CNH Tours - Cultural and Natural Heritage Tours Galapagos

The Samba is not available in April / May 2026 - a very nice time to be in Galapagos.  It's the tail end of the hot season - conditions are still warm, but not so much, and vegetation is still verdant.  In an effort to give our guests the "Active Galapagos" experience during this time of year, we've chartered a very similar ship, the Cachalote Explorer.   

You'll find all the details below.  

1. Ship Description

2. Pricing

3. Deck Plan and Photos

4. Itineraries

 

1. SHIP DESCRIPTION

Originally built in 1988 in Vancouver, Canada, this large and spacious motor yacht was converted into a passenger vessel in the early 2000’s.  This Galapagos cruise ship can accommodate 16 passengers in 8 cabins each with their own private bathroom equipped with hot & cold water shower, and individually air-conditioned. The Cachalote Explorer has a large salon & dining area with multiple large deck areas for relaxing, eating and socializing. 

This charming and comfortable yacht was built for the rough waters of the Canadian West Coast, so it will provide a stable, smooth and relaxing ride while on your beautiful Galapagos expedition on a small ship tour. 

 

2. PRICES

Upper deck cabins (larger windows):  US$6,978 / person, shared

Cabin 1:  Lower queen bed, lower and upper single beds 

Cabin 2:  Lower queen bed, upper singled bed.  

Lower deck cabins (porthholes) #3-7:  US$6,718 / person, shared

Cabin 3: Lower and upper single 

Cabin 4 & 7: Lower double, upper single

Cabins 5 & 6: Lower queen

Smaller lower deck cabin (porthole): US$6,418 / person, shared

Cabin 8:  Lower and upper single.  Sink is in the room.  

 

 

3. DECK PLAN AND PHOTOS

  

 

Cabin #1

Cabin #2

Cabin #3

Cabins 4 & 7

Cabins 5 & 6

Cabin 8

4a. FERNANDINA ITINERARY

 

DAY 1:  MONDAY, QUITO ARRIVAL

Mama Cuchara hotel check-in.  Free evening for those arriving earlier.

DAY 2: TUESDAY, COLONIAL CITY TOUR

After breakfast at the hotel, you'll get the chance to visit Quito's historic centre.  The government of Ecuador and the City government have invested a lot over the past decade and transformed to old city centre into a delightful place to discover history and architecture, along with the opportunity to see Ecuadorians out and about in town.    Historic Quito was inscribed onto the World Heritage list at the same time as Galapagos, in 1978 (see http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/2 for more details).   If the morning's sky is particularly clear, we will arrange for a trip on the cable car up to Pichincha volcano, where you should be able to enjoy breathtaking views of the Quito valley below and surrounding snow capped volcanoes.  Lunch is provided in a tasty local restaurant.   You'll be back at the hotel in time for a quiet late afternoon.  Free evening - local restaurants abound.

 

DAY 3: WEDNESDAY, FLIGHT TO GALAPAGOS / SANTA CRUZ ISLAND

Santa Cruz Island

• Highlands of Santa Cruz: Galapagos giant tortoises can be seen in the wild in the highlands of Santa Cruz

• Charles Darwin Station: Visit the Charles Darwin Station is a research facility and National Park Information center. The Charles Darwin Station has a giant tortoise and land iguana breeding program and interpretation center. 

DAY 4: THURSDAY, SOMBRERO CHINO / RÁBID ISLAND

Sombrero Chino (Chinese Hat) 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 includes Sea lions, marine iguanas and the Galapagos penguin. 

Rábida (Jervis): Rábida is a small island with a dark red coral sand beach. Highlights include the lagoon with flamingoes, pelican nesting site, sea lion bachelor colony, and a snorkeling site at the end of the beach. 

DAY 5: FRIDAY ISABELA ISLAND

Isabela Island (Albemarle): Isabela 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.

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

• Puerto Villamil: 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. 

DAY 6: SATURDAY, ISABELA ISLAND

Isabela Island (Albemarle)

• Punta Moreno: 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: This spot 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 7: SUNDAY, ISABELA ISLAND

Isabela Island (Albemarle)

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

• Tagus Cove: 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. 

DAY 8: MONDAY, FERNANDINA ISLAND / ISABELA ISALND

Fernandina Island: Fernandina is the youngest volcanic island and is still active.

• Punta Espinoza: 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, Galapagos snake, among others. 

Isabela Island

• Punta Vicente Roca: This site 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. 

DAY 9: TUESDAY, SANTIAGO ISLAND / BARTOLOME ISLAND

James (Santiago) Island: This 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 coast line that will you show you 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 

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.

DAY 10: WEDNESDAY, NORTH SEYMOUR ISLAND, DISEMBARKATION, SANTA CRUZ ISLAND

North Seymour Island: This flat piece of land 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.

