Famous for its unique and fearless wildlife, the Galapagos Islands, just off the coast of Ecuador, are best experienced by luxury cruise. Imagine swimming among sharks, walking alongside giant tortoises, sea lions and blue-footed boobies, and dazzling yourself with some of the most unique landscapes in the world. This is all possible on luxury Galapagos Islands holidays.
The archipelago, considered an earthly paradise with 13 major islands, five medium islands and 215 islets, is the home of marine species and exotic birds. This conglomerate of life can be admired up close as you discover dreamy natural scenarios on luxury holidays to Galapagos.
Our partnerships in the Galapagos mean that we can tailor an exceptional luxury cruise for you, so you can relax and enjoy the stunning surroundings on your holiday of a lifetime. Luxury Galapagos Islands holidays can also be enjoyed by land, with experiential stays in safari-style partner properties on the island – an excellent option for young families.
POCKET GUIDE TO GALAPAGOS ISLANDS HOLIDAYS
Soak up the true essence of Ecuador as you combine holidays to the Galapagos with Ecuador’s mainland. Start in Quito, cradled in the peaks of the Andean mountains, Quito is the oldest city in Latin America. Pay a visit to the equatorial line before climbing aboard your luxury cruise ship. From traditional markets and Ecuadorian Sierra culture to farm to fork dining in a traditional estancia, mainland Ecuador has a myriad of experiences to add to your exploration of the Galapagos.
Ecuador’s experiential lodges are ready to take you to the Earth’s best-kept secrets. Take Ecuador’s Mashpi Lodge as an example, located deep in the wilds of the Amazon Rainforest. It can only be reached through private jungle trails that pass cascading waterfalls and azure lagoons. The lodge offers exclusive activities from sky biking to swing trails. Further into Ecuador’s rainforest, Sacha Lodge is only accessible by a two-hour motorised canoe ride. Its far-flung location makes it perfect for secluded activities like treetop walks and piranha fishing.
Best time to travel
The Galapagos Islands are spectacular year-round as the majority of wildlife are non-migratory and can be witnessed all year long. While the islands’ climate can be divided into two seasons, wet and dry, even the wet season is typically pleasant with hot temperatures and occasional rain showers. For land-based discoveries, our favourite time to explore the Galapagos is November to May, when temperatures are ideal for hiking and wildlife spotting on land.
Perfectly suited to families, we have created land-based luxury holidays to the Galapagos Islands, creating a comfortable journey that retains the adventure and discovery of a classic Galapagos exploration. On marvellous expeditions, come up close to the mighty iguana, admire brightly coloured sally lightfoot crabs and kayak off the coastline.