From $5,250£3,973 per person
Cabin
Golden Suite $5,250£3,973 pp
Add-ons
Pre-cruise: Quito Express + $677£512
Post-cruise: Machu Picchu Highlights + $1,272£963
Total from
$5,250£3,973 per person (estimated)
From $5,250£3,973 per person
Show the trip's detailsCabin
Golden Suite $5,250£3,973 pp
Add-ons
Pre-cruise: Quito Express + $677£512
Post-cruise: Machu Picchu Highlights + $1,272£963
Total from
$5,250£3,973 per person (estimated)
A short luxury trip for active travellers.
You start at a tortoise centre on San Cristóbal, then see Nazca and blue-footed boobies, waved albatross and the blowhole at Suárez Point. You kayak, paddleboard and snorkel at Gardner Bay. Floreana has green olivine beaches, Champion Islet and Post Office Bay, and you finish among the sea lions on Mosquera. Four days on Elite, a luxury catamaran.
Mainland Ecuador
Arrive at San Cristóbal airport where you will be transferred to the vessel. In the afternoon, visit the David Rodriguez Breeding Center, providing information about the origin and evolution of the giant tortoise and explains why the center is so vital in safeguarding the future of these incredible creatures.
San Cristóbal
The morning will start with a memorable walk of Suarez Point taking you past nesting sites of large colonies of nazca and blue-footed boobies and mockingbirds. In the afternoon, visit the pristine white sandy beach of Gardner Bay dotted with sea lions that provides a perfect spot to relax and kayaking or paddle boarding is a fantastic way to observe the large number of waved albatross who use this beach as a breeding site.
Española
In the morning, you will visit Cormorant Point featuring two contrasting beaches and later take a panga ride to Champion Islet, an extinct shield volcano, providing a fantastic opportunity for snorkeling in an area that is known for having a high diversity of fish. In the afternoon, explore the history of Post Office Bay, a man-made site that offers an insight into a remarkable mailing tradition, and then take a panga ride to the Baroness’ Lookout, a volcanic rock formation named after an Australian baroness.
Floreana
In the morning, you will visit the Mosquera Islet, with no fixed trail, you are free to explore the beautiful surroundings on foot, where you will encounter a large population of sea lions, shorebirds and the striking Sally Lightfoot crabs. In the afternoon, explore the beautiful Bachas Beach of Santa Cruz. It is a popular nesting site for turtles, so if you go for a snorkel, you might find yourself sharing the water with these wonderful creatures. Transfer from the yacht to the Baltra Airport.
Santa Cruz, Baltra, Mosquera
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.
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.