- Specifications
- Fernandina Itinerary (8D / 7N)
- Tower Itinerary (8D / 7N)
- Hood Itinerary (6D /5N)
- Isabela Itinerary (6D /5N)
- Trip Includes
- Trip Excludes
- Gallery
- FAQ
- Availability
| Category | Standard First Class Motor Vessel |
| Capacity | 16 passengers |
| L.O.A. | 88 ft. |
| Beam | 24 ft. |
| Salon Dimensions | 17.5 ft. x 35 ft. |
| Speed | 8 knots cruising |
| Type | Motor vessel / Steel hull |
| Cabins | Upper deck cabins: Cabin 1 - lower queen / lower single / upper single Cabin 2 - lower queen / upper single Lower deck cabins: Cabin 3 - lower single / upper single Cabin 4 - lower double / upper single Cabin 5 - lower queen Cabin 6 - lower queen Cabin 7 - lower double / upper single Cabin 8 - lower single / upper single |
Fernandina Itinerary
| Day | Time | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 (Wednesday) | AM | Arrive at Baltra Airport / Santa Cruz Island |
| Santa Cruz Island: Highlands of Santa Cruz: Galapagos giant tortoises can be seen in the wild in the highlands of Santa Cruz | ||
| Santa Cruz Island: Charles Darwin Station: Visit the Charles Darwin Station, a research facility and National Park Information center. The station has a giant tortoise and land iguana breeding program and interpretation center. | ||
| Day 2 (Thursday) | AM | Sombrero Chino (Chinese Hat) Island: Sombrero Chino is a small volcanic island off the southeast tip of Santiago. Fauna includes Sea lions, marine iguanas, and the Galapagos penguin. |
| Rábida (Jervis) Island: Rábida is a small island with a dark red coral sand beach. Highlights include the lagoon with flamingoes, pelican nesting site, sea lion bachelor colony, and a snorkeling site at the end of the beach. | ||
| Day 3 (Friday) | AM | Isabela Island (Albemarle): Isabela is the largest of the Galapagos Islands formed by five active volcanoes fused together. Wolf Volcano is the highest point in the entire Galapagos at 1707m. |
| Sierra Negra: Volcan Sierra Negra has a caldera with a diameter of 10km. View recent lava flows, moist highland vegetation, and parasitic cones. | ||
| Puerto Villamil: Puerto Villamil is a charming small town on a white sand beach. Highlights include the Tortoise Breeding Station and the flamingo lagoon. Other visits (depending on conditions) are the Tintoreras or Los Humedales. | ||
| Day 4 (Saturday) | AM | Isabela Island (Albemarle): Punta Moreno: Punta Moreno is located in the central southwestern coast of Isabela Island. Some highlights include impressive lava flows, desolate and pristine landscape, and unusual arid zone vegetation. |
| Elizabeth Bay: This spot is only accessible by dinghy. Penguins can be seen on the small islets in the bay. Galapagos Sea Turtles and rays can usually be seen in the water. | ||
| Day 5 (Sunday) | AM | Isabela Island (Albemarle): Urbina Bay: Urbina Bay is located at the central-west coast of Isabela Island. Highlights include the colourful land iguanas, Galapagos Giant tortoises and the coral uplifting from 1954. |
| Tagus Cove: Tagus Cove is a natural harbor where centuries ago whalers and pirates left their ship’s names painted or carved on the rocks. A walk uphill to Darwin’s Crater salt-water lake will provide an excellent view. | ||
| Day 6 (Monday) | AM | Fernandina Island: Fernandina is the youngest volcanic island and is still active. Punta Espinoza: A place famous for its large colonies of marine iguanas and as the habitat of unique species like the flightless cormorant, Galapagos penguin, and Galapagos hawk. |
| Isabela Island: Punta Vicente Roca: This site is visited by dinghy rides along the cliffs or the partially sunken cave at the water’s edge. Nasca boobies, blue-footed boobies and flightless cormorants inhabit the shoreline. | ||
| Day 7 (Tuesday) | AM | James (Santiago) Island: James Island offers a wide variety of seabirds, marine iguanas, and fur seals. Puerto Egas: A walk along the rocky coastline will show you some of Galapagos’ best tide pools. Highlights include the sugar loaf volcano, fur seals, oystercatchers, marine iguana colony, and old salt mine. |
| Bartolome Island: A hike will take you to the highest point on Bartolome for a spectacular view. Sea lions and penguins can be seen around Pinnacle Rock. There is a sandy beach with great swimming and snorkeling. | ||
| Day 8 (Wednesday) | AM | North Seymour Island: This flat piece of land is home to endemic Palo Santo trees, colonies of blue-footed boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, and magnificent frigate birds. |
| Baltra: Return flight to Quito |
Tower Itinerary
| Day | Time | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 (Wednesday) | Arrive at Baltra Airport / Santa Cruz Island | |
| Santa Cruz Island | ||
