Comforts at sea, wonders on shore, and an ‘Exclusive Use’ option for friends and family
Charles Darwin made it to the Galápagos Islands on the HMS Beagle residing in a poop cabin just 110-feet-square – room enough for two others, the ship’s library, and a mast. In retrospect, it was probably good Darwin didn’t arrive aboard the luxury yacht Integrity, or he may have enjoyed himself too much to trouble with evolution.
Marketed exclusively by leading tour operator INCA (International Nature & Cultural Adventures), Integrity is the crème of the cruise circuit in the Galápagos, lavishing guests with comforts and perfectly sized for friends and family to explore the archipelago in style through a new Exclusive Use option well suited to the current moment that offers private use to groups of 4 to 10 travelers to safely share an adventure they’ll never forget.
The yacht’s signature 9-Day Galápagos Adventure offers an exclusive, unbroken 8-day itinerary, sailing east-to-west – or west-to-east – instead of the traditional north-to-south, to maximize time for exploration and reveal hidden gems guests might otherwise miss. Beauty and natural wonder are the focus throughout: The east-bound route, for instance, starts in the highlands of Santa Cruz Island, where travelers are wowed by the wild habitat of giant tortoises, bright Yellow Warblers, Darwin’s finches, and famed Woodpecker Finches. It ends with snorkeling amid small sharks, sea lions, and Galápagos Penguins playing in turquoise waters off a white-sand beach on Sombrero Chino. In between are explorations of classic and uncrowded sites with guided shore visits, lectures, watersports, and hikes revealing natural spectacles at every turn.
There is much onboard to dazzle travelers en route. Designed for up to 16 guests, Integrity offers 9 Staterooms available in 4 categories, including a 350 sq. ft. Owner’s Suite that spans the full width of the main deck. Desirable in-cabin details include entertainment center with flat-screen TV, en suite bathroom with walk-in shower and hardwood vanity with porcelain vessel sink, satellite phone, mini-fridge, and more. Wi-Fi Internet access is available in the main salon and dining room.
Onboard dining is also a highlight with artfully prepared meals created from locally sourced ingredients, most special diets accommodated, local wine and spirits – and no corkage fee should guests bring their own.
“Our view for Integrity has always been to provide a flawless program filled with experiences that are worth taking, and to offer guests the finest vessel and talent to ensure they want to come back for more,” says Bill Roberson, owner and CEO of INCA. The company also offers an array of extended journeys built around Integrity’s signature Galápagos itinerary, including a 14-day Galapagos and Amazon Jungle adventure with overnight stays in a luxury eco-lodge in Amazonian Ecuador, and the 17-day Peru and Galápagos that starts in the heart of the Inca Empire in Peru.
For more info or to make reservations for a Galápagos cruise onboard the luxury yacht Integrity, please contact INCA – International Nature & Cultural Adventures – at +1 510-420-1550; email info@inca1.com; or visit www.integritygalapagos.com