Our Team 
Our Tour Experts 
Heroes and Heroines Jo began her work in marine conservation back in 1990 when she joined WWF in Hong Kong to begin their Marine Conservation Programme; a significant task in a place that had no laws to protect the coastal waters and where massive development was taking place before the handover to China. During her seven years with WWF, she was instrumental in bringing in new legislation and setting up four Marine Protected Areas.
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Our Team Steppes Travel is made by the people who work here. Incredible holidays are made possible because of their vast travel experience and the great enthusiasm they bring to their work.
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Our Tour Experts We carefully select our experts based on their knowledge, companionship and influence, ensuring that you can travel with the most knowledgeable leaders in the field.
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Heroes and Heroines The people who lead the way when it comes to those things which matter to us: exploration, the environment, women’s empowerment and education.
Cruise the Galapagos Islands with Jo Ruxton & New Scientist
| Start date | End date | Days | Prices from | Single Supplement | Tour Expert | Group Size | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23/05/21 | 01/06/21 | 10 days | £7,495 ex. flights | £4,995 | Jo Ruxton | 15 Max | AVAILABLE | Reserve place |
Join our special Galapagos Island charter in collaboration with New Scientist. This is a fantastic opportunity to explore the Galapagos Islands, with marine conservationist and producer of the documentary A Plastic Ocean, Jo Ruxton. Jo has worked with the BBC Natural History unit and was part of the celebrated Blue Planet team.
Spend eight days exploring the archipelago with opportunities to explore a selection of islands on foot, by panga (dingy) and snorkelling. The cruise and excursions will be led by your Galapagos National Park guide, someone who can impart their knowledge and passion of the island’s history, geology and wildlife. In addition to leading excursions, your guide will give daily evening lectures and be available to answer all the questions you may have during the week.
In addition to a local Galapagos Natural guide, this trip will be accompanied by Jo Ruxton. Jo co-founded the Plastic Oceans Foundation to draw attention to the problem of plastic pollution in our oceans. Her award-winning documentary, A Plastic Ocean is a must-watch for anybody with an interest in the health of our planet. Jo will accompany the group and give lectures during the cruise on her time working for the BBC as well as her continuing work on the global plastic issue.
Introducing your expert
Jo Ruxton
Key Highlights of this Itinerary
1Galapagos Islands exploration
Explore eight varied islands including Isabela, Espanola and Fernandina
2Jo Ruxton
Accompanied by Jo Ruxton, co-founder of the Plastic Oceans Foundation
3Galapagos Science centre
Exclusive behind the scenes access at the Galapagos Science centre
4Luxury accommodation
Travel aboard the Natural Paradise a high-end motorboat
Day 1
Quito
Day 2
Quito
Day 3
Quito to Santa Cruz Island
Day 4
Isabela Island and Fernandina Islands
Days 5-6
Isabela Island
Day 7
Chinese Hat and Mosquera Islets
Day 8
Floreana Island
Day 9
Espanola Island
Day 10
San Cristobal to Guayaquil
Day 11
Guayaquil
Day 1
Quito
Arrive into Quito, a historical city sitting at 2,850 metres. Meet with Jo Ruxton and enjoy a welcome dinner in the city.
Day 2
Quito
Explore Quito on a city tour visiting Independence Square, the President’s Palace and San Francisco Church. Finish the tour ends with a visit to Itchimbia Hill, from where the views of downtown Quito and the surrounding mountains are spectacular.
Day 3
Quito to Santa Cruz Island
On arrival in the Galapagos, you will be met by a national park guide who will accompany you on the dock, to embark the Natural Paradise. Set sail towards Eden Islet.
Day 4
Isabela Island and Fernandina Islands
Snorkelling and panga rides are possible today. Search for blue-footed and Nazca boobies, terns and sea lions, Galapagos penguins and the strange yet fascinating mola mola (sun fish).
