• Luxury Galapagos Cruises Experience the islands in comfort and style

  • Featuring the Finest Yachts and Small Ships Explore our curated collection

  • Truly Unforgettable Experiences In the company of premiere naturalist guides

  • Start Planning Your Journey Speak with one of our Galapagos Specialists today

Explore the Enchanted Islands in Comfort and Style!

Days: 7-10 | From: $6,490/per person

  • Includes accommodations in the finest luxury hotel in Quito and the luxury yacht of your choice in the Galapagos
  • Includes excursions and tours with superb guides (private guide in Quito; top naturalist guide on your vessel)

There is no better way to explore the Galapagos Islands than from the comfort of an intimate and luxurious yacht. That’s why we’ve curated a short selection of our very favorite luxury Galapagos yachts for you to choose from. Our highly experienced Galapagos specialists know each of them and delight in helping our guests find the perfect one. On a luxury Galapagos cruise, you'll immerse yourself in the very best of what the Galapagos Islands have to offer in the company of some of the top naturalist guides by day. By night, you'll unwind in comfort and style and recount the highlights of each unforgettable day.

Please note, for this sample itinerary we've included The Passion, one of our favorite Galapagos luxury yachts.

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Specialist

+1 (510) 548-8487

We tailor itineraries to your dates and interests, adjusting hotels, excursions and length as desired.

We consistently receive 5 star reviews from our discerning clients.

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At a glance

  • Quito
    2 nights: Arrive to this beautiful UNESCO World Heritage city, stay in the most luxurious hotel in town, located right in the colonial center
  • Galapagos
    4-7 nights: Discover the Galapagos Islands aboard a top luxury yacht or small ship, one of the world's greatest travel experiences

  • All itineraries are fully customizable. We will send you a personalized variation that reflects your interests and travel dates at no extra cost. Call to discuss your travel plans with one of our Specialists who know this region firsthand.

Customize this trip
+1 (510) 548-8487

Sample itinerary

Day 1:

Welcome to Quito!

Quito, Ecuador old town and basilica at night with mountains in the background

Arrive to Quito, where your private guide will welcome you to the country and take you to your hotel, located in the heart of the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is a great part of the city for walking around, with traditional squares and architecture and a variety of shops and restaurants.

Accommodations: Casa Gangotena, 2 nights

Housed in a restored historic mansion overlooking Plaza San Francisco, this three-story boutique hotel offers 31 rooms, each a showcase of contemporary design and elegance. The hotel's interiors entice guests with Art Nouveau and contemporary touches combined with original Neo-Classical architecture. Casa Gangotena features a wood-paneled library, restaurant and bar, beautiful interior and exterior courtyards, and a terrace on the third floor with sweeping views of Quito's World Heritage-listed Old Town. The hotel offers high tea each day, with a sampling of freshly-made delicacies. The hotel is a Relais & Châteaux property.

Alternative lodging options: Patio Andaluz, Plaza Grande
Day 2:

Colonial Architecture and One-of-a-Kind Artwork

Set out with your private guide to explore historic Quito, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site.

Visit the highlights of the colonial “Centro Historico,” and go up to a lookout point on the Panecillo for a great view of the entire city. Afterward, head into the new town to visit the remarkable Fundación Guayasamin, which houses the art collection of Oswaldo Guayasamin, Ecuador’s most famous 20th century artist.

Seeing both parts of the city gives you a great overview of some of the different neighborhoods in this diverse Andean metropolis.

Accommodations: Casa Gangotena, 2 nights

*Includes: Breakfast

Day 3:

Fly to the Galapagos Islands

Blue-footed booby in the Galapagos Islands

Fly about 600 miles out over the Pacific Ocean to arrive at the Galapagos Islands. You will be met at the airport and transferred to your luxury yacht or small ship. You are about to embark on one of the world’s greatest nature voyages.

Visiting the Galapagos Islands onboard a luxury yacht is a magnificent and unique experience: a combination of sheer natural beauty, amazing wildlife, beautiful accommodations, and fascinating natural history. There is no better way to experience this enchanted archipelago.

