Metropolitan Touring’s vessels in the Galápagos Islands will operate new itineraries approved by the Galápagos National Park beginning January 20 next year.

“This change is the result of the National Park Service exploring alternatives to ease the pressure on the local wildlife at the 14 most popular visiting sites in the archipelago, by redistributing visitor numbers across more sites,” explains company President, Paulina Burbano de Lara. The new system in the national park allows for a maximum of three itineraries within a 14-night period, during which time no site can be repeated—apart from the Charles Darwin Research Station, which may be visited twice.

Benefits of these changes for Metropolitan Touring’s vessels include: sites that at present cannot be visited by vessels of more than 40 guests will be opened, such as Genovesa, Tagus Cove, Santa Fe Island and South Plaza Island; optional activities such as panga rides, glass-bottom boat rides, swimming, snorkeling and kayaking can be enjoyed at more sites and with improved zoning; a wider range of options and more enriching experiences; new itineraries are more finely-tuned to the company’s vessels’ attributes.

From January 20, 2012, the upscale Yacht La Pinta will operate three separate itineraries: “Western Galápagos” for a full week, 8 days/7 nights, Friday to Friday, beginning in Baltra Island and ending in San Cristóbal Island; “Eastern Galápagos” 4 days/3 nights, Friday to Monday, beginning in San Cristóbal and ending in Baltra; “Northern Galápagos” 5 days/4 nights, Monday to Friday, beginning and ending in Baltra.

From the same date, the classic Yacht Isabela II will begin its new itineraries, offering one full-week and two 5-day/4-night journeys: “Northern Galápagos” 7 days/6 nights, Tuesday to Monday, beginning at San Cristóbal Island and ending in Baltra; “Central Galápagos” 5 days/4 nights, Monday to Friday, beginning and ending in Baltra; “Southern Galápagos” 5 days/4 nights, Friday to Tuesday, beginning in Baltra and ending in San Cristóbal; The company’s largest vessel, the 90-guest M/V Santa Cruz will benefit from three great new itineraries of two 5-night and one 4-night: “Eastern Galápagos” 6 days/5 nights, Friday to Wednesday beginning in San Cristóbal Island and ending at Baltra Island; “Western Galápagos” 6 days/5 nights, Wednesday to Monday, beginning at Baltra and ending at Baltra; “Northern Galápagos” 5 days/4 nights, Monday to Friday, beginning in Baltra and ending at San Cristóbal Island.

Metropolitan Touring, www.metropolitan-touring.com