Blue Footed Booby, Galapagos, Ecuador

Galapagos Islands Holidays

Darwin’s playground; where a delicate collection of fearless wildlife and idyllic landscapes awaits. Choose from one of the many beautiful lodges or take to the sea with expert guides in tow.

From sitting on a beach face-to-face with non-flinching sea lion pups to wandering through lush fields of giant land tortoises, a trip to the Galapagos Islands is one of the most magical travel experiences, no matter your age.

While sailing around the Galapagos archipelago is a unique experience in itself, there are a number of additional exclusive experiences that we can arrange for ocean-bound voyagers. Savour a private alfresco sunset dinner as the vessel navigates past silhouetted islands, partake in chocolate-tasting and ceviche-making classes with on-board chefs, or privately charter a romantic vessel to celebrate an anniversary.

Galapagos Sea Lions,  Gardner Bay, Espanola, Galapagos Islands
Espanola , Galapagos Islands

Why visit the Galapagos

Set nearly 1,000 kilometres off the mainland, this is the only place in the world where zoom lenses are definitely not required to capture stunning wildlife portraits.

Since both the land and marine creatures that inhabit the Galapagos Islands are utterly fearless, a journey around the landmasses brings voyagers face-to-face with their thousands-strong population of curious bubble-blowing sea lions, salt-spitting iguanas, clumsy blue-footed boobies, flightless cormorants, monogamous waved albatrosses and boisterous Galapagos penguins.

Explore the Galapagos Islands

  • Isabela Island - Marine Life
  • Santa Cruz - Giant Tortoises
  • South Plaza
  • Santa Fe
  • Bartolome - Galapagos penguins
  • San Salvador
  • Fernandina - Marine Iguanas
  • San Cristobal - Sea lions
  • Espanola - Boobies
  • Floreana Island
Viewing Daphne Major island from boat, Galapagos
Galapagos Islands

Cruising in the Galapagos

A cruise is hard to beat if you want to make the most of every moment in the Galapagos. You get to experience the huge variety of terrain and the richness of flora and fauna on each of the islands, whilst enjoying the added advantage of sleeping whilst you travel. A typical cruise lasts for eight days, but we can always arrange for you to stay longer.

Learn more about our Galapagos cruises

Where to stay

Some of the wonderful places to stay that we frequently recommended.

Natural Paradise £££££

  • Galapagos Islands

A high-end 34-metre-long yacht that can accommodate 16 passengers, Natural Paradise is made up of nine cabins that vary from standard cabins with porthole windows to suites with private balconies.

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Seaman Journey £££££

  • Galapagos Islands

A comfortable and spacious 90-foot-long motorised catamaran that provides excellent value for money, Seaman Journey accommodates a maximum of 16 passengers in eight cabins with big picture windows.

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Ocean Spray £££££

  • Americas - South

Ocean Spray catamaran accommodates 16 passengers in eight large cabins, all of which offer interchangeable twin or double accommodation with large windows and panoramic sliding glass doors leading to private balconies.

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Origin, Theory & Evolve £££££

  • Galapagos Islands

Three spacious Relais & Chateaux vessels that accommodate just 20 passengers each, Origin, Theory and Evolve are identical 142-foot-long sister yachts that are made up of 10 deluxe staterooms with full length panoramic windows..

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Land Iguana, Endemic Cactus, Plaza Sur, Galapagos Islands
Plaza Sur, Galapagos Islands

Island-based Galapagos holidays

Whilst our Galapagos holiday experts often recommend a cruise, a growing number of visitors never set foot on a live-aboard boat as the choice of lodges and camps in the Galapagos is now at an all-time high. To quote Spike Milligan, “a sure cure for seasickness is to sit under a tree” – so if you want to explore the Galapagos but don’t have the sea legs for a cruise, speak to our experts. They know the best ‘trees’ under which to sit in the Galapagos or, for the more active, can arrange walking tours on volcanic islands or birding excursions into the islands’ interiors.

land-based holiday IDEA

Where to stay

Some of the wonderful places to stay that we frequently recommended.

Montemar £££££

  • Galapagos Islands

Consisting of just three superbly constructed eco villas that are the first of their kind in the Galapagos, Montemar is the sustainable passion project of two native Galapaguenos and environmentalists. Composed of natural local materials like bamboo, cedar and lava rocks, the villas blend seamlessly with the surrounding 43 acres of land, through which Galapagos tortoises and wild horses roam freely. The property has its own outdoor bamboo yoga and meditation studio, and the three villas range in size and are each uniquely decorated.

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Pikaia Lodge £££££

  • Galapagos Islands

A unique concept in the Galapagos, Pikaia Lodge is a contemporary property that carefully balances adventurous land-based activities with ocean-bound excursions. Guests are welcomed on board the lodge’s spacious and luxurious yacht and allocated a private cabin, but are able to return at night to the comforts of Pikaia Lodge to sleep on steady ground. Providing an ideal base from which to explore a wide selection of islands, the lodge operates similarly to boat-based programmes by providing planned, fully-guided excursions that include sea kayaking, snorkelling and walking.