After 8 very busy days on the ship, take the time now to unwind a bit, find your land legs again and get to know the people side of Galapagos.  Farmers, shop keepers, restaurant owners, mothers and fathers, children in school uniforms all trying to get by on this remote archipelago, so far from the rest of the world.  These next two days will give you a chance to mingle, to see what life is all about in Galapagos.

Today, you'll visit the Highlands of Santa Cruz island. At 1800 feet (550 metres) the greenery offers the opportunity to admire the remnant of a Galapagos mature forest. The broccoli shaped Daisy trees of the genus Scalesia decorate a couple of extraordinary geological formations. Known as "Los Gemelos", these twin collapsed craters and their surroundings are the home of many Darwin's finches, mocking birds, vermillion flycatcher and a wonderful diversity of indigenous plants.  If anyone is leaving the trip at this point, they will be taken to the airport.  

After lunch in the highlands, we'll head down to Puerto Ayora to check into your comfortable hotel. You'll have the chance to visit the Darwin Station with your guide - a 20 minute walk from your hotel - otherwise, enjoy a free afternoon and explore the town.

DAY 11:  THURSDAY, SANTA CRUZ / PUERTO AYORA (FREE DAY)

You'll have a full day to do what you want - here is a list of options and you'll have the services of a guide to help you out.  You may want to just mosey around town - poke your head into different shops, check out the activity at the main pier, stop for a coffee or a cold drink, and spend a bit of time sourcing a suitable establishment for lunch.    Join the group for a farewell to Galapagos dinner in the evening.

DAY 12:  THURSDAY, BACK TO QUITO

We'll take an early morning bus back to Baltra, and board our flight to Quito.  We should be arriving at Quito airport later in  the afternoon, at which point the trip ends.  If you have an outgoing international flight departing later that night (after 9PM), you will have time for the connection. 

 

4b.  TOWER ITINERARY

 

DAY 1:  MONDAY, QUITO ARRIVAL

Mama Cuchara hotel check-in.  Free evening for those arriving earlier.

DAY 2: TUESDAY, COLONIAL CITY TOUR

After breakfast at the hotel, you'll get the chance to visit Quito's historic centre.  The government of Ecuador and the City government have invested a lot over the past decade and transformed to old city centre into a delightful place to discover history and architecture, along with the opportunity to see Ecuadorians out and about in town.    Historic Quito was inscribed onto the World Heritage list at the same time as Galapagos, in 1978 (see http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/2 for more details).   If the morning's sky is particularly clear, we will arrange for a trip on the cable car up to Pichincha volcano, where you should be able to enjoy breathtaking views of the Quito valley below and surrounding snow capped volcanoes.  Lunch is provided in a tasty local restaurant.   You'll be back at the hotel in time for a quiet late afternoon.  Free evening - local restaurants abound.

DAY 3:  WEDNESDAY, SANTA CRUZ  (INDEFATIGABLE)

Early AM flight to Galpagos - arrive at Baltra Airport / Santa Cruz Island 

Santa Cruz Island

• Highlands of Santa Cruz: Galapagos giant tortoises can be seen in the wild in the highlands of Santa Cruz

• Charles Darwin Station: Visit the Charles Darwin Station is a research facility and National Park Information center. The Charles Darwin Station has a giant tortoise and land iguana breeding program and interpretation center. 

DAY 4: THURSDAY, SOUTH PLAZA / SANTA FE

South Plaza Island: Plazas consists of two very small islands that were uplifted from the sea, separated by a channel. Only South Plazas has a visitor site. The highlights include tall Opuntia cactus, land and marine iguanas, rocky cliff that looks out towards open ocean which is also a nesting site for red-billed tropic birds and gulls, and a seal lion bachelor colony.

Santa Fe Island: Santa Fe is a smaller island of 24 km2. The visitor site Santa Fe is located on the northeast end of the island. Highlights include Santa Fe land iguanas, pelican nesting site, sea lion colony, mockingbird, and Palo Santo trees.

DAY 5: FRIDAY, San Cristóbal Island 

San Cristóbal Island (Chatham): San Cristóbal is the easternmost island of Galapagos and also one of the oldest.

• Witch Hill: Witch Hill (Cerro Brujo) is a volcanic cone that looks over a beautiful white sandy beach which has plenty of sea lions, pelicans, blue-footed boobies, waders and marine iguanas.

• Galapaguera & El Junco: The lagoon is the only fresh water reservoir in Galapagos and has great views from its altitude of 700m in the highlands of San Cristóbal. Rainwater has collected in the caldera for hundreds of years and formed this lagoon.

  Galapaguera is a good area to see tortoises in their natural environment. 

