Cachalote Explorer Galápagos Cruise

We love the concept of Cachalote Explorer! Take a rugged, stable and strong Canadian fishing boat, bring it to Galápagos, spend a fortune on a bespoke conversion, and and the end result is a stunning new first-class addition to the fleet, launching for summer 2018.

• A unique conversion for Galápagos
• Spacious cabins, best-in-class
• Excellent stability, built for Canadian seas
• Choice of 6-, 8-, or 15-day itineraries

Superb, brand-new accommodation Cachalote Explorer has some of the most innovative and beautiful bedrooms we've seen in a boat of this class in Galápagos to date. The design and finish of her internal spaces has to be seen to be believed. It's almost a miracle that this was a working fishing boat. Her cabins are beautifully decorated, with modern design, furniture and fittings. Her private en-suite bathrooms feature beautiful "floating" washbasins, exquisite wood panelling, and superb showers with state-of-the-art fittings. She offers a choice of cabins with double beds, twins, and bunks to give you a wide selection.

Each cabin features traditional portholes and full airconditioning, and you'll enjoy more space than many of the purpose-built ships of this class in the Galápagos cruise fleet!

Communal areas are equally generous, and with a maximum of only 16 guests onboard there's a real feeling of space, particularly in the saloon which is almost the full width of the ship. This is also where you eat with your fellow adventurers, enjoying excellent meals from the ship's head chef who delights in showing you local, regional and international delicacies using the best Galápagos ingredients.

There's a lot of outside space on the Cachalote Explorer, which means it's easy to find a quiet spot to enjoy some quiet downtime, or quietly sip a drink as the stars come out. There is an open upper deck for soaking up the equatorial sun, as well as a shaded main aft deck if you want to keep your cool. There's also a forward viewing deck at the bow - perfect for spotting whales and dolphins as you cruise.

See the best of Galápagos As well as the careful thought that went into the design of her refit no less care has been taken in designing her Galápagos itineraries. Cachalote Explorer offers two different 7-night itineraries and 2 different 5-night itineraries. This means that however long you have to spend in the Galápagos, you can enjoy a superb wildlife experience.

There is even the option to combine the 2 longer itineraries into one remarkable 14-night/15 day Galápagos trip of a lifetime. On a vessel with this much space and with only 16 guests maximum, a two-week trip is as comfortable and relaxing as one.

Because she is only 88ft long, Cachalote Explorer can weigh anchor in smaller, more select coves and inlets than other larger boats in her class. You can choose from her "Tower" and "Fernandina" itineraries - the former concentrates on central, northern and southern islands, while the latter has a focus on the west and central Galápagos islands. If you need help to choose which is right for you, don't hesitate to speak to one of our expert travel advisors!

Our comments We love the uniqueness of Cachalote Explorer. Her former life as a fishing boat means she was the perfect blank canvass to turn into a spacious, modern and beautiful first-class Galápagos cruise ship. We think it's lovely that her designers left the crane in place on the rear deck as a reminder of her heritage. As well as her remarkable space and brand new interiors, we're really impressed with the design of her itineraries, and if you have the time to take it, we can thoroughly recommend her 15-day combined trip. Truly a Galápagos cruise of a lifetime!

At Galapatours we love and respect the pristine ecosystems and fascinating wildlife of the Galápagos Islands, and we insist that our cruise partners do too. To protect the archipelago all our cruise vessels must have sophisticated water filtration systems, modern efficient engines, and strict maintenance schedules to minimize pollution.

The Galápagos National Park authority also defines exact cruising routes that dictate which ships can visit highlights at specific times, as well as limiting passenger numbers. These measures ensure that animals and habitats are not disturbed by too many visitors.

But at Galapatours we like to go even further. We voluntarily offset all the CO2 emissions of every cruise we sell - at no cost to you. And you can also play your part by traveling responsibly and following our Eco Guidelines during your stay. Click here to find out more about these guidelines, our commitment to sustainable tourism, and the Galápagos National Park rules.

The food on our Galapágos Cruises is among the very best you will find in South America. Most of the on-board chefs are internationally trained and have prior experience working in the best hotels and restaurants in Ecuador and indeed around the world.

You can expect a first-class selection of food, including a good variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, locally sourced poultry and fish/seafood, rice and pasta dishes. Most boats will always include some typical Ecuadorian dishes on the menu during your cruise. If you have specific dietary requirements then these can usually be accommodated by the chef providing you have given advance notice. Please make sure you tell us about any allergies or dietary requirements you have at the time you book with us. If you leave it until you arrive at the dockside, then it may well be impossible to accommodate your needs.

Most boats serve a range of options at meal times in a relaxed buffet-style. At the first class and luxury end of the market, some boats have more formal dining where you will be served at your seat. However the atmosphere is always relaxed on board our cruises, and never stuffy or formal.