Galapagos Islands Cruise with IVS
Cruise the Galapagos in an upscale yacht on this exciting International Veterinary Seminars course.
The Galapagos are a wildlife treasure. Nothing quite compares to the joy of observing animals in the wild here, or the sense of wonder and privilege felt while spending time with creatures that don’t run or fly away when humans approach.
Tour Season
Trip Length
Activity Level
Arrival city
Price from
Trip Highlights
- Encounter wildlife up close, including giant tortoises, marine iguanas, penguins, blue-footed boobies, and Darwin’s finches
- Hike volcanic landscapes guided by expert naturalists
- Snorkel with sea lions, rays, and colorful fish
- Certified divers can opt for SCUBA to see sharks, volcanic formations, and abundant marine life
- Explore both land and underwater environments daily
- Enjoy immersive experiences with exceptional guides and deluxe yacht accommodations
- Combine adventure, discovery, and wildlife immersion in a living natural laboratory
- Explore Quito and tour the Middle of the World
About this trip
Galapagos Islands Cruise with IVS
Cruise the Galapagos in an upscale yacht on this exciting International Veterinary Seminars course! Few places on Earth offer wildlife encounters this close. This is where giant tortoises, marine iguanas, penguins, blue-footed boobies, and Darwin’s finches roam freely in a living natural laboratory.
Guided daily by expert naturalists, you’ll hike volcanic landscapes, snorkel with sea lions, rays, and colorful fish, and experience the islands both on land and underwater. Certified divers can opt for world-class SCUBA, featuring sharks, dramatic volcanic formations, and legendary marine life.
With immersive exploration, exceptional guides, and the comfort of a deluxe yacht, this Galápagos expedition is pure adventure, discovery, and wonder.
SCUBA Option (Certified Divers only)
Add a guided dive in the Galápagos—one of the world’s top dive destinations—featuring sharks, sea lions, feeding frenzies, and volcanic formations. Available as an optional activity during your cruise.
Itinerary
What to expect
October 27 – November 6, 2025 Itinerary
May 9-19, 2026 Itinerary (click here or scroll)
(Meals included: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)
October 27 – November 6, 2025 Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive to Quito and check in to hotel, Go Quito Hotel.
Day 2
Walking tour of historic Quito and tour Middle of the Earth Complex. B
Day 3
AM – Depart from Quito to San Cristobal Airport.
PM – Interpretation Center & Frigatebird Hill (San Cristobal Island) hiking. B, L & D
Day 4
AM – Kicker Rock circumnavigation & Cerro Brujo (San Cristobal Island).
PM – Punta Pitt (San Cristobal Island) walking & snorkeling. B, L & D
Day 5
AM – Punta Suarez (Espanola Island) walking on the oldest extant island in the archipelago.
PM – Gardner Bay (San Cristobal Island) walking & snorkeling. B, L & D
Day 6
AM – Punta Cormoran or Champion (Floreana Island) walking & snorkeling/swimming.
PM – Post Office (Floreana Island) walking & snorkeling/swimming. B, L & D
Day 7
AM – Highlands Tortoise Reserve & Charles Darwin Station (Santa Cruz Island)
PM – Punta Carrion (Santa Cruz Island). B, L & D
Day 8
AM – El Barranco, Prince Phillip’s Steps (Genovesa Island)
PM – Darwin Bay (Genovesa Island). B, L & D
Day 9
AM – Rabida Island – walking tour, followed by snorkeling/swimming.
PM – Bartolome Island. B, L & D
Day 10
AM – Pit Craters (Santa Cruz Island). Then catch return flight to Quito.
PM – Check-in Hotel Rincon de Puembo, near the airport. B
Day 11
Fly out of Quito. B
May 9-19, 2026 Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive to Quito and check in to hotel, Go Quito Hotel.
Day 2
Walking tour of historic Quito and tour Middle of the Earth Complex. B
Day 3
AM – Depart from Quito to Baltra.
PM – North Seymour Island, dry landing. Walking tour and snorkeling. B, L & D
Day 4
AM – Bartolome Island hike and snorkel.
PM – Sullivan Bay (Santiago Island) walk and snorkel or beach time. B, L & D
Day 5
AM – Punta Pitt (San Cristobal Island) walk and kayak or snorkeling.
PM – Cerro Brujo (San Cristobal Island) dinghy ride and kayak or snorkeling. B, L & D
Day 6
AM – Cerro Colorado (San Cristobal Island) visit giant tortoise breeding center.
PM – Interpretation Center & Frigatebird Hill hike. B, L & D
Day 7
AM – Gardner Bay (Espanola Island) hike with kayaking, glass-bottom boat or snorkeling.
PM – Punta Suarez (Espanola Island) hike. B, L & D
Day 8
AM – Post Office (Floreana Island) hike.
PM – Punta Cormoran & Devil’s Crown (Floreana Island) walk & glass-bottom boat or snorkeling. B, L & D
Day 9
AM – Dragon Hill (Santa Cruz Island) walk & snorkeling.
