Galapagos - Ecuador
First Class
6-8 Days
Included
Easy
16 Passengers
The Cachalote Explorer Galapagos Cruise is the ultimate adventure experience for nature lovers and explorers alike. The ship features a range of elegantly designed cabins, all equipped with air conditioning and en-suite bathrooms. Each cabin boasts large windows that provide spectacular views of the surrounding landscape, allowing guests to fully immerse themselves in the natural beauty of the Galapagos Islands.
The culinary experience on the Cachalote First Class Cruise is nothing short of exceptional. The onboard chef prepares fresh and locally sourced ingredients to create mouth-watering dishes that cater to every taste. Guests can enjoy a range of Ecuadorian and international cuisine, all expertly prepared to ensure the highest quality dining experience.
The Cachalote First Class Cruise also offers a range of areas to lounge and relax after a day of adventure. The ship’s indoor lounge area provides the perfect spot to socialize and unwind, while the sundeck offers a range of comfortable seating options and loungers. Guests can also enjoy the onboard library, which features a selection of books and magazines, or take part in a range of water activities, including snorkeling, kayaking, and paddleboarding, all under the guidance of experienced and knowledgeable guides
Itineraries
Browse through the different cruise itineraries below by clicking on each one
FRI Baltra Airport, Transfer to speedboat to Puerto Villamil in Isabela.
SAT Isabela: Moreno Point, Elizabeth Bay
SUN Isabela: Urbina Bay, Tagus Cove
MON Fernandina: Espinoza Point, Isabela: Vicente Roca Point
TUE Santiago: Egas Port, Bartholomew
WED North Seymour, Baltra Airport
(6 days A)
Day 1: Upon arrival at Baltra Airport, you will be taken to Puerto Villamil on Isabela Island before continuing on to Puerto Ayora Municipal Pier to board the Cachalote Explorer yacht. Late afternoon free time.
Day 2: A dry landing at Punta Moreno, a young lava field with scenery occasionally broken up by lagoons, lush vegetation, and colorful birds, kicks off the day. Additionally, there are crystal-clear tidal pools that draw pelicans, herons, and flamingos. After lunch, we ride through the mangroves to Elizabeth Bay where we look for rays, turtles, sea lions, and Galapagos hawks. A group of penguins may be visible at the bay’s entrance as well. Onboard dining.
Day 3: You start the day off with a scenic cruise along Bolivar Channel, where you might occasionally see whales and dolphins. We disembark at Urbina Bay where, depending on local conditions, you can swim or try snorkeling while viewing giant tortoises and land iguanas. Head to Tagus Cove after lunch. Palo Santo, the local vegetation, will also be visible, and the walk to Darwin Crater will reward you with a stunning view of the island. In addition, swimming and snorkeling are options.
Day 4: A large population of marine iguanas, sea lions, penguins, and flightless cormorants can be seen at Espinosa Point on Fernandina, one of the youngest islands in the archipelago. In the late afternoon, we willĀ travel to Punta Vicente Roca, a fantastic snorkeling location where you can also catch a glimpse of Nazca boobies, pelicans, and marine iguanas.
Day 5: The day starts on Santiago Island, more specifically in Puerto Egas, where you can see marine iguanas, fur sea lions, and land and marine birds. Swimming and snorkeling can be done from the beach. You will disembark at Bartolome Island in the afternoon to hike to the summit for a breathtaking view of the island. Additionally, you’ll have time to relax on the beach or go snorkeling.
Day 6: Watch bird colonies of blue-footed boobies, frigate birds, swallow-tailed gulls, sea lions, and marine iguanas in their native habitats on a tour to North Seymour island early in the morning. Once at the airport, you’ll be driven to catch your flight back to the mainland.
FRI San Cristobal: Airport, Baquerizo Moreno Port
SAT EspaƱola: Gardner Bay, Suarez Point
SUN Floreana: Cormorant Point, Post Office Bay
MON Santa Cruz: Dragon Hill, Santiago: Sullivan Bay
TUE Genovesa: Darwin Bay, Prince Phillip Steps
WED Black Turtle Cove, Baltra Airport
(6 days B)
Day 1: Early in the afternoon, following your arrival at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on San Cristobal Island, you will be transported to the Cachalote Yacht. El Junco Lagoon, one of the island chain’s few permanent freshwater lakes, will be the destination of your first trip. Here, you can take in the expansive view and see a variety of endemic bird species. Dinner on the yacht after your return.
Day 2: At Gardner Bay on EspaƱola Island, disembark. You can take a quick stroll and observe the lions congregating in groups, together with mockingbirds and finches. Additionally, you’ll get a chance to practice snorkeling. The cruise will continue to Punta Suarez after lunch, where you can visit seabird colonies that include blue-footed boobies and dew waved albatross by taking a stroll along the lava landscape.
