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.
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From your comfortable base aboard the Eclipse, you will be able to explore the best visitor sites. There are many opportunities to hike, swim, snorkel, kayak, bird-watch and take great close-up photographs of the flora and fauna. For land visits, passengers are divided into groups of a maximum of twelve people, each with its own naturalist guide. Groups can be divided according to the physical conditions of the passengers. On the islands you will follow trails, walking at a leisurely pace, with your guide explaining the unusual sights you see. Afterwards, there is often an opportunity to swim and snorkel before returning to the Eclipse. |
Dates click here: When is the Best Time to Visit the Galapagos?
2010: Jan 02-09 (Family Departure), Jan 9-16, Jan 16-23, Jan 23-30, Jan 30-Feb 06, Feb 6-13, Feb 13-20, Feb 20-27, Feb 27 - Mar 6, May 6-13, Mar 13-20 (Family Departure), Mar 20-27 (Family Departure),Mar 27 - Apr 03 (Family Departure), Apr 3-10 (Family Departure), Apr 10-17 (Family Departure), Apr 17-24, Apr 24-May 01, May 1-8, May 08-15, May 15-22, May 22-29, May 29 - Jun 5, Jun 05-12 (Family Departure), Jun 12-19 (Family Departure), Jun 19-26 (Family Departure), Jul 03-10 , Jul 10-17, Jul 17-24, Jul 24-31, Jul 31-Aug 07, Aug 7-14, Aug 14-21 , Aug 21-28 (July & August Departures are Family Departures), Oct 9-16, Oct 16-23, Oct 23-30, Oct 30-Nov 6, Nov 06-13, Nov 13-20, Nov 20-27, Nov 27-Dec 4, Dec 04-11, Dec 11-18, Dec 18-25, Dec 25 - Jan 1 (December Departures are Family Departures)
Family Departures
Taking children to the Galapagos Islands is an immensely rewarding experience. For this reason the Eclipse developed selected family departures during the months of March, April, July, August and December.
Specialist guides can be assigned to educate and entertain your children throughout the day for groups of a minimum of 10 children, while you enjoy the cruise at your own pace, in the knowledge that your children are in safe hands and making their own discoveries about the history of evolution and the wonders of the islands. However, if parents wish to take their children with them in their group, they may do so. Adults are more than welcome to accompany a group of children, as long as the group does not exceed the limit of 16 passengers per guide.
On family departures children are accepted from the age of 5.
2010 Price
Deluxe Staterooms (Boat Deck, Cabins 17-20 / Queens & Triples) $5,750
Superior Staterooms (Boat Deck, Cabins 21-28 / Twins & Doubles) $5,350
Staterooms (Main Deck, Cabins 3-15 / Twins & Doubles) $4,850
Single Staterooms (Main Deck, Cabins 1-2) $5,000
Prices are per person for 7 night cruises
On Family Departures children are accepted from the age of 5 ,on Non-Family Departures children are accepted from the age of 10.
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
- All meals while onboard
- All soft drinks and juices onboard
- VIP lounge on outbound flight from Galapagos
- Complimentary use of snorkeling equipment
- Complimentary use of wet suits
- Complimentary one-time fully stocked minibar in Deluxe Staterooms
- Sharing transfers between the airport in Baltra and the dock
Not Included
- Air tickets to and from the Galapagos Islands
- Galapagos National Park Entrance Fee USD100 per adult / USD50 per child under 12 years
- Galapagos Government Fuel Tax USD180per person (adults and children)
- Tourist Transit Card TCT at USD10 per person (adults & children)
- Accommodation in Quito or Guayaquil and Airport transfers
- Guide and crew gratuities
- Premium liquor, beer and cocktails onboard
The Ship
The designers of the Eclipse’s layout chose to compromise on cabin numbers in order to provide passengers with unrivalled cabin space and ample social areas. The Eclipse is unique in offering the generous accommodation of a larger vessel, while preserving the atmosphere and exclusivity of a smaller yacht.
