Skip link for screen readers

Ecuador & Galapagos Holidays

Luxury Cruise

Luxury Cruise Tour - 9 Night Itinerary

The Darwin Tour - explore Quito and cruise the Galapagos for 7 nights aboard the luxury mega-catamaran Ocean Spray.

Select your Preferred Departure Date OR Default to Today's Date

Download Itinerary Request Quotation

Tour Route

Travel Highlights

  • Departing the UK on Thursdays 
  • Enjoy a special Veloso guided tour of Quito's World Heritage Centre
  • Discover the wildlife of the Galapagos on a 7-night cruise aboard the luxury Ocean Spray
  • Observe the wildlife from your private balcony stateroom
  • Enjoy delicious included meals in a friendly small ship environment
  • Take daily excursions and walks through the islands with expert naturalist guides
  • Gain special insights on the Galapagos with included lectures and talks 
  • Snorkel with sea lions and colourful marine life

This itinerary can be tailored to your preferences by our specialist advisors, who can provide a guaranteed price based on your choice of departure date, route, duration, flights, cabin, hotels, transport and excursions.

Tour Itinerary

Frank Ecuador Quito Quito Church Side At Night

Quito - 2 Nights

Day 1 - Fly from the UK to Quito

Day 2 - Guided tour of Quito

 

  • Full Description
  • Accommodation

Saturday, 14 December 2024

Fly from the UK to Quito

Depart the UK on a daytime flight to Quito, arriving the same evening. You will be met by our representative and taken to our recommended hotel, the Casona de la Ronda, for a 2 night stay. Our guide will provide you with expert local advice, explain your programme and answer any questions you may have.


Sunday, 15 December 2024

Guided Tour of Quito

This morning is at leisure at your hotel to rest and adjust to the high altitude. In the afternoon, your Veloso guide will meet you and take you on a special tour of Quito, including the historic old part of the city with its fabulous colonial architecture, many convents, churches and small streets to explore. We will visit the three main squares including impressive San Francisco square as well as the Presidential Palace and the Gold Museum. Your guide will adapt the tour to your interests.

Casona de La Ronda

Quito - First Boutique

This delightful 22 room hotel has been converted from an original Colonial townhouse, and is located on the pedestrian La Ronda street, close to many bars and restaurants. The rooms are comfortable and traditionally styled, decorated with fabricsand patterns from local communities. The hotel alos has a small lounge and fireplace, and serves local cuisine and Ecudorean wines.

1872 Casona De La Ronda

Casa Gangotena

Quito - Deluxe Hotel

Situated in a newly-restored historic mansion overlooking Plaza San Francisco in the heart of the Old Town, the three-story Casa Gangotena has 31 luxury rooms: a showcase of eye catching style, contemporary design, antiques, furnishings, fine dining, modern technologies and quintessential comforts. Beautifully and eclectically appointed, the hotel invites its guests to explore and to relax, whether in the dining room, glassed-in patio, garden redolent with the perfume of native flowers, wood-panelled library, or else atop its panoramic third-floor terrace. Sophisticated and eclectic, historic yet contemporary, at Casa Gangotena style, passion and service blend seamlessly and delightfully.

The hotel includes several 'experiences' for its guests at no extra cost, including San Francisco’s courtyards & Brewery, Museo del Carmen Alto, San Fransisco Choir & Bell Tower and Chocolate Quiteno tasting.

Rates are on a room and breakfast basis.

Casa Gangotena Hotel Quito
Galapagos Sea Lion 2

Luxury Galapagos Cruise - 7 Nights

Day 3 - Fly to the Galapagos & embark Ocean Spray

Day 4 - Pitt Point & Cerro Brujo

Day 5 - Floreana Island

Day 6 - Santa Cruz & Bartholomew Islands

Day 7 - Genovesa Island

Day 8 - Santiago

Day 9 - North Seymour & Santa Cruz

Day 10 - Mosquera Islet & return to UK

Day 11 - Arrive in the UK

 

 

  • Full Description
  • Accommodation

Monday, 16 December 2024

Fly to the Galapagos & embark Ocean Spray

Transfer to Quito domestic airport and fly to San Cristobal Island where you will be met and transferred to the Ocean Spray for your 7 night cruise on a full board basis. The Ocean Spray offers a choice of superb 7 night itineraries, the Isabela, Fernandina and Espanola itinerary or the East & Central Itinerary. We focus o the East & Central itinerary. Briefing onboard about the boat and the island.

After lunch, we explore Isla Lobos, a small island named after the sea lions that rest and play on its rocky shores. We then continue to Leon Dormido, an island comprised of two rocks which jut out of the ocean and  home to a large colony of sea birds.  

 


Tuesday, 17 December 2024

Pitt Point & Cerro Brujo

This morning we visit Pitt Point, home to many endemic species such as lava lizards and red-footed boobies.

In the afternoon, explore Cerro Brujo, a beautiful white-sand beach full of pelicans, blue-footed boobies, sea lions and marine iguanas.  


