Summary
Short description
Experience the unique wildlife and landscapes of Ecuador's Galápagos Islands
Highlights
- Spot unique wildlife only found in the Galapagos, from giant tortoise to marine iguana
- Snorkel and dive with sea lions, turtles and sharks
- Enjoy life onboard a luxury catamaran, indulging in gourmet meals taken al fresco
- Discover the spectacular heights of Quito, from its colonial old quarter to its hidden markets
In Brief
- 3 Nights Quito
- 1 Night Isla Santa Fé
- 1 Night Española Island
- 2 Nights San Cristóbal Island
- 1 Night Floreana Island
In pictures
About
Recommended for:
Activity adventure | Expedition cruise | Natural world | Wildlife
The spectacular Galápagos islands are undoubtedly best explored by ship, hopping between islands in style in the company of expert naturalist guides. On this itinerary, which includes a stay in Ecuador's capital, Quito, you'll have the chance to walk among reptiles, swim with sea lions, watch iguanas sit motionless on sun-baked lava and catch the courtship displays of blue-footed boobies and red-throated frigate birds. It's all enjoyed enjoying the delights of your luxury catamaran.
Day by day itinerary
Day
1
UK/Ecuador
After included VIP airport lounge access, depart the UK on an overnight flight, beginning your Ecuador and Galápagos holiday on day two.
Days
2-4
Quito
Arrive in Quito and transfer to your hotel. Spend the next few days exploring, from its old colonial quarter, all monuments and historic architecture, to the Ciudad Mitad del Mundo, marking the equator line. The cable car TelefériQo affords spectacular views over the city at nearly 4000m above sea level, while lower down, food stalls in the Parque Navarro provide classic Ecuadorian dishes – best washed down with a craft beer, a scene that's ever-growing in this city.
Stay: Patio Andaluz
Meals: B
Day
5
Santa Fe Island
Fly to the Galápagos Islands and board the Ocean Spray, a luxury catamaran complete with sun deck, Jacuzzi, kayaks for guests and private balconies in each room. Guests are ferried ashore to explore the islands; landings are either 'dry' (at a dock) or 'wet' (stepping ashore through the surf). Start with a visit to Santa Fe Island where you'll see giant tuna and land iguanas.
Stay: Ocean Spray
Meals: B L D
Day
6
Espanola & Gardner Bay
After breakfast, head to Española Island, the breeding site of nearly all of the world's albatrosses, as well as an abundance of mockingbirds, blue-footed boobies and marine iguanas. Then, this afternoon, visit the spectacular Gardner Bay and Osborn Islet as you walk across a white sand beach teeming with sea lions both on shore and in the water, as well as 12,000 pairs of waved albatrosses.
Stay: Ocean Spray
Meals: B L D
Days
7-8
San Cristobal & Lobos Island
On day seven, visit the Interpretation Centre that focuses on the interaction between human and nature, before heading to Cerro Colorado and spotting finches, mockingbirds, and the famous Galápagos giant tortoise. This afternoon you'll head to Lobos Island which translates as 'sea lion island' – and, accordingly so, is teeming with them. Take the chance to go snorkelling in one of the Galápagos' best areas and enjoy a dinghy ride to Kicker Rock, the remains of a lava cone eroded by the sea – above waters that are filled with colourful fish and sharks. Spend these days among turtles, rays, sea lions, finches, frigate birds and one of Galápagos' most iconic birds, blue footed boobies. The next day you'll visit Pitt Point and Witch Hill, host to all the species of Galápagos boobies among the volcanic rock formations. Spot sea lion colonies and three species of boobies before visiting Witch Hill, a stunning white sand beach that's filled with sea lions, egrets and great blue herons – it makes for a fantastic snorkelling or kayak excursion, too.
Stay: Ocean Spray
Meals: B L D
Day
9
Floreana
Today head to Floreana where you'll spot blue-footed boobies, waved albatross, sunbathing sea lions and wading flamingos among a a magnificent blowhole and bizarre green-coloured beach. Stop by the barrel at Post Office Bay, left here by whalers in the 18th century for use as an unofficial post box. Today it's tourists who continue the tradition, leaving postcards for others and picking up any they find addressed to their home towns or cities. You'll also visit Cormorant Point, hiking to a salt-water lagoon home to a huge flock of flamingos and a green beach, caused by olivine crystals in the sand. Enjoy snorkelling in Devil's Crown where an extinct volcano looms out of the water and provides a wonderful snorkelling experience to spot sharks, rays and myriad tropical fish.
Stay: Ocean Spray
Meals: B L D
Day
10
Santa Cruz
Today you'll visit the inlet Black Turtle Cove on the north side of Santa Cruz for a two-hour dinghy ride through the mangrove forest. Spot both black-tip and white-tip reef sharks, sea turtles, spotted eagle rays and even hammerhead sharks. Then, transfer to Baltra airport for your returning flight back to Ecuador’s mainland where you'll connect to your international flight home. Seven night and four night itineraries are also available on the Ocean Spray as well as on their sister ships Petrel or Camila that both have varying itineraries.
Meals: B
Days
11-12
Ecuador/UK
Depart the Galápagos for your flight home, via Guayaquil, arriving the next day.
Meals: B
Map
Pricing
Any element of this itinerary can be adjusted to suit your needs. Just contact us to find out more.
Accommodation rating:
12-day tailor-made holiday from £5,855 pp incl. flights
Deluxe
Low Season
from £5,855 pp. incl. flights
High Season
from £6,230 pp. incl. flights
Includes:
- Complimentary UK airport lounge access
- Return flights from London to Quito and Guayaquil to London
- Domestic flights from Quito to Galápagos and Galápagos to Guayaquil
- Private airport transfers
- 3 nights accommodation in a 4+* (Superior) hotel on a B&B basis
- 5 nights luxury Galápagos cruise accommodation aboard the Ocean Spray on a full-board basis, with champagne reception, including daily shared land and sea excursions, use of snorkelling gear, wetsuits and kayaks
Terms & Conditions
Prices are per person based on two people sharing a twin/double room; prices are subject to availability and possible change; normal booking conditions apply.
Meet our experts
Speak to a tailor-made specialist on 020 7590 0692
Meet the team
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offer
Exclusive tailor-made fly, rail and cruise holiday
Book by: 29 February 2020
Combining two unique experiences – a mountain rail journey through the Andes and an island-hopping, luxury cruise through the Galápagos – this is your chance to see the natural wonders of Ecuador in style. Spot marine iguanas on snorkel trips before returning to all-inclusive fine dining.