The Eclipse accommodates up to 48 passengers in staterooms, all with sea views. Fully air-conditioned, the spacious cabins have either a queen or twin bed arrangement and well-appointed bathrooms with fresh towels provided every day and the complimentary use of bathrobes. All the ship’s twin beds can be converted to king size beds upon request.
There is a well-equipped lounge for relaxation and for the nightly briefings on the day’s discoveries and the following day’s activities. In addition to the elegant indoor dining room, there is an al fresco dining area located on the Weather Deck, where you can enjoy the islands’ spectacular scenery over a delicious lunch. There is also a well-stocked library for quiet study and reading.
One of the most popular areas on board the Eclipse is the observation/sun deck, ideal for stargazing, whale watching, or simply relaxing in the Jacuzzi or on the comfortable sun loungers. For the more active passengers the sun deck is also equipped with two elliptical machines.
The ship features an indoor bar, outdoor bar and a boutique for the purchase of an exclusive range of souvenirs and Eclipse apparel. There is a well-equipped infirmary with an M.D. on board providing services and medicines at no extra cost. The Eclipse also offers a laundry service during the cruise.
The Eclipse - Full Itinerary
Day 1 - - Saturday Morning
Arrive at Baltra Airport – Galapagos Islands
The flight from Quito (via Guayaquil) to the Galapagos Islands takes approximately 2.5 hours. Upon arrival at Baltra Airport, you will be met by your guides, who will escort you on a short bus ride to the harbor. Motorized dinghies, known locally as “pangas” will transport you to the Eclipse, where the captain and crew will welcome you aboard. After departure there will be a briefing, lunch and a safety drill.
Saturday Afternoon
Las Bachas Beach – Santa Cruz Island
Las Bachas Beach is located in the north of Santa Cruz. Its soft, white sand is derived from decomposed coral, making it a favorite nesting site for sea turtles. Behind the beach there is a small brackish water lagoon, where it is possible to observe flamingos and other coastal birds, such as black-necked stilts and whimbrels.
Type of landing: Wet
Water activities: Brief swim
Day 2 - Sunday Morning
Puerto Egas – Santiago Island
Puerto Egas (James Bay) is located on the northwest side of Santiago. 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. The trail leads to the Fur Seals Grottos, one of the only places in the islands where they 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 and reef sharks.
Type of landing: Wet
Water activities: Swimming and snorkeling
Sunday Afternoon
Bartolomé Island
Bartolomé is a small island that has two visitor sites. At the first site, you can swim and snorkel around Pinnacle Rock, where penguins are usually seen. Back on board for a quick change of clothes and then it is 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.
Type of landing: Wet at first site and dry at second site
Water activities: Swimming and snorkeling
Day 3 - Monday Morning
Cerro Dragón – Santa Cruz Island
The name Cerro Dragon (Dragon Hill) stems from the fact that it was one of the few sites on Santa Cruz Island where a healthy population of land iguanas were found in 1975. After landing at a pier, a hike takes to you to a salt water lagoon behind the beach, frequented by common stilts, pintail ducks and occasionally flamingos. A short walk up the hill leads you to a land iguana nesting site, with breathtaking views of the bay. You will have the chance to go swimming after the walk.
Type of landing: Dry
Water activities: Swimming
Monday Afternoon
Rábida Island
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 kayaking.
Type of landing: Wet
Water activities: Swimming, snorkeling and kayaking
Day 4 - Tuesday Morning
Tagus Cove
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). Depending on the season, you will go hiking, snorkeling or kayaking. On the hike, the trail goes through an area of vegetation and the volcanic landscape of Darwinvolcano. At the top of the trail, you will enjoy an incredible view of the whole cove and Darwin Lake.
The morning activity is followed by 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.
Type of landing: Dry or wet, plus panga ride
Water activities: Snorkeling and kayaking (depending on the season)
Tuesday Afternoon
Elizabeth Bay – Isabela Island
Elizabeth Bay is one of the furthest points of the Galapagos that we will visit on our cruise. A panga ride affords an opportunity to see sea turtles and rays in a sheltered cove with a wonderful mangrove ecosystem.
