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Cachalote Explorer

Private Charter - Western Islands Aboard Cachalote Explorer

Example 8 Day Cruise aboard Cachalote Explorer
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Embark on this exciting 8-day private tour of the Galapagos' wild west! Highlights of the west include beautiful Santa Cruz, wildlife-rich Isabela, cliff-laden Fernandina, and the amazing black beaches of Santiago. These islands are rich with an abundance of wildlife both in and out of the ocean including flamingos, iguanas, sea turtles, rays, and reef sharks. Enjoy the company of your private group of up to 16 guests and snorkel or hike across volcanic landscapes, making this a truly unique vacation.
Sleepy sea lion on a logKayaking Elizabeth's BaySally Lightfoot Crab on a rockFamily exploring from their Galapagos cruise shipCachalote Explorer
Highlights
  • Visit Isabela's Giant Tortoise Breeding Center
  • Explore Elizabeth Bay and search for marine turtles and sea lions
  • Take a hike around Bartolome during your private charter
  • Snorkel on the beautiful island of Isabela
Activity Level: Variable
Activity options vary depending on destination and operator. Activity level is determined by the range and intensity of activities you choose to participate in. Discuss with your Trip Planner which options are best for you.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Baltra | Santa Cruz | Embark

Arrive at Baltra airport. Galapagos giant tortoises can be seen in the wild in the Highlands of Santa Cruz. 

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.
Activities: Walking

Day 2: Chinese Hat | Rábida

Chinese Hat or 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 includes Sea lions, marine iguanas, and the Galapagos penguin.
Activities: Walking, Kayaking, Panga ride, Snorkeling

Rábida Island is a small island with a dark red coral sand beach. Highlights include the lagoon with flamingoes, a pelican nesting site, a sea lion bachelor colony, and a snorkeling site at the end of the beach.
Activities: Walking, Kayaking, Panga ride, Snorkeling

Day 3: Isabela Island

Isabela Island (Albemarle) 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.

Volcan Sierra Negra has a caldera with a diameter of 10km. View recent lava flows, moist highland vegetation, and parasitic cones.
Activities: Walking

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.
Activities: Walking

Day 4: Isabela

Punta Moreno is located on 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 landscapes, and varied and unusual arid zone vegetation.
Activities: Walking, Panga ride, Snorkeling

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.
Activities: Panga ride

Day 5: Isabela

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

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.
Activities: Walking, Kayaking, Panga ride, Snorkeling

Day 6: Fernandina | Isabela

Fernandina is the youngest volcanic island and is still active.

Punta Espinoza is 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, and Galapagos snake, among others.
Activities: Walking, Snorkeling

Punta Vicente Roca 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.
Activities: Panga ride, Snorkeling

Day 7: Santiago | Bartolomé

Santiago (James) Island is located between Isabela and Santa Cruz Islands. This Island offers a wide variety of seabirds, marine iguanas, and fur seals.

Puerto Egas, a walk along the rocky coastline that will you show you a view of some of the Galapagos’ best tide pools. Some highlights include: Sugar loaf volcano, fur seals, oystercatchers, a marine iguana colony, and an old salt mine
Activities: Walking, Snorkeling
 
On 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.
Activities: Walking, Panga ride, Snorkeling

Day 8: North Seymour | Baltra | Disembark

  • 1 Breakfast
North Seymour Island is a flat piece of land that originated after an uplifting event thousands of years ago. The island is home to endemic Palo Santo trees, colonies of blue-footed boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, and magnificent frigate birds.
Activities: Walking, Panga ride

Return flight from Baltra to Quito.

