Classic Galapagos Cruise

Small ship cruises and tours to the Galapagos Islands -- The Best Trip...Guaranteed!

Trip Overview

Cruise among the islands’ prolific wildlife aboard an intimate, well-appointed yacht
Swim with sea lions, sunbathe with iguanas, and kayak among whales and dolphins
Learn about scientists’ conservation work at the Charles Darwin Research Station

Six hundred miles off the coast of Ecuador, surrounded by open ocean, a volcanic archipelago straddles the equator. The Galapagos Islands, forged of black lava and named for the giant tortoises that are among its most noted inhabitants,

are like nowhere else in the world. Home to a profuse array of wildlife, the islands offer an immersion in nature that feels primeval, where lizards and penguins and bluefooted boobies share the beaches with us, unconcerned by our presence. Herman Melville called the Galapagos “Las Encantadas,” or Enchanted Isles, an apt moniker for a realm that remains otherworldly, even today.

Check out our Galapagos Islands conservation website: www.aboutgalapagos.com

Location of Adventure
Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

Group Size Limit: Approximately 20 Travelers
A very important feature of our trips is the limited group size as nature expeditions are best experienced with smaller sized groups of travelers.

Included
Accommodations, meals from breakfast on Day 2 to breakfast on final day, except for 1 lunch and 1 dinner in Quito (no lunches or dinners included in Quito for independent trips), services of NHA's professional Expedition Leaders, R/T air Quito to Galapagos, land transportation, airport and hotel transfers, snorkel gear, Otavalo Market excursion on all NHA scheduled M/Y Letty departures (except family departures). Wetsuits are included on all M/Y Letty departures.

Not Included
Travel to and from Quito, gratuities, beer and liquor at hotels and on board, Galapagos tax and transit card (approx.$110 for adults, $60 for children under 12, collected in advance), airport departure tax (approx $40), items of a personal nature (phone calls, laundry, etc.), travel insurance, optional activities.

Physical Requirements
Easy/Moderate/Flexible
The activities on this trip are easy and diverse for all travelers, although getting in and out of the pangas can result in a wet boot now and again. Island trails may be rough and uneven. Those interested in longer excursions may be able to do so in the company of our Expedition Leader. Travelers are not required to participate in every activity.

Getting There & Getting Home
Arrive in Quito, Ecuador anytime on Day 1, and depart anytime on Day 11. We are prepared to handle all your round-trip travel arrangements, including flights for your extensions. We can serve you best if Natural Habitat Adventures’ Travel Desk makes these reservations for you, as they are intimately familiar with the special requirements of this program and can arrange the most efficient and cost effective travel for you.

The Jewels of Costa Rica
A small group expertly guided wildlife expedition through the canals of Tortuguero to the misty mountains of Monteverde to the magnificent volcano of Arenal.

Family Galapagos Adventure
A family wildlife adventure of a lifetime! Share one of nature's greatest animal-viewing sites with your family.

Belize Kayaking with Explorers' Corner
Join our partner company Explorers' Corner on an amazing kayaking adventure through the magical Caribbean waters of Belize.

2008 Dates
Scheduled Departures
Jul 18 - 28
Aug 1 - 11
Aug 15 - 25
Sep 5 - 15 (Low Season)
Sep 19 - 29 (Low Season)
Oct 3 - 13 (Low Season)
Oct 17 - 27 (Low Season)
Oct 24 - Nov 2 (Low Season)
Nov 7 - 17 (Low Season, aboard the Eric)
Nov 21 - Dec 1 (aboard the Eric)
Dec 12 - 22 (Low Season)
Dec 19 - 29*
Dec 26 - Jan 5, 2009*