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Villa Escalesia £££££

  • Galapagos Islands
  • Villas / Exclusive use

An oceanfront residence overlooking Pelican Bay on Santa Cruz Island, Villa Escalesia is a private home that offers sea views, a private infinity swimming pool, expansive sun decks, a whirlpool and ocean-view hammocks. Boasting total privacy and unobstructed views of Academy Bay and Santa Fe Island, the villa is an ideal location for groups of up to 12 people to congregate for private parties, reunions or annual get-togethers. Available for hire on a full-board or full-board and serviced basis, the property is designed to accommodate once-in-a-lifetime memories.

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Finch Bay Hotel £££££

  • Galapagos Islands
  • Beach and Island Escapes

Named after the Darwin finches that frequent the surrounding area, Finch Bay Hotel is nestled across from Puerto Ayora in a quiet oceanfront location on Santa Cruz Island. The property features 27 rooms and suites, an outdoor pool and a restaurant that serves locally-inspired cuisine. The property is flexible in that it offers stays on only a bed and breakfast basis right through to a complete full-board package with daily guided land and sea excursions.

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Experiences

Observe giant tortoises grazing in the highlands of Santa Cruz Island, marvel at comical blue-footed boobies during their courtship dances, photograph marine iguanas diving into the sea off Isabela Island and snorkel with playful sea lions from the beach on San Cristobal Island. We can also arrange an exclusive behind-the-scenes visit to the Galapagos Science Centre, where it is possible to interact with scientists and chat about their important projects and community awareness programmes.

Land Iguana, Galapagos, Ecuador
Galapagos Islands

Wildlife Spotting

Travel around the islands, totting up the impressive list of species spotted during a single day, from land iguanas and sea lions to blue footed boobies and sunfish.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Origin exterior, Galapagos
Galapagos Islands

Charter a Boat

In the company of an expert naturalist guide and a professional crew, privately charter a vessel to explore the islands with family or friends for a feeling of complete exclusivity.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Pinnacle Rock, Bartolome Island, Galapagos Islands
Galapagos Islands

Kayak in the Ocean

Move around the bays, stopping to watch sea lions and turtles, while kayaking over the tranquil water.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Charles Darwin Research Centre, Santa Cruz, GPS
Galapagos Islands

Charles Darwin Research Centre

Visit the Charles Darwin Research Centre to learn about the biology, ecology and conservation of the archipelago.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Galapagos Habitat, Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos Islands
Galapagos Islands

Live the Island Life

Instead of (or in addition to) cruising, stay on one of the archipelago’s four inhabited islands for a slower paced experience and more interaction with the locals.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Rays, Genovesa Island, Galapagos Islands
Galapagos Islands

Snorkel with Marine Life

Don flippers and jump in the water to swim with playful sea lions, curious penguins and resting whitetip reef shark.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Need inspiration?
Browse our Galapagos Islands holidays.

Our experts have created and curated these holiday ideas to get you started. Take the time to search through them and find something that is the spark for your unique adventure.

Child on North Seymour Island, Galapagos
Family Holiday, Galapagos Islands

Galapagos Family Holidays

A supremely family-friendly destination, the Galapagos Islands is the perfect place to get the family up close to a host of creatures that have no fear of humans!

Galapagos family holidays

Meet our experts

A passion for travel runs right through every one of our experts - meaning they're always ready with first-hand insight about their specialist countries.

Roxy Dukes

Wildlife is Roxy’s passion, so where better to immerse than in Darwin’s land? Having stepped on all but one of the islands in the archipelago and having personally visited our hand-picked selection of hotels and boats, there is little she does not know about the Galapagos Islands.

Talk with our experts
  • 01285 880 980

Paul Bird

The moment a blue footed booby makes its dive and plunges like a dart into the water is special, but to see hundreds do this at once was a breath-taking experience that Paul was not prepared for.

Talk with our experts
  • 01285 880 980

John Faithfull

Half of the appeal of the Galapagos Islands is underwater, and a few minutes in the company of a five-metre manta ray off the coast of Isabela Island remains one of John’s most vivid memories of this incredible archipelago.

Talk with our experts
  • 01285 880 980

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Frequently asked questions about Galapagos Islands

How much is the Galapagos National Park fee?

How many of the Islands are inhabited?

Is it possible to visit the islands independently?

What are wet and dry landings?

When is the peak season?

Where are the Islands in relation to Ecuador?

Can I walk anywhere on the Islands?

How long should I spend in the Galapagos?

How many islands make up the Galapagos Islands?

Galapagos Giant Tortoise, Galapagos Islands
Galapagos Giant Tortoise, Galapagos Islands

Donation to Galapagos Conservation Trust (GCT)

The Ecuadorian authorities charge a national park fee of $100 for a two-week trip to the Galapagos. Tourism needs to pay a price that is commensurate with the demands it makes on infrastructure and natural resources; $100 doesn’t come close. Steppes Travel will continue to push the authorities for an increase in fees to be used to help combat the growing threats to the Galapagos Islands but in the interim, we will make a donation of $100 to GCT for every client that travels to the Galapagos islands. This will of course be in addition to the $100 Galapagos National Park fee included in the cost of your holiday and will give you an annual membership to GCT. Read our blog on the importance of paying a fair price for nature.

Why Choose Steppes?

Our knowledge, curiosity and expertise set us apart, driving us to create remarkable holidays and Beautiful Adventures tailored perfectly to you, carefully curated to help protect and conserve our planet.

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