Days 5-6
Isabela Island
Spend the next two days exploring Isabela Island. The archipelago’s largest island, Isabela, was formed by the joining of five young volcanoes and offers unique flora and fauna not seen on the other islands.
Day 7
Chinese Hat and Mosquera Islets
Explore Chinese Hat islet. This small islet is located near the southeast coast of Santiago Island. Its name comes from the distinct shape of the islet’s summit. Afterwards, visit Mosquera Islet, offering one of the largest populations of sea lions and great snorkelling.
Day 8
Floreana Island
There is the opportunity to swim in the crystal clear waters of the Devil’s Crown, an extinct volcano that peaks out of the waters just off Floreana’s coast and offers a magnificent snorkelling experience.
Day 9
Espanola Island
After landing, walk across a lovely white sand beach amongst a busy sea lion colony or dive into the water to swim and snorkel with sea lion pups.
Day 10
San Cristobal to Guayaquil
This morning disembark early and visit the Galapagos Science Centre, a state of the art research facility. Fly to Guayaquil.
Day 11
Guayaquil
Free day to explore at your leisure.
Boat
Natural Paradise
A high-end 111-foot-long yacht which 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.
With a spacious dining area, a bar and large sundeck with loungers, jacuzzi and a covered alfresco dining area, the yacht balances luxurious surroundings with plenty of space to unwind and relax. Snorkelling equipment and sea kayaks are available to use during the trip.
Galapagos Conservation Trust
Steppes is a Gold Corporate Member of the Galapagos Conservation Trust, the only UK charity that is focussed solely on conservation in the archipelago. As such we continue to support ongoing conservation projects in the archipelago and recently donated to the development of a citizen’s science website on which the public can post information about single-use plastic pollution in the Galapagos. When you book a trip to the Galapagos Islands with Steppes Travel, you will also benefit from a complimentary, six-month membership with the Galapagos Conservation Trust.
Why travel to the Galapagos with Steppes Travel?
In Jo Ruxton, Steppes Travel is confident to have found a wonderful travelling companion for this Galapagos cruise. Over the past 18 years, Jo has been involved in numerous underwater filming projects around the world, from Antarctica to the pristine reefs of the Caribbean and the Pacific Ocean. More recently Jo co-founded the Plastic Oceans Foundation to draw attention to the problem of plastic pollution in our oceans.
In addition to Jo, there will be a resident Galapagos National Park guide on board, meaning a ratio of one expert per eight passengers, you can be assured of receiving personalised and insightful narrative on all the wildlife seen.
Who are New Scientist Discovery Tours?
New Scientist is an English-language magazine that covers all aspects of science and technology. In 2019, they launched a range of new amazing science-inspired New Scientist Discovery Tours across the globe. With experts on board and in the company of fellow travellers who enjoy the discovery of science. Steppes are pleased to support this partnership and have some great tours with New Scientist to India, Madagascar, Hawaii, Galapagos, and Japan.
What happens on a typical day on a Galapagos cruise?
Wake up for breakfast at around 07:00 am. There may then be a morning land-based excursion. This may include a short hike, a research centre visit, or searching for local wildlife. Return to your boat for lunch. Afterwards, there will be some time at leisure before your water-based excursion. This could include a Panga (small boat) cruise, or a chance to see the marine life from the water with a snorkel trip. Return to the boat for pre-dinner drinks and a short briefing on the plan for the following day. After dinner, enjoy a talk by one of your expert Naturalists or specialist expert.
Is June a good time to visit the Galapagos?
Galapagos is a great destination to visit year-round. While it sits on the equator, the weather is not tropical, and temperatures sit in the early twenties most of the year. June is a lovely time of year to travel to the Galapagos islands, the days are generally warm, with temperatures averaging 23 °C. Days can be cloudy which can be a welcome break from the strong sun. Sea temperatures are also at their warmest at this time and visibility is good. In June, the Humboldt currents make marine life active so snorkelling can be fantastic.
