Nature Paradise Galápagos Islands | An exclusive cruise in the footsteps of Charles Darwin

Day 1 Quito

Flight to Quito. Upon arrival, you will be greeted and transferred from the airport to your centrally located deluxe hotel.

Day 2 Quito – City Tour & Equator Monument

Explore Quito’s historic old town (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and visit the famous Equator Monument. At the interactive Intiñan Museum, fascinating experiments await you — including the question: does water flow in different directions on either side of the equator? In the evening, enjoy a delicious welcome dinner. (BLD)

Day 3 Baltra Island and Bartolomé Island

Transfer to Quito Airport and flight to Baltra. Upon arrival on Baltra Island, you will meet your guide and board the Horizon trimaran, where the crew will warmly welcome you. Your first stop is Bartolomé Island, famous for its photogenic twin beaches and iconic Pinnacle Rock. Enjoy a guided hike and snorkeling adventure in the realm of sharks, rays, and penguins. (BLD)

Day 4 Rábida Island and Santiago Island

Rábida Island fascinates with its red sand beach, sea lions, and marine iguanas. After a hike, you can swim and snorkel in the scenic bay. On Santiago Island, you will hike to the fur seal grotto or to the Pan de Azúcar volcano. Its crater, filled with saltwater, dries out in the heat to reveal a bizarre, salt-covered landscape. (BLD)

Day 5 Genovesa Island

Known as a birdwatcher’s paradise, Genovesa Island is home to blue-footed boobies, red-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, and Galápagos owls. You’ll also encounter fur seals, Sally Lightfoot crabs, marine iguanas, and sea lions. With a bit of luck, you might even spot hammerhead sharks. (BLD)

Day 6 Mosquera Island and Santa Cruz Island

Mosquera is home to one of the largest sea lion colonies in the Galápagos — and since sea lions are a favorite prey of orcas, you may be lucky enough to spot these striking killer whales as well. In the highlands of Santa Cruz, you’ll marvel at the twin craters Los Gemelos, explore endemic Scalesia forests, encounter giant cacti, and observe hundreds of giant tortoises in their natural habitat. (BLD)

Day 7 North Seymour Island and Santiago Island

On North Seymour, you’ll encounter sea lions, land iguanas, and the largest frigatebird colony in the Galápagos Islands. In Sullivan Bay on Santiago Island, admire the impressive lava fields formed by past volcanic eruptions. (BLD)

Day 8. Isabela Island and Fernandina Island

Enjoy snorkeling in a sheltered bay, where you may encounter whales, dolphins, and playful sea lions. On Fernandina Island, observe flightless cormorants, marine iguanas, and Galápagos penguins in their natural environment. (BLD)

Day 9 Genovesa Island

On Isabela, you can admire graffiti left by pirates and whalers from the 19th century and discover the last mangrove finches. While snorkeling and hiking, you will see sea lions, penguins, cormorants, giant tortoises, and land iguanas. (BLD)

Day 10 Isabela Island

The small bay of Elizabeth Bay is home to rays, sharks, and penguins. In the afternoon, admire the lava fields of the Cerro Azul volcano and spot marine turtles, herons, and flamingos.

Day 11 Santa Cruz Island

On Santa Cruz, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, where the famous Lonesome George—the last known individual of the Pinta Island tortoise—lived for decades. In the highlands, explore several fascinating sites, including the giant tortoise reserve and the well-known lava tubes. (BLD)

Day 12 Floreana Island

Visit Post Office Bay, where Captain Colnett installed a wooden mailbox in 1793 that is still in use today.Keep an eye out for Darwin’s finches and lava lizards, snorkel with marine turtles, and encounter the flamingos of Punta Cormorant. (BLD)

Day 13 San Cristóbal Island and Departure

At the Interpretation Center, you’ll gain a comprehensive overview of the history and nature of the Galápagos Islands. Afterwards, transfer to the airport for your return flight via Guayaquil. (B)

(B) = Breakfast, (L) = Lunch, (D) = Dinner

Fulfill a lifelong dream and discover the wonders of the Galápagos Archipelago aboard the comfortable trimaran Horizon! This unique vessel, accommodating a maximum of just 16 guests, has been cruising the Galápagos since May 2018. Modern and elegant, it offers stability, tranquility, and comfort. Look forward to a spacious sun deck, a jacuzzi, and roomy cabins with private balconies. Thanks to your excellent naturalist guides and the extraordinary itinerary, your Galápagos cruise aboard the Horizon will be an unforgettable experience.

Rates Include

• Domestic Ecuadorian flights: Quito – Baltra (Galápagos Islands) and San Cristóbal (Galápagos Islands) – Guayaquil in economy class
• Galápagos cruise (exclusive charter) including all excursions aboard the comfortable trimaran Horizon with 10 nights on board
• National park entrance fee and Galápagos transit card
• 2 nights in a deluxe hotel in Quito
• Multilingual guides (English & German) in Quito and on the Galápagos Islands
• Transfers and excursions (Quito) in comfortable, locally typical coaches
• Meals according to the itinerary (B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner) as well as water, coffee, and tea during the Galápagos cruise
• Complimentary rental of wetsuits, snorkeling equipment, stand-up paddleboards, and kayaks
• Entrance fees for sightseeing as per itinerary

Not Included

• International flights
• Visa
• Gratuities
• Personal expenses

Entry Requirements

• Passport and visa required. Please consult your local embassy.
• Health, entry & vaccination regulations as prescribed by the visited countries. Please check with your local embassy and national guidelines for travel.

Important Notes

• We regret that due to the intricate logistics of this tour, itinerary changes are sometimes unavoidable
• This journey is generally not for guests with limited mobility or who depend on CPAP machines. Please contact us for more information about your specific requirements before booking
• Minimum number of tour participants: 12
• Maximum number of tour participants: 16
• Please make sure to check anticipated flight details with us prior to booking.