Our Team
Our Tour Experts
Heroes and Heroines
Unique Birdlife
Encounter the array of unique bird species that inhabit this archipelago, ranging from Galapagos penguins to blue-footed boobies.
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![Amy Waters snow biking]()
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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![William Dalrymple]()
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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![Liz Bonnin]()
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
Sail the Galapagos Islands
A transformative sailing voyage around the world’s most treasured archipelago, staying aboard anything from a whimsical sailboat to a state-of-the-art catamaran, an exploration of the Galapagos Islands is the quintessential adventure for wildlife-loving wayfarers.
Key Highlights of this Itinerary
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Iguanas & Sea Lions
Explore remote islands on foot, stepping over land iguanas and sidestepping sea lion pups.
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Expert Guiding
Travel with naturalist guides, learning about the biodiversity and history of the islands.
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Swimming & Snorkelling
Snorkel with playful penguins, curious sea lions and fast-paced white-tipped reef sharks.
Why we like it
A sailing voyage around the pristine Galapagos Islands, with their explosion of unmatched biodiversity, is an enchanting and remarkable adventure that brings a series of complex micro worlds to the fore. Accompanied by our team of expert naturalist guides, find yourself surrounded by the world’s most peculiar wildlife scenes as penguins swim beneath turtles, blue-footed boobies congregate with sally lightfoot crabs, and sea lion pups play with marine iguana tails. When you book a trip to the Galapagos Islands with Steppes Travel, you will also benefit from a complimentary, six-month membership to the Galapagos Conservation Trust.
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Day 1-2
Quito (La Casona de la Ronda)
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Day 3
Quito - Galapagos (Natural Paradise)
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Day 4
Isabela Island and Fernandina Islands (Natural Paradise)
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Day 5
Isabela Island (Natural Paradise)
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Day 6
Isabela Island (Natural Paradise)
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Day 7
Chinese Hat and Mosquera Islets (Natural Paradise)
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Day 8
Floreana Island (Natural Paradise)
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Day 9
Espanola Island (Natural Paradise)
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Day 10
San Cristobal (Natural Paradise)
Day 1-2
Quito (La Casona de la Ronda)
Arrive in Quito and transfer to your hotel. The following day, set out on a guided tour of the city.
Day 3
Quito - Galapagos (Natural Paradise)
Transfer to the airport in the morning and fly to the Galapagos Islands. Here, enter the national park and transfer by dinghy to the Natural Paradise.
Day 4
Isabela Island and Fernandina Islands (Natural Paradise)
In the morning, stop on North Seymour Island where sea lions, marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies, pelicans and frigate birds can be found. In the afternoon, visit South Plaza Island. This small island features steep cliffs formed by rising lava and is home to of the largest sea lion colonies.
Day 5
Isabela Island (Natural Paradise)
Visit Rabida Island, one of the most colourful and volcanically varied islands in the archipelago and a great snorkelling site. The island is a birdwatcher’s delight with some of the rarest species found here. Afterwards, stop at Bartolome, home to Galapagos penguins and sea lions. Hike the 600-metre trail to Bartolome’s summit and be rewarded with spectacular views of Santiago Island and Sullivan Bay.
Day 6
Isabela Island (Natural Paradise)
In the morning, visit Sullivan Bay on Santiago Island. Walk across a recent lava flow that was only formed in the late 19th century. In the afternoon, visit Dragon Hill on Santa Cruz Island. One of the lengthier Galapagos walking trails will lead you along a beach and up a trail to the lagoon lookout where bright flamingos, pintail ducks and land iguanas can be spotted.
Day 7
Chinese Hat and Mosquera Islets (Natural Paradise)
In the morning, travel to the highlands of Santa Cruz and visit Los Gemelos. These formations were created by the collapse of surface material in underground fissures and chambers. In the afternoon, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to see the giant tortoise and land iguana breeding program.
Day 8
Floreana Island (Natural Paradise)
In the morning, visit El Barranco on Genovesa Island, where a steep, rocky path leads up to a high cliff face. Red-footed and Nazca boobies, short-eared lava owls, Galapagos swallows and Galapagos doves can all be seen here. After lunch, visit the white-sand coral beach of Darwin Bay, where sea lions swim playfully in tidal pools.
Day 9
Espanola Island (Natural Paradise)
In the morning, visit Espumilla Beach, a popular place for marine iguanas and Sally Lightfoot crabs. In the afternoon, stop at Puerto Egas, home to the curious Galapagos hawks and quick-footed lava lizards. Have the chance to snorkel and see reef sharks, turtles, rays and sea lions.
Day 10
San Cristobal (Natural Paradise)
On your final morning, visit Bachas Beach, home to flamingos, Sally lightfoot crabs, hermit crabs, black-necked stilts and whimbrels. Afterwards, transfer to Baltra airport in time for your flight back to the mainland.
Why Sail the Seas?
These historically and geologically dense islands cannot be experienced in their entirety without taking to the seas and navigating around the archipelago, witnessing their incredible diversity of terrains and respective indigenous wildlife populations. Since these remote and uninhabited islands are only accessible by zodiacs, those who choose to sail can get up close and personal with the native flora and fauna of the region in almost complete tranquillity.
Your Boat
The Natural Paradise
A 34-metre-long motor 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.
With a spacious dining area, a bar and large sundeck with loungers, a 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.
Ocean Experiences
As the vessel anchors in far-flung waters off the coast of dramatic islands, disembark to snorkel in deep blue waters where silhouetted sharks can appear in the distance and elusive sun fish may even make an appearance. In shallower turquoise waters with white sandy floors that are teeming with marine life, perhaps free dive to marvel at the starfish or dart out of the way of a fever of golden rays. Take a kayak out before lunch as the vessel rests in anchor, watching as graceful green Pacific turtles glide by, or simply swim through calm waters next to darting penguins.
Island Experiences
Choosing to sail the Galapagos Islands certainly does not mean being confined to the boat and waters – in fact the opposite is true, since the boat navigates through the night to different islands and coastlines. Partake in leisurely daily walks on these remote islands, bypassing the fearless creatures that play and bask in the sunshine, pausing to discuss the fascinating evolving archipelago with your expert naturalist guides or to sit in sandy solitude and observe the magnificence of the islands.
Start planning your trip
A note on price
Prices will vary depending on the time of year you are travelling. Prices do not include international flights. Please ask one of our Travel Experts for an accurate quote. Flights purchased through Steppes Travel departing from the UK are ATOL protected.
Why Choose Steppes?
Our knowledge and expertise set us apart. So too our curiosity. 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.
Are you ready to discover extraordinary once again?
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