Small Ship
A maximum of sixteen people on board means personalised service and a light footprint.
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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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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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The people who lead the way when it comes to those things which matter to us: exploration, the environment, women’s empowerment and education.
A cruise onboard a small ship, where steps are taken to minimise environmental impact, is the most fulfilling and sustainable way to experience the Galapagos Islands. Natural Paradise carries a maximum of 16 passengers which means shore landings are low-impact and seamless, while service on board has a personal touch.
Close encounters with wildlife are guaranteed, and with Steppes, so is an expert guide who can help interpret animal behaviour. As part of our ‘Paying a Fair Price for Nature’ initiative, when you book a trip to the Galapagos with Steppes Travel, you will be signed up for membership to the Galapagos Conservation Trust.
Key Highlights of this Itinerary
Active itinerary
At least two guided excursions per day, exploring the islands by small boat (panga) or on foot.
Expert Guiding
Travel with local naturalist guides, learning about the biodiversity and history of the islands.
Superb Snorkelling
Snorkel with playful penguins, curious sea lions and fast-paced white-tipped reef sharks.
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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 Cruise?
A small ship cruise is the most sustainable, varied and fulfilling way to visit the Galapagos. Ships’ schedules are carefully organised to avoid overrunning key sites and we vet all the ships we offer to ensure that, like the Natural Paradise, the environmental impact of your cruise is carefully managed. With a maximum of 16 passengers on board, excursions are low-impact, and each client is carefully briefed on the codes of conduct required when visiting the islands. While ships like Natural Paradise offer a high level of comfort and service, the emphasis is on getting off the ship to visit various islands and to see first-hand the remarkable wildlife.
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.
Snorkelling in the Galapagos
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.
