WHY THIS TRIP
The Anahi Galapagos Catamaran has a top-notch crew, a variety of itineraries, comfortable accommodations, and reasonable pricing for a first class cruise. Consistently a great choice for families or couples who want a bit more room and a few more creature comforts but want to avoid the massive cruise ships.
TRIP DESCRIPTION
The Anahi Galapagos Catamaran is a spacious and comfortable base from which to explore the enchanted Islands. But this trip isn’t just about comfort; you’ll be discovering diverse Islands and snorkeling sites every day with your certified, bilingual naturalist guide. Built in 2006, the Anahi Galapagos Catamaran has been a reliable, professional, and fun trip for Galapagos travelers.
There are a number of itinerary options offered aboard the Anahi, but you’ll have a varied and fascinating experience whether you do a 4-day or a 12-day cruise. Those looking for a shorter cruise or one that visits the southeastern Islands should consider doing all or just part of Itinerary B2. This itinerary takes you to highlights like Española, Genovesa, and the San Cristobal highlands where you’re likely to see loads of blue-footed boobies, frigate birds, giant iguanas, waved albatross, and giant tortoises.
Those looking for an 8-day-only cruise should consider the B1 Itinerary which visits Bartolome, Isabela, Fernandina, and North Seymour islands. On these Islands, you’re likely to see penguin colonies, blue-footed boobies, marine iguanas, giant tortoises, and flightless cormorants. For those who don’t want to compromise, you can do a longer 11-, 12-, or 15-day cruise that combines these two itineraries.
Each day will be filled with activities, mostly led by your naturalist guide and some done on your own. Typically, you’ll embark on two walks with your guide each day at different sites where they will explain and interpret the natural world around you. There are also many opportunities to snorkel each day to discover the underwater marine life of the Islands. There will also be time to explore a bit on your own by kayak (where permitted) to observe sea birds and other animals while paddling.
The Anahi was designed to ensure their cruises were equal parts expedition and vacation. Each cabin is above deck with either double or twin beds (no bunk beds!), a picture window and private bathroom. Two upper deck suites offer even more space and windows to observe the passing landscape. And with the Anahi’s ample deck space, outdoor jacuzzi, lounge areas, and al fresco dining, you’ll have plenty of space to stretch out and relax.
LOCAL PROVIDER: LATIN TRAILS
For more than 22 years Latin Trails has specialized in custom adventures and special-interest travels in South America for small groups and families. The trips designed by Latin Trails provide travelers the opportunity to listen, see, feel, smell and taste the destinations of South America. Travelers get those experiences on both land and water, where the company operates sustainable local trips across South America but specializes in Inca Trail treks in Peru and cruise ship adventures in both the Galapagos Islands and the Peruvian Amazon.
Dave –
We had a wonderful trip. The staff on board the Anahi were very helpful. The food was excellent.
Our guide Billy was good. At times he seemed detached from the group and a little board.
One complaint would be the lack of life jackets. When we first arrived there were 2 life jackets in each room which we used for the safety test. The next day these were gone and could be found on the top deck being cleaned. The same thing happened to the life jackets that we were to wear daily while aboard the boat carrying us to shore. The life jackets were being cleaned.
We had two people on board that were not comfortable in the water. One young woman was just learning to swim. They were very uncomfortable without the life jackets.
We would highly recommend the Anahi but would hope that this safety issue would be addresses.
Bonnie –
Fabulous trip and everyone was so good with my mom too for her 85th birthday adventure. I love the Anahi and Café Cultura. I’ve already made recommendations to others about what a great package you set up. I’m sure you’ll hear from some of them. Thanks so much!!!
Wrede V –
The beginning of the trip went very well. We were met by Latin Trails rep at the airport in Quito, and flights to Galapagos were good.
The experience on the Anahi was wonderful. The crew were great, the guide very helpful and the wildlife and snorkeling was some of the best we’ve experienced.
Our biggest problem was the last day. Because of the Tsunami warning we were evacuated to high ground. We were not taken back to the Sol y Mar hotel, but instead spent the night on lawn chairs around a pool at a hotel without available rooms.
Brian G –
The itinerary was well done except for the fact that the trip is delayed to change out people going for shorter time periods. Although this is a disadvantage for those going for 8 days (vs 3 or 5 days), this was not explained. However, the hold-up did not make our trip any less enjoyable, it would have just been appropriate to know. Good balance between travel, shore time and snorkelling time. Good variety of experiences between each day.
The Anahi was simply a perfect boat in its design for purpose, quality of equipment, safety equipment, layout of facilities and amenities. We passed a lot of other boats cruising these waters that we would not have set foot in. I believe we had the best boat out there and this should be advertised.
Excellent variety, good selection, OK to great cooking. Perfect for the type of trip. Could have some bubbly on board for special occasions (we bought some for the whole gang for my wife’s 60th birthday). See note below re allergies.
The guide, Jorge was knowledgeable, personable and kept up his energy for the whole time. The Latin Trails rep, Elizabeth was a delight – she held it all together on the trip and is an excellent asset for Latin Trails. Lenny at the bar and all the crew were superb. Finally, the captain, Tony was a true professional and very approachable for everyone.
My (older) wife has very poor knees and she was able to handle most things except the stairs up to the hill at Bartolomie
The reception by Latin Trails at the Quto Airport was poor. The person was invisible, did not explain anything, would not take seat selections and almost forgot to give us our boarding passes. We spent a lot of effort to find her and then we were ignored. We also were unable to book a specific cabin even though we tried at every opportunity. In the end, there was a free cabin and we were able to change after the fact. Other couples also were not given the room they requested (but arrangements were made after the fact on board). My wife has food allergies and although we carefully provided these in writing, they were not forwarded to the crew (either the Latin Trails rep, Elizabeth or the chef). We spend the first night developing and signing waivers to protect Latin Trails for their slip up but we expected to have proper communications so the appropriate food would be on board before we started. To their credit, both Liz and the chef were wonderful in accommodate the allergies. (A similar slip up occurred with one of the passengers that arrived for the final 5 days so this seems to be common.)
On to the good points. The trip experience was absolutely amazing and all the crew contributed their part to create this. We will definitely recommend it to others. We enjoyed the variety each day and will look back on this as exceeding all expectations. I have an office in Lima and many colleagues are asking about our Galapagos experience.
Jake and Cindy R –
That was a very memorable trip. The Latin tour guides and the Anahi were first class. We really enjoyed our stay in Ecuador. The accomodations were very memorable. The entire trip was wonderful.
1. It was a little difficult breathing at 2-3 miles up from sea level.
2. I should have notified my charge card company about additional use of my Visa card OVERSEAS. It took a 10 minute phone call to fix this oversight.
3. Departure tax of 40.80 per person was required to leave Ecuador.