Have questions? We're here.
Cachalote Explorer

Private Charter - Western Islands Aboard Cachalote Explorer

Example 8 Day Cruise aboard Cachalote Explorer
Talk with an expert
Build your ideal Galapagos trip. Call 1.406.541.2677
Start Planning My Trip
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
Activities
Activity Level: Relaxed
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
0

Full Itinerary

Expand All

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

Crewed Charter Price starting at
$73,000
or $4,563 per person based on 16 max passengers
Cachalote Explorer
Cabin 1-2
Comfortable rooms featuring a matrimonial bed with individual climate controls and private bathrooms with hot and cold water.
Cachalote Explorer
Cabin 3-7
Comfortable rooms featuring a matrimonial bed with individual climate controls and private bathrooms with hot and cold water.
Cachalote Explorer
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.
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. Payable upon arrival to the Galapagos, only in cash dollars. Subject to increase by Galapagos Park Service.
  • Internal Flights: Mainland Ecuador - Galapagos - Mainland Ecuador: $475-675
  • Wetsuits are not included but are available to rent on board - $30/week per person.
  • Fuel Surcharge - to be invoiced separately

Map

When to Go

Inquire

* By providing your phone number, you consent to receive direct phone calls or SMS messages from our Trip Planners to get the process started. We do not share your information with third-parties.
Travel Agents

We Love to Talk Travel

Call 1.800.344.6118
or
Chat Now
Kate was great to work with in the planning stage. She was prompt, helpful, and efficient. Our tour guide, Edwin, was knowledgeable and passionate. We were very happy to have traveled with Adventure Life, it made the trip easy and a true pleasure. We could concentrate on enjoying the experience rather than the details of travel.
Lisa Bridge
More Reasons

Why Travel With Adventure Life

All News

Recognized By