Luxury Galapagos cruise holiday

Itinerary in brief: 

• 2 nights Quito
• 6 nights Galapagos cruise
• 1 night Quito 

Day 1: UK to Quito

Depart the UK from your chosen airport. You'll arrive in Quito later the same day, where you'll be met at the airport and driven to your hotel, checking in for two nights. 

Included: International flights, transfers, 4* hotel 

Day 2: Quito 

Spend the day exploring Quito - you'll be picked up by your guide to discover the highlights of the city centre. Stroll through Independence Square where can admire the statues and architecture before wandering through Old Town. Here you can gaze up at the Presidential Palace and the Jesuit church, where the gilded walls are carved from volcanic stone and covered in gold leaf. You'll explore the market, soaking up the everyday life of Quito and enjoying a spiritual cleansing by a local practitioner before arriving at El Panecillo, where the Winged Virgin of Quito statue overlooks the city and surrounding volcanoes. 

In the afternoon, you'll head out of the city to the Middle of the World, where you'll be able to stand on the Equator and learn about the history of longitude and latitude in South America. 

Included: Touring, 4* hotel 

Day 3: Fly to the Galapagos Islands

After breakfast, you'll be met at the hotel and driven to the airport, ready for your short flight to the Galapagos Islands. On arrival in the Galapagos, you’ll be met at the airport and driven to the jetty where you will board your boat. You’ll be spending the next few days onboard the Tribute, a luxurious, modern yacht with space for just 16 guests. This incredible vessel has been designed to combine elegant style with comfort, while operating in line with strict Galápagos National Park regulations. 

The spacious suites feature private bathrooms and large panoramic windows, allowing you to wake up each morning to ocean views. On deck, unwind in the sky‑tub jacuzzi or relax in the sunset lounge after a day of wildlife encounters and island exploration. Exceptional cuisine inspired by local flavours is served al fresco, providing the perfect setting to reflect on the remarkable landscapes and species you’ve discovered throughout the day.

Included: Breakfast, transfers, internal flights, cabin aboard the Tribute

Days 3 - 8: Galapagos Islands cruise 

You’ll spend the next 6 days exploring the Galapagos Islands, heading around the largest island of Isabela and into the western islands. This virtually untouched corner of the archipelago is a joy to explore – look for white-tip reef sharks and eagle rays in the clear water, watch flightless cormorants on the rugged coasts of Fernandina and cross the equator as you look for dolphins leaping out of the ocean. Wildlife is never guaranteed but in the western islands you’ll have a good chance of spotting the Galapagos penguins, giant tortoises, flamingos and the famous flightless cormorant. You’ll have the chance to snorkel with marine iguanas, hike across volcanic landscapes and kayak through the waves on a trip that is surely the pinnacle of wildlife experiences on earth.

Each day will be structured in a similar way; you'll wake early for breakfast and head out to explore a local island, whether it's hiking across beaches or looking for blue-footed boobies on the volcanic rock. After this you'll head back to the boat for snack, perhaps enjoying some snorkelling nearby. Look out for manta rays, hammerhead sharks, turtles and marine iguanas in the water - about 50% of the wildlife here is aquatic, so the snorkelling is not to be missed! Enjoy lunch al fresco on board - you might be sailing to another island during this time, or heading to the other side of a larger island. In the afternoon you could relax on deck, snorkel some more (look out for sea lions, they love playing with people in the water) or even kayak, before setting food on another island in the late afternoon. Evenings consist of telling stories around the dinner table, making a plan for the following day with your guide and reading in the snug onboard, before heading to bed early, ready for another action packed day tomorrow. 

Please note this is just one example of a boat and itinerary that we can offer – if you are interested in visiting other islands or have specific wildlife you’d love to see, we can find the perfect cruise itinerary for you, just ask!

Day 9: Depart Galapagos Islands 

After breakfast, you’ll leave the boat and head to the airport for your flight to Quito, where you'll be met at the airport and driven to your hotel to check in for one night. Spend the afternoon enjoying the city - head out for another wander round the city, taste the finest local chocolate in local shops or even hop on the cable car up to the top of Pichincha volcano for views over the city.

Included: Breakfast, transfers, internal flights, 4* hotel 

Day 10: Depart Quito 

After breakfast, you'll be driven back to the airport, in time for your flight back home. 

Included: Breakfast, transfers, international flights

Day 11: Arrive UK