Cachalote

Cachalote is a schooner rigged motor sailor, rebuilt in 2002. This charming yacht is perfect for small groups and those who prefer the intimacy and flexibility of a small yacht. On Cachalote’s three wooden decks you can relax and enjoy the wildlife, soak up the equatorial sun, read or socialize. You receive excellent personalized service from the staff who cater to your comfort. The experienced English-speaking naturalist guide leads all island excursions, imparting his/her vast knowledge of the unique animal and plant species as well as the geology. At night you’ll sleep comfortably in one of the seven cabins with upper/lower berths with private showers and air conditioning, or in the matrimonial cabin. Since Cachalote is a smaller yacht, it can go to some of the best sites, some of which are closed to the large yachts. Cachalote is an excellent choice for those looking for a small group and relaxed atmosphere.

Use these Activity Level Ratings as a general guide to help determine which of our adventures is best for you. Your perception of level of difficulty may vary from ours according to your own level of fitness and travel experience. Whether or not you stay in your comfort zone on the trip you select may also be influenced by the pacing we build into the itinerary, and your own preparation for the trip. While relatively high elevations are unavoidable when you're traveling in the Andes Mountains, we may judge a trip as "moderate" so long as passengers have sufficient time for acclimation. Our detailed trip itineraries give much more information about what you can expect. If you are unsure which trip is best for you, please call us. We'll help guide you toward the right fit.

Moderate

These adventures involve fairly easy travel. There is no camping: you sleep in hotels and country inns each evening. Trips may include short hikes and/or walks of two to three hours. Our itineraries include excursions in passenger mini-vans, over roads with many curves and potholes. Elevations rarely exceed 12,600'. At Machu Picchu and other Inca sites, we climb and descend relatively steep stone staircases. Trips to Amazon lodges involve travel by boat and canoe, plus hikes on forest trails at a moderate pace. In the rainforest, you may encounter rain, mud, and pooled water. Trips to the Galapagos include optional hikes on sometimes uneven rocky and/or slippery terrain. Passengers must get into and out of dinghies on beaches and at docks.

Active

These adventures include more hiking than in our moderate trips. You negotiate a variety of terrain, at elevations no more than 15,000'. Some trips include long days of overland travel. You sleep comfortably in hotels each evening.

Strenuous

While we rate all of our treks as strenuous, there is a substantial range of challenge between the easiest and the most demanding of our treks. Expect to hike 6-8 hours each day over steep and rugged terrain. You may hike to elevations of 17,000', with options to hike higher from several camps. Many include camping multiple nights at relatively high elevations. On most treks in the Andes, night-time temperatures can drop below freezing on one or more nights. On our Inn to Inn based treks, you'll spend each evening in a comfortable mountain lodge.

Extreme

Our toughest treks are suitable for those that enjoy a good physical challenge. You trek (and in some cases climb) over steep, rugged terrain at high elevations with substantial altitude gains. Some glacier travel requires knowledge of basic climbing techniques including use of crampons, ice axe, and ropes. These trips are in remote wilderness areas and include camping as high at 17,700'. Successful summit bids top out at 18,871' (Nevado Pisco), 19,347' (Volcan Cotopaxi) and 20,945' (Nevado Ausangate).

Departures Wednesday, weekly, all year

2010 Rates, per person, double cabin:

$2,709 – High Season

$2,438 – Low Season

High Season: Jan-Apr, Jun 16-Aug 31, Nov 1-30, Dec 8-31

Low season: May 1-Jun 15; Sep & Oct, Dec 1-7

Fuel Surcharge: N/A (subject to change)

Galapagos Airfare (from Quito or Guayaquil): $325 to $420, depending on the routing and the season, subject to change

Additional fees:

$100 Galapagos Park Fee

$10 INGALA tourist card

$130 surcharge for Christmas and New Years departures.

Single Supplement: + 50%

Children’s discount: 50% discount for children under 12 (one child per adult)

Day 1: Wednesday

Morning: Baltra Island, arrival

Afternoon: Plazas Island

Day 2 Thursday

Morning: Santa Cruz Island: Charles Darwin Station

Afternoon: Santa Cruz Island: Highlands

Day 3 Friday

Morning: Española (Hood) Island: Gardner Bay

Afternoon: Española (Hood) Island: Punta Suarez

Day 4 Saturday

Morning: Floreana Island: Punta Cormorant

Afternoon: Floreana Island: Post Office Bay

Day 5 Sunday

Morning: Isabela Island: Punta Moreno

Afternoon: Isabela Island: Elizabeth Bay

Day 6 Monday

Morning: Isabela Island: Urbina Bay

Afternoon: Fernandina Island: Punta Espinoza

Day 7 Tueday

Morning: Santiago (James) Island: Puerto Egas

Afternoon: Bartolome Island

Day 8 Wednesday

Morning: Santa Cruz Island: Turtle Cove

Afternoon: Baltra, depart

Included in the Cruise rate:

all meals on yacht, daily excursions led by experienced English-speaking naturalist guides

Not included:

Round-trip airfare (figured separately & prepaid); Galapagos Park Fee, Galapagos Transit Control Card & Fuel Surcharge (figured separately & prepaid); tips to guide, crew and staff; soft drinks and alcoholic beverages. Snorkel gear and wetsuits are available for rental.

Length: 96’

Beam: 18’ 6”

Type: Schooner / motor sailor

Safety: meets or exceeds USA coast Guard Regulations

Crew: 5+ naturalist guide

Cruising speed: 9 knots cruising

Number of passengers: 16

Number of Days: 8 days only

Departures: Wednesday

8 double cabins, 7 with upper/lower berths, one matrimonial cabin. All have private bath with hot/cold water showers and air conditioning.

• 8 days only
• 16 passengers
• Wednesday departures
• 95 feet long
• Schooner
• Naturalist

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