Group Size: 26-36 participants
Price: Starting from $9,990 per person, double occupancy
Co-sponsored with: Harvard Exclusive
Trip Overview
Discover the Galápagos as Darwin did, sailing island to island on an unforgettable shipboard adventure. Begin in Quito, Ecuador’s capital city, with a welcome reception and dinner. Fly to Baltra Island and board an exclusive charter of the 40-berth Isabela II. Visit several islands, each with endemic species that have evolved differently than on neighboring islands. Venture ashore to see a myriad of birds, sea lions, marine iguanas, sea turtles, penguins, fur seals, and other wildlife that exists only here. Swim and snorkel almost every day. View the islands as they might have been viewed by Darwin himself.
This adventure is enriched by three expert Galápagos naturalists who are passionate about their work and will eagerly share their diverse knowledge. An optional one-day pre-extension to Colonial Quito and the Middle of the World complex will be offered.
Schedule by Day
Click each drop-down below to view a detailed itinerary. For a full view, please select "print page".
Pricing
More information on the cabin categories can be found on the ship webpage here.
Cabin Category | Double Occupancy | Single Occupancy |
|---|---|---|
Classic Cabin | $9,990 per person | $14,990 |
Classic Family Cabin | $11,990 per person* | inquire |
Owner's Cabin | $14,990 per person | inquire |
*$6,000 discount for children under 12 at the time of departure in the Classic Family Cabin (triple occupancy)
On-tour flights Quito/Galapagos & Galapagos/Quito: Approximately $595 per person (subject to change until ticketed)
To reserve a space on this program, a $2,000 deposit is required per person. Final payment is due 120 days before departure (April 21, 2027) payable by check, wire transfer, or credit card (credit card payments will incur a processing fee of 2%). Participants will receive an invoice directly from the tour operator, Criterion Travel for all subsequent payments after the initial deposit.
Notification of cancellation must be received in writing by HAA from the participant. Cancellations received within 14 days of booking are eligible for a full refund, provided that initial deposits were made 121 days or more prior to departure. After 14 days, $1,000 per person becomes non-refundable.
The program terms and conditions can be found here and must be acknowledged upon registration.
Accommodations
- Wyndham Airport Hotel, Quito (two nights)
- Isabela II (six nights)
Optional Pre-Tour Extension: Colonial Quito and the Middle of the World
August 18 - 19, 2027
Arrive a day early to explore historic Colonial Quito, founded by the Spanish in 1534 and the first capital city in the world to be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. Visit the Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús, with its stunning Spanish Baroque architecture and ornate gold leaf interior, and admire the impressive neo-Gothic Basílica del Voto Nacional with its Ecuadorian animal gargoyles. Explore lively Independence Square, surrounded by important colonial buildings, stop at República del Cacao for a chocolate tasting master class, then enjoy incredible views during lunch at a restaurant perched on the edge of the crater of the volcano Pululahua. At the Middle of the World complex, take photos of yourself with one foot in each hemisphere and learn about the cultural and scientific significance of this geographical landmark. Go inside the 98-foot-tall Monument to the Equator and climb the stairs to the top for spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. View the exhibits of the small Ethnographic Museum and learn about the cultural history of Ecuador and its indigenous peoples.
- $375 per person, double occupancy
- $495 single occupancy
The opportunity to register for the extension will be provided directly from the tour operator following the participants confirmation on the program
What to Expect
To make the most of what this expedition has to offer, the trip will be active, requiring you to be in good health and physical condition and able to keep up with the group without assistance from tour staff. The schedule will include long days, with some early departures, and activities scheduled throughout the day and into the evening.
In the Galápagos, daily excursions usually include two shore excursions each day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, each lasting two to three hours. On some days the shore excursions can require up to two hours of walking, often over loose rocks and uneven terrain where stairs are unavailable or do not have handrails, and standing, often in the warm sun. Travel from the ship to the landing sites will be in pangas (large, motorized rubber boats). For these shore excursions, travelers, with assistance from the ship’s crew, must be able to step from the ship to the panga and vice versa, and the water can sometimes be choppy. There will be wet landings where you step off the panga into the water and walk a short distance through shallow water to shore. During the shore excursions there will be opportunities to hike, kayak, swim, and snorkel. The degree of difficulty will be described in daily briefings, and all activities are
optional, so each traveler may choose the activity level that best suits his or her ability. Please note that the Isabela II does not have an elevator.
This promises to be a memorable journey, but as with all travel, a flexible attitude, a spirit of adventure, and a willingness to explore new areas will enhance your enjoyment of this program. You do not have to participate in all the scheduled activities, except when traveling to the next destination. We are sure you will be pleased with the exciting educational program provided, but we want you to be aware of the pace and activity level.
