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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

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Walking amongst dozing Galapagos Sea Lions

Galapagos: Explore Darwin’s Enchanted Islands III

Oct 25 - Nov 04, 2026

11 days | Ecuador | Expedition Cruise

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 call 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$7995 - 8295 (depending 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; entrance fees, including Galapagos park and transit fees (US$220); 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

"Snorkelling was great in the Galapagos!" - Quest traveller

[Favourite experience] "Watching the frigate birds fly above us, then suddenly turn, dive straight down, disappear under water, and emerge with a fish in the mouth." - David

"Our tour guide Carlos on the Machu Picchu extension was excellent. All of the hotels were excellent and meals at all of the hotels were above and beyond". - Quest traveller

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	Turtle Cove / Fly from Baltra to Quito
11	Depart Quito
Optional extensions: 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, 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.

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