| Highlands of Santa Cruz: Galapagos giant tortoises can be seen in the wild in the highlands of Santa Cruz | ||
| Charles Darwin Station: Visit the Charles Darwin Station, a research facility and National Park Information center. The Charles Darwin Station has a giant tortoise and land iguana breeding program and interpretation center. | ||
| Day 2 (Thursday) | South Plaza Island / Santa Fé (Barrington) Island | |
| South Plaza Island: Plazas consists of two very small islands that were uplifted from the sea, separated by a channel. Only South Plazas has a visitor site. Highlights include tall Opuntia cactus, land and marine iguanas, rocky cliffs that look out towards the open ocean, and a seal lion bachelor colony. | ||
| Santa Fe Island: Santa Fe is a smaller island of 24 km². Highlights include Santa Fe land iguanas, pelican nesting site, sea lion colony, mockingbird, and Palo Santo trees. | ||
| Day 3 (Friday) | San Cristóbal Island | |
| San Cristóbal Island (Chatham): San Cristóbal is the easternmost island of Galapagos and also one of the oldest. | ||
| Witch Hill: Witch Hill (Cerro Brujo) is a volcanic cone that looks over a beautiful white sandy beach which has plenty of sea lions, pelicans, blue-footed boobies, waders, and marine iguanas. | ||
| Galapaguera & El Junco: The lagoon is the only freshwater reservoir in Galapagos and has great views from its altitude of 700m. Galapaguera is a good area to see tortoises in their natural environment. | ||
| Day 4 (Saturday) | Española (Hood) Island | |
| Hood Island (Española): Hood is the oldest of the Southern Islands and the southernmost in the archipelago. A unique range of endemic species evolved here. | ||
| Gardner Bay: Located on the northeast of the island, the site has a long and beautiful white sand beach inhabited by sea lion colonies. | ||
| Islote Garnder and Islote Osborn: These islets are snorkeling sites where visitors will see an abundance of tropical fish, reef sharks, and turtles. | ||
| Punta Suarez: The wildlife at Punta Suarez is plentiful and varied. Highlights include the Waved albatross, Galapagos Hawks, blue-footed boobies, Nasca boobies, and Española lava lizards. | ||
| Day 5 (Sunday) | Floreana Island | |
| Floreana Island: Best known for its colorful history of buccaneers, whalers, convicts, and early colonists. | ||
| Punta Cormorant: Punta Cormorant has two contrasting beaches and a large inland lagoon where pink flamingoes can be seen. | ||
| Devil’s Crown: This is a snorkeling site located just off Punta Cormorant. The site is a completely submerged volcano that has eroded to create the appearance of a jagged crown. | ||
| Post Office Bay: This is one of the few sites visited for its human history. Visit the wooden mail barrel where letters are dropped off and picked up. | ||
| Day 6 (Monday) | Santa Cruz Island (Indefatigable) / James (Santiago) Island | |
| Santa Cruz Island (Indefatigable): Dragon Hill is located on the northwestern side of Santa Cruz Island. Highlights include small lagoons with flamingos, Palo Santo trees, and Opuntia cactus. | ||
| James Island (Santiago): James Island offers a variety of seabirds, marine iguanas, and fur seals. | ||
| Sullivan Bay: This site is of great geological interest. Highlights include 100-year-old lava flow fields and pahoehoe formations. | ||
| Day 7 (Tuesday) | Tower (Genovesa) Island | |
| Tower Island (Genovesa): An eroded flat volcanic island with a natural harbor, which is actually the submerged caldera of the volcanic island. | ||
| El Barranco: This site offers the possibility of seeing the unique “Short-eared owl” and other seabirds along the cliffs. | ||
| Darwin Bay: The steep cliffs off this area dominate the island and are home to thousands of seabirds including frigate birds and red-footed boobies. | ||
| Day 8 (Wednesday) | Daphne Mayor Island / Baltra for return flight to Quito | |
| Daphne Mayor: A small tuff cone island famous for a 20-year study of Darwin’s Finches conducted by Peter and Rosemary Grant. | ||
| Baltra: Return flight to Quito |
Hood Itinerary
| Day | Time | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 (Friday) | AM | Arrive at San Cristobal Airport / San Cristobal Island: San Cristóbal is the easternmost island of Galapagos and also one of the oldest. |
| Galapaguera & El Junco: The lagoon is the only fresh water reservoir in Galapagos and has great views from its altitude of 700m in the highlands of San Cristóbal. Rainwater has collected in the caldera for hundreds of years and formed this lagoon. Galapaguera is a good area to see tortoises in their natural environment. | ||
| Day 2 (Saturday) | AM | Española (Hood) Island: Hood is the oldest of the Southern Islands and is the southernmost in the archipelago. Because of its remote location a unique range of endemic species evolved here. |
