Galapagos First Class Yachts

Catamaran Millennium - 8 Day Cruise

Characteristics:
The Millennium is a brand new First class motor Catamaran, which started her operations in Galapagos in early 2001. She is certified for 16 passengers in 6 large double cabins (194 square feet each) and 2 very spacious double suites (364 square feet each). To get an idea of how large these cabins are compare them to the square footage of your own bedroom at home.
All cabins have individual climate control, security boxes, private balconies and private bathrooms with showers. The entire yacht will be fully air-conditioned and features a large dining room, living room, bar and a Jacuzzi with an ocean view. All the social areas have a direct view to the sea. There are four different solarium areas.

She will be fully equipped to be able to accommodate passengers who are interested in diving with a very large dive staging area in the stern equipped with tank racks, benches and storage lockers. For divers who wish to use nitrox, she will be equipped with a state of the art Nitrox membrane system. It is staffed by 8 crewmembers including a Naturalist III Bilingual Guide. When finished, she will probably be the nicest yacht in all of Galápagos

Passenger Comfort:
6 large double cabins with two full size twin beds (194 square foot each). 2 suites each with a private balcony, 1 single cabin. All rooms have private bathrooms with hot water, air conditioned throughout. Jacuzzi with sea view. Television, refrigerator, bar, dining room, living room, bar. All the social areas have a direct view to the sea. Four different solarium areas.

Catamaran Millennium - Specifications
Type	Naval steel Motor Catamaran
Length	27 meters - 82 feet
Beam	10 meters - 33 feet
Speed	12 Knots
Engines	800 horse power / 2 motors Detroit diesel 12v71 / 2 generators 75 kilowatts each one.
Crew	9 Plus Naturalist Multilingual guide
Accommodation	16 Passengers in 8 double cabins with private Bathroom
Safety Equipment	2 Motorboats, 10-passenger capacity out of board motor 25-horse power. First Aid and oxygen equipment on board, lifesavers equipment, alarms and fire equipment.
Navigation Equipment	24 miles Furuno radar GPS / Satellite navigator / Depth finder / HF, VHF, Valise satellite radio / Emergency Position Indicating and Completely safety equipment according to the International Coast Guard regulations
Facilities	Sun Deck / Library / Locker / Dining-room / Water purifier / Snorkelling equipment / Solarium / VHS / TV / Ventilators / 2 platforms for diving, 2 compressors and scuba diving equipment

Catamaran Millennium - 8 Day Cruise

Itinerary:
Thursday: San Cristobal - Loberia or Interpretation Center
The flight from Quito (via Guayaquil) to the Galapagos is approximately 2 ½ hours on a Boeing 727. Upon arrival at San Cristobal travellers pass through an airport inspection point to insure that no foreign plants or animals are introduced to the islands and to pay the park entrance fee of $100 (unless prepaid). Guides will meet you, collect your luggage and escort you on the short bus ride to the harbour. There our crew will welcome you onboard. After departure and lunch, the first island visit is made.

At the beginning you have the possibility to visit León Dormido, a small islet whose cliffs are home to many sea birds, including frigate birds or you can visit the Interpretation Centre at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. -/L/D

Friday: Española – Gardner Bay – Punta Suarez
Española is the southernmost island of the archipelago, and being so isolated, a high percentage of its fauna is endemic. Gardner Bay is on the eastern shore and has a magnificent beach. This beach is frequented by a transient colony of sea lions, and is a major nesting site for marine turtles. Around the small islets nearby, snorkelers will find lots of fish and sometimes turtles and sharks. On a trail leading to the western tip of the island you'll pass the only nesting sites in the Galapagos of the waved albatross, huge birds with a 6-foot wingspan. These huge birds nest here from April to December and represent the majority of the world’s population of this species.
Punta Suarez is one of the most outstanding wildlife areas of the archipelago, with a long list of species found along its cliffs and sand or pebble beaches. In addition to five species of nesting seabirds there are the curious and bold Hood Island mockingbirds, Galapagos doves and Galapagos hawks. Several types of reptiles, including the brilliantly coloured marine iguana and the oversized lava lizard, are unique to this island. When heavy swells are running, Punta Suarez is also the site of a spectacular blowhole, with thundering spray shooting 30 yards into the air. B/L/D

Saturday: Santa Fe - South Plazas Island
Santa Fe has one of the most beautiful coves of all the visitor sites in the archipelago. A turquoise lagoon with two small white sand beaches are protected by a peninsula where sea lions rest. A trail runs along side the coast and then crosses through an Opuntia Forest. These prickly pear cacti are the largest ones in Galapagos. The Santa Fe species of land iguanas are larger and of a paler yellow color than on the other islands. After the hike you can swim or snorkel in the bay in company of sea lions.