Day 3: You will step off the boat at Punta Cormorant, a green sand beach on Floreana Island, at the start of this day. You will visit the “flour beach,” a brackish water lagoon where flamingos, stilts, and sandpipers live, and you will have the opportunity to try out snorkeling at Devil’s Crown. In Post Office Bay, in which you’ll gain knowledge about the first post service that was founded here by early whaling ships.Ā
Day 4: Visit Cerro Dragon on Santa Cruz Island to start off the day. Together with marine turtles, rays, and sharks, you can see different species of birds here, including boobies, frigates, and pelicans. To enjoy a stunning view of the bay and the western part of the archipelago, follow a trail to Dragon Hill. Continue your journey to James Island’s Sullivan Bay, a recently formed lava field that displays a variety of intriguing patterns and is awe-inspiring to observe. Day’s end and dinner served aboard.
Day 5: Start your day early at Genovesa Island, a low-lying volcano that rises above the ocean. Here, a wide range of birds including frigate birds, red-footed boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, and storm petrels can be seen. You might see blue-footed and red-footed boobies as we ascend the steep Prince Philip Steps. We travel to Darwin Bay in the late afternoon to walk a short trail and watch frigate birds, gulls, herons, finches, and mockingbirds. In the harbor, you can also go swimming or snorkeling.
Day 6: The day starts at Black Turtle Cove, where you can see white-tipped sharks, spotted rays, and pacific marine turtles in addition to three different types of mangrove plants: red, white, and black. You will get off the boat at Santa Cruz Island and travel to the airport to catch your flight back to the mainland.
WED Arrive in Baltra Airport, Santa Cruz Highlands, Charles Darwin Station
THU Chinese Hat, Red Beach – Rabida
FRI Isabela: Sierra Negra Volcano, Puerto Villamil
SAT Isabela: Moreno Point, Elizabeth Bay
SUN Isabela: Urbina Bay, Tagus Cove
MON Fernandina: Espinoza Point, Isabela: Vicente Roca Point
TUE Santiago: Egas Port, Bartholomew
WED North Seymour, Baltra Airport
(8 days A)
Day 1: The activities will start with a trip to the Highlands to see giant tortoises in the wild as soon as you arrive in Baltra. From there, you will be transferred to Santa Cruz Island. We stop by the Charles Darwin Scientific Research Station after lunch to learn about conservation initiatives. You’ll have free time for the remainder of the afternoon. Dinner and a nap on the boat.
Day 2: A morning trip to Chinese Hat, so named for its conical shape, kicks off the day. You can snorkel as well as see flamingos and a small colony of sea lions after taking a quick tour of the island. Head to Rabida Island after lunch so you can hike to a saltwater lagoon to see flamingos. Additionally, you can go swimming and snorkeling on the beach.
Day 3: Start your day off with a hike to the Sierra Negra Volcano. To learn more about the captive breeding program for tortoises from the populations of southern Isabela, we then travel to the Arnaldo Tupiza Breeding Center. Return to the boat for dinner.
Day 4: At Punta Moreno, the day starts with a dry landing. There are crystal-clear tidal pools that draw pelicans, herons, and flamingos. Visit Elizabeth Bay after lunch to take a boat tour through the mangroves where you can see rays, turtles, sea lions, and Galapagos hawks. A group of penguins may be visible at the bay’s entrance as well. Onboard dining after a land adventure.
Day 5: You start the day with a stunning scenery cruise along the Bolivar Channel, where you might occasionally see whales and dolphins. After lunch, proceed to Tagus Cove, which used to be a favorite landing spot for whalers and pirates. You can take in a stunning view of the island while walking to Darwin Crater. In addition, swimming and snorkeling are options.
Day 6: Espinosa Point on Fernandina, one of the newest islands, will be your destination in the morning. Here, you can see a significant number of marine iguanas, sea lions, penguins, and flightless cormorants. We travel to Punta Vicente Roca in the late afternoon, where there is excellent snorkeling and a chance to observe Nazca boobies, pelicans, and marine iguanas up close.
Day 7: On James Island, specifically in Puerto Egas, in which you can see marine iguanas, fur sea lions, and land and marine birds, the day starts. Swimming and snorkeling can be done from the beach. You will disembark at Bartolome Island in the afternoon to hike to the summit and take in the breathtaking views of the island. Additionally, you’ll have time to relax on the beach or go snorkeling.
Day 8: Appreciate bird colonies of blue-footed boobies, frigate birds, swallow-tailed gulls, sea lions, and marine iguanas on a tour to North Seymour island early in the morning. Once at the airport, you’ll be driven to catch your flight back to the mainland.
2024 PRICES | ||
---|---|---|
6 Days | 8 Days | |
Standard | US$3,000 | US$4,000 |
Charter | US$55,000 | US$73,000 |
Vessel type
Motor Yacht
Year built
1998
Year renovated
2018
Length
86ft ( 26m)
Beam
24ft
Max speed
9 knots
Capacity
16 passengers
Engines
280 h.p. Caterpillar diesel engine
Decks
3
Crew
All crew are fully trained and certified. Captain, multilingual naturalist guide, cook, engineers, barman, and 4 sailors
Cabins
8
Bathrooms
8
Freshwater maker
Yes
Double (Matrimonial) Cabin
One matrimonial cabin, complete with an independent air conditioning unit and a private bathroom with a hot and cold shower.
Twin Cabin
A private bathroom with a hot/cold shower, bunk-style beds, and an independent air conditioner in each cabin.
Private bathroom
Air conditioning
Toiletries
Room towels
110v Electricity point in cabin
Lounge Area
Bar
Sundeck