| Gardner Bay: Located on the northeast of the island, the site has a long and beautiful white sand beach inhabited by sea lion colonies. | ||
| Islote Gardner and Islote Osborn: These islets are snorkeling sites where visitors will see an abundance of tropical fish, reef sharks, and turtles. | ||
| Punta Suarez: The wildlife at Punta Suarez is plentiful and varied. Along the cliff, visitors can enjoy the blowhole where seawater is forced about 20m into the air. Highlights include the Waved albatross (April-Dec), Galapagos Hawks, blue-footed boobies, Nasca boobies, and Española lava lizards. | ||
| Day 3 (Sunday) | AM | Floreana Island: Best known for its colorful history of buccaneers, whalers, convicts, and early colonists. |
| Punta Cormorant: Punta Cormorant has two contrasting beaches and a large inland lagoon where pink flamingoes can be seen. | ||
| Devil’s Crown: This is a snorkeling site located just off Punta Cormorant. The site is a completely submerged volcano that has eroded to create the appearance of a jagged crown. | ||
| Post Office Bay: One of the few sites visited for its human history. Visit the wooden mail barrel where letters are dropped off and picked up, as well as the remains of the Norwegian fishing village. | ||
| Day 4 (Monday) | AM | Santa Cruz Island (Indefatigable) / James (Santiago) Island: |
| Santa Cruz Island: Dragon Hill is located in the northwestern side of Santa Cruz Island. Some highlights include small lagoons with flamingos, Palo Santo trees, and Opuntia cactus. | ||
| James Island (Santiago): Located between Isabela and Santa Cruz Islands, this island offers a wide variety of seabirds, marine iguanas, and fur seals. Sullivan Bay: This site is of great geological interest, with highlights like a 100-year-old lava flow field, pahoehoe formations, and lava bubbles. | ||
| Day 5 (Tuesday) | AM | Tower (Genovesa) Island: An eroded flat volcanic island, with a natural harbor, which is actually the submerged caldera of this volcanic island. |
| El Barranco: There is a good possibility of seeing the unique "Short-eared owl" at this site. During the dinghy rides along the cliffs, fur seals and several species of seabirds can be spotted. | ||
| Darwin Bay: The steep cliffs of this area dominate the island. This area is home to thousands of frigate birds, red-footed boobies, Noddy terns, lava gulls, tropicbirds, doves, storm petrels, and Darwin’s finches. | ||
| Day 6 (Wednesday) | AM | Daphne Mayor Island / Baltra for return flight to Quito: |
| Daphne Mayor Island: A small tuff cone island where many species of birds nest. Famous for a 20-year study of Darwin’s Finches conducted by Peter and Rosemary Grant. During the circumnavigation, you will see blue-footed boobies, Nasca boobies, red-billed tropicbirds, and other sea life. | ||
| Baltra: Return flight to Quito. |
Isabela Itinerary
| Day | Time | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 (Friday) | AM | Arrive at Baltra Airport / Transfer to Isabela Island: Upon arrival at the airport, transfer to Santa Cruz Island to take the 14h00 speed boat departure to Isabela island. Arrive at Puerto Villamil at 16h00 approximately and transfer to the Cachalote Explorer. |
| Day 2 (Saturday) | AM | Isabela Island (Albemarle): Isabela is the largest of the Galapagos Islands formed by five active volcanoes fused together. Wolf Volcano is the highest point in the entire Galapagos at 1707m. |
| Punta Moreno: Located on the central southwestern coast of Isabela Island, Punta Moreno offers spectacular views of volcanoes Alcedo, Sierra Negra, and Cerro Azul. Highlights include impressive lava flows, pristine landscapes, and unusual arid zone vegetation. | ||
| Elizabeth Bay: Accessible only by dinghy, this bay has small islets where penguins can be seen. Galapagos Sea Turtles and rays are commonly seen in the water. | ||
| Day 3 (Sunday) | AM | Isabela Island (Albemarle): |
| Urbina Bay: Located on the central-west coast of Isabela Island at the foothills of Alcedo and Darwin volcanoes. Highlights include colorful land iguanas, Galapagos Giant tortoises, and coral uplifting from 1954. | ||
| Tagus Cove: A natural harbor where whalers and pirates left their ship’s names on the rocks. A walk uphill to Darwin’s Crater salt-water lake offers an excellent view. | ||
| Day 4 (Monday) | AM | Fernandina Island: |
| Fernandina Island: The youngest volcanic island, still active. | ||
| Punta Espinoza: Famous for large colonies of marine iguanas and the habitat of unique species like the flightless cormorant, Galapagos penguin, and Galapagos hawk. | ||
| Isabela Island: Punta Vicente Roca: A site visited by dinghy rides along the cliffs, with Nasca boobies, blue-footed boobies, and flightless cormorants along the shoreline. | ||
