From $1,000£757 per person
Cabin
Golden Suite $1,500£1,135 pp
Single Cabin $1,000£757 pp
Add-ons
Pre-cruise: Quito Express + $677£512
Post-cruise: Machu Picchu Highlights + $1,272£963
Total from
$1,000£757 per person (estimated)
From $1,000£757 per person
Show the trip's detailsCabin
Golden Suite $1,500£1,135 pp
Single Cabin $1,000£757 pp
Add-ons
Pre-cruise: Quito Express + $677£512
Post-cruise: Machu Picchu Highlights + $1,272£963
Total from
$1,000£757 per person (estimated)
If you want the volcanic west as well as the classic wildlife, this is your week.
You hike to the rim of Sierra Negra, walk among marine iguanas and flightless cormorants on Fernandina, and snorkel with sharks and rays at Kicker Rock and Vicente Roca Point. Along the way you visit tortoise centres on San Cristóbal and Isabela and climb Bartolomé for its famous view. Eight days on Elite, a luxury catamaran with spacious suites.
Mainland Ecuador
Arrive at San Cristóbal airport where you will be transferred to the vessel. In the afternoon, explore the rich vegetation and wildlife to the rim of the El Junco Lagoon, located in the highlands of San Cristóbal island. Here you will enjoy superb panoramic views of the island, and you can often catch frigatebirds diving and bathing in the crystal clear water below.
San Cristóbal
In the morning, walking amongst the low, bushy vegetation you will be able to observe a large variety of birds, including blue-footed boobies, swallow tailed gulls and a large population of frigate birds. In the afternoon, as you walk along the rocky coastline and through the forests of cacti and Palo Santo trees, you will no doubt encounter a number of these incredible creatures that resemble miniature dragons.
Santa Cruz, North Seymour
In the morning, you will visit Las Tintoreras and the Sierra Negra Volcano on Isabela Island. As you walk up to the top of the caldera you will encounter forests of guava trees and on a clear day you will be treated to spectacular views of the other five volcanoes on the island. In the afternoon, you will visit the Arnaldo Tupiza Breeding Center, where two species of giant tortoise are bred to increase the population of these incredible animals.
Isabela
In the morning, you will explore Moreno Point, walking along one of the trails soon reveals a multitude of beautiful green lagoons and mangroves and is a fantastic place to see penguins, blue herons and flamingos. In the afternoon you will visit Urbina Bay. You can observe giant land iguanas and giant tortoises and it is often a good spot to see Galápagos hawks and flightless cormorants.
Isabela
In the morning, you will explore Fernandina's Espinosa Point, observing marine iguanas and unique lava formations. In the afternoon, you will visit Isabela's Vicente Roca Point, accessible by panga, observing blue-footed and Nazca boobies, gulls, storm petrels and Brown Noddy Terns.
Isabela, Fernandina
In the morning, you will take a panga ride around the shoreline giving you the chance to spot blue-footed and nazca boobies and engage in water activities such as snorkeling, kayaking or paddle boarding. In the afternoon, you will visit Bartolomé Island located in Sullivan Bay, taking a walking trail that leads up to a viewpoint at the summit of the island where you can enjoy spectacular views of Pinnacle Rock and the surrounding lava flows.
Rabida, Bartolomé
You will spend the morning visiting two iconic features of the Galápagos, Kicker Rock and Witch Hill. Kick Rock will allow you to see blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds and sea lions. Witch Hill features an idyllic white sand beach which can be accessed by panga. In the afternoon, you will visit the Giant Tortoises’ Reserve. The visit is the longest hike on San Cristóbal; the walk is about 5km one way and may be quite hot.
San Cristóbal, Kicker Rock
A short distance from the center of San Cristóbal is the San Cristóbal Interpretation Centre, which provides an overview of the fascinating history of the islands. You can also take one of the trails behind the center that lead to some great viewpoints of the ocean and volcanic rocks below. In the afternoon, depart from San Cristóbal airport.
San Cristóbal
Redefining Luxury in the Galapagos
On board:
Every Golden Suite features a private balcony and expansive windows framing sweeping ocean views. Suites are available with either one king bed or two double beds, and select suites can interconnect, perfect for families or friends traveling together.
The Elite features a Single Cabin with its own private balcony that can also interconnect with one of the Upper Deck Golden Suites. It’s the perfect complement for small groups and families who want to stay close while enjoying their own space.
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.