Integrity

Deluxe Motor Yacht

Overview

True five star luxury. Superb service, beautiful and spacious interiors and excellent itinerary.
The best yacht in Galapagos.

Category	Length	Guests	Cabins
First Class	141ft / 44.3m	16	9

Travelling on the Integrity is like being on an intimate, nine-room, sea-going boutique hotel. The panoramic views from the picture windows in the salon and from the privacy of your state room are unobstructed and ever-changing as the Integrity quietly cruises along. With its huge state-of-the-art stabilizers and engine vibration control system, the Integrity is smoother and quieter than any other yacht in the islands offering peerless comfort. The yacht is locally owned by one of the oldest Galapagos families who have an unrivalled reputation for excellence. They have high environmental standards and treat the staff very well. Built in the USA and launched in Galapagos in 2005, the engines, transmissions, stabilizers, electronics, water filtration and sterilization are all new.

Cabins:

All staterooms are on the main deck and are lower twin, king or ‘super’ king-bedded, and are the most comfirtable of any vessel in Galapagos. Simple, tasteful, the décor features hardwood that the owner Rolf Sievers hand harvested, milled and cured, saving it for years for this special yacht. Each stateroom is for two people, (except #2 which is a single), has large picture windows, comfortable windows and lots of storage. Climate is individually controlled and a mini-refridgerator is stocked with with drinks and snacks. Each room also has a satellite telephone, an entertainment center with CD/DVD and LCD monitor. Bathrooms are ensuite with a full-sized shower and toilet.

Rates:

Prices start at US$4,595 (GB£3063) per person for an 8 day cruise

The Integrity is available to charter
Discounts available for groups
Including all accommodation, food, services of a top class naturalist, $10 Galapagos Migration Card.
Excluding flight to Galapagos, $100 Galapagos National Park entrance fee, bottled and alcoholic drinks, tips and personal expenses

If you would like any more information or to chat over the details of the trip we would be delighted to help. Telephone 01482 872 716 for more information or email us today.

Itinerary

8-day Saturday to Saturday

INtegrity Itinerary Map Download large jpg version of this map: Detailed Itinerary

SATURDAY
Baltra Fly into this small islet where you will be met by your guide.

Santa Cruz – Highlands The highlands of Santa Cruz are home to fascinating geological features, like lava tubes and the twin sinkhole craters of Los Gemelos, which are home to some 300 different fern species as well as a “forest” of Sunflowers as well as some elusive endemics like the Woodpecker Finch (one of only two bird species in the world to use twigs as tools), the Small Tree Finch, Vegetarian Finch and Galapagos Rail all found in the lush forest of Scalacia (Giant Daisies) that characterise the highlands of this island. The highlands of Santa Cruz are one of the best places to see Giant Tortoises in the wild, particularly October through December as these magnificent giants undertake their seasonal migration from the lowlands to the lush grazing of the highlands

Puerto Ayora Is the economic centre of the Galapagos Islands. Virtually all the yachts visit Puero Ayora anchoring in Academy Bay. Several gift and souvenir shops, with some art and craft galleries. Also provides a good opportunity to purchase any toiletary items you may have forgotten!

Santa Cruz - Charles Darwin Research Station The Charles Darwin Research Station offers a great chance to learn about the work being done to conserve and protect the islands wildlife. For some visitors (depending on the time of year) this is the only time to see Giant Tortoises and certainly the closest range opportunity. It is also a great chance to see the Tortoise Rearing Centre. You can also visit the pen of the famous Lonesome George, the last-surviving member of the Pinta Island sub-species – he may not always be lonesome….as he is still young by tortoise standards, and the Station is actively working to try and encourage him to pair up with some females from closely related subspecies. For the latest details on Lonesome George’s love life you will have to ask your guide

SUNDAY
Espanola (Hood) This island is one of the highlights of any visit to Galapagos (it is Santiago Bejarano’s favourite island). Espanola is the southernmost island in the Galapagos, and is considered the oldest. Numerous sea lions are seen here, plus hundreds of marine iguanas basking on the rocks. Espanola’s marine iguanas are unlike other Galapagos marine iguanas in their bright colouring, and the lava lizards are distinctive too. Espanola is home to thousands of nesting seabirds between April and November, with the Waved Albatross, the thousands in late March to perform their amazing mating dance and produce the next generation. Almost the entire population breeds on this island April through November; they spend the rest of the year at sea. You’ll also witness courting blue-footed and masked boobies, and hopefully see their offspring of the year. At Gardner Bay there’s time to hang out with sea lions and snorkel, as well as walk the beautiful white sand beach.

MONDAY
Floreana - Punta Cormorant At Punta Cormorant you’ll walk on an olivine beach (a mineral known for its olive-green quality, that is found in meteorites, the moon and mars as well as on earth), visit a large lagoon where great flamingos sometimes nest, and walk over to Flour Beach, a beautiful white sandy beach to look for green sea turtle nests.

Champion Islet A dingy (or panga ride) around this small pristine islet gives you the opportunity to see the elusive Floreana mockingbird.

Floreana - Post Office Bay The famous Post Office Bay is where people leave their mail to be picked up and delivered by others in the “post office” barrel—a time-honoured tradition begun by whalers hundreds of years ago.

Floreana – Puerto Velasco Ibarra Puerto Velasco Ibarra is a small town of about 60 people. From here you travel up to the highlands of Floreana where you will see the contrasting lush vegetation, with beautiful forests of Scalacia (giant daisies) as well as giant tortoises. It is also one of the only places you will see the medium tree finch and the chance to explore some caves that were dug out by pirates. You may also visit Black Beach, with a sea lion colony and a small lagoon with Flamingos.

