Conservation-led luxury travel company &Beyond has extended its South American portfolio with the launch of an expedition yacht in the Galapagos Islands. Named the &Beyond Galapagos Explorer, the 38 m (124 ft) yacht operates on two 7-night routes in the east and west of the famed Galapagos Islands. Boasting just six suites and cabins, the yacht caters for a maximum of 12 guests, with two expert guides present on each departure.
“A uniquely biodiverse environment with the highest number of endemic species in the world, the Galapagos is a natural choice for the further expansion of our portfolio in South America. We are absolutely thrilled to finally bring our brand of responsible tourism to this precious part of the world, which the Ecuadorian government has protected from over-tourism by strictly limiting the number of operating licences issued,” says &Beyond Executive Chairman & CEO, Joss Kent.
“We have long believed that the best way to encourage our guests to help protect the world’s wild places is for our skilled guides to help travellers not only fall in love with those places, but also to gain an understanding of the threats that they are facing. This is what we are aiming to do with our luxury yacht, where two knowledgeable guides will host just twelve guests, showcasing the wonder and mystery of this exceptional destination.”
With only 12 guests on board, the elevated guest-to-staff ratio makes the Galapagos Explorer the most exclusive yacht operating in the islands. In addition to the highest level of guiding, the vessel also offers beautifully appointed spacious indoor and outdoor guest areas, as well as four exquisite cabins and two luxury suites. Following an extensive refurbishment, the &Beyond Galapagos Explorer set sail on its first departure on 17 June 2024.
Situated on the equator, the Galapagos consists of 18 main islands, three smaller islands, and 107 rocks and islets. Designated a World Heritage Site in 1878, the islands are home to a remarkable variety of flora and fauna, with many species found nowhere else on earth. Notable species include the Galapagos giant tortoise, marine iguana, and blue-footed booby. The islands also feature unique geographical features, and each has created a distinct ecosystem of its own, with strict conservation measures in place to preserve the delicate balance. The Charles Darwin Research Centre, located on Santa Cruz Island, focuses on conservation efforts and conducts scientific research to protect the rare biodiversity of the islands.
Operating on two different 7-night itineraries, the &Beyond Galapagos Explorer offers the choice of discovering the east or the west of the main cluster of islands, while including the highlights of the destination in both. Highlights of the eastern itinerary include the magnificent formation of Kicker Rock, located just off San Cristóbal Island, as well as sightings of the critically endangered waved albatross in Gardner Bay on Española Island. The western Itinerary features highlights that include exploring the geographical centre of the Galapagos Islands, Sombrero Chino Island as well as close encounters with the rare Santa Fe land iguana on Santa Fe Island.
Both itineraries present plenty of opportunities for land and sea adventures such as snorkelling, hiking and birdwatching, as well as a plethora of unique and interesting land, air and marine species. Rates for both itineraries begin from USD 10 950 per person sharing per 7-night cruise.
Sustainability has played a large part in the refurbishment of the yacht, which included a complete overhaul of the engines and generators to ensure a more fuel-efficient operation and a lower carbon footprint. “While some advanced sustainability elements, such as certain solar and electric technologies, are not yet readily available in this environment, we are closely monitoring development in these areas,” explains Kent. “As new solutions become available, we continue to evaluate their operational viability in a remote destination like the Galapagos, which has limited service capabilities. Once these technologies become operationally viable, we plan to implement them.”
&Beyond also plans to extend its Oceans Without Borders (OWB) initiative into the area. The OWB team in Africa is actively exploring opportunities for the support and implementation of key projects n the Galapagos, similar to their ocean conservation activities in Africa, and are currently in the assessment and needs-analysis stage of the process.
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