Integrity Galapagos
Senderos Soul
My mind was still awash with visions of albatross mating rituals, dazzling sea spray from natural blow holes, boobies both red and blue footed, the prehistoric cuddling and snorting of marine iguanas and the playful approaches of baby fur seals, when I jumped into the water. We’d moored near a circular outcrop of rocks and no one, guests or crew, wanted to miss this opportunity to snorkel a coral reef. Above water the intense biodiversity and striking physical individuality of each island had struck me with wonder - but I was about to see just how spectacular it could be underwater too. First three huge sea turtles swam past me, so close I could have reached out touch them - but it was them, not me breaking the 2 metre distance to wildlife rule! Then suddenly our guide was pointing down…...sharks, 7 of them resting on the far away sandy bottom of the ocean. Swimming swiftly on there were crabs, sea cucumbers, star fish and shoals and shoals of the most brightly coloured fish weaving in and out of the rocks and corals. It was mind blowing! To visit the Galapagos Islands is an utter privilege and like Darwin before you, you’ll find your outlook on nature has been changed forever.
- Naomi, Senderos
Key Facts
No. of Cabins: 9, all on the Main Deck. Each features natural wood details, comfortable furnishings and soft upholstery in muted tones, including with bedside table with drawer, spacious bathroom with walk-in rain shower and cabinet, cedrela hardwood top with porcelain vessel sink, flat screen entertainment centre, satellite phone, minibar, hair dryer & individual climate control.
Cabin Categories: Owner’s Suite: 350 ft² (32.52 m²), King Size Bed, picture windows on both sides, writing desk, ample seating and large bathroom. Standard Staterooms: All cabins have large picture windows and six can be configured as Standard King with a king bed, or Standard Twin with two full-sized twin beds, 150 ft² (13.9 m²). Standard Queen Stateroom: Cabin #9. 150 ft² (13.9 m²), cannot be configured into a twin. Standard Single Stateroom: Cabin #2. 120 ft² (11.15 m²).
Facilities: Jacuzzi, covered Bar and Grill with table seating, bridge, dining area, salon, library and bar, swim platform, laundry service, sea kayaks,
Internet: Free unlimited WiFi (Satellite-based marine system)
Excursion details: One naturalist guide for max 16 pax. A second guide may be arranged for an additional charge. Operates with a minimum of 4 pax.
Dates of operation: Year round, except September when the yacht goes into dry dock.
Rates: 2024: US$7995pp (7 nights), $7495 (6 Nights), $6995 (5 Nights) based on double occupancy in a Standard Stateroom, plus $800 in the Owner’s Suite. A supplement is payable in all cabins on the Christmas departure. Two dedicated cabins are available with No Single Supplement. Children aged 8-17 years receive a $500 discount (not applicable for the Christmas departure and limited to 1 discount per accompanying adult). There is no age restriction on charters.
For full rates see links in the Gallery and Resources box below.
Rates include: All-inclusive (3 meals a day, refreshments and soft drinks, 2 glasses of wine with meals, daily excursions, snorkelling equipment and towels, laundry service, full wetsuits and snorkelling gear and VIP access at Baltra airport).
Minimum age: 8 (for FITs)
Minimum stay: The shortest itinerary is the 5 night Eastern Route
Senderos recommends: 7 nights, or combine both the Eastern and Western itineraries for an ultimate 14 night Galapagos Experience
Affiliations: Traveller Made, LATA
Sustainability
Integrity has the Galápagos Quality Gold Seal for its environmental practices. The boat’s owners Pamarent are prominent members of the Galápagos Tourism Chamber and Adatur (Asociación de Armadores Turísticos). Their unparalleled commitment to conservation of the Islands includes:
- Integrity being the first yacht in the archipelago to be fitted with its own wastewater treatment system, a 6-stage unit capable of processing daily 2,000 gallons (7,570 ltr), treating black and grey water and producing sterile effluent for disposal.
- Contributing to annual coastal cleaning with the coordination of the Galápagos National Park.
- Helping to fund the eradication of invasive plant species across 300 acres (121 ha) and creating a 50-acre (20 ha) Private Nature Reserve to preserve and reforest the native Miconia shrub.
- See more of Integrity’s sustainability credentials here.
Need to know:
- Offering two 8 day / 7 night itineraries (Western and Eastern Routes) in alternate weeks, as well as a shorter version of each (6 night Western and 5 night Eastern).
- Integrity’s small team of guides is among the most experienced in Galápagos.
- The boat’s hands-on owner Rolf Sievers was the founding manager of the Charles Darwin Research Station, which he oversaw for 10 years before starting a Galápagos touring company.
- Rolf and his highly qualified sons Dirk and Christian operate Integrity’s own maintenance base in the islands to ensure the yacht is kept in peak condition at all times. As a result, Integrity hasn’t missed a day of service since its inception in 2005.
Perfect for:
Demanding travellers who value attention to detail and creature comforts as well as the most experienced guides possible.
Getting there
Integrity explores either the Western or Eastern Galapagos Islands on her 7, 6 and 5 night itineraries.
By Boat
Itineraries begin and end on Saturdays in Baltra, North Seymour, except for the 6 Day / 5 Night Eastern Route, which starts fortnightly on a Monday in San Cristobal.
By Air
Fly into Baltra or San Cristobal from Ecuador mainland - Quito or Guayaquil.
Gallery & Resources
Follow this link to Senderos Resources for Integrity Galapagos to access
- Images, our selection
- Fact sheets
- Presentations
- Rack rates
- Excursion lists
- And other useful information.
Weather
Dry Season, June to December: some showers but generally blue skies. Southern trade winds bring the cold Humboldt current, and with it cooler water and garua fog to the islands. Higher elevations retain their lush green scenery with the pervasive mist, but there’s little rain at sea level. Best time to see giant tortoises, humpback whales, blue-footed boobies, cormorants, oystercatchers, lava lizards, Galapagos hawks, masked boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, sea lions, lava herons, brown noddies and penguins.
Warm Season, December to May, more tropical with daily rain and cloudier skies. The ocean temperature is warmer, ideal for swimming and snorkeling. Best time to see marine iguanas, sea turtles, land iguanas, flamingos, white-cheeked pintails, masked boobies, marine iguanas, albatross and blue-footed boobies.
Links
Dry dock upgrade video, Oct. 2021.
Blog: Adventures on Fernandina & Isabela by Rolf Sievers
Blog: Cocoa Farming in Galpagos with Integrity Naturalist Patricia Stucki
Senderos Webinar featuring Integrity Galapagos (also includes Anakonda Amazon Cruises & Integrity Galapagos, 2022).