Superyacht Galapagos cruise with luxury cloud forest escape

Itinerary in brief: 

• 2 nights Quito
• 3 nights Mashpi Lodge
• 1 night Quito
• 7 night Galapagos cruise with Aqua Expeditions
• 1 night Quito 

Day 1: UK to Quito

Depart the UK from your chosen airport. On arrival in Quito, you'll be met 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: Breakfast, touring, 4* hotel 

Day 3: Travel to Mashpi Lodge

This morning you'll head out from Quito and be driven towards the Andean Cloudforest Reserve, to begin your three night stay at Mashpi Lodge, a stunning luxury eco-lodge. Just three hours’ drive from Quito, it's one of the planet’s greatest biodiversity hotspots. Tucked away in the forest, it's the perfect hideaway to immerse yourself in nature and discover the wonders of the cloud forest. The lodge is a striking blend of luxury accommodation and high-class service with a comprehensive range of jungle experiences. Even from the comfort of your accommodation, you'll feel part of nature, thanks to the tall glass panels on the outside of every guest room that give the sensation of being amongst the forest. 

Included: All meals, touring, Mashpi Lodge

Days 4 & 5: Mashpi Lodge 

Spend your days exploring the cloud forest from Mashpi. Visit the Life Centre with its butterflies and plants before climbing the eight-storey observation tower to look out for parrots and toucans in the canopy. Enjoy thrilling activities like the canopy rides on the Dragonfly gondola and Sky bike, for a bird's eye view of the forest below. Watch hummingbirds flitting through the air, listen to howler monkeys hooting in the trees and coatis skulking about in the dense underbrush. 

In the evenings you can enjoy different lectures like the 'Secret Wildlife of Mashpi: the Camera Trap Project', learning about the fascinating animals that make their home here. Dining here is a celebration of Ecuador's excellent ingredients and fresh recipes, with a twist that only Mashpi Lodge can deliver.

Included: All meals, touring, Mashpi Lodge

Day 7: Travel to Quito

Enjoy your final morning at Mashpi, soaking up the peaceful atmosphere of the cloudforest before heading back to Quito. Spend the afternoon exploring - why not visit the iconic Plaza Grande to people watch whilst tucking into some empanadas. 

Included: Breakfast, transfers, 4* hotel 

Day 8: Fly to the Galapagos Islands

This morning, you'll be driven to the airport in time for your short flight to the Galapagos Islands. On arrival, you'll be met and driven to the port, where you'll board your superyacht, the Aqua Mare, your home for the next 7 nights. 

Aqua Mare is the Galapagos Islands' first superyacht, offering an experience that blends high end luxury with the incredible location you're here to discover. With plush interiors and a 'no shoe-rule' that maintains the cosiness of the warm bedrooms and lounge, everything onboard has been chosen to create a delightful atmosphere of comfort. Watch sea lions snoozing on the sun deck, dine on fresh local ingredients cooked al-fresco on the large deck and fall asleep each night in the carefully designed suites, with views out over the water as the sun sets. 

Included: Breakfast, transfers, internal flights, all meals, cabin and touring aboard the Aqua Mare

Days 9 - 14: Galapagos Islands cruise with Aqua Expeditions

You’ll spend the next 6 days exploring the Galapagos Islands, heading to the northern island of Genovesa before visiting the eastern islands of Santa Cruz, Espanola and Santiago. This corner of the archipelago is a joy to explore – in the clear waters around Santa Cruz, you might spot white‑tip reef sharks and graceful eagle rays, while Espanola greets you with vibrant seabird colonies and sandy beaches. On Santiago, the otherworldly lava fields create a dramatic backdrop for wildlife encounters while in Sombrero Chino you'll find a crescent‑shaped beach alive with marine iguanas and crabs. Explore Bartolome, home of the iconic Pinnacle Rock, where you can hike across volcanic landscapes and snorkel with penguins and colorful fish. Wildlife is never guaranteed, but in these islands your chances are excellent — from flamingos and giant tortoises on Santa Cruz to the charismatic Galápagos penguins near Bartholomew — and you’ll have opportunities to kayak, snorkel, and explore terrain that feels like the very essence of wild discovery. All this while relaxing on a luxurious superyacht, really soaking up the best the boat has to offer. 

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!

Included: Breakfast, transfers, internal flights, all meals, cabin and touring aboard the Aqua Mare

Day 15: Fly to Quito

Enjoy a final luxurious breakfast on board the Aqua Mare before saying goodbye to the crew and heading back to the airport. On the way you'll explore the highlands of Santa Cruz, 

Included: Breakfast, transfers, internal flights, all meals, cabin and touring aboard the Aqua Mare

Day 16: Depart Ecuador 

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

Included: Breakfast, transfers, international flights

Day 17: Arrive UK