What is the wildlife in the Galapagos like?
There are few places on earth that can rival the wildlife of Galapagos, with an abundance of colourful creatures seemingly unafraid of humans. Wildlife highlights include land and marine iguanas, blue-footed and Nazca boobies, giant tortoises, Galapagos penguins, frigate birds, sea lions and many finches.
What Wildlife can I expect to see in June in the Galapagos?
- Red-footed boobies and masked boobies breeding and nesting
- Marine iguanas and land iguanas mating
- Magnificent frigate birds are nesting and display their red pouches
- Tortoises laying eggs
- Waved albatross are nesting on Espanola Island
- Flightless cormorants, penguins and greater flamingos breeding and nesting
Haven’t found what you’re looking for?
Includes / Excludes
Important Information
Activity Level
Moderate ActivitySingle Supplement
Travelling on your own? Our group tours are perfect for solo travellers, as travelling as part of an organised group in faraway places provides security and peace of mind. We handle all of the arrangements for you and there will be a local tour guide on hand throughout to provide advice and help if needed, as well as the expertise of a Tour expert.
Flexibility
To allow flexibility, our group tours do not include international flights as standard. We can arrange international flights on your behalf, please get in touch with our travel experts for a quote. All international flights from the UK are ATOL protected.
What is included
- Travel with Jo Ruxton throughout
- Accommodation in Ecuador and aboard the Natural Paradise
- Domestic flights between mainland Ecuador and the Galapagos
- Group transfers throughout
- English speaking National Park guide in the Galapagos
- Six-month membership to the Galapagos Conservation Trust
- Snorkelling equipment on the Natural Paradise boat
- Full board meals and tea, coffee and water onboard
- £25 to help fund the communities, conservation agencies and NGOs that we work with
- £25 contribution to ‘Trees and Science’ in mitigation of your carbon emissions
What is excluded
- International flights to and from Ecuador
- Gratuities
- Visa
- Travel insurance
- Alcoholic and soft drinks onboard
Why a Steppes expert-led group tour
1.Experience matters
We have been running insightful and groundbreaking group tours since our inception in 1989. We have worked with institutions such as the British Museum and Victoria & Albert Museum and run wildlife tours in conjunction with conservation agencies such as Fauna & Flora International, Wildlife Conservation Society, the Orangutan Foundation, Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund and the Jane Goodall Institute.
2.Like-minded travellers
Steppes Travellers are like-minded people; interesting, interested and curious. Our group tours, usually consisting of eight to ten travellers, aim to create an easy and informal atmosphere – we have a lot of fun on our tours and many friendships have been formed.
4.Peace of mind
When you travel on one of our group tours, you will be looked after by our local agents and your tour expert with the back-up of our 24-hour emergency number and duty manager. All our holidays are fully bonded and protected – our ATOL number is ATOL 6495.
3.It’s about who you know
We have developed an enviable pool of expertise from which to choose our tour experts, who we carefully select based on their knowledge, companionship and personality. Often, these experts can use their influence to facilitate private access to sites not typically open to the public.
Our future tour dates
For further information about any of these tours please call 01285 880 980
| Start date | End date | Days | Prices from | Single Supplement | Tour Expert | Group Size | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23/05/21 | 01/06/21 | 10 days | £7,495 ex. flights | £4,995 | Jo Ruxton | 15 Max | AVAILABLE | Reserve place |
Reserve your place on this group tour
Our travel experts have a wealth of first-hand knowledge, so if you have any questions about this expert-led group tour, please get in touch. They would love to help. We hope you can join us on this tour.
01285 880 980Send us an enquiry
Send us a message and one of our travel experts
will get right back to you.
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Why Choose Steppes?
Our knowledge and expertise set us apart. So too our curiosity. A curiosity of the world and of you, and your passions. It is this that drives us to create a journey that is really bespoke to you, all the while ensuring we travel and operate sustainably.
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