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Galapagos Island cruises offer the ultimate wildlife adventure. From extraordinary creatures that inspired Darwin, to enchanted lava tunnels and cloud forests, there are many spectacular things to see in this archipelago.

Our cruises are designed to be slower, greener and fairer, ensuring they respect the natural beauty

For a fully bespoke Peru holiday – Enquire Now

The Galapagos Islands: A Cruise of a Lifetime


As one of the most biodiverse places on the planet, there are few more fitting destinations for nature and wildlife lovers than The Galapagos Islands. The volcanic archipelago comprises 127 islands, islets and rocks, with 97% of its emerged surface protected and recognised as National Park.

With so many unique landmasses to visit, a Galapagos cruise offers the best way to explore the region. From one captivating island to the next, you’ll encounter an array of magnificent wildlife species that cannot be found anywhere else on Earth in this South American paradise.

After all, the archipelago boasts the highest levels of endemism on the planet. Prepare to have surreal experiences on your Galapagos Island cruise, being one of the privileged few to see species like the huge Galapagos tortoises, wide-eyed marine iguanas and tiny Galapagos penguins firsthand.

Our Favourite Galapagos Cruises


Peru, Ecuador & Galapagos Adventure

Peru, Bolivia and Chile Holiday

22 days from £6900 pp

A perfect multi-country holiday for lovers of food, wildlife, outdoor adventures and scenery. Eat at the world’s top restaurant in Lima, In the Amazon stay in the best Eco-lodges spotting incredible wildlife and birds on river trips and walks in the rainforest. Explore the Sacred Valley of the Incas, doing it differently with a traditional Pachamanca lunch and of course the must-see Macchu Picchu. See the vivid blues of Lake Titicaca before crossing over to Bolivia; a land of stark and eerie beauty. Salt flats, desert rocks and arid landscapes await, pressing on to the Atacama desert in Chile. A little rest and luxury after full days of adventure activities.

Iguazu falls

Chile, Argentina and Brazil Adventure

21 days from £5500 pp

Three amazing countries with so much variety and contrast, a perfect combination eco holiday to South America. Enjoy walking tours in Santiago, before heading to the beautiful Chilean Lake District to see lava rocks, waterfalls and rapids. Immerse in rich culture and colourful streets in Chiloe Island, visiting a colony of penguins and sea otters. For ice and scenery, Patagonia is the best place to visit and is paradise for outdoor adventures. Get your hiking boots on for some of the best walks and views in the world in Torres Del Paine. Want to experience a Glacier up close? Perito Moreno Glacier is one of the greatest natural highlights in South America. Last but never least its Brazil! Tango shows, Malbec, passion and vibrancy await in Buenos Aires before ending with one mother natures greatest…Iguazu Falls.

Rio de Janeiro

‘Three Wonders’ South America Honeymoon

21 days from £8000 pp

Tick off the three wonders of South America; Macchu Picchu, Iguazu Falls and the Statue of Christ. The best honeymoon for food, hikes, remote beauty, culture, horse riding and plenty of time to relax in our favourite boutique hotels and lodges. Peru is a dream for culture, natural beauty and food. Do things differently and away from crowds, see the real country and discover incredible sights. After Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca add some contrast in vibrant Buenos Aires where we can arrange Tango Shows and delicious steak and red wine. Your Gaucho experience is totally unique, before heading to Iguazu falls for one of the great wonders of the world. End on a high in exciting and culturally rich Rio with some beach time to relax, restaurant recommendations in hand and private guide at your disposal.

Bolivian Salt Flats

In depth South America Luxury Adventure

40 days from £22,000 pp

Want an in-depth holiday to South America, in luxury? Our best holiday for 5*, top end and once in a lifetime experiences. Experience South America in luxury and in all it’s glory, taking in Patagonia, the Atacama Desert, Bolivian Salt Flats, Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley…not forgetting the wildlife rich Galapagos Islands. Stay on private boats, in boutique yurts, try the finest cuisine, have the best views and get away from the masses by doing it differently. Throughout your luxury adventure you will stay in the best luxury lodges and top eco lodges in South America.

Penguins in Antarctica

Classic Antarctica

Classic Antarctica is perfect for those wanting to tick off the most coveted spots on the continent. The adventure begins with a cruise to Antarctica from Ushuaia. This sees you tackling the legendary Drake Passage, as remarkable seabird species keep you entertained overhead, including albatrosses and giant petrels.

As more and more icebergs come into view, you’ll know you’ve reached the Antarctic Peninsula. Over the next five days, you’ll explore this extraordinary, untamed part of the world under the careful guidance of your experienced expedition team, who plan each day to align with the weather and ice conditions.

Expect to make twice-daily landings or zodiac cruises, encountering immense ice cliffs, penguin rookeries, seals and whales. You may even have the opportunity to camp under the fresh polar skies.

