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Cachalote Explorer Galapagos Cruise

Cachalote Explorer Galápagos Cruise

Wonderful conversion, one-of-a-kind

A Galápagos Cruise on board the Cachalote Explorer

17 Reviews

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What we love about the Cachalote Explorer

A unique conversion for Galápagos

Spacious cabins, best-in-class

Excellent stability, built for Canadian seas

Choice of 6-, 8-, or 15-day itineraries

Cachalote Explorer Galapagos Cruise
Cachalote Explorer Galapagos Cruise
Cachalote Explorer Galapagos 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!

Dates & Prices on board the Cachalote Explorer

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Amenities on board the Cachalote Explorer

transfer

Transfers to and from ship

snorkeling

Snorkel gear (free of charge)

footprint

Travel for good: Your Each booking contributes to Ventura’s Conservation Project.

drinks

Water, Coffee, Tea & fresh juices

wetsuit

Wetsuits

EN guide

English guides

shared bedroom

Single travellers can share cabin

single bed

Single cabin without supplement

meal

All meals

kayak

Kayaks on board

air conditioning

Air conditioning & private bathroom

children

-50% for children ≤ 12

Food & Drinks on board the Cachalote Explorer

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.

Sustainable Tourism

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.

Our commitment extends beyond the mandatory environmental standards for cruise vessels in the region: A portion of your trip price now contributes to our Conservation Project. This initiative empowers local communities to protect their territory, engage in reforestation, and prepare for long-term environmental stewardship. This way, your trip contributes to environmental protection and truly shows how travel can be a force for good! 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.

Cabins categories on board the Cachalote Explorer

Triple
Lower Deck (Cabins 3, 4, 5, 6 & 7)

Type:

Twins

Max. occupancy:

3

More about this cabin

Upper Deck
Upper Deck (Cabins 1 & 2)

Type:

Triple

Max. occupancy:

3

More about this cabin

Bathroom
Lower Deck (Cabin 8)

Type:

Twins

Max. occupancy:

2

More about this cabin

Technical details of Cachalote Explorer

Category
Premium
Type
Small Yacht
Length
88 ft.
Electricity
110V
Cruising speed
8 kt.
Beam
24 ft.
Capacity
16

Reviews of Cachalote Explorer

client

Diederik Quint

Cachalote Explorer Galapagos Cruise

Premium

Took a fabulous 8-day cruise aboard the Cachalote Explorer that I would easily rate a 5-star experience. Great crew and excellent cook! I booked thru Galapagostours.com as I found their website the easiest to use and most detailed with respect to information on ships, the islands, animals and itineraries. And Tom was always available when I had additional questions about my booking. Highly recommend you use them!

Mona R.

Cachalote Explorer Galapagos Cruise

Premium

Eine wunderbare Erfahrung Hallo Babett, Ich wollte kurz Rückmeldung zu unserer Cruise mit der Cachalote Explorer geben: Es hat uns super gut gefallen und wir sind sehr froh, dass wir das gemacht haben! Sowohl das Schiff, als auch Crew, Guide und Route waren wirklich top. Eine tolle Erfahrung und so viele außergewöhnliche Eindrücke! Vielen Dank auch nochmals an dich für die super Unterstützung bei der sehr kurzfristigen Buchung, es hat ja dann noch alles wunderbar geklappt. Auch die Abholung am Pier am ersten Tag war tip top auf die Minute pünktlich. :-) Liebe Grüße, Mona

erj939

Cachalote Explorer Galapagos Cruise

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Fabulous trip! I also travelled on the Cachelote in summer 2017 and it was a fabulous trip. The captain and crew were amazing and our whole group really jelled and it felt like we were one big family. I have some fantastic memories of cruising along with the sails up while being used as target practice by the frigate birds, and spending some time with a magnificent blue whate. As for the Galápagos Islands as a whole, they are amazing, and a visit should be on everyone's bucket list! Feedback from: https://goo.gl/K6oXxS

Love2roam_uk

Cachalote Explorer Galapagos Cruise

Premium

Very recommendable I have just returned from a 8 day trip on the Cachalote. I cannot speak too highly for the Captain and his crew and in particular Juan Tapia our local Guide, he was a great naturalist and leader. He really looked after us and was a great fund of knowledge of the wildlife and ecology of the area having lived there for 23 years. We were a private party of birders and photographers and our itinerary was very similar to that on offer except we visited Espangola for the breeding Waved Albatross. They only have a limited breeding season so it is quite likely your proposed trip is outside their breeding season. We did make several landings on Isobela but not as many as on the proposed trip. One of the landings just below Carro Azul was one of the highlights of the trip for me since the point of our lading was barren lava rock which was just 300 years old. In this moonscape scenery you could see the begins of plant life in the catcus and mangrove growing. A really awesome landscape. As with all yatches cabin space was rather limited and you really need to know your partner to share a cabin! I was lucky in having booked a single berth I was allocated Cabin 8 which is on the top deck and tbe most spacious. Comments has been made in other Reviews regarding the food on the Cachalote. Although in no way can it be considered high cuisine I found it plentiful, varied , well cooked, mainly using local produce. Considering the limited space available for the chef he worked wonders. Excellent service. The Galapagos had been on my wish list for many years and it lived fully up to my expectations I can highly recommend the crew of the Cachalote. Feedback from: https://goo.gl/NbX6eB

HappyTravelsLondon

Cachalote Explorer Galapagos Cruise

Premium

I'd happily book the Cachalote again I've just returned from the Galapagos and spent 7 days on the Cachalote. Had a fabulous time, and couldn't fault the boat. As you'd expect for a boat of that size the cabins are small but perfectly adequate (you're only in them to sleep or shower anyway). The crew looked after us really well - nothing was too much trouble - and in particular the chef produced fab meals from a tiny galley. Our guide Santiago was really good (although I think he also works on other boats too). If I'm ever lucky enough to go back to Galapagos I'd happily book on the Cachalote again. Feedback from: https://goo.gl/K6oXxS

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