The Ships Alta
M/S Alta - Galapagos Cruise
Very few experiences compare to the feeling of a ship sailing through the water, with engines turned off and nothing but the sound of the wind hitting the sails and the hull breaking the water. Alta is one of the few ships in Galapagos that can deliver this feeling.
Named Yacht of the Month in the past by Yachting Magazine, Alta is one of the most beautiful ships on the Islands, ideal for travelers seeking exclusivity, style and uniqueness. The ship is exceptionally stylish, with gorgeous detailing and furnishings and carries that grandeur and special charm proper to sailing ships. It provides much more outside space than other sailing ships of its kind in Galapagos and when conditions are appropriate, the sails are hoisted, engines turned off, and Alta becomes one of the most striking ships on the Islands.
Ship Details
Capacity
32 guests in 16 cabins. 18 crew members plus 2 naturalist guides, 1 cruise director and 1 doctor
Public Areas
Evolution features a lounge with a bar and facilities for lectures, slide shows and films; Library with a wide range of books, movies and games; Inside and Al Fresco Dinning Areas; Sundeck with beautiful rattan furniture; small hot tub on bow with sun chairs and ample outside deck space.
Meals
Served in either the inside Dinning Room or the Al Fresco Dinning room. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served buffet style and prepared by our specially trained chefs. Meals are served in wholesome quantities and in a variety of menus with tropical exotic fruits always available. Kids and vegetarian menus are also available upon request.
Cabins
All cabins have exceptional accommodations, private facilities, climate controls, safe-boxes and ample space to hang and store clothing. Cabin prices vary according to their deck location and size.
Bathrooms
All cabins have private bathrooms with hair dryers, amenities and ample space to store toiletries.
Special Features of Yacht
Small hot tub with lounge chairs, extensive outside areas, sea kayaks, snorkeling gear and wetsuits. Boutique available and infirmary with an MD onboard at all times.
Special Features for Children
Kids Club with activities like star-gazing and movie nights. Child-oriented guides who organize learning activities and provide children with a kids expedition journal are placed specifically for departures with children. Sony PlayStation available in the library as well as a wide range of board games and movies for children. Kids Menus specially prepared for family departures.
ALTA ITINERARY
7 nights / 8 days, from Saturday to Saturday
Please see the Important Note on itineraries found at the bottom of this tab.
Ship Details
Tour Day 1: Saturday
Morning: Arrival to San Cristobal Island
Afternoon: San Cristobal: Playa Ochoa and Kicker Rock
Tour Day 2: Sunday
Morning: Tower (Genovesa) Island: Prince Phillip's Steps
Afternoon: Tower: Darwin Bay
Tour Day 3: Monday
Morning: Fernandina (Narborough) Island: Punta Espinosa
Afternoon: Isabela (Albemarle) Island: Tagus Cove
Tour Day 4: Tuesday
Morning: Isabela (Albemarle) Island: Urbina Bay
Afternoon: Isabela (Albemarle) Island: Punta Vicente Roca
Tour Day 5: Wednesday
Morning: Bartolome (Bartholomew) Island: Pinnacle Rock & Overlook
Afternoon: Santa Cruz (Indefatigable) Island: Black Turtle Cove
Tour Day 6: Thursday
Morning: Santa Cruz (Indefatigable) Island: Highlands
Afternoon: Santa Cruz Island: Charles Darwin Research Station
Tour Day 7: Friday
Morning: Hood (Española) Island: Punta Suarez
Afternoon: Hood (Española) Island: Gardner Bay
Tour Day 8: Saturday
Early Morning: San Cristobal: Interpretation Centre
Late Morning: Depart for Mainland Ecuador
* Please contact us to request a detailed itinerary of this trip.
IMPORTANT NOTE ON ITINERARIES: These itineraries are subject to change without prior notice for various factors including, but not limited to: safety, weather, mechanical breakdown, unforeseen emergencies, and the discretion of the Captain, Guide, Dive Master.
WALKS & HIKES
Every visit to each island, no matter the departure type, involves an easy, intermediate, or difficult hike. Every day of your cruise will include at least one expedition to a visiting point on a specific island. Hikes involve animal watching, scenic views and detailed lectures and explanations from your naturalist guide on many issues concerning the islands.
SNORKELING
Snorkeling is one of the favorite activities of all people that visit the Galapagos Islands. You will be offered the opportunity to go snorkeling almost every day at various visiting points which range from easy to intermediate. For non-divers, this is a great way to get a glimpse of marine life in Galapagos, one of the largest marine reserves in the world!
KAYAKING
Kayaking is offered on all of our departures. Our sea kayaks are the ideal means by which to get some good exercise and explore the cliffs and shores of the various visiting points. A cruise week offers great opportunities to go kayaking to coves, mangroves and beaches. Penguins can be seen from up-close on a kayak and even as they swim with our clear bottom acrylic kayaks.
DINGHY RIDES
On all of our departures we offer dinghy rides on several visiting points. The group, of up to 16 passengers, is taken on a dinghy for a ride alongside cliffs and shores, as well as mangroves. This activity is great to see volcanic formations as well as shore birds. In the mangrove estuaries it is very common to see sea turtles, rays and sharks.
OCCASIONAL DIVING
If you are a certified diver, but your partner isn't or you don't want to do an entire week's diving cruise, we offer occasional diving during Alta's visit to port so that you can experience the true beauty of Galapagos' underwater life. You will be amazed at the abundance of life underwater while you dive with one of our dive masters, ensuring your safety at all times.
M/S ALTA RATES FOR 2009 (Please inquire with us for 2010 rates)
Charter Rate (16 Passengers) $65,000
Fit Rate (Individuals) Naturalist, Active & Family Cruises
Cabins 1 & 2: $4.650
Cabins 3 - 8: $4.450
Snorkeling
Included in the prices above:
Accommodations for 7 nights / 8 days
All meals on board
All non-alcoholic beverages consumed throughout the cruise
All services throughout the cruise
Snorkeling gear
Wetsuits
Open Water Kayaking
Not included in the prices above:
Air tickets to and from Galapagos ($414 from Quito, $369 from Guayaquil)
Galapagos National Park entrance fee ($100)
Transit Control Card ($10)
Fuel surcharge of $306 p/p or $4,284 for charters
Bar consumption on board
Gratuities & Tips to Crew and Staff
Note:
Air tickets, National Park fee and fuel surcharge can be subject to change without prior notice.
Additional charges or discounts:
Single Supplement**: 75% Surcharge (if passenger is not willing to share cabin)
Children 11 yrs and under: 15% discount for 09 (not applicable for departures on or between Christmas, New Years and Easter)
Easter, Christmas and New Year's weeks have a surcharge of USD $4500 for charters and $400 for FIT's for 2009
** Supplement can be subject to change with prior notice.
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