9 days from £2,013This short cruise holiday just takes you to, from and around the Galápagos Islands, with a couple of days in Ecuador’s second city and chief port, Guayaquil, on the way. You maximise your time on a holiday of less than 2 weeks cruising through the archipelago, with 7 full days discovering the wildlife and unique volcanic and tropical landscapes of several contrasting islands.
The MV Cachalote is a small motor/sailboat offers guests a true seaborne experience in the Galápagos Islands, and will delight those who prefer economical accommodation and to feel close to the ocean than to enjoy luxurious amenities. She carries just 16 passengers in 8 compact cabins with bunk beds which nevertheless have private facilities, air-conditioning and 2 portholes each.
Meals are taken at communal tables in the simple dining room and there is a small saloon. The use of polished teak wood décor throughout adds to the cosy nautical ambience (there’s a bit of engine noise contributing to this feel). There is a crew of 6, including a cook and an English-speaking guide.
Suggested Holiday ItineraryDay 1: Arrive Guayaquil, Ecuador, 2 nights
Day 2: At leisure in Guayaquil
Day 3: Fly to Baltra Island in the Galápagos Islands, embark MV Cachalote.
Day 4-7: Explore the Galapagos Islands.
Day 8: Return to Santa Cruz and disembark. Fly to Guayaquil, overnight.
Day 9: Depart Guayaquil.View detailed itinerary >> Our comment
If you are short of time but would love to view the spectacular wild-life on the Galápagos Islands, this economical cruise, bookended with nights in Ecuador’s on-the-up second city Guayaquil is just the ticket.
Isabelle Mazille, Product Manager
For inspiration, read this article recently published in our Papagaio magazine:
The Really Wild Show: Journalist Christy Campbell takes his children on a voyage of discovery in the Galápagos Islands.
|  Bartolome Island, Galapagos
 Frigate bird, Galapagos
 Landing among the sealions, Galapagos
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