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Walking amongst dozing Galapagos Sea Lions

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Watching the interactions among the bizarre Swallow-tailed Gulls

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Observing Galapagos Giant Tortoises foraging peacefully on Santa Cruz

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Discovering the unique Chocolate Chip Sea Stars clinging to the rocks while snorkelling

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Challenging ourselves to distinguish the “Darwin’s Finches” based on their bill shape and size!

Galapagos: Explore Darwin’s Enchanted Islands

Feb 10-20, 2025

11 days | Ecuador | Expedition Cruise

This expedition is sold out. Please view our second departure here.

Our Galapagos private yacht expedition remains one of our most highly rated natural history programs and is consistently our travellers’ “trip of a lifetime.” Our Tour Leader and our Galapagos naturalist guide are on board to lead island walks as we set sail to discover these remarkable island ecosystems, skirting past nesting boobies, scouting the seas for breaching whales, and snorkeling among colourful fish. Desolate at first sight, these rough and rocky isles are home to wonderfully strange and abundant wildlife. As Charles Darwin did almost 200 years before us, marvel at the highly adapted creatures found nowhere else on Earth.

All of the reptiles, half the birds, 32% of the plants, and 25% of the fish are unique to this amazing archipelago. It is a living museum of evolutionary changes.

What is so special about the Galapagos experience is that these creatures act as though humans are nothing more than a passing interest, allowing us to observe them up close. Undisturbed by our nearness, they engage in intriguing courtship displays, groom one another, forage for food and nurture their young. Giant Tortoises graze in the lush highlands and dinosaur-like Marine Iguanas sun themselves on black lava rocks along the shores. Tiny Galapagos Penguins and playful Galapagos Sea Lions dart through the waters like torpedoes, while frigatebirds patrol the skies.

There is no place in the world quite like the Galapagos Islands. Please email us to register for this small group tour!

Have you ever wanted to explore the Amazon rainforest, see Machu Picchu or discover the tremendous bird diversity in Ecuador's cloud forest? We offer three different extensions in conjunction with our Galapagos expedition. Please enquire!

Tour Cost (per person):

US$7895 - US$8095 (based on cabin, incl. taxes/gratuities)

Group Size:

12 - 14 participants

What’s included: 3 nights at a hotel in Quito, in double occupancy (in hotel listed or similar); services and meals as listed in the itinerary; ground transportation as detailed in the itinerary; airfare from Quito to the Galapagos / Return to Quito; 7-night Galapagos cruise aboard the M/Y Beluga based on double occupancy; airport transfers if travelling with the group; porterage of one standard piece of baggage per person; services of bilingual naturalist guide on board, trained at the Charles Darwin Research Station; services of your Tour Leader Patrick Moldowan.

"Learning so many things while visiting the Galapagos Islands was amazing. Our guide Juan was excellent!" - Cecile D.

I am very happy that I was able to join this 'TRIP OF A LIFETIME'! - Quest traveller

"The excellent chef [on-board] prepared a delightful variety of meals and catered to everyone's meal restrictions." - Janice B.

Itinerary at a Glance

Day	Activity
1	Arrive in Quito, Ecuador
2	Quito City Tour
3	Flight to Baltra, Galapagos / Visit Santa Cruz
4 - 9	Exploring the Galapagos Islands
10	North Seymour Island / Fly from Baltra to Quito
11	Depart Quito
Optional pre-trip extension: Amazon Rain Forest explorer, Ecuador’s Andean Highlands and Cloud Forest Birds, Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley of the Incas

Download Itinerary

Ship Information

We charter the M/Y Beluga exclusively for our Quest group. This steel-hulled motor yacht is 33.5 metres long, accommodating 16 passengers and 8 crew. She travels at a speed of 12 knots, allowing us to get to 8 islands comfortably during our 8-day expedition cruise. She is well-appointed with comfortable private cabins and ample lounge and observation deck space.

Your Tour Leader

A graduate of the University of Guelph, Patrick Moldowan is a devoted lifelong interpretive naturalist and field biologist with a special interest in herpetology and biogeography. Patrick works for the Charles Darwin Foundation in the Galapagos Islands, where he oversees a giant tortoise research program.

Book now

Tour Cost (per person):

US$7895 - US$8095 (based on cabin, incl. taxes/gratuities)

Group Size:

12 - 14 participants

What You'll See:

What You'll Taste:

Where You'll Stay:

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Galapagos: Explore Darwin’s Enchanted Islands