M/V Santa Cruz & Isabela

Travel to Galapagos island on-board the 43 cabin M/V Santa Cruz, built exclusively for Galapagos Islands cruising 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 ninety guests.

Its Galapagos Travel Team consists of a Chief Naturalist and five 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 Galapagos travel. Soon enough, our Naturalists will become the highlight of your voyage on santa cruz galapagos. 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 M/V Santa Cruz 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). Six 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. Family guests have ample choice among single, double and triple accommodations.

The M/V Santa Cruz 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. A carefully planned Santa Cruz Galapagos itinerary includes the Galapagos' main highlights plus a flexible program allowing guests to enjoy several alternatives for their daily activities. In essence, an expedition to the best National Park, aboard the only ship exclusively built for exploring the Galapagos.

Special for January, February & March....you pay the 5d/4n cruise and take the 6 day/5n cruise...!!!

* Special single rates apply only for specific dates, please ask us...1-800-327-0080
** Only 1 cabin is available for single use
Twin / Double Cabins for single use have a surcharge of 50% of the price.

During Peak Season: April 4-9 / Dec 21-26 / Dec 26-31 / Dec 31-Jan 04
- There will be a GROSS surcharge of US$ 130.00 per adult and US$ 100.00 per child
- No discounts apply
- Twin / Double Cabins for single use have a surcharge of 100% of the price.

Children Policy:
- Children under 12 sharing cabin with parents, 25% off. (Applies only to one child per adult paying full fare)
- Minimum age 6 years old

M/V SANTA CRUZ GALÁPAGOS RATES INCLUDE:
Accommodations, all meals, island sightseeing, naturalist guides and lecture services in English, snorkeling gear, taxes and transfers in the islands.
Transfer from main hotels in Quito (Casona de San Miguel, Hilton Colon, Swissôtel, Marriott, Dann Carlton) and in Guayaquil (Hilton Colon, Oro Verde, Hampton Inn, Sheraton) to airport for flights to / from Galápagos are included in these rates. To coordinate these transfers we must have guest's hotel contact.

NOT INCLUDED:
- Wet Suits available for rent, NET rate $ 15 + VAT per guest for 5-day expeditions
- Wet Suits available for rent, NET rate $ 30 + VAT per guest for 7-day expeditions
- Air transportation from Quito or Guayaquil Galápagos. (US$400-480 please call us)
- Galápagos National Park entrance fee (US$ 100 subject to change without previous notice).
- Migration Control Card (US $ 10 subject to change without previous notice).
- Alcoholic and non alcoholic beverage, gratuities, gifts and additional items.

IMPORTANT NOTES:
- Guarantees local air spaces for this cruises.
- Galápagos Itineraries are subject to change due to weather, logistical or operational reasons.
- All rates are subject to change.

See POLICIES for booking, payment and cancellation for FITs and GROUPS)

The itinerary is a guide only. Our route and programme varies according to National Park policies and regulations, weather conditions, seasonal changes, safety reasons and the wildlife we encounter.

Detailed Itinerary

Saturday

Puerto Baquerizo Moreno (San Cristóbal Island)

Arrival by plane to San Cristóbal Island and transfer to the M/V Santa Cruz, anchored at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the provincial capital of the Galápagos Islands. Cabin assignment, introductory talk and lunch.

Punta Pitt (San Cristóbal Island)

In the afternoon, disembark (wet landing) on the eastern tip of the island. Pitt Point is an eroded tuff cone; the trail that ascends from the beach provides spectacular views of the shoreline. This is the only site in the Galápagos where the three species of boobies can be found together, as well as the two frigate species, plus a colony of bachelor sea lions along the beach. After the walk, if conditions are favourable, there is a chance to swim from the beach or snorkel at the nearby islets. Expedition plan for Sunday and dinner.

Sunday

Santa Fe Island

After breakfast, a wet landing on a sandy white beach with many sea lion harems. Bulls vie for the right of “Beach Master”, while smaller males masquerading as females make stealthy mating moves. Galápagos hawks are often easily observed, perched atop salt bushes. The giant prickly pear cactus found here live up to their name with tree-sized trunks! The endemic land iguana, unique to this island, may be spotted during the afternoon walk. Snorkelling and swimming from the beach rounds off the rewarding experience, or if guests prefer, the glass-bottom boat for non-snorkellers. Lunch on board.

