From $8,490£6,426 per person
Cabin
Golden Suite $8,490£6,426 pp
Add-ons
Pre-cruise: Quito Express + $677£512
Post-cruise: Machu Picchu Highlights + $1,272£963
Total from
$8,490£6,426 per person (estimated)
From $8,490£6,426 per person
Show the trip's detailsCabin
Golden Suite $8,490£6,426 pp
Add-ons
Pre-cruise: Quito Express + $677£512
Post-cruise: Machu Picchu Highlights + $1,272£963
Total from
$8,490£6,426 per person (estimated)
A short luxury route to the western islands.
You see Chinese Hat, the lava at Moreno Point and pirate graffiti at Tagus Cove. Fernandina has flightless cormorants and marine iguanas, and you snorkel with penguins and sea turtles at Vicente Roca Point, Elizabeth Bay and Urbina Bay. Five days on Ocean Spray, a 16-guest luxury catamaran with nearly one crew member per guest.
Mainland Ecuador
In the morning, upon arrival, reception and assistance at the airport, transfer from Baltra Airport to the M/C Ocean Spray. In the afternoon, you will visit Chinese Hat Islet. This site offers rare, up close viewing of Galapagos wildlife and well-preserved remnants of fragile volcanic rock that can't be found in such a unique condition anywhere else.
Baltra, Chinese Hat
In the morning, visit Vicente Roca Point, known for its stunning geological formations and diverse bird species. The nutrient-rich waters from the Cromwell Current attract abundant marine life, creating spectacular feeding frenzies. In the afternoon, explore Fernandina’s Espinosa Point, the archipelago’s most pristine island. Spot marine iguanas, Galapagos hawks, and enjoy hiking or snorkeling in this untouched natural paradise.
Isabela, Fernandina
In the morning, explore Tagus Cove, a historic pirate and sailor hideout from the 1800s. A hike offers breathtaking views of the cove and a rare glimpse of the last 35 pairs of Mangrove finches in the nearby forest. In the afternoon, visit Urbina Bay, once submerged beneath the ocean. Now home to sea lions, land iguanas, and flightless cormorants, it’s perfect for a relaxing beach visit or a guided hike.
Isabela
In the morning, explore Elizabeth Bay by panga, as no landings are allowed to protect the island. Clear waters reveal abundant marine life, making it an excellent spot for snorkeling. In the afternoon, visit Moreno Point, a paradise for bird enthusiasts. Enjoy coastal lagoons teeming with wildlife, spot white-tipped sharks, and take in breathtaking views of Sierra Negra and Cerro Azul volcanoes.
Isabela
In the morning, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, a vital conservation and research facility. Explore its extensive plant collection, learn about breeding programs, and discover efforts to eliminate invasive species threatening the islands’ ecosystem. In the afternoon, explore the lush highlands of Santa Cruz, a striking contrast to the islands’ rocky shores. Home to giant tortoises, finches, and volcanic landscapes, this area offers rich biodiversity and stunning scenery.
Santa Cruz
In the morning, explore South Plaza Island, a small yet ecologically rich site. Admire its vibrant landscape, home to Sesuvium plants, prickly pear cacti, and a thriving land iguana population. The striking contrast of turquoise waters against black lava makes for stunning photography. After the visit, transfer to Baltra Airport for your return flight to mainland Ecuador, with assistance and a warm farewell at the airport.
Baltra, South Plaza
Luxury Meets Sustainability
On board:
Golden Panoramic Suite offering a private balcony, panoramic island views, air conditioning, a social area and a private restroom with amenities.
Adding extra nights on land gives you more time to relax, explore and enjoy your destination at your own pace. Arrive before your cruise to settle in, recover from your journey and start your holiday feeling refreshed. Or extend your trip after disembarkation to discover more of the local sights, culture and cuisine before heading home.
