Galapagos Cruise M/V Eclipse - 8 Days

The Galapagos Islands offer a unique interaction with nature and their name is synonymous with survival and the celebration of the diversity of species on earth.  It has been more than 450 years since their discovery and the islands remain largely intact thanks to the conservation efforts of the Galapagos National Park and the Charles Darwin Research Station. From your comfortable base aboard the M.V. Eclipse, you will be able to explore the best visitor sites.

M.V. Eclipse is a Conde Nast Top Small Cruise Ship and a 2012 Andrew Harper Signature Tour of the Galapagos Islands!

Dates                    click here: When is the Best Time to Visit the Galapagos?

Espanola Itinerary

Short 5 night cruise option is available on all Espanola itinerary departures except Dec 29

2012: Feb 25 - Mar 3,  Mar 10-17, Mar 24-Mar 31, Apr 7 - 14 (Family Departure), Apr 21-28, May 5-12, May 19-26, Jun 2-9, Jun 16-23, Jun 30-Jul 7,  Jul 14-21, Jul 28-Aug 4, Aug 11-18, (Jun 16 through Aug 11 departures are Family Departures), Oct 6-13, Oct 20-27, Nov 3-10, Nov 17-24, Dec 1-8, Dec 15-22, Dec 29-Jan 5 (December departures are Family Departures)

Genovesa Itinerary

2012: Mar 3-10, Mar 17-24, Mar 31 - Apr 7 (Family Departure) Apr 14-21 (Family Departure) Apr 28-May 5, May 12-19, May 26-Jun 2, Jun 9-16, Jun 23-30, Jul 7-14, Jul 21-28, Aug 4-11, Aug 18-24 (Jun 23 through Aug 18 departures are Family Departures) Oct 13-20, Oct 27-Nov 3, Nov 10-17, Nov 24-Dec 1, Dec 8-15, Dec 22-29 (December departures are Family Departures)

Family Departures

Taking children to the Galapagos Islands is an immensely rewarding experience.The Galapagos Islands are truly a magical place. It is a destination where fun and education coexist seamlessly and it is therefore a wonderful, once in a lifetime experience for children. 

The Child Coordinator will prepare activities for kids throughout the week including special briefings, meal times and menus, educational activities, and much more. They prepare colorful, kid-friendly cabins and also give children special gifts throughout the week. When there are at least 10 children on board, they can even have their own guide during excursions.

On family departures children are accepted from the age of 4.

Rates
 

2012 Price, per person for 7 night cruises, either Espanola or Genovesa Itinerary

• Deluxe Staterooms (Boat Deck, Cabins 17-20 / Queens & Triples)   $6,400

• Superior Staterooms (Boat Deck, Cabins 21-28 / Twins & Doubles)   $5,950

• Staterooms (Main Deck, Cabins 3-15 / Twins & Doubles)   $5,400

• Single Staterooms (Main Deck, Cabins 1-2)  $5,600

2012 October, November, December 1, 8 & 15 Departures (low season)

• Deluxe Staterooms (Boat Deck, Cabins 17-20 / Queens & Triples)   $6,100

• Superior Staterooms (Boat Deck, Cabins 21-28 / Twins & Doubles)   $5,700

• Staterooms (Main Deck, Cabins 3-15 / Twins & Doubles)   $5,150

• Single Staterooms (Main Deck, Cabins 1-2)  $5,300

All cabins have sea views
On Family Departures children are accepted from the age of 4 ,on Non-Family Departures children are accepted from the age of 8.
Children under 12 will benefit from 25% discount over the gross rates on all departures except Easter, Christmas and New Year cruises.

 Included

• All shore excursions with English speaking guides
• All meals while onboard
• All soft drinks and juices onboard
• VIP lounge at Baltra airport on outbound flight from Galapagos
• Complimentary use of snorkeling equipment
• Complimentary use of 3mm "shorty" wet suits
• Complimentary one-time fully stocked minibar in Deluxe Staterooms
• Sharing transfers between the airport in Baltra and the dock

Not Included

• Fuel Surcharge $260 USD per person
• Air tickets to and from the Galapagos Islands
• Galapagos National Park Entrance Fee USD100,00 per adult / USD50,00
• per child under 12 years
• Tourist Transit Card TCT at USD10,00 per person (adults and children)
• Guide and crew gratuities
• Fuel Surcharge is an additional charge imposed by local authorities.

The Ship

The Eclipse has surpassed the other options available in the Galapagos Islands, offering small excursion groups, unparalleled levels of personalized service and the amenities of a larger boat while still preserving the relaxed exclusivity of a smaller vessel.

This expedition Vessel was converted specifically for cruising in the islands, and was designed to meet the exacting demands of upscale travel.  The Eclipse is the perfect base for any Galapagos experience; a generously proportioned ship with a small yacht atmosphere.The Eclipse has 24 spacious, fully air-conditioned staterooms, with either a queen or twin bed configuration, plus 2 single cabins.