South Plaza Island

Disembark (dry landing) in the channel between North and South Plaza Islands, where the island tilts toward the water, the approach makes for a lavishly colourful sight! The turquoise waters of the channel contrast brilliantly with the white sand and black lava of the shoreline. The rocks have grown thick with green seaweed in places, speckled with bright orange ‘Sally Lightfoot’ crabs. Further up the shore a carpet of scarlet sesuvium succulents serves as groundcover for a grove of luminescent green prickly-pear cactus. Yellow-grey land iguanas sit beneath these, waiting patiently for pears to drop. Along the coastline one finds sea lion colonies, while frigates, swallow-tailed gulls and shearwaters glide playing with the thermals that form along the cliffs of this small but amazing island. Expedition plan for Monday and dinner.

Monday

Puerto Ayora and the Charles Darwin Research Station (Santa Cruz Island)

Morning disembarkation (dry landing) visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station and the giant tortoise pens, including tortoise celebrities like “Lonesome George” within an impressive giant prickly-pear cactus forest home to many land birds. These are the headquarters of scientific investigation, conservation and the National Park administration. Following our visit, we board our transport to enjoy lunch in the cooler highlands of Santa Cruz Island, a completely different ecosystem.

Santa Cruz Island

We have several options available for the afternoon, which can be discussed in advance with your Expedition Leader:

1.Trek along trails amid miconia forest in the highlands, home to many elusive birds including the dark-rumped petrel.
2.Mountain bike (mostly downhill) to Garrapatero Beach.
3.Sea kayak and relax on a beautiful, sandy beach.
4.Experience sustainable agriculture in an organic coffee plantation.
5.Discover SCUBA diving day in Puerto Ayora. This is a day designed for people who wish to discover the marine wonders of the archipelago, but who are not ready to dive in the current-strong Galápagos open waters. A local diving outfitter is contacted on your behalf. This activity takes for most of the day and has a cost. Please ask us for more information.
At the end of the afternoon’s activities, we return to Puerto Ayora and embark on the M/V Santa Cruz.

Tuesday

Punta Suárez (Española (Hood) Island)

Morning outing at Punta Suárez (dry landing) for an exciting walk on lava/boulder terrain to visit its unique sea bird colonies, including waved albatrosses (April - December), Nazca boobies, blue-footed boobies, swallow-tail gulls as well as a view of the Galápagos famous “blow-hole”. Among its land birds, the Hood island mockingbird, Galápagos hawks, Galápagos doves and three species of Darwin’s finches are common highlights. Also, look for red-green-black marine iguanas. Back on board for lunch.
Gardner Bay (Española Island)
In the afternoon, disembark (wet landing) at a white coral beach for a short walk to observe the sea lions, mockingbirds, finches or enjoy the beach. There is great snorkelling in this area, or a ride aboard the glass-bottom boat. Departure briefing, Farewell Cocktail and dinner.

Wednesday

Baltra Island

Disembark at Baltra Island. Transfer to the airport to take the flight back to the continent.

The itineraries and programme are subject to change without prior notice, due mainly to adjustments in the policies and regulations of the Galápagos National Park, weather conditions, seasonal changes and safety reasons.

Itinerary is a guide only. Our route and programme varies according to National Park policies and regulations, weather conditions, seasonal changes, safety reasons and the wildlife we encounter.

Morning arrival to Baltra Island by TAME flight and immediate transfer to the dock to board M/V Santa Cruz. Welcome introductory briefing and lunch.

North Seymour Island

Afternoon disembarkation (dry landing) for a walk along the coast and the interior of the island, observing bird colonies of blue footed boobies, frigate birds, swallow tailed gulls and also sea lions and marine iguanas. Opportunity for snorkeling or coastal exploration. Evening briefing, welcome cocktail and dinner.

Punta Vicente Roca (Albermarle Point, Isabela Island)
After breakfast, disembark (wet landing) at the northernmost point on Isabela Island, Albemarle Point, named in English after the Duke of Albemarle in the 17th century. This is an historic site, where an old radar station dating back to WWII, and installed there by American troops, can still be seen. Fauna here includes the largest marine iguanas of the Galápagos, a healthy population of Flightless Cormorants. This is the only place in the world where one can encounter penguins in the Northern Hemisphere. Amid the mangroves, guests can spot great blue herons and brown pelicans nesting. Lunch on board.