Ship/Hotel

Cachalote Explorer

Cachalote Explorer
Cachalote Explorer
Cachalote Explorer

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

  • Jun 26, 2025from $6,650Northern Islands
  • Jul 1, 2025from $5,350Southern Islands
  • Jul 5, 2025from $6,650Western Islands
  • Jul 10, 2025from $6,650Northern Islands
  • Jul 15, 2025from $5,350Southern Islands
  • Jul 19, 2025from $6,650Western Islands
  • Jul 24, 2025from $6,650Northern Islands
  • Jul 29, 2025from $5,350Southern Islands
  • Aug 2, 2025from $6,650Western Islands
  • Aug 7, 2025from $6,650Northern Islands
  • Aug 12, 2025from $5,350Southern Islands
  • Aug 16, 2025from $6,650Western Islands
  • Aug 21, 2025from $6,650Northern Islands
  • Aug 26, 2025from $5,350Southern Islands
  • Aug 30, 2025from $6,650Western Islands
  • Sep 4, 2025from $6,650Northern Islands
  • Sep 9, 2025from $5,350Southern Islands
  • Sep 13, 2025from $6,650Western Islands
  • Sep 18, 2025from $6,650Northern Islands
  • Sep 23, 2025from $5,350Southern Islands
  • Sep 27, 2025from $6,650Western Islands
  • Oct 2, 2025from $6,650Northern Islands
  • Oct 7, 2025from $5,350Southern Islands
  • Oct 11, 2025from $6,650Western Islands
  • Oct 16, 2025from $6,650Northern Islands
  • Oct 21, 2025from $5,350Southern Islands
  • Oct 25, 2025from $6,650Western Islands
  • Oct 30, 2025from $6,650Northern Islands
  • Nov 4, 2025from $5,350Southern Islands
  • Nov 8, 2025from $6,650Western Islands
  • Nov 13, 2025from $6,650Northern Islands
  • Nov 18, 2025from $5,350Southern Islands
  • Nov 22, 2025from $6,650Western Islands
  • Nov 27, 2025from $6,650Northern Islands
  • Dec 2, 2025from $5,350Southern Islands
  • Dec 6, 2025from $6,650Western Islands
  • Dec 11, 2025from $6,650Northern Islands
  • Dec 16, 2025from $5,350Southern Islands
  • Dec 20, 2025from $9,975Western Islands
  • Dec 25, 2025from $9,975Northern Islands
  • Dec 30, 2025from $8,025Southern Islands
  • Jan 3, 2026from $7,100Western Islands
  • Jan 8, 2026from $7,100Northern Islands
  • Jan 13, 2026from $5,700Southern Islands
  • Jan 17, 2026from $7,100Western Islands
  • Jan 22, 2026from $7,100Northern Islands
  • Jan 27, 2026from $5,700Southern Islands
  • Jan 31, 2026from $7,100Western Islands
  • Feb 5, 2026from $7,100Northern Islands
  • Feb 10, 2026from $5,700Southern Islands
  • Feb 14, 2026from $7,100Western Islands
  • Feb 19, 2026from $7,100Northern Islands
  • Feb 24, 2026from $5,700Southern Islands
  • Feb 28, 2026from $7,100Western Islands
  • Mar 5, 2026from $7,100Northern Islands
  • Mar 10, 2026from $5,700Southern Islands
  • Mar 14, 2026from $7,100Western Islands
  • Mar 19, 2026from $7,100Northern Islands
  • Mar 24, 2026from $5,700Southern Islands
  • Mar 28, 2026from $7,100Western Islands
  • Apr 2, 2026from $7,100Northern Islands
  • Apr 7, 2026from $5,700Southern Islands
  • Apr 11, 2026from $7,100Western Islands
  • Apr 16, 2026from $7,100Northern Islands
  • Apr 21, 2026from $5,700Southern Islands
  • Apr 25, 2026from $7,100Western Islands
  • Apr 30, 2026from $7,100Northern Islands
  • May 5, 2026from $5,700Southern Islands
  • May 9, 2026from $7,100Western Islands
  • May 14, 2026from $7,100Northern Islands
  • May 19, 2026from $5,700Southern Islands
  • May 23, 2026from $7,100Western Islands
  • May 28, 2026from $7,100Northern Islands
  • Jun 2, 2026from $5,700Southern Islands
  • Jun 6, 2026from $7,100Western Islands
  • Jun 11, 2026from $7,100Northern Islands
  • Jun 16, 2026from $5,700Southern Islands
  • Jun 20, 2026from $7,100Western Islands
  • Jun 25, 2026from $7,100Northern Islands
  • Jun 30, 2026from $5,700Southern Islands
  • Jul 4, 2026from $7,100Western Islands
  • Jul 9, 2026from $7,100Northern Islands
  • Jul 14, 2026from $5,700Southern Islands
  • Jul 18, 2026from $7,100Western Islands
  • Jul 23, 2026from $7,100Northern Islands
  • Jul 28, 2026from $5,700Southern Islands
  • Aug 1, 2026from $7,100Western Islands
  • Aug 6, 2026from $7,100Northern Islands
  • Aug 11, 2026from $5,700Southern Islands
  • Aug 15, 2026from $7,100Western Islands
  • Oct 1, 2026from $7,100Northern Islands
  • Oct 6, 2026from $5,700Southern Islands
  • Oct 10, 2026from $7,100Western Islands
  • Oct 15, 2026from $7,100Northern Islands
  • Oct 20, 2026from $5,700Southern Islands
  • Oct 24, 2026from $7,100Western Islands
  • Nov 3, 2026from $5,700Southern Islands
  • Nov 7, 2026from $7,100Western Islands
  • Nov 12, 2026from $7,100Northern Islands
  • Nov 17, 2026from $5,700Southern Islands
  • Nov 21, 2026from $7,100Western Islands
  • Nov 26, 2026from $7,100Northern Islands
  • Dec 1, 2026from $5,700Southern Islands
  • Dec 5, 2026from $7,100Western Islands
  • Dec 10, 2026from $7,100Northern Islands
  • Dec 15, 2026from $5,700Southern Islands
  • Dec 19, 2026from $10,650Western Islands
  • Dec 24, 2026from $10,650Northern Islands
  • Dec 29, 2026from $8,550Southern Islands
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Available departures
Selected departure
Deal available