Every cabin boasts either picture windows or large portholes, providing a view of the surrounding waters. All the ship’s twin beds can be converted to king-size beds upon request.The Eclipse's features include a library, a boutique, a lounge and an infirmary, with a doctor on board at all times. One of the most popular areas on board is the observation/sun deck, ideal for stargazing, whale watching, or simply lazing in the Jacuzzi.In addition to the elegant indoor dining room, there is an al fresco dining area, where you can enjoy the islands’ spectacular scenery. All meals are served as a buffet style with all soft drinks included.
 

Itineraries

Choose from a 7 night cruise that includes Genovesa (shown below)  or a 7 or 5 night cruise that includes Espanola.

(Click here for 7 night Espanola and 5 night itinerary)

THE ECLIPSE - 7 NIGHT ITINERARY WITH GENOVESA

Day 1 - - Saturday 

ARRIVE AT BALTRA AIRPORT – GALAPAGOS ISLANDS

Arrival at the airport in Baltra & transfer to the dock
Check-in to your cabin
Introductory briefing & safety drill
Lunch
Panga ride to Black Turtle Cove, Santa Cruz Island
18:00 Back on board
19:30 Briefing on Sunday’s program
20:00 Welcome cocktail
20:15 Dinner

Black Turtle Cove is one of the most beautiful marine sites in the Galapagos. It is a complex maze of tranquil salt-water inlets, surrounded by three different species of mangrove. Its waters are a nursery site for sea turtles, rays and sharks as well as a nesting site for sea birds. This site is only accessible by panga. Difficulty level: Easy

Day 2 - Sunday 

RABIDA - PUERTO EGAS (JAMES BAY),  SANTIAGO ISLAND

06:45 Wake up call
07:00 Breakfast
08:00 Wet landing at Rabida Island
10:00 Snorkeling and kayaking at Rabida Island
11:00 Back on board
12:00 Lunch
15:00 Wet landing at Puerto Egas, Santiago Island
16:00 Swimming and snorkeling from the beach
18:00 Back on board
19:30 Briefing on Monday’s program
20:00 Dinner

Rábida is a small island with red volcanic rocks surrounding a beautiful red sand beach, where there is a colony of sea lions and a pelican nesting site. The trail leads to a salt water lagoon where shore birds can be seen. Rábida is considered to be one of the best snorkeling sites in the Galapagos Islands, and you will also have the opportunity to go snorkel, kayak or panga ride.

Puerto Egas (James Bay) is located on the northwest side of Santiago Island. The landing is on a black beach with eroded rock formations in the background. The trail crosses the dry interior, where the remains of a salt mining enterprise can still be seen, and then continues along the coast. Tidal pools are home to a variety of invertebrate organisms, including sea urchins, octopus and starfish. You will also see marine iguanas, finches, oyster catchers and possibly the Galapagos Hawk. The trail leads to the Fur Sea Lion Grottos, one of the only places in the islands where these unique animals can be seen. After the walk, you will have time to swim or snorkel off the beach, where you will see sea lions, fish and maybe some turtles, rays and maybe some reef sharks. Difficulty level: Easy to Moderate

Day 3 - Monday

TAGUS COVE, ISABELA ISLAND - PUNTA ESPINOZA, FERNANDINA ISLAND

06:00 Optional wake up call by phone
06:30 Dry landing at Tagus Cove, Isabela Island for power hike, or kayaking
07:45 Official wake up call
08:00 Breakfast
08:45 Kayaking
09:00 Panga ride along the cliffs
09:45 Deep water snorkeling
11:00 Back on board
12:00 Lunch
14:00 Dry landing at Punta Espinoza, Fernandina Island
17:00 Snorkeling at Punta Espinoza
18:00 Back on board
19:30 Briefing on Tuesday’s program
20:00 Dinner

Tagus Cove was historically used as an anchoring place for pirates, buccaneers and whalers. Here you will see the names of hundreds of ships painted on the high ridges (a practice now forbidden). On the hike, the trail goes through an area of vegetation and the volcanic landscape of Darwin volcano. At the top of the trail, you will enjoy an incredible view of the whole cove and Darwin Lake. The early morning activity is followed by kayaking or a panga ride, where you will have the opportunity to see a large number of blue-footed boobies perched on the ledges of the cliffs, as well as marine iguanas, penguins, brown pelicans, brown noddy terns and swallow-tailed gulls. While exploring the channel between
Fernandina and Isabela Islands, we sometimes encounter dolphins and whales. Difficulty level: Easy to Difficult (panga ride is easy, hike up to lake can be strenuous for some)

Fernandina Island is one of the most pristine ecosystems in the entire world and also one of the most dynamic. La Cumbre Volcano last erupted in April 2009, and also dominates the landscape, with lava fields stretching towards the ocean from its base. Punta Espinoza is a narrow piece of land where some of the most unique Galapagos species can be seen, including the flightless cormorant, Galapagos snakes, marine iguanas, penguins and the Galapagos hawk. Difficulty level: Moderate

