Galápagos Islands Cruises
Walk in the footsteps of Charles Darwin.
Galápagos Expedition Cruises
Join us on a once-in-a-lifetime voyage of discovery as we witness the iconic wildlife and spectacular landscapes of the Galápagos Islands. This remarkable archipelago is where Darwin developed his theory of evolution, and even today it remains an ecology hotspot and a haven for nature lovers. Sailing aboard our comfortable and small expedition ship Santa Cruz II, and with a team of expert local guides to accompany us, you’ll find out for yourself just why these islands are one of the most inspiring places on the planet.
Galápagos Islands expedition cruises
Choose from 10 to 14-day Galápagos expeditions, travelling between January and March or July and December. Extend your trip to visit Machu Picchu or stay in an eco-lodge in Ecuador’s Chocó rainforest.
Activities in Galápagos
The Galápagos Islands are all about wild nature, and you’ll get closer to it with activities ranging from snorkelling and hiking, to kayaking and stand up paddleboarding.
Wildlife in Galápagos
Meet the iconic wildlife of the islands, from Galapagos giant tortoises and marine iguanas to Blue-footed Boobies and Waved Albatrosses. You’ll see these wonderfully unabashed animals in their natural habitat.
Expedition Team in Galápagos
Your friendly Expedition Team are locally hired, multilingual Galápagos experts. They’ll accompany you as you explore the islands, guiding you on nature walks and landings, and teaching you about the history and ecology of their home.
Galápagos Islands FAQ
Find what you need to know about the Galápagos Islands before your expedition cruise in our FAQ section.
Extraordinary wildlife
Following in Darwin’s footsteps, we bring you up close to the wildlife that inspired him, such as Galapagos giant tortoises, Blue-footed Boobies and land iguanas.
Cruises to the Galápagos Islands
Expedition-style encounters
Explore the remarkable wildlife and ecosystems of the Galápagos Islands in small groups aboard expedition boats, guided by our Expedition Team.
Activities in the Galápagos Islands
Galápagos is one of the planet’s most beautiful and ecologically fascinating destinations. You’ll find out why conservation efforts are so important here as you experience the wonders of these unique islands first hand. Immerse yourself in nature as you venture to off-the-beaten track locations to try sea kayaking, SUP boarding, reef snorkelling and more. Here are some of the activities you can join.
* Please note that these are optional activities; an additional cost may apply.
Wildlife watching
Your Galápagos adventure is effectively one continuous wildlife watching experience! Using boats, kayaks, snorkels and your own legs, you’ll get close – but not too close – to the Galápagos Islands wildlife you know from TV nature documentaries.
Galápagos wildlife
Get set for one continuous Galápagos wildlife watching experience. Each island offers something unique, and as we sail between them we’ll bel earning about the endemic species that have evolved here. Ever since naturalist Charles Darwin put the islands on the map in 1835, these remote and beautiful islands have held us in their thrall. The list of what you can see is long: giant tortoises, turtles, land and marine iguanas, Darwin’s finches, numerous bird species including blue and red-footed boobies and Galápagos penguins, and much more besides.
An action-packed itinerary
For most, a trip to the Galápagos is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. We'll take you to a range of the best spots to see Galápagos wildlife and take part in activities to make it an unforgettable expedition cruise.
Expedition Team Galápagos Islands
Your Expedition Team are experts in Galápagos tours with many years of experience showing guests their home islands. They’ll join you on shore landings, hikes, kayaking and boat trips, sharing their knowledge of ecology and natural history, and explaining conservation efforts as you explore. With only around 11 guests per expedition guide, you’ll enjoy a more tailored Galápagos cruise.
Expedition Ships to the Galápagos Islands
When travelling to Galápagos with Hurtigruten Expeditions you are supporting nature-based projects that mitigate the impacts of climate change and seek to protect biodiversity in the region. Specifically Fundación Futuro, an Ecuadorian NGO, with the protection of the rainforest in the Choco Bioregion, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Conscious travel
One of the marvels of the Galápagos Islands is that much of the wildlife is unafraid of humans. As we explore on our Galápagos cruises, we ensure we do nothing that might disturb the wildlife and ecosystems and leave as small a footprint as possible.
Stories from Galápagos Islands Expedition Cruises
Galápagos FAQ
Got a question about the Galápagos Islands or our Galápagos cruises? Check out our FAQs page.
