Galapagos cruises don’t get any better than this. But, while this is a top of the line cruise, let me say that as a geologist, environmentalist and executive, I recommend that anyone who can get to the Galapagos should make the effort and try to experience it whether on a shoestring budget, a land based trip, or a cruise. If land based, there are many inexpensive places to stay including my town house on the beach of Isabella, “Mia Playa”
But, a seven day cruise will allow you to see much more than you could from land. That is because 97 percent of the land area is reserved park land, only accessible from the sea and accompanied by a registered guide on a registered trip. Ecuador is second to none in enforcing strict requirements to maintain the wildlife habitat of the Galapagos. Getting there by air can seem a bit difficult without knowing the inside information on airline flights.
Now for the Cruise. Inca Travel organizes only the best cruises, which are small groups (less than 20 passengers) on fine boats with luxurious amenities and dining and the best register naturalist guides. The “Integrity” is the best superyacht in the islands. You can expect two seperate stops each morning and afternoon, to go ashore, snorkel, interact with the seal lions, dolphins, rays and sharks, etc. You will want an expert guide (like Patricia Stucki) who will explain the ecology, geology and culture to your family in a meaningful way.