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 six-day luxury trip through the south.
You see land iguanas on Santa Fe, waved albatross at Suárez Point and sea lions at Gardner Bay. On San Cristóbal you meet tortoises at the Galapaguera and visit Lobos Island, Kicker Rock and Pitt Point. You also see Post Office Bay, Devil's Crown and Black Turtle Cove. Six days on Ocean Spray, a 16-guest luxury catamaran.
Mainland Ecuador
In the morning, upon arrival at Baltra Airport, receive assistance and transfer to the M/C Ocean Spray. In the afternoon, visit Santa Fe Island, home to the endemic Santa Fe iguana. Explore the island’s volcanic landscape, Opuntia and Palo Santo forests, and hike to a scenic viewpoint or a small beach. Giant tortoises once lived here but went extinct due to early sailors.
Baltra, Santa Fe
In the morning, visit Suarez Point, home to many of Española Island’s endemic species. Walk past the only Waved Albatross breeding site in the Galapagos, where you may witness young birds taking their first flight. Spot brightly colored marine iguanas, Galapagos doves, Nazca and blue-footed boobies, and Darwin finches. In the afternoon, relax at Gardner Bay and Osborn Islet, where a pristine white sand beach hosts a large sea lion colony. Observe Española mockingbirds and finches up close, but remember not to feed or touch them, as it disrupts their natural behavior and survival.
Española
In the morning, visit the San Cristobal Interpretation Center to learn about the history of Galapagos and explore the island where Charles Darwin first landed. At the Galapaguera, see giant tortoises in a semi-natural habitat created by the center. In the afternoon, visit Lobos Island, home to sea lions and various bird species. Then, admire Kicker Rock, two eroded volcanic cones rising 104 meters above the sea, a scenic spot for photography and birdwatching.
San Cristóbal, Lobos, Kicker Rock
In the morning, explore Pitt Point, a striking volcanic landscape. Hike to the top for breathtaking views while spotting blue-footed boobies nesting on the ground and red-footed boobies perched in the trees. In the afternoon, visit Witch Hill, where a panga ride reveals dramatic rock formations before arriving at a pristine white sand beach with stunning turquoise waters.
San Cristóbal
In the morning, visit Post Office Bay, where you can leave a postcard in the historic barrel once used by sailors and check for messages to deliver for fellow travelers. In the afternoon, explore Cormorant Point, home to unique green and white sand beaches and a flamingo-filled lagoon. Then, snorkel at Devil’s Crown, a stunning underwater site with vibrant marine life, volcanic formations, and species like sharks, rays, and sea turtles.
Floreana
In the morning, visit Black Turtle Cove, a protected inlet surrounded by mangroves, where you can spot juvenile marine life like black-tip and white-tip reef sharks, sea turtles, and rays. Watch pelicans and blue-footed boobies hunt gracefully in the water. After the visit, transfer to San Cristobal Airport for your return flight to mainland Ecuador, with assistance and a warm farewell at the airport.
Santa Cruz, San Cristóbal
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.