Accommodations: Passion

The Passion, Galapagos' luxurious triple-deck motor yacht, features ample interior and exterior social areas, a panoramic sky lounge with bar and sliding glass doors, a separate dining room, and wonderfully spacious decks, including a sun deck with lounge chairs and a Jacuzzi. The Passion accommodates up to 14 guests in its five spacious staterooms and two suites, each with air conditioning and a marble en suite bathroom. With a crew of 12+, this elegant vessel offers a 1-to-1 service ratio for a very personalized experience. All excursions are done in the company of a bilingual naturalist guide. Activities available on the Passion include hiking, snorkeling, and kayaking.

*Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Upgrades and alternatives: Endemic, Origin/Theory/Evolve, Ocean Spray; click here for the full list of luxury options
Days 4-9:

Cruising and Exploring the Islands aboard a Luxury Yacht

Passion - Exterior

The exact itinerary varies from vessel to vessel, but you will spend these days exploring the islands in depth. Your boat will travel between several different islands so that you can experience a wide variety of the unique wildlife and environments that the Galapagos offers.

The giant Galapagos Tortoise, the marine iguana, the waved albatross, the Galapagos penguin, and flightless cormorants are just a few of the species you can come across. There will also be daily opportunities to snorkel, where you can see what’s below the surface: giant sea turtles, rays, and sea lions, to name just a few. Each day you will enjoy excellent cuisine and the company of an expert bilingual naturalist guide.

Accommodations: Passion, 5 nights

*Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10:

RETURN TO QUITO / DEPART FOR HOME OR YOUR NEXT DESTINATION

Galapagos giant tortoise crossing the road

Enjoy a final morning in the islands before flying out from the Galapagos back to Quito, where you can connect with your international flight home or continue your trip in mainland Ecuador.

If you have a long layover before your flight, we can set up a visit to nearby hot springs or transfer you to a hotel to relax and have dinner before transferring back to the airport.

*Includes: Breakfast

More Photos From This Trip

Popular Ways to Customize This Itinerary

  • Add a few nights in the Ecuadorian Amazon, a 30 minute flight from Quito. Our top choice is the Napo Wildlife Center, one of the top lodges anywhere in the Amazon.

  • Add extra days in Quito: Quito is worth exploring on your own, and we can arrange a variety of activities, including city tours, culinary excursions, visits to ruins and historical sites, and active options such as hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding.

  • Include some downtime for rest and relaxation! Some free time to unwind or have a massage will allow you to feel refreshed and ready for the remainder of your trip. Many of our properties include excellent spas or wellness centers. We can help arrange these services or include properties that offer health & wellness amenities.

  • For a look at some of our top vessels, check out our post on the Top 10 Galapagos Cruises and Tours.

  • Contact us to learn about more options for designing and customizing your trip.

Reviews From This Trip

5 stars

  • This trip was the best vacation my family has ever taken. We felt completely safe and comfortable travelling in another country. The things we saw and experienced were amazing and we learned a lot from our tour guides!
    Michele Buchholz
  • We were well cared for. Each person we met was kind and generous of their time, knowledge and willingness to help out with anything that would improve the nature of our trip.
    Robin Buchalter
  • The Galapagos was incredible. Everyday we experienced something new from intimate wildlife encounters to dramatic coastlines and erupting volcanoes.
    Jenny Ramaswamy

Call us to start planning your journey today:

+1 (510) 548-8487

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Why Travel with Vaya?

We're TRUE specialists

We’ve not only traveled there, we’ve lived there. Our smart and engaging specialists are all current or former expatriates with years of experience in the region.

Uplifting service

From the first phone call to after you get back, we're here for you every step of the way. We listen, create, customize and advocate for you, and design experiences that go beyond the expected.

Thoughtful travel

Our discerning sensibility and good taste go beyond just choices in hotels and top guides; we have a walk the walk commitment to the environment and are genuine leaders in conservation efforts.