Constructed in 2017, the Alya is a liveaboard created and run by native Galapaguenos. As a World Travel Awards nominee and Smart Planet certified, Alya is dedicated to sustainable practices. The ship offers one five-day itinerary and two six-day itineraries. The ship accommodates up to 16 guests across eight spacious rooms, which are spread across the main and upper decks. These rooms are offered in three styles: a king-size cabin, a twin cabin, both of which have a private balcony with a panoramic ocean view, and a matrimonial cabin. Each cabin has convertible beds, spacious closets, individual climate control, writing desks, and unique, earthy decor. The ship’s restaurant specializes in local and international cuisine, which a professional chef prepares. Guests can enjoy their meals in an alfresco dining room or relax in one of the lounges. In addition to the sundeck’s lounge area, it also has a Jacuzzi. There are nine crew members and one naturalist guide for island excursions. Each itinerary offers hiking, snorkeling, panga rides, paddleboarding, and kayaking through various parts of the Galapagos.
The ship has safety equipment including 35 life jackets, four life buoys, a flare gun, a smoke signal, two survival rafts, and fire detection and prevention equipment. Rates include airport assistance, Galapagos transfers, accommodation, meals, visits, excursions, snorkel gear(mask, tube, wetsuit, and fins), kayaks, paddleboards, and unlimited drinks(water, coffee, tea, and soft drinks), and beach towels. Local flights to and from Galapagos, the Galapagos National Park entrance fee, the Galapagos Transit card, alcoholic beverages, tips, local taxes, and travel insurance are not included.
Itinerary A, the northern route, runs for five days and includes a tour of Black Turtle Cove, which is famous for its green sea turtles, shallow channels, small caves, and mangrove forests. Other stops include exploring Darwin Bay and El Barranco, both of which are popular stops for birdwatchers as there are hundreds of gulls, frigatebirds, and more on this small island. Snorkeling along cliffs and spotting sharks, sea lions, and marine iguanas are popular highlights on this stop. The final stop on this trip is at the Charles Darwin Station, where guests learn about the Galapagos' biodiversity and conservation efforts before transferring to the airport, where guests will fly back to continental Ecuador.
Itinerary B, the western route, lasts six days and explores the Santa Cruz, Isabela, Fernandina, and Santiago islands. On this trip, guests will hike along the base of the most active volcano in the Galapagos, to the top of Vicente Roca Point, and along the rustic Espumilla Beach. Snorkelers will spot seahorses in long seaweed, hundreds of little fishes, sea turtles, and the rocky bottoms off Egas Port. Panga rides, paddleboarding, and kayaking are available as well.
Itinerary C, the southern route, runs for six days and stops at Seymour, Plazas, San Cristobal, Lobos, Espanola, Floreana, and Santa Cruz. Here, guests will hike across small islets, snorkel, or kayak through calm waters and spot sea lions, marine iguanas, sea turtles, rays, and more. This trip stops by the Interpretation Center, which is dedicated to the history of human life in the Galapagos.
Narrative text and photographs courtesy of Galagents.