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Trip Details

Cachalote I - Sailing Vessel - 5 Star Service - Western Galapagos Cruise
Hiking, Photography, Snorkeling, Wildlife
Cruise 8 days - From $3,400 - $3,600

Ship Name: Cachalote I - Sailing Vessel - 16 passengers

Activities: Birding, Snorkeling, Wildlife ViewingWe strongly recommend two pre-cruise nights and one post-cruise night in Quito or Guayaquil. Please inquire about adding these or other services to your trip.

Testimonials     Ship types

 Galapagos Cruise - Cachalote I - Wester

Galapagos Cruise - Cachalote I - Wester
Galapagos Tours and Cruises aboard Cachalote I
Highlights

This sailing vessel offers good value for the quality of her programs.


Summary

The Galapagos Islands are considered one of the most spectacular and pristine National Parks in the world. Visitors delight in the abundant, unusual, and surprisingly approachable wildlife--from Galapagos giant tortoises to playful sea lions to the fascinating blue-footed boobies.

Itinerary

Trips start and end at the same place, but alternately weeks cruise a Westerly or Southern / Northern route.

 

Western Cruise - 8 Days
1: Baltra Island / Santa Cruz Island
2: Sombrero Chino / Rabida Island
3: Isabela Island
4: Isabela Island
5: Isabela Island
6: Isabela Island  / Fernandina Island
7: Santiago Island  / Bartolome Island
8: North Seymour Island / Baltara Island

Western Cruise

Day 1 -  Baltra Island / Santa Cruz Island
Arrive at Baltra Airport. The US army occupied Baltra Island island during World War II and built the first landing strip for jets, which is presently used for daily flights to and from the islands. Explore the highlands of Santa.

Day 2 - Sombrero Chino / Rabida Island

Sombrero Chino is a small volcanic island just off the southeast tip of Santiago. The name of the island describes the shape of the island. Fauna here includes Sea lions, marine iguanas and the Galapagos penguin. Rabida is a small island with a dark red coral sand beach. Highlights include a lagoon with flamingoes, pelican nesting site, sea lion bachelor colony, and a snorkeling site at the end of the beach.

Day 3 - Isabela Island

Isabela Island is the largest of the Galapagos Islands, formed by five active volcanoes fused together with Wolf Volcano being the highest point in the entire Galapagos at 1707 meters.

Today, visit Puerto Villamil, Tintoreras and Sierra Negra. Puerto Villamil is a charming small town on a white sand beach with highlights including the Tortoise Breeding Station and the flamingo lagoon. The islet Las Tintoreras is located south of Puerto Villamil. It has a small bay of completely calm waters inhabited by sea lions, sea turtles, marine iguanas, rays, and more. Volcano Sierra Negra has a caldera with a diameter of 10 kilometers. View recent lava flows, moist highland vegetation, and parasitic cones.

Day 4 - Isabela Island

Punta Moreno is located in the central southwestern coast of Isabela Island. The site has spectacular views of volcanoes Alcedo, Sierra Negra and Cerro Azul. Some highlights include impressive lava flows, desolate and pristine landscape, varied and unusual arid zone vegetation.

Elizabeth Bay is only accessible by dinghy. It is possible to see penguins on the small islets in the bay. The end of the bay is long and narrow surrounded by three species of mangroves. Galapagos sea turtles and rays can usually be seen in the water.

Day 5 - Isabela Island

Urbina Bay is located at the central-west coast of Isabela Island at the foothills of Alcedo and Darwin volcanoes. Highlights include the colorful land iguanas, Galapagos giant tortoises and the coral uplifting from 1954.

Tagus Cove is a natural harbor where centuries ago whalers and pirates left their ship's names painted or carved on the rocks. Enjoy a walk uphill to Darwin's Crater saltwater lake to see the excellent view.

Day 6 - Fernandina Island / Isabela Island

Fernandina is the youngest volcanic island and is still active. On explorations of Fernandina, visit 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, Galapagos hawk, Galapagos snake, among others.

