Kate Humble is a British television presenter and author known for her work on wildlife, science and rural affairs. With a background in conservation and sustainable living, her storytelling encourages a deeper connection to nature and a thoughtful approach to travel.
| Start date | End date | Days |
Prices from
ex. flights |
Single Supplement | Tour Expert | Group Size | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06/13/27 | 06/22/27 | 10 days | $10,005 pp | $4,135 | Kate Humble | 15 Max | AVAILABLE | Reserve place |
Travel to one of the most biodiverse regions on the planet in the company of one of the UK’s most respected wildlife presenters and advocates, Kate Humble. A maximum of 15 Steppes-only clients will join Kate to explore the Galapagos archipelago and the profusion of wildlife that thrive there.
Onboard the Natural Paradise yacht, clients will have the opportunity to spend eight days with Kate, visiting eight islands, each with distinct flora and fauna. Alongside Kate, expert naturalist guides provide further insights into the fascinating volcanic history of the islands and the animals that inhabit them. With a career spanning over 30 years, Kate’s contribution to wildlife and broadcasting covers topics such as human interaction with the natural world, sustainable living and climate change, bringing a holistic approach to biodiversity, underpinned by exceptional storytelling.
Go behind-the-scenes of several Galapagos Conservation Trust projects, where you will meet experts in the field and see firsthand how the islands are being protected. By joining this cruise, you will actively contribute to research initiatives across the Galapagos National Park, with a £300 per person donation included for each client who books with Steppes.
Introducing your expert
Kate Humble
Why Steppes?
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Key Highlights of this Itinerary
Kate Humble
Experience the Galapagos with Kate Humble, author and wildlife presenter with a career spanning over 30 years.
Prime Wildlife Viewing
Departing in June, the start of the humpback whale season and the migration of giant tortoises from the highlands looking for nesting sites to breed.
Steppes Exclusive
Join a group of 15 Steppes’ clients onboard this Natural Paradise charter, with a guide ratio of one to eight.
Galapagos Conservation Trust
Behind-the-scenes access to GCT projects and meet experts in the field working to protect the archipelago.
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Day 1
Quito
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Day 2
Quito
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Day 3
Quito to Santa Cruz Island
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Day 4
Fernandina Islands and Isabela Island
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Days 5-6
Isabela Island
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Day 7
Chinese Hat and Borrero Bay
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Day 8
Floreana Island
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Day 9
Espanola Island
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Day 10
San Cristobal to Quito
Day 1
Quito
Arrive into Quito where you will be met and transferred to your hotel accommodation.
Day 2
Quito
Your host, Kate Humble, will join the group on a guided city tour of Quito, visiting Independence Square, the President’s Palace and San Francisco Church, finishing with a welcome lunch at a local restaurant.
Day 3
Quito to Santa Cruz Island
Fly from Quito to Santa Cruz Island in the Galapagos. On arrival, you will be met by a national park guide who will accompany you on the dock, to board the Natural Paradise. Set sail towards North Seymour Island.
Day 4
Fernandina Islands and Isabela Island
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 Borrero Bay
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 Borrero Bay on the northern side of Santa Cruz island, offering excellent swimming and 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 Quito
This morning, disembark early and visit the Galapagos Science Centre, a state of the art research facility. Fly to Quito where this trip ends, but please talk to one of our team about extending your time in Ecuador.
Endemic Species
Galapagos Fauna
This Steppes’ group charter departs in June, which is one of the most rewarding months for Galapagos wildlife viewing. Ocean currents create nutrient-rich waters, attracting larger marine mammals, including humpback whales, dolphins and the Galapagos penguin. Blue-footed boobies start their courtship dance, and waved albatross nest on Espanola Island. Accompanied by expert guides and Kate Humble, snorkel, kayak and take panga (small motorised boat) rides to eight different islands and learn about their distinct terrain, flora and fauna.