Day 5 - Wednesday Morning
Punta Espinoza – Fernandina Island
Fernandina last erupted in 1995. La Cumbre Volcano dominates the landscape, with lava fields stretching towards the ocean from its base. Punta Espinosa 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.
Type of landing: Dry
Wednesday Afternoon
Punta Vicente Roca – Isabela Island
Punta Vicente Roca is a wonderful snorkeling site, where you can usually see turtles as well as all kinds of fish. After the snorkeling you will go on a panga ride, which 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.
Panga ride only
Water activities: Snorkeling
Day 6 - Thursday Morning
Charles Darwin Research Station – Santa Cruz Island
On your visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station you will gain insight into the huge 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 you will have some free time to explore the town of Puerto Ayora.
Type of landing: Dry
Thursday Afternoon
Santa Cruz Highlands – Santa Cruz Island
From Puerto Ayora you will travel by bus to the lush, green highlands of Santa Cruz, where you will visit a tortoise reserve to search for giant tortoises in their natural surroundings. You will have the opportunity to walk through 
lava tunnels so take a flashlight if you have one. Optional activities such as relaxing on the beach or just strolling in town are available.
Type of landing: Dry
Day 7
Friday Morning: Gardner Bay – Española Island
Gardner Bay offers the chance to enjoy a wonderful white sandy beach. It is home to one of the most important colonies of sea lions, and it is also a nesting site for sea turtles. After the beach time you will have a chance to deep water snorkel from the panga, or go kayaking.
Type of landing: Wet
Water activities: Swimming, snorkeling and kayaking
Friday Afternoon
Punta Suarez – Española Island
Punta Suarez is one of the most popular and attractive sites in the Galapagos. Due to its isolation from other islands, it has a high proportion of endemic fauna. A few steps inland from the landing site, groups of Española marine iguanas bask in the sun. Further inland, Nazca and blue-footed boobies nest almost on the trail, Galapagos doves peck around unaware of visitors and finches go about their business. The trail continues towards a blowhole, which is a fissure in the lava where water spurts high into the air like a geyser. The cracks in the cliffs are home to swallow-tailed gulls and red-billed tropicbirds. Further up the cliff in an area of low-lying trees you will find waved albatrosses nesting. The 10,000 to 12,000 pairs of albatrosses on Española represent the entire population of this species on the planet. They perform one of the most spectacular courtship rituals of the animal world.
Type of landing: Dry
Day 8 - Saturday Morning
Black Turtle Cove – Santa Cruz Island
Black Turtle Cove is one of the most beautiful marine sites in Galapagos. It is a complex maze of tranquil salt-water inlets, surrounded by three different species of mangrove. Its waters are a resting site for sea turtles, rays and sharks. This site is only accessible by panga.
Panga ride only
Departure from Baltra Airport
Note: The Eclipse reserves the right to alter itineraries due to prevailing or forecast weather conditions, for technical or safety considerations or to meet National Park regulations. Itineraries may also vary due to force majeure or according to the need to refuel the vessel on certain Saturdays.
A Socially and Environmentally Responsible Ship
The Eclipse has been certified with the Rainforest Alliance “Smart Voyager” program since November 2007.The protection of the fragile ecosystem of the Galapagos Islands is their first priority and they are proud to fulfill the highest standards of management practices in an environmentally sensitive destination.
Environmentally Friendly Practices on board the Eclipse:
* Special filters in engines in order to reduce / eliminate the need to change oil & lubricants
* Black and grey water treatment plant
* On board desalination plant
* Special equipment for the adequate treatment of organic waste
* Separation of waste material and correct disposal
* Biodegradable cleaning materials and chemicals
* Guest shampoos and soaps are biodegradable
* Complimentary water bottles provided on board with refill stations
* All crew members are trained about environmentally responsible operating practices
Support to the local community:
* A modest portion of the sale of every cruise ticket is annually donated to a variety of worthy causes in Galapagos
* 63% of our employees are permanent or temporary residents of Galapagos
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