Day 4 - Tuesday

URBINA BAY, ISABELA ISLAND - PUNTA VICENTE ROCA, ISABELA ISLAND

06:45 Wake up call
7:00 Breakfast
8:00 Disembark at Urbina Bay for excursion
10:30 Back on board
12:00 Lunch
14:30 Panga ride along Punta Vicente Roca, Isabela Island or deep water
snorkeling
16:30 Snorkel at Punta Vicente Roca
17:30 Back on board
19:30 Briefing on Wednesday’s program
20:00 Dinner

Urbina Bay is located in Western Isabela, at the foot of Alcedo volcano. This is the spot where the Galapagos National Park began their successful eradication of goats on Isabela Island. After a wet landing on a beautiful black-sand beach, you may be able to observe sea turtle nesting sites. This area is also known for penguin and flightless cormorant sightings and is one of the best places to see Darwin’s finches as well as large land iguanas. Also, be on the lookout for Galapagos tortoises which like to feed within the site’s dense vegetation. 

Punta Vicente Roca is a wonderful snorkeling site, where you can usually see turtles as well as all kinds of fish. For those who do not snorkel, a panga ride will give you the opportunity to study some of the Galapagos’ spectacular geological rock formations. Nazca boobies, pelicans, swallow-tailed gulls, marine iguanas, flightless cormorants and penguins are often seen in the area. Difficulty level: Easy to moderate.

Day 5 Wednesday

PUERTO AYORA, SANTA CRUZ ISLAND - CHARLES DARWIN CENTER

06:45 Wake up call
07:00 Breakfast
08:00 Dry landing at Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island to visit the Charles Darwin
Station
Afterward bus ride to the highlands of Santa Cruz to see wild giant tortoises
13:00 Back on board & lunch
5:30 Optional afternoon activities
18:00 Back on board
19:30 Briefing on Thursday’s program
20:00 Dinner

On your visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station you will gain insight into the great efforts being made by scientists, guides, rangers and park managers to preserve this UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will see the famous Galapagos tortoises that are the islands’ namesake. After the visit we drive to the green highlands of Santa Cruz, where you will visit a tortoise reserve to search for giant tortoises in their natural surroundings. Difficulty level: Easy to moderate 

Day 6 Thursday

El Barranco, Genovesa (Tower)  Island - Darwin Bay Beach, Genovesa Island 

06:30 Wake up call
06:45 Breakfast
07:30 Dry landing El Barranco on Genovesa Island
10:00 Kayaking or panga ride
11:45 Back on board & lunch
14:30 Wet landing and excursion at Darwin Bay Beach on Genovesa Island
16:30 Beach time, swim or relax on the beach.
18:00 Back on board
19:30 Briefing on Friday’s program
20:00 Dinner

Genovesa, or Tower Island, is the northernmost island that is allowed to be visited by naturalist (non-diving) cruises. This island is extremely remote and home to literally millions of birds belonging to many different species including the red footed booby as well as frigates, swallow-tailed gulls and even endemic owls! There are two sites on Genovesa that are visited by the M/V Eclipse. El Barranco, also known as Prince Phillip’s Steps, is a steep path with stairs carved into the rock which leads to a plateau full of bird life amongst a Palo Santo forest. You will see Nazca boobies, Galapagos doves, mockingbirds and petrels. With some luck, you may spot a short-eared lava owl. Difficulty level: Moderate.

Darwin Bay’s soft, coralline white sand is only the beginning of a spectacular excursion. A trail from the beach takes you into lush mangroves where red footed boobies nest. Other locals include sea lions, swallow-tail gulls, frigates and more. Snorkeling is a must here as sharks, colorful reef fish, rays and tortoises are common. Difficulty level: Easy to moderate.

Day 7 Friday

Bartolome Island - Cerro Dragon, Santa Cruz Island

06:45 Wake up call
07:00 Breakfast
08:00 Arrive at Bartolome Island for excursions, swimming and snorkeling
11:30 Back on board & lunch
14:30 Dry landing and excursion at Cerro Dragon,
Santa Cruz Island
16:30 Beach time, swim and snorkel at Cerro Dragon
18:00 Back on board
19:15 Departure briefing
19:45 Farewell cocktail
20:00 Dinner
21:00 Please settle your bills

Bartolome is a small island that has two visitor sites. At the first site, you can snorkel around Pinnacle Rock, where penguins are usually seen. Then, it’s back on board for a quick change of clothes followed by a short dinghy ride to a dry landing for a climb to the highest point on the island. On the way up, you will encounter different volcanic formations, including spatter and tuff cones, lava flow and lava tubes. From the summit you will have a wonderful view of Sullivan Bay. For those not interested in the hike, there is the option of a panga ride. Usual fauna and flora also includes sea lions, pioneer plants, reef sharks, rays and colorful reef fish. Difficulty Level: Moderate. Walk up 375 low-grade stairs to top of volcano at a slow to moderate pace.