DAY 6:  SATURDAY, ESPAÑOLA ISLAND 

Española is the oldest of the Southern Islands and is the southernmost in the archipelago. Because of its remote location a unique range of endemic species evolved here

• Gardner Bay: Located on the northeast of the island, the site has a long and beautiful white sand beach inhabited by sea lion colonies.

• Islote Garnder and Islote Osborn: These islets are snorkeling sites where visitors will see an abundance of tropical fish, reef sharks, and turtles.

• Punta Suarez: The wildlife at Punta Suarez is plentiful and varied. Along the cliff visitors can enjoy the blowhole where seawater is forced about 20m into the air. The highlights are the Waved albatross (April-Dec) that are only found on Hood, Galapagos Hawks, blue-footed boobies, Nasca boobies, and Española lava lizards. 

DAY 7, SUNDAY, FLOREANA ISLAND

 

Floreana Island: Floreana is best known for its colorful history of buccaneers, whalers, convicts, and early colonists.

• Punta Cormorant: Punta Cormorant has two contrasting beaches and a large inland lagoon where pink flamingoes can be seen.

• Devil’s Crown: This is a snorkeling site located just off Punta Cormorant. The site is a completely submerged volcano that has eroded to create the appearance of a jagged crown.

• Post Office Bay: This is one of the few sites visited for its human history. Visit the wooden mail barrel where letters are dropped off and picked up and remains of the Norwegian fishing village. 

DAY 8: MONDAY, SANTA CRUZ ISLAND / SANTIAGO ISLAND

Santa Cruz Island (Indefatigable): Dragon Hill is located in the northwestern side of Santa Cruz Island. Some highlights include small lagoons with flamingos, Palo Santo trees, and Opuntia cactus.

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

• Sullivan Bay: This site is of great geological interest. Highlights: 100 hundred year old lava flow field, pahoehoe formations, and lava bubbles. 

DAY 9:  TUESDAY, GENOVESA ISLAND

Tower Island (Genovesa): Tower is an eroded flat volcanic island, with a natural harbor, which is actually the submerged caldera of this volcanic island.

• El Barranco: There is a good possibility of seeing the unique “Short eared owl” at this site. During the dinghy rides along the cliffs fur seals and several species of seabirds can be spotted.

• Darwin Bay: The steep cliffs off this area dominate the island. This area is home to thousands of frigate birds, red-footed boobies, Noddy terns, lava gulls, tropicbirds, doves, storm petrels and Darwin’s finches. 

DAY 10: WEDNESDAY, DAPHNE MAJOR ISLAND / DISEMBARKATION / SANTA CRUZ ISLAND

Daphne Mayor is a small tuff cone island where many species of birds nest. Famous for a 20 year study of Darwin’s Finches conducted by Peter and Rosemary Grant. During the circumnavigation you will see blue-footed boobies, nasca boobies, red-billed tropicbirds and other sea life. 

We head back to Baltra for disembarkation.  After 8 very busy days on the ship, take the time now to unwind a bit, find your land legs again and get to know the people side of Galapagos.  Farmers, shop keepers, restaurant owners, mothers and fathers, children in school uniforms all trying to get by on this remote archipelago, so far from the rest of the world.  These next two days will give you a chance to mingle, to see what life is all about in Galapagos.

Today, you'll visit the Highlands of Santa Cruz island. At 1800 feet (550 metres) the greenery offers the opportunity to admire the remnant of a Galapagos mature forest. The broccoli shaped Daisy trees of the genus Scalesia decorate a couple of extraordinary geological formations. Known as "Los Gemelos", these twin collapsed craters and their surroundings are the home of many Darwin's finches, mocking birds, vermillion flycatcher and a wonderful diversity of indigenous plants.  If anyone is leaving the trip at this point, they will be taken to the airport.  

After lunch in the highlands, we'll head down to Puerto Ayora to check into your comfortable hotel. You'll have the chance to visit the Darwin Station with your guide - a 20 minute walk from your hotel - otherwise, enjoy a free afternoon and explore the town.

DAY 11:  THURSDAY, SANTA CRUZ / PUERTO AYORA (FREE DAY)

You'll have a full day to do what you want - here is a list of options and you'll have the services of a guide to help you out.  You may want to just mosey around town - poke your head into different shops, check out the activity at the main pier, stop for a coffee or a cold drink, and spend a bit of time sourcing a suitable establishment for lunch.    Join the group for a farewell to Galapagos dinner in the evening.

DAY 12:  THURSDAY, BACK TO QUITO

We'll take an early morning bus back to Baltra, and board our flight to Quito.  We should be arriving at Quito airport later in  the afternoon, at which point the trip ends.  If you have an outgoing international flight departing later that night (after 9PM), you will have time for the connection.