| Day 5 (Tuesday) | AM | James (Santiago) Island / Bartolome Island: |
| James Island: Offers a variety of seabirds, marine iguanas, and fur seals. Puerto Egas: Walk along the rocky coastline to see some of Galapagos' best tide pools, highlights include: Sugar loaf volcano, fur seals, oystercatchers, and marine iguana colony. | ||
| Bartolome Island: A hike to the highest point offers a spectacular view. Sea lions and penguins can be seen around Pinnacle Rock. A sandy beach with great swimming and snorkeling. | ||
| Day 6 (Wednesday) | AM | North Seymour Island / Baltra for return flight to Quito: |
| North Seymour Island: A flat island home to endemic Palo Santo trees, colonies of blue-footed boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, and magnificent frigate birds. | ||
| Baltra: Return flight to Quito. |
Includes
| ✅ Accommodation (sharing double cabins) |
| ✅ Meals |
| ✅ Excursions |
| ✅ Guides |
| ✅ Wetsuits |
| ✅ Snorkel equipment |
Additional Information
-
Discounts: We offer special discounts for children under 12 (one child per adult maximum), please contact us for these rates. This discount is not applicable over Christmas and New Years departures.
-
Special departures: We do not offer the 6 day cruises over Christmas and New Years departures.
-
Single supplement: 50% increase over sharing accommodation rate
-
Surcharges: Fuel surcharge in effect, $55 6 day trip, $75 8 day trip. A surcharge of $200 per person is applicable during Christmas and New Years weeks.
-
Flight Costs (not included in Galapagos cruise costs**): Contact us for current rates for flights from Quito or Guayaquil to the Galapagos Islands. Our yacht Cachalote Explorer is scheduled to operate in connection with Avianca airlines.
-
National Park Entrance Fee: US$100 / Migratory Card Fee: US$20 (subject to change.)
Not Included
| ❌ Air ticket |
| ❌ National Park fees |
| ❌ Migratory Card (USD 20) |
| ❌ Bottled & alcoholic beverages on board |
Additional Information
-
Discounts: We offer special discounts for children under 12 (one child per adult maximum), please contact us for these rates. This discount is not applicable over Christmas and New Years departures.
-
Special departures: We do not offer the 6 day cruises over Christmas and New Years departures.
-
Single supplement: 50% increase over sharing accommodation rate
-
Surcharges: Fuel surcharge in effect, $55 6 day trip, $75 8 day trip. A surcharge of $200 per person is applicable during Christmas and New Years weeks.
-
Flight Costs (not included in Galapagos cruise costs**): Contact us for current rates for flights from Quito or Guayaquil to the Galapagos Islands. Our yacht Cachalote Explorer is scheduled to operate in connection with Avianca airlines.
-
National Park Entrance Fee: US$100 / Migratory Card Fee: US$20 (subject to change.)
The Cachalote Explorer offers an authentic, intimate, and adventurous experience in the Galápagos Islands. Ideal for wildlife enthusiasts and active travelers, it provides first-class service while exploring the islands, snorkeling, and observing the unique wildlife. Guests can relax on deck, enjoy the stunning scenery, and take part in daily excursions led by an experienced naturalist guide.
The Cachalote Explorer accommodates up to 16 passengers in 8 comfortable cabins, each with its own private ensuite bathroom featuring hot and cold water showers and independent air conditioning. This small group size ensures a more personalized and exclusive experience.
Guests aboard the Cachalote Explorer can enjoy a variety of activities, including nature walks, snorkeling with sea lions and marine turtles, whale and dolphin watching, and exploring unusual volcanic terrain. The boat is designed to provide both adventure and relaxation, with plenty of deck space for lounging and sunbathing.
The Cachalote Explorer offers 6-day, 8-day, and 15-day itineraries. These itineraries visit selected sites approved by the Galápagos National Park, offering guests the opportunity to experience the islands up close. The 8-day itineraries can be combined to form a 15-day tour, which provides a complete, in-depth exploration of the Galápagos Islands.
The Cachalote Explorer is fully equipped for operations in the Galápagos Islands, with all necessary documentation and permits, including the Galápagos National Park Environmental License. It is SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) certified, complies with IMO (International Maritime Organization) regulations, and follows the ISM (International Safety Management) code to ensure passenger safety and environmental responsibility.
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