South Plaza is one of the smallest islands visited, 426 feet wide (130 meters) and just over ½ mile (800 meters) long. Here there is a large colony of sea lions, numbering about 1,000 bulls, cows and pups, occupying the smooth rocks. The small cactus forest is populated by land iguanas, which can be seen sunning themselves or feeding on Opuntia pads and fruits. Along the cliff edge nesting swallow-tailed gulls are the predominant seabirds, along with tropicbirds and shearwaters. Generally between the months of January to June, the dormant ground cover undergoes a drastic change; the red Sesuvium turns bright green and the leafless evening-blooming Portulaca bursts into large yellow flowers relished by the iguanas. B/L/D

Catamaran Millennium - 8 Day Cruise

Sunday: Santa Cruz/Charles Darwin Station - Highlands
Santa Cruz is the second largest island in the Galapagos. The small town of Puerto Ayora is the economic centre of the archipelago, with the largest population of the 4 inhabited islands (approx 10.000). Santa Cruz is also the only island where six different zones of vegetation can be seen: Coastal, Arid, Transition, Scalesia, Miconia, and Pampa Zones. The Charles Darwin Research Station and the Galapagos National Park offices are based here. We will have an opportunity to visit some of the best scientists of their kind. Scientists, park rangers and park managers among others, who make huge efforts to preserve this Unesco World Heritage Site, conduct the conservation of the islands. The station is also a tortoise breeding and rearing centre, where tortoises of different subspecies are prepared for reintroduction to their natural habitats. The most popular inhabitant of this island will probably be Lonesome George. He is the only survivor of the specific turtle species.

The lush greenery of the Santa Cruz highlands is a welcome contrast with the arid scenery of the smaller, lower islands. Points of interest are the famed lava tunnels, a fun and geologically informative visit. The trip to the highlands ends with a visit to the Twin Craters. The vegetation around these is very special and is renown for its about 300 fern species and the many sunflowers. B/L/D

Monday: Isabela - Puerto Villamil – Tintoreras
You will continue your cruise to the east and soon reach the island Isabela which is the biggest of the Galapagos Archipelago. South-east on the island the village Puerto Villamil is situated. Here we discover the wonderful lagoons close to the village, which boast a huge variety of birds and make an excursion to an islet in the harbor bay. This excursion provides you with good possibilities to observe the famous Galapagos penguin, sea iguanas, sea lions and white tipped reef sharks that use to rest in the calm water of the islet’s bay. B/L/D

Tuesday: Rabida Island / Santiago Island - Puerto Egas
Today you’ll do a trip to the beach of the small volcanic island Rabida. A small path leads to a small lagoon very popular with flamingos. On the way there you pass many pelicans nesting. The beach is also considered as one of the most beautiful snorkel places in Galápagos and also frequently visited by many sea lions due to its fish wealth. Afterwards you visit the Island of Santiago. There you will visit the dark sand beach at Egas Port after a wet landing. Most of the landscape is tuff-stone layers and lava flows; the surrounding area is good for spotting and observing hunting herons, great blue herons, lava herons, oyster catchers, and the yellow crowned night heron. You can enjoy the sight of marine iguanas grazing upon algae beds at low tide sharing space with red sally light-foot crabs. There is a colony of fur-seals here that swim in deep pools of cool water called “grottos”. At this beach you can swim and snorkel in search of octopi, sea horses, star fish and other exciting sea life. B/L/D

Wednesday: Bartolomé Island - Seymour North
Early, before breakfast, disembark at Bartolomé Island (dry landing) for a hike to the summit. Great way to start the day. This is a steep climb aided by a wooden staircase; the view from the top is worth the effort. Return to the Catamaran for breakfast. Panga ride around colossal Pinnacle Rock, time to enjoy the beach (wet landing) and snorkelling. Chance to snorkel next to Galapagos Penguins.
North Seymour is an uplifted island. In previous times, this was the ocean's bed. Afternoon outing at North Seymour (dry landing) for a walk along the coast and the interior of the island observing bird colonies of blue-footed boobies, frigate birds, swallow tailed gulls and also sea lions and marine iguanas. A shorter walk is also available. B/L/D

Catamaran Millennium - 8 Day Cruise

Thursday: San Cristobal Island – Leon Dormido or Interpretation Center, Flight back to Guayaquil or Quito.
After breakfast, follow the same route of Charles Darwin and navigate right by Kicker Rock (León Dormido), a small islet whose cliffs are home to many sea birds, including frigate birds. Great landscape photography and before we leave this wonderfull world, we visit the Interpretation Centre at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. Arrival to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno for disembarkation and transfer to the airport to take the flight back to the continent. B/-/-

B: Breakfast / L: Lunch / D: Dinner

Prices per person for 2008:
Price 8 Day Cruises USD 2.600.- Per Person
Price 5 Day Cruises USD 1.800.- Per Person
Price 4 Day Cruises USD 1.500.- Per Person
Millennium Suite supplement USD 200.- per person
Charter 8 Day Cruise Price USD 38.000.-
Charter 5 Day Cruise Price USD 22.500.-
Charter 4 Day Cruise Price USD 18.000.-

Included in the price:
All transfers on the Islands, 8 day cruise on board of the CATAMARAN MILLENNIUM in double accommodation with all facilities, all meals during the cruise, multilingual naturalist guide, purified water free for drink, coffee or tea.

Not included:
Air fares Quito or Guayaquil-Galapagos-Quito, Galapagos National Park fee USD 100.-, beverages, tips, personal items, transfers, accommodation and meals in Quito.

Note: Diving service is also available with an additional charge of U.S.D 80,oo per dive per passenger ,with a minimum of four participants . Master Guide and scuba diving gear included.

If you require assistance about finding a place to stay in Quito or Guayaquil, or the tickets to the Galapagos, or maybe a land program around these cities, please let us know and we will prepare a complete program for you, accordi