The Archipel I is a very popular superior-class catamaran operating a range of cruises throughout the Galapagos islands.
The ship features a catamaran hull design bringing greater stability in the water and is modern in design with 8 comfortable cabins, a comfortable indoor lounge, bar and dining area and an excellent sun-deck featuring a covered outdoor seating area. The catamaran operates a very good selection of well-designed and affordable cruise itineraries to choose from (4 day, 5 day and 8 day cruises as standard, which can also be combined to create longer cruises) and each cruise itinerary is well designed to include visits to a number of islands with great opportunities to spot wildlife and enjoy a variety of excursions.
The Archipel I is one of our favourite and most popular cruise ships and offers exceptional value and quality and is a great choice for a Galapagos cruise.
Itinerary A4: 4 Day Cruise (Central + Eastern Islands) - from £1440pp
Departs every 14 days.
Day 1 (Mon) AM: Flight to the Galapagos Islands / PM: Galapagos giant tortoise breeding centre at Colorado Hill on San Cristobal Island
Day 2 (Tue) AM: Spot Galapagos land iguanas on South Plaza Island / PM: Spot a variety of wildlife on Santa Fe Island
Day 3 (Wed) AM: Dinghy ride along the shore of Champion Islet to spot Galapagos sea lions / PM: Asylum of Peace hike past a pirates cave on Floreana Island
Day 4 (Thu) AM: Visit Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz Island / PM: Transfer to Galapagos Airport
Itinerary A5: 5 Day Cruise (Central + Western Islands) - from £2110pp
Departs every 14 days.
Day 1 (Thu) AM: Flight to the Galapagos Islands / PM: Visit the Twin Craters and a local ranch to observe wild Galapagos Giant Tortoises in the highlands of Santa Cruz Island
Day 2 (Fri) AM: Spot herons, penguins and sea lions at Tintoreras Islet / PM: Flamingos Lagoon and Arnaldo Tupiza Tortoise Breeding Centre on Isabela Island
Day 3 (Sat) AM: Explore the lava flows at Moreno Point to spot a variety of birdlife / PM: Fabulous zodiac ride to spot flightless cormorants, sea turtles and penguins at Marielas Islets and Elizabeth Bay
Day 4 (Sun) AM: Short hike to observe Darwin Lake at Tagus Cove / PM: Observe the large colonies of Galapagos marine iguanas at Espinoza Point on Fernandina Island
Day 5 (Mon) AM: Relaxing stroll along the beautiful white sands of Bachas Beach, a nesting site for sea turtles / PM: Transfer to Galapagos airport
Itinerary A8: 8 Day Cruise (A4 + A5) - from £3300pp
Departs every 14 days. Combine itineraries A4 and A5 into one epic 8 day cruise.
Itinerary B4: 4 Day Cruise (Central + Northern Islands) - from £1440pp
Departs every 14 days.
Day 1 (Mon) AM: Arrive in the Galapagos Islands and transfer to your cruise / PM: Spot frigatebirds and blue-footed boobies on a walk at North Seymour Island
Day 2 (Tue) AM: Climb Prince Philip's Steps at Genovesa Island to spot birdlife including the elusive red-footed booby / PM: Visit the beautiful Darwin Bay
Day 3 (Wed) AM: Climb up to the viewpoint at Bartolome Island for one of the most iconic views of the Galapagos Islands / PM: Explore the lava landscapes of Sullivan Bay on Santiago Island
Day 4 (Thu) AM: Visit Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz Island / PM: Transfer to Galapagos airport
Itinerary B5: 5 Day Cruise (Central + Eastern Islands) - from £2110pp
Departs every 14 days.
Day 1 (Thu) AM: Arrive in the Galapagos Islands / PM: Visit the highlands of Santa Cruz Island and admire the twin craters and spot Galapagos giant tortoises in the wild
Day 2 (Fri) AM: Visit the salt lakes of Cormorant Point on Floreana Island to spot flamingos / PM: Unearth the history of the Galapagos at Post Office Bay
Day 3 (Sat) AM: Admire the beautiful white sand beach of Gardner Bay on Española Island and observe sea lions / PM: Follow an overland trail at Suarez Point to spot a variety of birdlife
Day 4 (Sun) AM: Visit a colony of blue-footed, red-footed and Nazca-boobies at Pitt Point on San Cristobal Island / PM: Swim and snorkel in the crystal clear waters of Witch Hill
Day 5 (Mon) AM: Spot Great frigatebirds and Galapagos sea lions at Lobos Islet / PM: Transfer to Galapagos airport
Itinerary B8: 8 Day Cruise (Itinerary B4 + B5) - from £3300pp
Departs every 14 days. Combine itineraries B4 and B5 into one epic 8 day cruise on the Archipel I.
Extended Cruises: 11 Days / 12 Days / 15 Days
Longer cruises of 11 days (itinerary B4+B5+A4), 12 days (itinerary A5+B4+B5) and 15 days (A4+A5+B4+B5) are available by combining the various itineraries. If you would like a combined itinerary please contact us for further details and prices.
Detailed Itineraries: Please contact us for detailed itineraries of these or any of our other Galapagos cruises.
Options: These cruises can be booked by themselves, can include flights and services on the Ecuador mainland, or can be combined with any of our other holidays in South America.
Prices Include: The Galapagos cruise, all excursions with a naturalist guide, all food during the cruise including water, tea and coffee, the INGALA Galapagos Transit Control Card, transfers to/from the airport in the Galapagos, and 100% financial protection.
Prices are per person based on two people travelling together in a shared standard cabin, and are subject to availability. Cabin upgrades (suites) are available for an upgrade, and single person supplement may apply.
Prices Do Not Include: The Galapagos National Park Entry Fee (payable on arrival in the Galapagos airport, currently US$100 although subject to change), flights to / from the Galapagos (see below), alcoholic drinks, tips and additional personal expenses during the cruise.
Flights to the Galapagos Islands - £500pp: Flights between the Galapagos Islands and the Ecuador mainland (either Guayaquil or Quito) when booked with us cost £500 per person and we can include these flights for you if required - just let us know. Any flight-inclusive package holiday booked through us would be ATOL-protected through our ATOL license. When you pay you will be supplied with an ATOL Certificate. Please ask for it and check to ensure that everything you booked (flights, hotels and other services) is listed on it. Please see our booking conditions for further information or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to: www.atol.org.uk/atolcertificate
- Class: Superior
- Vessel Name: Catamaran Archipel
- Type: Motor Catamaran
- Speed: 10 knots
- Year of Construction: 2005
- Capacity: 16 passengers
- Crew: 9 crew members and 1 multi-lingual naturalist guide
- Cabins: 8 cabins (2 double cabins, 6 twin cabins), all cabins feature en suite facilities, external facing windows and air conditioning
- Social Areas / Services: Lounge and dining area, sun deck featuring sun loungers, outside dining area and lounge. Zodiacs are used for island excursions and free tea, coffee and water is provided.
- More information: http://www.catamaranarchipel.com
The Archipel I features two main passenger decks - the main deck which is home to the cabins and indoor social areas, and the top deck or sun deck which has covered outdoor seating.
Main Deck
The main deck of the Archipel I contains the main reception area (for disembarking for excursions), the indoor lounge for relaxation and briefings on the excursions, the dining area and bar, and the main bridge.
Sun Deck
