Voyage Number	GC-100510
Voyage price	€1150 euros for 11 days
Voyage Dates	10/05/2010 - 17:00 - 20/05/2010 - 09:00
Depart from	Guayaquil, Ecuador
Finishing Port	Colon, Panama
Voyage area	Pacific , South America
Voyage type	Adventure Voyage , Ocean Passages , Tall Ships Race
Vessel	Europa
Availability	Fully booked

Voyage Description

Velas Sudamerica 2010 Regata Bicentenario

Leg 4: Sail the Pacific, Cross the Equator & Panama Canal

All the Nice Girls Love a (Navy) Sailor

 A Tall Ships Fleet never seen in Europe

The countries of Argentina, Chile, Columbia, Uruguay and Brazil have some of the largest tall ships in the world (Cisne Branco, Libitad, Esmeralda, Gloria) and an amazing political sea change has occured for all these navies to come together, plus other tall ships taking part from India, Mexico Malaysia and Poland.

Cuauhtemoc

Leg 4: Past the Galapagos, Cross the Equator & Panama Canal

An 11 day voyage that packs a lot of firsts and unusual seafaring experiences.

Sail with a tall ship fleet in equatorial waters in the Pacific

Cross the line. The start port of Guayaguil is just a few degrees south of the equator.

Pass the famous Galapagos Islands. Although the fleet is not stopping in the Galapagos, you will see plenty of the unique seabirds and cetaceans that make up this areas remote ecosystem.

Transit the Panama Canal to the Caribbean side of Central America.

See ITINERARY (tab at top of the page) for detail on the actual voyage experience on Europa and this unique tall ships race leg on 'The Far Side of the World'

See 'Start Port description' for travel tips and suggestions for combining this voyage with a trip to the Galapagos.

See 'end port description' for ideas how to combine this voyage with adventures in Central America and the Caribbean.

 

Guayaquil - Gateway Port for the Galapagos

Flights - getting to Ecuador

Guayaquil is Ecuador's largest city and main Pacific seaport for the whole country. The Simon Bolivar International Airport in Guayaquil (GYE) is only 10 minutes taxi drive from the city centre.

There are direct flights from all major UK Airports. As you may be flying into one country and out of another on these voyages we recommend you get quotes and advice from a flight broker for best prices.

If you plan to travel before or after your voyage please check length of stay and tourist visa requirements very carefully.

Gateway to the Galapagos

Guayaquil is the base for most Galapagos visitors. The Galapagos Islands are one of the most incredible places on earth. Starkly beautiful they lie on the Equator some 600 miles west of Ecuador. Having only recently risen from the ocean floor, there is evidence of their marine volcanic origin everywhere. If you remember the evocative scenes from the film "Master & Commander: The Far Side of the World" with swimming iguanas, flightless cormorants, sea lions and huge turtles, then how can you resist sampling both the adrenalin of chasing other tall ships accross the blue horizon, and a chance to combine it with a visit the Galapagos whilst you are in Ecuador.

Typical Costs of a Galapagos 'Add on Adventure'

If you love being on the ocean and the Galapagos is on your hit list of places to see, then why not combine an 8 day ocean tall ships race as crew on the magnificant three masted sailing ship at a very reasonable 600 euros, combined with a tour of the Galapagos at the end of your sailing voyage. Although the South American Tall Ships Fleet will sail past the Galapagos and you are sure to see some of the unique ocean seabirds en route, you will not be able to explore the islands as the number of licenced boat operators allowed to visit the islands is strictly controlled.

However at the end of your Peru to Ecuador voyage on Bark Europa ( or before you join the ship for the start of the 11 day tall ships race leg from Guayaquil to Panama) you could plan a visit to the birthplace of Darwins Theory of Evolution.

Booking straight through an Ecuadorian travel agent for a  4 day wildlife boat trip to the islands is typically 1000 US dollars, but there are plenty of specialist tours with wildlife guides by UK wildlife and adventure companies.