The Galápagos is a year-round destination. December to May is the warm season, with sunny days, occasional tropical showers and calmer seas. June to November is cooler and drier, with cloudier skies, livelier seas and richer marine life. Christmas, New Year, Easter and July–August are the busiest times and sell out first, so we recommend booking 9–12 months ahead for those dates.
Cruises run from 4 to 15 days. Four or five days covers one region of the islands well. Seven or eight days lets you reach more remote islands and see a wider range of wildlife. For the ultimate Galápagos experience, cruises of up to 15 days complete a full loop of the archipelago, visiting its central, southern, western and northern islands. We recommend at least five days if you can!
Fly into Quito or Guayaquil on mainland Ecuador, then take a short domestic flight to Baltra or San Cristóbal, where your cruise begins. We recommend arriving in Ecuador at least a day before your cruise. We can book your domestic flights and time them to your ship’s departure.
Yes. Every visitor pays a Galápagos National Park fee of US$200 per adult (US$100 for children under 12, free for under-2s), plus a US$20 Transit Control Card. Normally the park fee is paid in cash on arrival and the card is bought at Quito or Guayaquil airport before your flight. To save you the hassle, we can pre-book both for you, so they’re ready when you travel.
Cruise prices usually include your cabin, all meals and snacks on board, soft drinks and juices, and all listed excursions and activities. You’ll be accompanied by dedicated bilingual naturalist guides, certified by the Galápagos National Park. Snorkelling equipment is also provided.
A cruise lets you reach remote islands and visitor sites that can’t be visited on day trips, and you travel between islands while you sleep. A land-based trip suits travellers who prefer staying on dry land, want more flexibility or are travelling on a tighter budget. We can also combine the two.
Each itinerary visits different islands, and some species only live in certain areas. For example, waved albatrosses nest on Española, penguins and flightless cormorants are found in the west, and Genovesa is famous for red-footed boobies. Tell us what you most want to see and we’ll match you to the right route.
Yes, all our ships welcome families. Most ships have a minimum age of 7, but a few especially family-friendly ships have no minimum age at all. We can recommend the best options and cabins for your family.
Yes. Most ships can cater for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and other dietary needs, as well as allergies. Just let us know when you book and we’ll pass the details to the ship in advance.
Some luxury ships offer free Wi-Fi, while others charge extra for it. Connection is usually via satellite and can be limited, so expect to be largely offline while at sea. Most guests find it part of the magic.
Absolutely. Many guests add a few nights in the Andes, the Amazon rainforest or Quito’s historic centre, or extend to Machu Picchu in Peru. We’ll build your whole trip around your cruise dates.
Absolutely. Many travellers cruise the Galápagos on their own. Some ships offer shared cabins with another guest of the same gender, some have single cabins with no supplement, and others charge a single supplement for a private cabin. We’ll find the best option for you.
Most cruises focus on snorkelling rather than diving. Some ships offer diving as an optional extra, and there are also dedicated liveaboard dive cruises for certified divers. Let us know if diving is a priority and we’ll recommend the right ship.
Domestic flights to the Galápagos usually allow one checked bag of up to 23 kg and one carry-on. Soft-sided bags are easier to store on board. All luggage is checked at the airport to stop non-native plants, seeds and animals reaching the islands.
Some crossings can be choppy, especially from June to November. Catamarans and larger ships tend to be the most stable. Bring seasickness tablets or patches just in case, and let us know if you’re worried. We can suggest itineraries with shorter crossings.
Pack light, breathable clothing, plus a warm layer and a waterproof jacket. You’ll also want a hat, sunglasses, reef-safe sun cream, swimwear, comfortable walking shoes and sandals for wet landings. Don’t forget binoculars and a camera.
Ecuador uses the US dollar. Bring cash for park fees, tips and small purchases, as ATMs are limited on the islands and some places don’t accept cards.
Travel insurance isn’t mandatory, but we highly recommend it. Choose a policy that covers medical treatment, emergency evacuation and cancellation for your whole trip.