Galápagos Islands Expedition

Baltra · Santa Cruz · Isabela · Española · 7 nights

Seven nights on board and ashore, round trip from Baltra.

The Journey

Seven nights by ship, with days ashore at Baltra, Santa Cruz, Isabela, Fernandina, Floreana, Española and South Plaza. Shore days are planned with private guides where shown, and you can always stay on board instead.

The days are built around Santa Cruz Highlands, Isabela: Sierra Negra and Tintoreras, Western Isabela and Fernandina and Floreana. Each one is set out below with what you will see, how you get there and which meals are included.

The defining moment of this route: twice-daily landings with a park-certified naturalist. Your travel specialist can add a night, swap a day or change the order before you book.

Signature Highlights

Twice-daily landings with a park-certified naturalist
Santa Cruz Highlands
Isabela: Sierra Negra and Tintoreras
Western Isabela and Fernandina
Floreana
Española

Day by day

Your Itinerary

8 days

01
Day 1 · Baltra, Galápagos
Baltra and North Seymour
Fly from Guayaquil or Quito to Baltra and board, then an afternoon landing on North Seymour among blue-footed boobies and nesting frigatebirds.
- Flight to Baltra and boarding
- North Seymour landing
- Blue-footed boobies and frigatebirds
Meals:
LD
02
Day 2 · Santa Cruz, Galápagos
Santa Cruz Highlands
Wild giant tortoises in the highland reserves and the breeding programme at the Charles Darwin Research Station.
- Wild giant tortoises
- Charles Darwin Research Station
- Highland lava tunnels
Meals:
BLD
03
Day 3 · Isabela, Galápagos
Isabela: Sierra Negra and Tintoreras
The vast caldera of Sierra Negra, flamingo lagoons near Puerto Villamil, and white-tip reef sharks resting in the channels of Tintoreras.
- Sierra Negra caldera
- Flamingo lagoons
- Tintoreras white-tip sharks
Meals:
BLD
04
Day 4 · Fernandina, Galápagos
Western Isabela and Fernandina
Marine iguanas by the hundred and flightless cormorants at Punta Espinoza, with snorkelling among sea turtles where conditions allow.
- Marine iguanas at Punta Espinoza
- Flightless cormorants
- Snorkelling with turtles
Meals:
BLD
05
Day 5 · Floreana, Galápagos
Floreana
The barrel post office at Post Office Bay, flamingos at Punta Cormorant and snorkelling at Devil's Crown.
- Post Office Bay
- Punta Cormorant flamingos
- Devil's Crown snorkel
Meals:
BLD
06
Day 6 · Española, Galápagos
Española
Punta Suárez's waved albatross colony, present from about April to December, and the sea lions of Gardner Bay's white beach.
- Waved albatross, in season
- Punta Suárez blowhole
- Gardner Bay sea lions
Meals:
BLD
07
Day 7 · South Plaza, Galápagos
South Plaza
Land iguanas among red sesuvium and prickly pear, and a sea lion colony on the cliffs. Farewell dinner on board.
- Land iguanas
- Sea lion colony
- Farewell dinner on board
Meals:
BLD
08
Day 8 · Baltra, Galápagos
Disembarkation at Baltra
A last early outing, then transfer to Baltra airport for your flight to the mainland.
- Morning disembarkation
- Transfer to Baltra airport
- Flight to Guayaquil or Quito
Meals:
B

Inclusions

Handpicked luxury accommodations across the journey
Daily breakfast; select lunches and dinners as noted
Private airport transfers and inter-city ground movement
Curated experiences and reserved access as listed
24×7 on-trip concierge from our India desk

Not included

International airfare unless explicitly mentioned
Visa fees, travel insurance and personal expenses
Meals and experiences not listed in the itinerary
Gratuities for guides, drivers and hotel staff
Anything of a personal nature (spa, minibar, laundry)

Transfers

Private arrival and departure transfers with a named driver
Moves between stops by private car, rail, ferry or domestic flight, as shown day by day
Timings reconfirmed with you the evening before each transfer

Visa & Documentation

Visa guidance provided by our documentation desk
Recommended to hold passport valid for 6+ months
Digital pre-arrival forms handled on your behalf where possible

Common Questions

When is the best time to visit the Galápagos?+

Any time of year. December to May has warmer water and calmer seas; June to November has cooler water and more marine life around the western islands.

Can we choose which islands we visit?+

The national park sets each ship's route in advance. We match your dates to a ship whose route includes the islands you most want, such as Española and Isabela.

Is the Galápagos suitable for children?+

Yes, for children who can manage wet landings from small boats and short walks. Some ships set minimum ages; we check for your family.

How far in advance should we book?+

Three to four months ahead gives the widest choice of rooms and guided days, and more for school holidays, festivals and peak season. Shorter notice is often possible; ask and we will check live availability.

Can the itinerary be customised?+

Yes. Every journey is a starting point: add or remove nights, swap a day's plan, change hotels or reorder the route, and your travel specialist re-plans the whole trip around it.

What is the payment schedule?+

Your quote sets out the deposit that confirms the booking and the date the balance is due. Both depend on the hotels, airlines and guides involved, so they are agreed with you before you pay anything.