Other Possible Adventure & Wildlife Excursions

Cerro Blanco Forest Reserve - with its impressive variety of birds.

Manglares Churute Ecological Reserve where you can take a canoe trip into the mangroves and see dolphins, water birds.

 Accommodation in Guayaquil

Try and avoid accommadation 'downtown' as not particularly safe at night. Try hotels in districts "La Garzota", "Sauces" or "Alborada".

A quick browse through an upt lonely planet guide in a bookshop should give you some e mail addresses.

Climate

You will be arriving in May - just into the dry season where the climate is warm and pleasant.

 Port of Colon - Caribbean side of the Panama Canal

 photo by guest crew Lisa Islg (Alaskan customer who has worked in Antarctica Macmurdo Station)

56m Dutch Barque Europa

Classic Sailing staff have been working crew on Bark Europa so we can tell you what it is really like to sail on our favourite tall ship. Debbie sailed over 5000 miles on her exploring the Antarctic Peninsula, accross the Southern Ocean to the wild anchorages and ex whaling ports of South Georgia, an exciting landing on Tristan Da Cuhna and accross the South Atlantic to Cape Town.

Ocean Wanderer

56m Dutch Barque Europa has sailed the world, doubled the Horn, cruised the Southern Ocean with charter crews, and is well known in ports for sailing in under sail—almost to the dock. She has earned her reputation for piling on the canvas and really sailing. Built in 1911 and completely re rigged as a 3 masted barque in 1986, she follows the trade wind routes to maximise downwind sailing and is equally at home in the
roller-coasters of the ‘roaring forties’ or in lighter tropical conditions where she can set an awesome suite of 30 sails.
The working language on board is English but like the tea clippers of old, the cultural mix of guest and professional crew are truly international, so the conversation can get complicated—but never dull.

"I feel totally changed by the whole experience, and can't wait to get back sailing again!" Sarah S.

Square Rig Advanced Class

If you have already sailed on a tall ship or are an experienced yacht sailor wanting to immerse yourself in square rig seamanship or maybe learn some Astro Navigation, then Europa is a good choice. Approaching equatorial crossings the extra sky-sail masts and yards are sent aloft and the whole crew can easily be kept busy setting the studding sails that few training ships dare rig. The 14 professional crew and guest crew soon become indistinguishable as you learn the ropes, gain a healthy tan and perhaps help out with the ships maintenance. If you are an adventurous spirit sailing for the first time then Europa keeps the romance of sailing alive with a great library, lectures, and enthusiastic crew who can teach a range of topics. 

Europa's Captain

Europa has three regular Captains:- Klaas Gaastra, Robbert Voss and Eric who generally live on the ship for 3 month blocks. All have sailed Europa for many years, are excellent linguists and have a real love and deep knowledge about square riggers, the marine environment  and the ocean wildlife. For non- Antarctic voyages you may find Klaas and Marianne's new ships dog on board. Their last dog was an excellent whale watcher !

Bark Europa Voyages 2010-2011

Great Lakes Tall Ship Challenge - Summer 2010

North to South - Cross the Equator - Ocean Sailing

Antarctica Dates 2010-11 and Cape Horn to Cape of Good Hope via Antarctica 2011

What to Bring

Personal items
• Passport
• Flight tickets
• Voyage Information
• Any Medication
• Sun tan lotion
• Washing kit and toiletries
• Clothing for a warm climate or extra for Antarctica - plenty of layers
• Shoes and sandals that protect your toes - warm water proof boots for Antarctica
• Swimwear - warm wind proof hats for Antarctica
• Beach Towel only
• Light weight wet weather gear - heavy wieght for Antarctica
• You can charge electrical appliances if you have an adapter for European two pin sockets.
• A book for the flight - there is a good library of books ,CD's and videos on board.
• Camera and batteries – film, spare batteries and storage cards
• Sketching materials if you are an artist
• Small musical instrument are always welcome

Already provided
Hand towels
Bed linen
All meals on board
You may purchase alcoholic drinks on board.