PM – Punta Bowditch (Santa Cruz Island) hike & snorkeling or kayaking. B, L & D
Day 10 AM – Highlands Tortoise Reserve, dry landing. Then catch return flight to Quito.
PM – Check into our hotel, Wyndham Quito Airport Hotel, which adjacent to the airport in Quito. B
Day 11
Fly out of Quito. B
*Note: depending on availability we may choose a different hotel of similar type and equal quality.
Lodging
Where you'll stay
M/V Galapagos Legend – This magnificent vessel, with a capacity for 100 guests, has the charm of The Enchanted Islands; it is still small enough for a more intimate experience. With her four different decks, the Galapagos Legend offers a great variety of comfortable and spacious social areas without losing its sense of intimacy. Its fantastic open decks allow you to admire the islands’ flora and fauna, enjoy a BBQ at night, or take some sun at the pool and bar areas.
Each cabin includes: hair dryer, special bedding, and updated furniture. Internal, local and international satellite telephone service is offered, Internet is accessible when anchoring in main islands. Voltage is set for 110-220 volts/60 Hz. The Balcony suites have private balconies and panoramic windows to immerse yourself within the vast landscape that you are about to witness and enjoy it privately. The Junior suites have three meters of panoramic windows to enjoy the scenery.
Dates & Pricing
Plan your trip
Dates
2026 on board the ‘Legend’ Yacht
May 9-19
2027 on board the ‘Legend’ Yacht
April 13-23
Pricing
Spring 2026: Legend
$6,600 (Junior Cabin), per person, based on double occupancy. $850/person upgrade to Balcony Suite on board the ‘Legend’ Yacht
R/T Flights from Quito to Galapagos are purchased for you and added to your invoice. (Approximately $600 R/T, $200 Galapagos Entrance Fee & $20 Tax)
12 CE hours (optional): $895.00 (2026)
Spring 2027: Legend
$7,100 (Junior Cabin), per person, based on double occupancy
$600/person upgrade to Legend Suite on board the ‘Legend’ Yacht
$1,000/person upgrade to Balcony Suite on board the ‘Legend’ Yacht
R/T Flights from Quito to Galapagos are purchased for you and added to your invoice. (Approximately $600 R/T, $200 Galapagos Entrance Fee & $20 Tax)
12 CE hours (optional): $895.00 (2027)
May 2026: Dr. Amy Butler will use the CE time to present the most current hot topics in emergency medicine.
Multiple topics will be covered, including:
- Treatment of common respiratory emergencies – a Criticalists thoughts
- Acute seizure management
- Practical treatment of Head trauma
- Emergency management of congestive heart failure
- Updates on CPR
- Common Arrhythmias in the ICU
- Practical transfusion medicine – and what to do if you don’t have a blood bank
- Approach to the bleeding patient
- and more!
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Galapagos Islands IVS: Small Yacht Cruise leaving 10/3/22 for 11 days
Please comment on your overall impression of the trip. Did it meet your expectations?
The entire trip exceeded my expectations. From start to finish, every detail was taken care of, without any confusion. Patricia was an excellent guide and left no question unanswered. She paid such attention to detail and gave great recommendations. The three guides on the Coral I were incredible, extremely interactive, fun and knowledgeable. Jorge Sotomayor was engaging, excited about his work and was a pleasure to be around. Jorge elder was a wealth of knowledge and so eager to teach. Jose the bartender, with many duties, was wonderful. He was always looking to be sure everyone was happy and taken care of (and noticed if something was off). The chefs were both great at adapting some meals for my vegetarian needs. Israel made a delicious cake for my friend on her birthday. And, Carlos held it all together. I loved hearing his voice each morning. The entire crew was just wonderful.
What did you think about the quality and the knowledge of your guide staff?
Off the charts- fantastic!
Please share with us any improvements you would suggest for future trips.
For this trip specifically, myself and some others would have liked more time at the Middle of the world (Equator) monument. Also, I would have liked to be more prepared for the colder water and lack of wetsuits available for everyone’s size. I would tell anyone going on this trip to bring your own snorkeling equipment and absolutely a GoPro.
Would you consider traveling with Bio Bio Expeditions again? If so, which trips interest you most?
Absolutely. The multi sport trips interest me most, as they are diverse and interactive.
If you were to tell a friend or colleague about your overall experience on this trip, what would you say?
This was one of the most memorable trips I will likely take. The Galapagos was truly incredible. The beauty of the islands and the animals exceeded my expectations. It was incredible to see nature so up close and seemingly as it has always been. I was very pleased to see how the preservation of these islands, and their inhabitants, is of utmost importance. The crew and guides on the Coral I were incredible and made the trip what it was. I will forever be grateful to all of them for the amazing memories.
Your comments about the trip are extremely valuable to us, and others who are considering this adventure. Please select “yes” if you consent to us using your positive comments on our website or trip information. Thank you!
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