The Archipel II is a very comfortable superior-class catamaran benefiting from excellent communal areas, panoramic cabin windows, and a fabulous choice of 4 day, 5 day, 8 day and longer cruises making this a wonderful choice for your cruise to the Galapagos.
The catamaran can accommodate a maximum of only 16 guests in 8 cabins (a mixture of twin and double) for a truly special service, with each cabin benefiting from large windows from which to admire wonderful views of the Galapagos islands, as well as private en suite bathrooms and air conditioning. Passengers benefit from the twin-hull design which ensures a smooth and calm cruise through the waters, and the social areas on the Archipel II are among the best available for this price with indoor bar, lounge and restaurant areas and a highlight of the vessel being an outdoor dining area.
In summary the Archipel II is an excellent choice for the Galapagos and, along with its sister ship the Archipel I, is one of our most popular cruise options.
Itinerary A4: 4 Day Cruise (Central + Eastern Islands) - from £1440pp
Departs every 14 days.
Day 1 (Mon) AM: Arrive in the Galapagos Islands to start your cruise and transfer to the Archipel II / PM: Spot frigatebirds, blue-footed boobies and sea lions at Lobos Islet
Day 2 (Tue) AM: Visit South Plazas island to observe the unique wildlife including hybrid iguanas / PM: Follow an overland trail on Santa Fe island to spot Galapagos hawk, mocking bird and sea lions
Day 3 (Wed) AM: Visit the uniquely shaped Chinese Hat volcanic island / PM: Enjoy a walk at Dragon Hill on Santa Cruz island to spot wild land iguanas and flaminos
Day 4 (Thu) AM: Visit the iconic Charles Darwin Research Station once home to the iconic Lonesome George giant tortoise / PM: Transfer to the Galapagos airport
Itinerary A5: 5 Day Cruise (Central + Western Islands) - from £2110pp
Departs every 14 days.
Day 1 (Thu) AM: Arrive in the Galapagos Islands to start your Archipel II 5 day cruise / PM: Explore the highlands of Santa Cruz Island including a visit to a ranch to spot giant tortoises
Day 2 (Fri) AM: Visit the small islands of Tintoreras off the coast if Isabela Island to spot herons, penguins and sea lions / PM: On Isabela Island visit the Arnaldo Tupiza Tortoise Breeding Centre
Day 3 (Sat) AM: Spot a variety of birdlife on a walk over Pahohoe lava flow at Moreno Point / PM: Embark on a dinghy ride to explore the coastline of Elizabeth Bay and the Marielas Islets
Day 4 (Sun) AM: Overland trail at Tagus Cove to a clifftop for views of Darwin Lake and to spot Galapagos penguins and flightless cormorants / PM: Visit Fernandina Island to observe a colony of marine iguanas
Day 5 (Mon) AM: Stroll along the beautiful white sands of Bachas Beach which is a nesting site for sea turtles / PM: Transfer to the 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 Islands) - from £1440pp
Departs every 14 days.
Day 1 (Mon) AM: Arrive in the Galapagos Islands and meet your guide and the Archipel II crew / PM: Visit North Seymour Island to admire the wonderful birdlife including blue-footed boobies and frigatebirds
Day 2 (Tue) AM: Visit Bartolome Island and climb to the viewpoint for spectacular postcard views over the archipelago / PM: Visit Espumilla Beach an important breeding site for sea turtles, and enjoy fine snorkelling at Buccaneer Cove
Day 3 (Wed) AM: Explore the black sand beach at Puerto Egas on Santiago Island / PM: Enjoy an overland trail on Rabida Island to a coastal lagoon to spot flamingos
Day 4 (Thu) AM: Spend time on a visit to the iconic Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz Island / PM: Transfer out to Baltra airport
Itinerary B5: 5 Day Cruise (Central + Eastern Islands) - from £2110pp
Departs every 14 days.
Day 1 (Thu) AM: Arrive at Baltra airport in the Galapagos Islands to start your Archipel II cruise / PM: Visit the Twin Craters and spot giant tortoises in the highlands of Santa Cruz island
Day 2 (Fri) AM: On Floreana Island visit Cormorant Point for an overland trail to spot sea lions and flamingos / PM: Enjoy a visit to the historic Post Office Bay and Baroness Lookout
Day 3 (Sat) AM: Stroll along the stunning white sand beach of Gardner Bay on Española Island and admire the colony of sea lions / PM: At Suarez Point enjoy a short hike to a blowhole and to spot a variety of birdlife
Day 4 (Sun) AM: Visit the green sand beach of Pitt Point and enjoy an overland trail to a colony of blue-footed, red-footed and Nazca boobies, PM: Enjoy snorkelling and swimming at the coral beach of Witch Hill
Day 5 (Mon) AM: Visit the San Cristobal Island Interpretation Centre and Cerro Colorado Tortoise Protection Centre / PM: Transfer out to San Cristobal 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 B5+A4+A5) 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 II
- Type: Motor Catamaran
- Speed: 10 knots
- Year of Construction: 2005
- Capacity: 16 passengers
- Crew: 9 crew members working on the catamaran, plus 1 multi-lingual naturalist guide
- Cabins: 8 cabins (6 twin cabins and 2 double cabins) all with private en suite shower-rooms, external facing windows and air conditioning
- Social Areas / Services: Indoor lounge, dining area and bar, and outdoor sun deck featuring sun loungers and a covered dining / lounge area. Zodiac boats are used for excursions. Free tea, coffee and water is available.
- More information: http://www.catamaranarchipel.com
The Archipel II has two main passenger decks - the top deck (or sun deck) has an outdoor seating area and covered dining area, while the main deck is home to all eight cabins as well as the indoor communal areas such as the lounge.
Main Deck
The main deck of the Archipel II is home to all 8 passenger cabins, with the 2 double cabins located at the front of the vessel near the bridge and the 6 twin cabins located adjacent to the lounge and dining areas. The comfortable indoor communal areas such as the bar, dining area and lounge are where you can relax between excursions as well as listen to the daily briefings to explain the daily excursions, and the reception area is where you board the ship and disembark by zodiac for the various daily excursions.
Sun Deck