TUESDAY
Fernandina The youngest of the Galapagos Islands at just over 100,000 years old, this is the most pristine and untouched of all the islands (not just in Galapagos, but in the world). Volcanically it is still active with eruptions occurring every few years. Punta Espinosa, is a truly spectacular visitor site and a real highlight. A narrow strop of land extending out from the base of the Fernandina Volcano it offers the best chance to see Marine Iguanas with the largest colony in the Galapagos. You will also have the chance to see Flightless Cormorants here, at the tip of the narrow point.

Isabela – Vicente Roca Point Beautiful volcanic scenery and amazing lava intrusions as well as a huge sea cliff categorise this area, in the northern part of the island which lies on the flank of 2,600 foot Volcano Ecuador. Here the remnants of an ancient volcano form two turquoise coves with a bay that is well protected from ocean swells. Masked and blue-footed boobies sit along the cliffs whilst flightless cormorants stay along the shoreline and if you are lucky you will see penguins in the water. The upwelling of coldwater currents have created an abundance of marine life here, making for great snorkelling.

WEDNESDAY
James (Santiago) James Bay This was the island where Charles Darwin spent the majority of his land visits in Galapagos. At James Bay, the Fur Seal Grotto provides great chances to get close views of both fur seals and sea lions in a series of rocky pools. This visit also provides some of the best opportunities for tide-pooling in the Galapagos, with the chance to see plovers, herons and oyster catchers with some good swimming and snorkelling off the beach.

Bartolome Home to one of the most iconic scenery shots of Galapagos, this small island located off the eastern shore of James Island is home to beautiful panoramic views. The striking volcanic landscape, looks almost lunar and provides a great introduction to the volcanic origins of the islands, with spatter cones and cinder cones. You will also see Pinnacle Rock, a striking example of a tuff cone, and good examples of pioneering plants, including some beautiful stands of lava cactus. At sea level, this is a great place for swimming and snorkelling, if you are lucky with Galapagos Penguins.

THURSDAY
Genovesa (Tower) This bay is actually the caldera of an extinct, partially eroded volcano, with the surrounding cliffs forming the inner portion of the rim. You arrive on a corral beach, and will immediately be struck by the birdlife. Great Frigatebirds (which during February –May the males have their red pouches inflated looking trying to attract a mate), Red-footed boobies nesting in the mangroves, Swallow-tailed Gulls, Lava Gulls, Yellow-crowed Night Herons. Your trail takes you past a beautiful tide pool area.

Prince Philip’s Steps – Genovesa The tour begins with a great panga (small dingy) ride along the base of the cliffs where you an see Redbilled Tropicbirds trying to make a precise landing in their nest. Squadrons of Frigatebirds are seen flying back and forth, whilst Red-footed boobies perch on branches of Palo Santo trees which seemingly grow out of the cliffs. Once you arrive on land and climb to the cliff-top, you enter an area where nesting Masked Boobies and Great Frigatebirds are found. It is also a great place to see Galapagos Doves and Vampire Finches (sharp-beaked ground finches)…ask your guide for the full story on the name! You will also see great numbers of Storm Petrels here, sometimes in tens of thousands. If you are lucky, you may also see a short-eared owl.

FRIDAY
North Seymour A great variety of Galapagos wildlife is provided in the loop trail on this small island. The highlight of your visit here will be the largest colony of magnificent frigatebirds in the Galapagos as well as a colony of blue-footed boobies. In addition there are sea lions, marine iguanas, lava lizards, swallow-tailed gulls, and a few secretive, but very large, land iguanas.

South Plaza South Plaza is the best island for observing land iguanas, along with cactus finches, tropic birds and sea lions. One of your first stops will be through a small “forest” of prickly pear (Opuntia) cactus. The walk along the sea cliffs is a wonderful experience, with Audubon’s shearwaters and red-billed tropicbirds gliding by. Towards the end of the walk is a bachelor sea lion colony, with a battle-scared collection of old bulls in various states of recuperation or total retirement!

SATURDAY
Baltra Return to the Islet to take your flight home.

Please note: Itineraries are unlikely to change significantly but are subject to change. Weather, wildlife breeding, instructions from the Galapagos National Park, specific abilities and interests of passengers as well as operational matters may cause your guide or captain to change the times or nature of your visits. Your guide will always endeavour to have the best itinerary for you within these constraints.

Deck Plan / Spec

Integrity Deck Plan

Facilities

Wide-screen media centre, hidden behind the painting of undersea life available for viewing your day’s images as well as your guide’s informative presentations. Comfortable salon bathed in natural light, Library, Jacuzzi, 2 double kayaks, library, 2 bars, Satellite phones in each room, mobile phones, partially covered top deck with spa, bar BBQ and comfortable chaise lounges. Meals are served at four tables of 6 settings – food is superb.

Crew

10 ISM certified crew

Snorkelling

Snorkel equipment free to borrow. Wet suits not available

Equipment

2 Detroit MTU Series 60 4-cycle elctronically controlled,
set on Lo-Rez mounts and shaft couplings for vibration control,
2 Detroit-Izuzu 96 kw 60 hertz 120-240 volts,
Detroit Kubota 12 kw 60 hertz 120-240 volts,
Vosper Active Stablizers,
2 Radars,
1 sonar,
1 depth sounder,
2 VHF, 1 DSC/HF radio, 1 Navtex, 1 Autopilot, closed circuit video surveillance in key areas, EPIRB,
Automatic smoke and fire detection and exteinguisher systems throughout the yacht,
2 x 25 person life rafts, 2 x 20 person zodiacs,
40 life jackets.