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SIGNATURE MOMENT
Walking amongst dozing Galapagos Sea Lions
SIGNATURE MOMENT
Watching the interactions among the bizarre Swallow-tailed Gulls
SIGNATURE MOMENT
Observing Galapagos Giant Tortoises foraging peacefully on Santa Cruz
SIGNATURE MOMENT
Discovering the unique Chocolate Chip Sea Star clinging to the rocks while snorkelling
SIGNATURE MOMENT
Challenging ourselves to distinguish the “Darwin’s Finches” based on their bill shape and size!

Galapagos: Explore Darwin’s Enchanted Islands

Feb 05-15, 2024

11 days | Ecuador | Expedition Cruise

 This tour is sold out! Click here to view our autumn departure.
 

 
This tour is presented by the alumni association of the University of Guelph.  All avid explorers are welcome!
 
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 Quest leader and our Galapagos naturalist guide are on board to lead island walks and on-board talks as we set sail to discover these remarkable island ecosystems, skirting past nesting boobies, scouting the seas for breaching whales and snorkelling 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, we will 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 Ivan 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!
Expedition Cruise Quest Nature Tours Worldwide Explorers Club University of Guelph Alumni Tours
Tour Cost (per person):
US$7395 (classic)
US$7595 (premium)
Group Size:
12 - 14 participants

What’s included: Taxes and gratuities of US$275, 3 nights hotel in Quito, in double occupancy (in hotels listed or similar), services and meals as listed 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, gratuities for services provided by Quest, airport transfers if travelling with the group, services of bilingual naturalist guide on board, trained by the Charles Darwin Research Station, services of your Quest Nature Tours leader Catherine Jardine

"The Galapagos Islands inspire you to think differently about the world." - Quest Traveller
"The tour was amazing. I learned a lot about the birds, reptiles and landscape of both Galapagos and the rainforest." - Susan. W.
"We were absolutely thrilled with our Galapagos Islands trip and the daily activities. Truly the trip of a lifetime. Thank you!"

Itinerary at a Glance

DayActivity
1Arrive in Quito
2Sightseeing in Quito
3Flight to Baltra, Galapagos and board the M/Y Beluga
4 - 9Exploring the Galapagos Islands, including Santa Fe, South Plaza, San Cristóbal, Española, Floreana, Santa Cruz, Santiago, and Genovesa
10Turtle Cove, disembark at Baltra, fly 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

Catherine Jardine is a staff ornithologist and data analyst with Birds Canada, based at the organization’s National Data Centre in Delta, B.C. She has conducted field projects in remote locations around the world and is the Bander-in-Charge at the Iona Island Bird Observatory.

Email Us

Or call 1-800-387-1483 with any questions or to reserve your spot!

Expedition Cruise Quest Nature Tours Worldwide Explorers Club University of Guelph Alumni Tours
Tour Cost (per person):
US$7395 (classic)
US$7595 (premium)
Group Size:
12 - 14 participants

What’s included: Taxes and gratuities of US$275, 3 nights hotel in Quito, in double occupancy (in hotels listed or similar), services and meals as listed 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, gratuities for services provided by Quest, airport transfers if travelling with the group, services of bilingual naturalist guide on board, trained by the Charles Darwin Research Station, services of your Quest Nature Tours leader Catherine Jardine

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Galapagos: Explore Darwin’s Enchanted Islands

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