Afternoon visit to the youngest island of the archipelago, Fernandina. Disembark (dry landing) for a one-mile walk over dark lava. Punta Espinoza has an amazing combination of barrenness and a lot of wildlife. Having no introduced mammals, Fernandina boasts a very unique environment with the highest density of marine iguanas, sharing their space with sea lions, sally-light foot crabs, hawks, penguins and the flightless cormorant. Evening briefing and dinner.

After breakfast (wet landing) disembark at Urbina Bay, located at the foot of volcanoes Alcedo and Darwin, west of Isabela Island, the result of an uplifting of the ocean in 1954. Here you can find corals, shells, and many other calcareous organisms exposed above water. This area is also home to large and very colourful Galápagos land iguanas, giant tortoises (occasionally); a good spot to observe Darwin’s finches. Along the shoreline, after the hike, guests may encounter flightless cormorants and see penguins while snorkelling in this beautiful cove. Lunch on board.

On the northwest of Isabela, secluded Tagus Cove provided a favourite anchorage for pirates and whalers over the centuries. Old graffiti is still found on its walls. The vegetation in the area includes the fragrant palo santo trees. These white-barked trees are leafless and look dead most of the year. They leaf and spring back to life in the wet season.

An uphill hike takes guests to the back of Darwin Crater, filled with salt water. The view at the end of the trail is worth the climb. Darwin is one of Isabela’s six volcanoes, a remarkable contrast to the lower islands to the east of the archipelago. Possibilities to swim, snorkel or ride kayaks. There is no beach in the area, so these activities are done from the pangas. Briefing and dinner.

Morning disembarkation (dry landing) to visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station and the giant tortoise pens, including tortoise celebrities like “Lonesome George” within an impressive giant prickly-pear cactus forest home to many land birds. These are the headquarters of scientific investigation, conservation and the National Park administration. Lunch at the poolside of the Finch Bay Eco Hotel.

After lunch, visit the highlands of Santa Cruz Island, with their impressive Scalesia forest and the geological formation of the twin pit craters known Los Gemelos. From December to mid-April a visit to see the giant tortoises in the wild may be included, if weather conditions are good. Next day’s expedition plan and dinner.

Morning visit to Post Office Bay. A short walk leads us to the historic barrel site, where mail can be left for other guests from other vessels to be hand-delivered. This tradition of two centuries is unique. Near Post Office Bay, we explore the north shore of Floreana along narrow channels teeming with life. Rays, turtles and sea lions can be seen gently swimming next to our pangas. After a wet landing and a short walk up to a volcanic cone, we reach the Baroness’s Tower, from where the entire northern shore of the island can be seen. Learn more about the fascinating past of this island. Lunch on board.

Disembark at Punta Cormorant (wet landing) at an olivine-crystal beach for an easy walk that includes a brackish water lagoon where bird species like greater flamingos, pintail ducks, common stilts, herons, sandpipers, and others may be observed. This outing also includes a white-sand beach where sea turtles come out at night to nest (from December to May). Possibility of snorkelling or a glass-bottom boat ride at Champion Islet. Briefing and dinner.

Disembark at Baltra Island. Transfer to the airport to take the flight back to the continent.

Itinerary is a guide only. Our route and programme varies according to National Park policies and regulations, weather conditions, seasonal changes, safety reasons and the wildlife we encounter.

Morning arrival to Baltra Island by TAME flight and immediate transfer to the dock to board the M/V Santa Cruz. Welcome introductory briefing and lunch.

Las Bachas (Santa Cruz Island)
After WWII, US military barges were beached and abandoned here. Locals referred to the beach as the barges beach, a name that morphed to “bachas”. Today it is an important nesting area for the east Pacific green sea turtle. Located on the north shore of Santa Cruz Island, it is a glorious white beach, with several brackish lagoons only a few steps away from the sea. These lagoons are the feeding grounds of various wading birds, from stilts to flamingos. Briefing and dinner.

Day 02 Tuesday

Espumilla Beach (James Island)
After breakfast, a wet landing on the large coffee-coloured sand beach, just north of the prized fresh water supply that once attracted pirates and whalers. Galápagos Islands visitors who today come to Espumilla Beach arrive in search of birds rather than water. A short walk inland takes guests through a mangrove forest. Sea Turtles also visit these mangroves to nest. Beyond the mangroves lies a brackish lagoon where flocks of pink flamingos and white cheeked pintails can be seen. Lunch on board.