Deals

Special Offer 28187
Promotional rates are available on select departures for a limited time. These offers cannot be combined with other discounts and are only valid on new bookings.  Additional restrictions may apply, please discuss with your trip planner about applicable dates and cabin types.
Applies to select departures

Crewed Charter Price starting at
$6,650
or $4,938 per person based on 16 max passengers
Cachalote Explorer
Select a Date
Cabin 1-2
Comfortable rooms featuring a matrimonial bed with individual climate controls and private bathrooms with hot and cold water.
Cachalote Explorer
Select a Date
Cabin 3-7
Comfortable rooms featuring a matrimonial bed with individual climate controls and private bathrooms with hot and cold water.
Cachalote Explorer
Select a Date
Cabin 8
Comfortable room featuring a matrimonial bed with individual climate controls and private bathrooms with hot and cold water.

Child Discount

50% discount for children under age 12 at time of Galapagos cruise. Child discounts are conditional and may not apply on certain departures. Please contact us for more information.

Children under 12 may receive discounts on Galapagos flight fares and entrance fees. Contact us for details.
Included
  • 7 Breakfasts, 7 Lunches, 7 Dinners
  • 7 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • Bilingual Naturalist Guide 
  • Adventure Life Pre-departure Services and In-Country Assistance (Quito Representative)
  • Shore Excursions, Swimming and Snorkeling 
  • Transfers and Baggage Handling in the Galapagos
  • Snorkeling and kayaking equipment is included in the cruise cost and available for your use on board.
  • Short wetsuits
Excluded
  • Gratuities
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Galapagos Park Entrance Fee: $200 per adult, $100 per child under 12. Subject to increase by Galapagos Park Service.
  • Internal Flights: Mainland Ecuador - Galapagos - Mainland Ecuador: $475-675
  • Fuel Surcharge - to be invoiced separately

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Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
Meyer Smolen

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