Steppes Exclusive
Natural Paradise
A maximum capacity of 16 passengers, Natural Paradise offers an intimate and informal atmosphere onboard, as well as low-impact and seamless shore landings. With a guide ratio of one to eight, guests get in-depth insights into the wildlife during land and sea excursions. Nine cabins vary from standard cabins with porthole windows to suites with private balconies for prime wildlife viewing. Dining is shared, either in the spacious indoor dining room or on the covered outdoor area. Between excursions, make use of the snorkelling gear and sea kayaks, or unwind on the sundeck, complete with loungers and a jacuzzi. Learn more about the wildlife and conservation through informal evening talks hosted by Kate and Galapagos guides.
Impactful Travel
Wildlife Conservation
For every client who books this Galapagos voyage, Steppes will donate £300 to Galapagos Conservation Trust (GCT) supporting multiple conservation projects across the archipelago. One such project is Iguanas from Above, which photographs marine iguana populations using drones so their numbers can be counted at a later stage by volunteers around the world. During the voyage, you will get behind-the-scenes access to a GCT conservation project and a chance to speak to the experts leading these vital research and conservation programmes.
How does this holiday make a positive impact?
- Relevant SDGs
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Steppes Travel donates £300 to Galapagos Conservation Trust (GCT) for every client it books to travel to the Galapagos. GCT works with scientists, authorities, NGOs, and local communities, to restore biodiversity to the islands and build resilience to the growing threat from the climate crisis. One such project is Iguanas from Above, which photographs marine iguana populations using drones so their numbers can be counted at a later stage by volunteers around the world.
In 2022, the Ecuadorian government announced the creation of the Hermandad Reserve giving safe passageway to whale sharks, sea turtles and other marine life moving between the Galapagos and Cocos Islands. This means that 19% of the Galapagos oceans are now protected. For every booking on this cruise, we make a £300 donation to the Galapagos Conservation Trust which has prioritised the objective of creating marine protected areas to cover at least 30% of the oceans around the Galapagos.
Steppes has donated £3,000 to support the Galapagos Conservation Trust’s project, Gills Club on San Cristobal. The club aims to engage local girls in shark science, as part of a wider Galapagos Ocean Outreach goal to empower young people to generate and deliver conservation and sustainability projects. Girls at Gills Club are given opportunities to see wildlife that they would otherwise not encounter and gain scientific skills, self-confidence and passion for protecting the wildlife of their Islands, led by their female mentors.
Learn more about the UN's 17 sustainability goals
Why travel to the Galapagos with Steppes Travel?
This exclusive Steppes charter is hosted by presenter and author, Kate Humble who brings her extensive knowledge and passion for the natural world that led her to become one of the UK’s most respected figures in wildlife storytelling.
In addition to Kate, there will be a resident Galapagos National Park guide on board. With a ratio of one guide per eight passengers, you can be assured of receiving personalised and insightful narrative on all the wildlife seen.
What happens on a typical day on a Galapagos cruise?
Wake up for breakfast at around 07:00. 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?
June marks the start of the humpback whale season and the migration of giant tortoises from the highlands looking for nesting sites to breed.
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.
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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
- Accompanied by Kate Humble in the Galapagos
- Two nights pre-cruise accommodation in Quito and then aboard the Natural Paradise boat
- Domestic flights between mainland Ecuador and Galapagos Islands
- Full board meals and snorkelling equipment on the boat
- Group transfers throughout
- English speaking National Park guide in the Galapagos
- Guided tour of Quito old town including welcome lunch
- Tourist card and national park fee
- Daily guided excursions when in the Galapagos Islands
- Evening lecture programme on board Natural Paradise
- Carbon offset of all flights taken based on economy seats
What is excluded
- International Flights to and from Ecuador
- Dinner in Quito both nights before departure to the Galapagos Islands
- Alcoholic beverages onboard Natural Paradise
- Gratuities for the onboard crew, drivers and porters
- Travel Insurance
- Visa
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.
Other available dates
For further information about any of these tours please call 1(800)272-4163
| Start date | End date | Days |
Prices from
ex. flights |
Tour Expert | Group Size | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06/13/27 | 06/22/27 | 10 days | $10,005 pp | Kate Humble | 15 Max | AVAILABLE | Reserve place |
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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.
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