Punta Vicente Roca at Isabela Island is a site 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 - Santiago Island / Bartolome Island

Santiago is located between Isabela and Santa Cruz Islands. This Island offers a wide variety of seabirds, marine iguanas and fur seals. At Puerto Egas, go on a walk along the rocky coast line that will show a view of some of Galapagos' best tide pools. Some highlights include Sugar loaf volcano, fur seals, oystercatchers, marine iguana colony, and old salt mine.

Later at Bartolome Island, go on a hike to the highest point on Bartolome for a spectacular view. Sea lions and penguins can be seen around Pinnacle Rock and there is a sandy beach with great swimming and snorkeling.

Day 8 - North Seymour Island / Baltra Island

This flat piece of land originated after an uplifting event thousands of years ago. The North Seymour Island is home to endemic Palo Santo trees, colonies of blue-footed boobies, swallow tailed gulls, and magnificent frigate birds. Disembark and travel to Baltra Airport for return flights.


Above rates are per person, based on double occupancy.

Additional Costs:
International Airfare
Galapagos Airfare (Quito or Guayaquil): approx. $450-$600 per person
Galapagos National Park Fee: $100 per adult; $50 per child under 12
Galapagos Transit Card: $20 per person
Fuel surcharge may apply

Single Rates: 1.5 times the regular rate. Please contact ExpeditionTrips.
Child Rate:
50% off the regular rate for children under 12 yrs (one child per adult). Excludes holiday departures.
Peak Season Supplement: An additional $130 per person on Christmas and New Year's departures

Low Season Dates: May 1 - Jun 15, Sep 1 - Oct 31, Dec 1-7
High Season Dates: Dec 8 - Apr 30, Jun 16 - Aug 31, Nov 1-30

We strongly recommend two pre-cruise nights and one post-cruise night in Quito or Guayaquil. Please inquire about adding these or other services to your trip.

Included:
Cabin accommodations aboard ship; all meals aboard ship; all shore activities and excursions; guide and lecture services; transfers and baggage handling between island airport and ship; fuel surcharge (subject to change).

Not Included:
Hotel nights before/after cruise; transfers in Quito or Guayaquil; Galapagos National Park entrance fee, USD$100 (children under 12 subtract $50), subject to change without notice; Galapagos Transit Card ($20 per person), subject to change; international airfare; airfare to/from Galapagos Islands; drinks aboard ship; gratuities are left to the discretion of the passenger; traveler’s insurance; wetsuits ($30 per person / week (for snorkeling use only); snorkeling gear ($10 per person / week (must be paid directly on board and in cash only).

Airfare between Quito/Guayaquil and the Galapagos Islands:
The flights between mainland Ecuador (Quito or Guayaquil) and the Galapagos Islands are an additional cost. To secure your seats on often overbooked flights, ExpeditionTrips must reserve these flights for you at the time of cruise booking. Approximate cost (including service fee): $450-$600 per adult; $250-$400 per child under 12 (copy of passport required).

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Galapagos Cruises
The following are representative, please use the form above to help us find your perfect trip
Trips leave year round

Santa Cruz - Southeastern
Expedition ship - families
90 passengers - 5 days
Santa Cruz - Northern
Expedition ship - families
90 passengers
5 days from $3,388
Santa Cruz - Southwestern
Expedition ship - families
90 passengers - 6 days
Celebrity Xpedition - Southeastern
Luxury vessel
Natural history "lite"
96 passengers - 11 days
Celebrity Xpedition - Southwestern
Luxury vessel
Natural history "lite"
96 passengers - 11 days
Galapagos Sky
Diving option
Dive boat
16 passengers
8 days from $5,695
Cachalote I - North-South
Small sailboat, ideal for charter
16 passengers
8 days from $3,400
Cachalote I - Western
Small sailboat, ideal for charter
16 passengers
8 days from $3,400
Eric / Letty
Northwestern Cruise
Motor Yachts, good guides, kayaking options
20 passengers
8 days from $4,500
Eric / Letty
Southern Cruise
Motor Yachts, good guides, kayaking options
20 passengers
8 days from $4,500
Recommended reading


Wildlife of the Galapagos



Galapagos: Islands Born of Fire



Ecuador and Galapagos
Adventure Map


More Galapagos Travel Books

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