Land Iguana, Galapagos Islands

Galapagos Cruise with Galapagos Conservation Trust

  • EXPERT-LED CRUISE
Start date End date Days
Prices from
ex. flights
Single Supplement Tour Expert Group Size Status
16/06/24 25/06/24 10 days £7,395 £2,960 Kelly Hague 15 Max LIMITED Reserve place
30/06/24 09/07/24 10 days £7,395 £2,960 Kelly Hague 15 Max FULL

Key Highlights of this Itinerary

Galapagos Conservation Trust 1

Hosted by Galapagos Conservation Trust

Hosted by GCT throughout, visit conservation projects and meet experts in the field.

Hammerhead sharks, Galapagos Islands 2

Biodiversity on land and sea

Snorkel alongside penguins and sharks and spot iguanas, boobies and finches on land.

Galapagos Giant Tortoise, Galapagos Islands 3

Giant tortoise conservation

Spend a night in Santa Cruz to go behind the scenes on giant tortoise conservation.

Natural Paradise, Galapagos Islands 4

Exclusivity on Natural Paradise

An exclusive Steppes trip aboard the Natural Paradise with only 15 other clients.

Explore our suggested itinerary

  • Day 1

    Arrive Quito

  • Day 2

    Santa Cruz

  • Day 3

    Visit Charles Darwin Research Centre before boarding Natural Paradise

  • Day 4

    Isabela and Fernandina Islands

  • Days 5-6

    Isabela Island

  • Day 7

    Chinese Hat and Mosquera islets

  • Day 8

    Floreana Island

  • Day 9

    Española Island

  • Day 10

    San Cristobal to Quito

Day 1

Arrive Quito

Day 2

Santa Cruz

Fly from Quito to Santa Cruz. Explore the highlands, which is prime habitat for giant tortoises, and meet with GCT conservationists working to protect these iconic animals. Stay overnight in Puerto Ayora, where you are invited to join a GCT-hosted dinner this evening.

Day 3

Visit Charles Darwin Research Centre before boarding Natural Paradise

Go behind the scenes at the Charles Darwin Research Centre before boarding Natural Paradise in time for lunch. Set sail and explore Eden Islet off the western coast of the island.

Day 4

Isabela and Fernandina Islands

Snorkelling and panga rides are on the menu for today. Search for blue-footed and Nazca boobies, terns and sea lions, Galapagos penguins and the curious-looking mola mola (sunfish).

Days 5-6

Isabela Island

Spend the next two days exploring Isabela Island where you may see the world’s only flightless cormorant. Isabela, the archipelago’s largest island, was formed by the joining of five young volcanoes and offers unique flora and fauna not seen on the other islands. GCT has several projects in and around Isabela, so we hope to meet a GCT project specialist during our time here.

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

The programme today will focus on one of the most significant wildlife restoration projects ever undertaken in Galapagos. An initiative to remove invasive species from Floreana will pave the way for the reintroduction of twelve endangered species. Excursions will be flexible but it is very likely you will head to Cormorant Point and hike to a salt-water lagoon, which is home to flamingos. There should also be an 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

Española Island

Head to Suarez Point, where it is highly likely you will see the rare waved albatross which breeds here, as well as blue-footed and Nazca boobies, red-billed tropicbirds, Galapagos hawks and the curious Hood mockingbirds. In the afternoon, explore the spectacular Gardner Bay.

Day 10

San Cristobal to Quito

Disembark in San Cristobal and fly to Quito.

Our travel experts can tailor this itinerary to suit you.

Galapagos Darwin Finch with orange beek looking down
Galapagos Darwin Finch
Waved albatross grooming on Espanola Island, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador.
Waved albatross
Galapagos giant tortoise, galapagos islands
Galapagos giant tortoise

Connection with Conservation

This voyage offers insight and a connection to conservation unrivalled by conventional Galapagos cruises. Due to the dynamic nature of the conservation projects here, we cannot yet be specific about the people you’ll meet but we can guarantee you will be introduced to individuals working with GCT on the frontline of conservation. These meetings will be in the field and also in social settings, over lunch and dinner for example. Expect to gain insight into the work being done to secure the future of giant tortoises, into vital efforts to rid Floreana of invasive species and steps being taken to save some of the world’s most threatened birds, including Darwin’s finches.

Waved Albatross, Galapagos Islands
Waved Albatross
Galapagos Tortoise, Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos Islands
Galapagos tortoise

Raising Substantial Funds for Conservation

Galapagos Conservation Trust

Your participation on this voyage will help raise money for conservation. If all places are filled, Steppes Travel and Royal Galapagos (the owners of Natural Paradise) will be able to make a donation of £20,000 to Galapagos Conservation Trust, helping them to conserve the vulnerable wildlife of these islands.

Learn more about the work of the Galapagos Conservation Trust here.

Natural Paradise, Galapagos Islands
Natural Paradise, Galapagos Islands
Sundeck, Natural Paradise, Galapagos Islands
Sundeck and dining onboard Natural Paradise
Suite, Natural Paradise, Galapagos Islands
Suite onboard Natural Paradise
Sundeck, Natural Paradise, Galapagos Islands
Sundeck on Natural Paradise

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.

Includes / Excludes

Important Information

Activity Level
Low Activity
Single 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

  • Escorted by Galapagos Conservation Trust host throughout
  • Exclusive project visits and meetings with local conservation experts
  • English speaking National Park guide in the Galapagos
  • Domestic flights between mainland Ecuador and the Galapagos
  • Tourist card $20 and national park fee $100
  • Group transfers throughout
  • Bed and breakfast accommodation in Quito
  • Lunch, dinner and accommodation on day two in Santa Cruz
  • Full board meals and snorkelling equipment on the Natural Paradise boat
  • Substantial donation to GCT
  • The use of our Steppes Travel App whilst travelling
  • 24 hour emergency assistance whilst travelling

What is excluded

  • International flights to and from Ecuador
  • Visas (not necessary on a British passport) and travel insurance
  • Gratuities

Accommodation

Below you can see some of the wonderful places we have recommended for this journey.

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.

View Boat

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.

Nicaragua's Caribbean coast
Lake Van, Turkey

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.

Other available dates

For further information about any of these tours please call 01285 880 980

Start date End date Days
Prices from
ex. flights
Single Supplement Tour Expert Group Size Status
16/06/24 25/06/24 10 days £7,395 £2,960 Kelly Hague 15 Max LIMITED Reserve place
30/06/24 09/07/24 10 days £7,395 £2,960 Kelly Hague 15 Max FULL

Explore similar expert-led group tours

With an average group size of just eight to ten people our group tour itineraries enable you to travel to some of the most intriguing regions of the world in the company of expert guides in the field and, of course, with likeminded people.

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.

Are you ready to Discover Extraordinary?


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