Galapagos Archipel Holidays

A high quality catamaran
Good facilities, comfortable cabins

The Galapagos Archipel 1 is a comfortable catamaran carrying 16 passengers. There is a comfortable open-plan salon, bar and dining area. There is a large covered and open sun deck with an al fresco dining area and sun bathing section. The 8 cabins are on the main deck. These have lower berths, air conditioning and sea-view windows. Each cabin has an en-suite bathroom with a hot shower. There is a 8-man crew and experienced naturalist guide.

Boat Specifications

Cabins

8 cabins on the main deck - either double or twins
All cabins have sea-views
All beds are lower berths
Private bathroom with high pressure showers
Air conditioning
Hair dryer

Social Areas

Sun deck with loungers
Jacuzzi
Dining room
Lounge with flat screen TV and DVD player
Bar

Crew

9-man crew ( 1 captain, 2 pilots, 2 sailors, 1 mechanic, 1 bartender, 1 chef, 1 kitchen helper/housekeeper)
English-speaking certified naturalist guide

Technical Specifications

41 metre (135ft) length
8.1 metre (27ft) beam
10 knots maximum speed
Depth Sounder
GPS
Radio VHF/DSC/SSB
E.P.I.R.B. Distress System
Emergency Rafts, emergency flares & life vests
Satellite & mobile phones
Fire Alarm & Fire Extinguishers, oxygen first aid kits
Bilge pump alram & search light

Itinerary

The Archipel offers two 7-night itineraries.

Please see specific holidays for itineraries.

Life Onboard

Life On board

A buffet breakfast is served from about 7am, before you prepare for your first excursion of the day. As the yacht sails at night, you are already close to the island that you will be visiting. At about 8.30am, the passengers on board will gather with the guide and board the pangas for the short trip to the island. You will have either a wet or a dry landing, and then explore the island. The guide will explain the flora, fauna and geology of the island as you walk. As each island is different, each excursion will focus on different aspects of the Galapagos Islands. After you have explored the island, you will usually have an opportunity to snorkel off the beach. This may be snorkelling with sea lions, tropical fish, or even with marine iguanas and penguins.

You return to the Galapagos Archipel 1 in the late morning, for a shower and change before a buffet lunch is served. After lunch, you will sail to the next island, and you will have time for a rest, or maybe to look out for dolphins or frigate birds from deck.

At around 3pm, you will again take a panga ride for your second excursion of the day. You return to the yacht in the late afternoon, where you have time for a drink before dinner as the guide explains the itinerary for the next day. After a served dinner (2 menu choices are available), you can relax in the lounge or on deck. The yacht will usually sail at night to make sure you arrive at the next island early the next morning.

What's Included

All our holidays include flights from the UK; transfers and hotels in Quito and/or Guayaquil; flights to the Galapagos Islands; Galapagos National Park entrance fee of US$100; Galapagos transit card fee of US$20.

The Galapagos Archipel 1 cruise includes all transfers in the Galapagos; all meals on board (breakfast, lunch and dinner), drinking water, tea, coffee; all excursions in the islands led by English-speaking certified naturalist guide. There are zodiac boats for wet and dry landings.

Wetsuits are available for hire for $64. Alcoholic and soft drinks are available for sale on board. Tipping the boat crew and guide is usually well deserved, and expected. About US$15-US$19 per passenger per day is suggested.

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