws and their liability may be limited by their tariffs, conditions of carriage, tickets, vouchers, international conventions and agreements.
Updated Versions of this Agreement: Because the Tour Company may periodically need to update its policies due to changes in the law, the policies of the Galapagos National Park, or for the benefit of its Customer or the Tour Company, the Customer Agreement may be updated periodically, therefore the version in effect at the time the Customer ‘indicates acceptance’ will be in governance as will all affecting changes in the law and GNP policies.
Last Updated: March 20, 2009
Pricing Policies
To confirm a reservation: A $600 USD non-refundable per person deposit is due from the Customer at the time of booking.
Final Payment: Final Payment is due from the Customer at 90 days prior to departure
Forms of payment: Forms of payment accepted by the Tour Company include wire transfers, credit cards and checks. Detailed information regarding forms of payment will appear on the Customer’s invoice or will be provided upon request by the Tour Company.
Cancellation Policies
The following cancellation fees will be applied according to the number of days prior to departure that the Tour Company receives written notice of cancellation. All cancellations must be made in writing and should be sent via email to the sales agent who made the Customer’s reservation for the Tour Company.
* 90 days or more prior to departure: Your confirmation non-refundable deposit will be used as a cancellation fee.
* 89 days or less prior to departure: 100% of total invoiced amount
How to guard against cancellation fees: The Tour Company strongly recommends the Customer purchase trip cancellation / interrupt insurance directly after the reservation is confirmed. This coverage reimburses the Customer for most non-refundable costs of the tour should he or she need to cancel due to illness, injury or other reasons covered under the policy.
For passengers with pre-existing conditions: coverage must typically be purchased from a travel insurance company within 24 hours from the time a reservation is confirmed to cover cancellation resulting from the pre-existing condition.
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TESTIMONIALS
I would recommend this trip to a friend in a second. The trip to the Galapagos was Outstanding. The Letty was wonderful; the naturalists were the greatest; the food was superb; the crew excellent; (I\'m running out of adjectives) I would recommend the whole thing and your agency also. You really provided excellent service and information. I felt I could email or call you with any questions and I knew you would answer quickly and I felt honestly. For just taking a chance finding you on the internet, I was very fortunate.
-- Joyce P, Galapagos Islands on the Eric, Letty, Flamingo I
The Inca trail trek can only be described as magical. I tried my best to be cynical, but it didn’t work. This trip was pure magic and absolutely perfect.
The logistics of the trip were impeccable. The ground transportation was on time and they made sure I was able to obtain my boarding pass and pay the airport tax at each leg of the trip.
Out on the hike, my guide Oswaldo was fabulous.
The food on the trail was amazing. The chef created simple and fresh meals that were bursting with local flavor.
-- Terry B, Inca Trail 5-day with Andean Adventures
Just returned from Costa Rica last night ... trip was a GREAT SUCCESS! We all thank you VERY MUCH for arranging the trip.
-- Bob Fenchel, Custom Costa Rica with Camino Travel
We’ve been home just over a week now and I just wanted to send you a quick note to let you just how fantastically well everything went! Ok, so we did end up paying the full whack (which I’ve decided just not to think about!). However, we had a fantastic guide and everything ran really smoothly and we had a fantastic time. From being collected from the hotel (Vieja Cuba which was lovely) to being looked after once we got to the Galapagos it was all just perfect, so thank you very much for being an important part of our fabulous trip.
Cheers Greg !
-- Marayka K., Galapagos Multisport 7-Day Adventure
Detour, The Adventure Travel Marketplace - Galapagos Naturalist Cruise Aboard the M/S Alta
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