BOAT: ALTA

For all new bookings made on Alta’s naturalist cruises by March 1, 2010

All new passengers booked and confirmed on Alta’s Naturalist cruises by the dates above will receive their air tickets to the Galapagos Islands, Transit Control Cards and Galapagos Park Entrance Fees at no additional cost. A savings of over $500.

*Note: This offer is for new bookings only and is not retroactive to current bookings

INDIVIDUAL BOOKINGS (DIVING CRUISE)

CABINS 1 & 2: USD $3750 per person
CABINS 3 – 8: USD $3550 per person

CRUISE TYPES (not all offer scuba diving):

ACTIVE: For those more active and adventurous souls, we offer special Active Departures specifically created for a greater physical challenge. These departures feature longer hikes, more snorkeling, and more kayaking. If you are a diver, but don’t want to do a full diving trip, our Active Departures offer the possibility of doing occasional dives at several diving spots.

NATURALIST: Our Naturalist Departures For are the most popular way to experience the Galapagos Islands. For those souls that are more in contact with our planet, these departures put you into the most intimate contact with nature possible. This is the ideal departure for bird watchers and photographers. The lack of fear of wildlife on these islands will allow for spectacular views and shots!

DIVING: The Galapagos Islands scuba diving experience was chosen by Rodale’s Scuba Diving (www.scubadiving.com) as the world’s top all around diving experience for the year 2000. Galapagos was chosen as the top spot in “Best Fish Life”, “Best Big Animal Dive”, “Best Advanced Diving” and scored among the top as the “Healthiest Marine Environment”, and “Best Value”. The waters around these islands are a paradise for divers who will surely encounter hammerheads, giant manta rays, whale sharks and many other marvelous creatures.

Galapagos cruise space availability on ALTA

Last updated: March 10th, 2010

Alta is one of the most beautiful ships in all of Galapagos, ideal for those seeking exclusivity, style and uniqueness. It is very stylish, with exceptional detailing and furnishings, and carries that special charm of a sailing ship. When the conditions are appropriate, the sails will be hoisted and Alta will become one the most striking ships in the Galapagos.

Capacity: 16 guests in 8 cabins plus 8 crew members and 1 naturalist guide.

Public Areas: Alta features a comfortable salon for lectures and presentations; TV/Video system; Inside and Al Fresco Dinning Areas; a sundeck with lounge chairs, and a resting area at the stern of the ship.

Meals: Served in either the inside Dinning Room or the Al Fresco Dinning area when climate permits. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served buffet style and prepared by our specially trained chefs. Meals are served in wholesome quantities and in a variety of menus with tropical exotic fruits always available. Kids menus and vegetarian menus are also available upon request.

Cabins: All cabins have exceptional accommodations, private facilities, climate controls and ample space to hang and store clothing.

Special Features: Ample outside space. Sea kayaks, snorkeling gear, wetsuits.

Special Features for Children: Special Kids Club with activities like star-gazing and movie nights. Child-oriented guides who organize learning activities and provide children with a kids expedition journal are placed specifically for departures with children. Wide range of board games and movies for children. Kids Menus specially prepared for family departures.

Departures: Alta is outfitted for individual passengers or private charters, family departures and departures for more active groups which involve more kayaking, snorkeling and hiking.

Safety: Alta abides under all international standards of safety for a ship of its type. It is ISM certified and is equipped with an emergency alarm system, 2 emergency life rafts for 16 pax each, emergency life vests, fog horns, smoke detectors, and fire extinguishers. All emergency equipment is SOLAS certified.

Note: If you are prone to sea-sickness, we recommend that you choose to travel in our larger vessels which are steadier when cruising.

Itinerary Overview

SAT: San Cristobal – Leon Dormido – Ochoa Beach
SUN: Genovesa – Prince Phillips Steps – Darwin Bay
MON: Fernandina – Espinoza Point / Island Isabela – Tagus Cove
TUE: Isabela – Urbina Bay – Punta Vicente Roca
WED: Bartolome / Island Santa Cruz – Black Turtle Cove
THU: Santa Cruz – Highlands – Charles Darwin Station
FRI: Española – Suarez Point – Gardner Bay
SAT: San Cristobal – Interpretation Center – return flight

Navigation Equipment: Sperry Gyrocompass, Furuno 21 mile Si-tex radar, Robertson AP 7 autopilot, GPS satellite navigator, forward looking echo sounder, NVI Instruments, depthfinders, Decca Navigator, Si-tex video sonar

Safety Equipment: EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon), 2 x 18 person Vicking open sea life rafts, life jackets, flares and signals, fire extinguishing system. In short, safety equipment on board either meets or exceeds USA Coast Guard Regulations.

Comfort Equipment: 1200 gal/day watermaker, air-conditioning throughout, icemaker, stereo, TV, VCR

Communication Equipment: Furuno single sideband radio, VHF radio, SSB radio

Electricity: 110 volts AC / 60 Hz

Type: Three-Masted Staysail Schooner

L.O.A.: 140 feet / 46 meters

Beam: 21 feet / 6.8 meters

Engines: 4 cylinder Alpha Diesel, 280 BHP. One 1500 puond thrust Arcturus bowthruster

Generators: 2 x 35 KVA John Deere

Builder: Titleness, Norway

Speed: 9 knots under power

Accomodations

4 cabins with twin beds
4 cabins with double beds
All cabins have private facilities

Crew: 8 plus one naturalist guide