Wet landing for a mid-length walk. Most of the landscape is tuff-stone layers and lava flows. This is a great opportunity to see land and marine birds. At low tide, marine iguanas graze upon the algae beds and there is a colony of fur-sea lions. Opportunity for snorkeling and swimming from the beach after the walk, or a ride on the glass-bottom boat. Briefing and dinner.

Disembark at Rábida Island (wet landing) on a red-coloured beach, due to the unusually high content of iron in the volcanic material. A gratifying stroll along the beach of this small island (1.9 sq. mi.) allows the observation of a large colony of sea lions, marine iguanas, mockingbirds, yellow warblers and several species of Darwin’s finches. Very close to the beach, hidden behind a strip of green saltbush, is a salt pond where at times greater flamingos migrate. This is a great place to snorkel from the beach, both for beginners as well as for experienced snorkelers, due to the unique combination of underwater species and submarine landscapes. During navigation to our next island, dolphins are often spotted. Lunch on board.

Disembark at Bartolomé Island (dry landing) for a hike to the summit. A great way to start the day! This is a steep climb aided by a wooden staircase with handrails; the view from the top is worth the effort. Dinghy ride around colossal Pinnacle Rock, then time to enjoy the beach (wet landing) and some snorkelling, possibly with Galápagos penguins, or else a ride in the glass-bottom boat for great views of the underwater world. Briefing and dinner.

The morning starts with a very interesting panga ride along the cliffs and then disembark (dry landing) on rocks for a steep climb (90 feet) up some stairs. Once at the top of the stairs, the land is flat, allowing for a stimulating walk of about a mile to the other side of this small island, observing large colonies of masked boobies, frigate birds and storm petrels. Those not wishing to disembark can enjoy a longer panga ride along the cliffs (depending on weather conditions). Lunch on board.

In the afternoon, a wet landing for an easy stroll observing thousands of birds, mainly frigate birds, red footed and masked boobies, gulls, herons, finches and mockingbirds. Optional walk over sharp lava and uneven terrain for dramatic views, or else return to the beach to enjoy swimming and snorkelling at this beautiful natural harbour. The more adventurous can snorkel along the cliffs. Briefing and dinner.

After breakfast, departure to the port and airport to take the flight back to the mainland.

* Dry landing: guests step from the dinghy onto rocks or a dock.

* Wet landing: as the dinghy edges onto a sandy beach, guests step into knee-deep water and wade ashore

Ship Technical specifications

•Construction : Bilbao, Spain, 1979
•Reconstruction : Talcahuano, Chile, 1998
•Last Dry Dock on: Ecuador, September 7th to October 2nd 2009

•Category : First Class
•Gross Tonnage : 1675
•Capacity : 90 guests
•Length : 72.35 meters (237.3 feet)
•Beam : 11.85 meters (38.86 feet)
•Speed : 13 knots
•Electricity : 110 Volts in the cabins with 220 Volt sockets available in Reception and Dining area.
•Engines : 2 Sulzer engines, 1620 BHP each
•Navigation : Gyrocompass, auto pilot, radar, echo-sounders,
•Equipment : GPS and Radio Director Finder
•Safety Classification : ABS classification +A1E + AMS #7907 853 SOLAS (safety of life at sea) ISM certificate Complying with the IMO resolution A.788(19) Automatic fire controls
•Life Jackets : In each cabin
•Lifeboats : Two 66-man, two 25-man,
•Life Rafts : Two 16-man, two 10-man
•Zodiacs : 5 for ship to shore transportation
•Boston Whaler : 1 with glass-bottom with for underwater observation
•Owner : ETICA / Metropolitan Touring
•Decks : 4 (Sun deck, Boat deck, Upper deck, Main deck)
•Crew : 52
•Naturalist : 6 multilingual (includes Chief Naturalist)
•Medical Officer : Permanently on board

Other services

•Bar - Lounge, Boutique
•Gift Shop
•Email, radio, telephone, and Fax communications.
•PA system.
•Snorkeling Equipment
•Shortie wet suits (used between June and December)
•Multimedia natural history lectures
•Stargazing Program
•Glass bottom boat
•Jacuzzi
•Reading Room and Natural History Library
•Air conditioned throughout
•Safety boxes
•Hair dryers