For an active Galapagos adventure, Click Here

2009 Dates
Scheduled Departures
Jan 2 - 12
Jan 23 - Feb 1 (Low Season)
Jan 30 - Feb 9 (Low Season)
Feb 6 - 16
Feb 20 - Mar 2
Feb 27 - Mar 9
Mar 6 - 16
Mar 13 - 23
Apr 3 - 13*
Apr 17 - 27
May 1 - 11 (Low Season)
May 15 - 25 (Low Season)
May 29 - Jun 8 (Low Season)
Jun 5 - 15
Jul 17 - 27
Aug 14 - 24
Aug 28 - Sep 7 (Low Season)
Sep 4 - 14 (Low Season)
Sep 11 - 21 (Low Season)
Sep 18 - 28 (Low Season)
Oct 2 - 12 (Low Season)
Oct 9 - 19 (Low Season)
Oct 16 - 26 (Low Season)
Oct 23- November 2 (Low Season)
Oct 30 - November 9 (Low Season)
Nov 6 - 16 (Low Season)
Nov 20 - 30
Nov 27-December 7 (Low Season)
Dec 11 - 21 (Low Season)
Dec 18 - 28*
Dec 25 - January 4, 2010*

* = Holiday Departure, $300 surcharge.
Please note: In some cases a minimum number of travelers may be required to maintain exclusivity of our scheduled departures.

Independent Departures
For those travelers whose schedules require travel at a time when NHA does not have a scheduled departure, we can book you on similar ships on alternate dates. Trips begin in Quito every Thursday, Friday or Saturday depending on the ship chosen. The fees are the same. Please call us at 1-800-543-8917 for availability.

Family Departures
We have scheduled family trips which are specially designed so parents, children and grandparents can enjoy the wonders of the Galapagos in a manner that best meets families' needs. For Family Departures in Summer 2008, please see our "Family Galapagos Islands" page. Some families prefer to charter their own vessel which we can easily arrange. Please call us for details: 1-800-543-8917.

Private Group Charters
Natural Habitat Adventures offers private charters of several different vessels. These charters are great for family, friend, or corporate groups and provide privacy and flexibility amidst one of nature’s greatest sites. For full details and pricing call our Adventure Specialists at 1-800-543-8917.

2008 Fees
Iguana Deck (Category 1)
High Season: $4,095
Low Season: $3,895

Booby Deck (Category 2)
High Season: $4,495
Low Season $4,295

Dolphin Deck (Category 3)
High Season: $4,895
Low Season: $4,595

Children 14 and under will receive a $500 discount off all departures. Children must be at least 7 years old to participate in this trip.

Single Supplement
If available, 1.25 times regular rate on a first come, first served basis on our scheduled trips only. If requested, we can also match you with a roommate during your stay on the boat. If one is not available, you will not be charged the single supplement for the boat portion of the trip, but you will be required to pay the $210 supplement for the land portion of the program.

Deposit: $500 (non-refundable)

Please note: Due to a new government tax for all ships of a specific size sailing in the Galapagos, we must pass along an additional $150 per person government mandated fuel fee for all trips departing on or after May 30, 2008. This additional fee will be added to your invoice. We expect a similar tax in 2009, the cost of which is yet to be determined.

2009 Fees
Iguana Deck (Category 1)
High Season: $4,895
Low Season: $4,695

Booby Deck (Category 2)
High Season: $5,295
Low Season $5,095

Dolphin Deck (Category 3)
High Season: $5,695
Low Season: $5,495

Children 14 and under will receive a $500 discount off all departures. Children must be at least 7 years old to participate in this trip.

Single Supplement
If available, 1.25 times regular rate on a first come, first served basis on our scheduled trips only. If requested, we can also match you with a roommate during your stay on the boat. If one is not available, you will not be charged the single supplement for the boat portion of the trip, but you will be required to pay the $250 supplement for the land portion of the program.

Deposit: $500 (non-refundable)

Prices are per person based on double occupancy. Fees may increase for 2010.

*Please note: We reserve the right to upgrade cabins at our discretion in order to accommodate matches for willing to share passengers.

Other options and vessels are available for independent departures. Please call our Adventure Specialists for 2008 rates: 800-543-8917.