Wednesday, 18 December 2024

Floreana Island

Today we sail north and explore Floreana Island, starting at Post Office Bay, a white-sandy beach where in the past sailors used to leave and receive their letters in a barrel. You can do the same even today!

After lunch, we visit Cormorant Point and take a walk on a trail overlooking a saltwater lagoon that is a favourite of flamingos. We continue to Devil's Crown, one of the best snorkelling sites in the Galapagos Islands islands, where you will observe an amazing variety of marine life.  


Thursday, 19 December 2024

Santa Cruz & Bartholomew Islands

This morning we visit Black Turtle Cove on Santa Cruz Island. This shallow inlet is surrounded by mangroves and provides natural protection for a variety of marine life, including flamingoes.

After lunch, we sail to Bartholomew Island, home of the Pinnacle Rock, with the most famous view in the Galapagos Islands.  


Friday, 20 December 2024

Genovesa Island

Today we explore Genovesa Island. In the morning we visit Darwin Bay where we take a walk on a coral beach where a 750 metre trail takes you through friendly seabird colonies.

After lunch, we visit Prince Phillip's Steps, an extraordinary, steep path leads through a seabird colony full of life, up to cliffs that are 25m high.  

 

 


Saturday, 21 December 2024

Santiago

We arrive at Santiago Island where in the morning we explore Espumilla Beach, a popular place for marine iguanas and Sally Lightfoot. We continue to Buccaneer Cove, a testament to the fact that Santiago was once a refuge for British buccaneers. After lunch, we visit Puerto Egas, with its black sand beaches, and once the site of small salt mining industry in the 1960s.  

 

 

 


Sunday, 22 December 2024

North Seymour & Santa Cruz

This morning we explore North Seymour Island, with its rocky coast, passing colonies of blue-footed boobies and magnificent frigatebirds.

After lunch we arrive at Santa Cruz Island, where we take an excursion to the highlands located in the northern part of the island with elevations up to 1500 mt. We visit a wild tortoise sanctuary.

 

 


Monday, 23 December 2024

Mosquera Islet & return to UK

In the morning we visit Mosquera Islet with its long narrow stretch of white sand, rocks and tide pools. We then continue to Baltra Airport for your flight to Guayaquil to connect with your overnight flight to the UK. 

 


Tuesday, 24 December 2024

Arrive in the UK

Ocean Spray

Galapagos Islands - Luxury Catamaran

The Mega-Catamaran Ocean Spray cruises at 15 knots, one of fastest cruising speeds in the Galapagos. Add to this cabins with private balconies and the luxury of space for relaxation and al fresco dining and you will be smitten. The vessel features beautifully upgraded public areas and cabins, offering a contemporary and luxury on board experience.

Accommodating a maximum of just 16 guests, the elegant design includes a huge sundeck with teak flooring and a jacuzzi. On the main deck, enjoy fabulous cuisine in a stunning dining room, relax in the lounge - and enjoy a drink at the bar on the upper deck. 

Ocean Spray offers a good choice of itineraries, from a 4 day introduction to the Galapagos to a 15 day mega cruise where you'll thoroughly explore the Galapagos from end-to-end.

The fully air-conditioned cabins are also spacious, each very well appointed as you would expect for a luxury ship, with private bathroom with shower, twin or double bed and your own private balcony looking out to sea.

Included in the price is use of wet suits, snorkelling equipment and the on board kayaks, further enhancing your enjoyment and experience. In summary, the Ocean Spray offers exceptional comfort and service in a stylish, relaxed atmosphere. 

Ocean Spray

Price Guidelines

Season Low Season High Season
Travel Dates Year round, except Xmas & New Year and Easter Xmas, New Year & Easter
Room Arrangement First Deluxe First Deluxe
Multiple Travellers - Twin Room £8,518 £8,847 £8,811 £9,138

Prices are a guideline per person, for travel within the next year and booking early and are subject to availability. Please see below what is included and request a detailed quotation with a guaranteed price for your specific departure date and for Special Events, Summer, Christmas, New Year's Eve & Easter.


What's Included

  • 11 Days / 9 Nights
  • International flights (1 overnight)
  • Internal flights to/from the Galapagos Islands
  • Accommodation as stated in the itinerary
  • 9 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 7 dinners
  • 7 night cruise on the Ocean Spray on a full board basis
  • All transfers
  • Excursions with English-speaking guides

Client Testimonials

Speak with a Specialist
Travel Enquiries

Contact an Advisor





Please answer (8 + 6) / 2?
X

READY - 14 DECEMBER 2024

LANDMARK TOURS - Multi-Country Itineraries

TESTIMONIALS - Happy Discerning Travellers

HONEYMOONS & CELEBRATIONS - "en Tete-a-Tete"

CHINA REPORT - July24 Pheobe & Friends backpacking

PERU HARVEST TIME - March/April/May/June, is best

WEATHER TODAY - Check the weather worldwide

TRAVEL INSURANCE essential cover including COVID