A whales tail at sunset

Cross the Antarctic Circle

Your journey starts in Ushuaia, where you’ll set off across the Drake Passage. Along the way, our expedition team will teach you crucial wildlife guidelines and biosecurity procedures, before providing an informative talk on Antarctica’s history, environment and wildlife.

As you reach the Antarctic Peninsula and Circle, ice sculptures will start to punctuate the frozen waters around you. Spend the next six days exploring the Antarctic Peninsula and Circle.

Your expedition team will take you to investigate grounded icebergs, ice cliffs and pebbled beaches while pointing out penguins, seals and whales. Then become one of the fortunate few to cross the Antarctic Circle. Celebrate with a toast on the deck and watch the landscape and wildlife transform around you, with humpbacks, minkes and penguins often seen in this area at this time of year.

Boat near Iceberg

Antarctica, South Georgia, & Falklands

Seeking Antarctica cruises that offer a longer stay and the opportunity to see lesser-explored areas of the continent? An Antarctica, South Georgia and Falklands adventure may be the perfect option for you. This 21-day adventure invites you on an epic journey through some of the world’s most underexplored landscapes.

Set off along the Drake Passage from Ushuaia, spotting icebergs and sea birds from the comfort of the vessel. After arriving in the Antarctic Peninsula, spend four days going on zodiac cruises and making landings to visit penguin rookeries, investigate historic huts and do a polar plunge into the wild waters of this fabled continent.

Then venture to the wild island of South Georgia, home to some of the largest congregations of wildlife on the planet. Set off searching for nesting penguins, seals and bird cliffs, before visiting one of the world’s largest king penguin colonies.

You’ll then set sail to the Falklands (Islas Malvinas) where you will find incredible, uninhabited islands home to incredible populations of bird species including the largest black-browed albatross colony on Earth. Here you can investigate sea cliffs and rugged coves to see sea lions, penguins, dolphins and seals.

Antarctica Express - Fly Cruise

Antarctica Express – Fly Cruise

The Antarctica Express is a spectacular cruise from South America to Antarctica. Beginning in Punta Arenas, you’ll board a flight to King George Island, where a zodiac awaits to transport you to your sleek vessel. Then you can spend the next four days hiking to penguin rookeries, taking zodiac cruises to see whales and spotting leopard seals and orcas. All the while, the thunderous sound of calving glaciers resonates around you.

Galapagos Seaman Journey

Galapagos Seaman Journey

From £1995 pp for 3 nights / £2650 pp for 4 nights / £4600 for 7 nights

The Seaman Journey offers a classic cruise to the Galapagos. The boutique first-class catamaran has an onboard bar headed by an experienced bartender who can whip up fresh cocktails for the 16 lucky guests staying in its spacious cabins.

Angel Galapagos

Angel Galapagos

From £2100 pp for 3 nights / £3300 for 4 nights / £5200 for 7 nights

Angel is a sleek Galapagos Island cruise vessel that was expertly designed in the Netherlands. It is one of the newest and most sought-after first-class yacht cruises in the archipelago. Up to 16 passengers can enjoy a plush stay on this vessel thanks to its airy suites, sleek convertible cabins and the excellent service provided by its 9-person crew.

The Galapagos Cruise Experience


Here at Travel Differently, we believe that the magic of The Galapagos Islands can get lost when you’re bustling through the unspoilt archipelago on huge cruisers housing 100+ other tourists. That’s why we only partner with smaller vessels.

They not only ensure that you’ll have a more personalised experience on board but offer more private and immersive experiences exploring the islands on foot and encountering wildlife, as you can do so without hoards of other tourists around. The length of our cruise itineraries varies between 3 and 14 nights and includes the option of combining the cruise with an activity-based stay on one or two islands.

However you choose to explore this remarkable archipelago, expect to be blown away by visiting incredible sites such as the lava fields of Sullivan Bay, the legendary giant tortoises at El Chato Tortoise Reserve and the blue-footed booby nesting grounds on North Seymour Island.

Speak To Our Galapagos Experts

Our Galapagos specialists really know their stuff and have stayed on board the cruises we recommend. If you would like a smaller cruise, a boat famous for its gastronomy or a specialist diving Galapagos boat, our experts will talk through the options best for you.

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Galapagos Island Cruises: Frequently Asked Questions


Please reach us at info@traveldifferently.co.uk if you cannot find an answer to your question.

December to May are often hailed as the best months to go on a Galapagos cruise. This period falls under the archipelago’s warm season, with bright sun-filled days and clear water conditions that provide ample opportunities for uncovering the remarkable land and marine life.

That being said, June to November is also a fantastic time to go on a Galapagos Island cruise as these months offer ideal conditions for hiking. Plus, the water-based creatures are particularly active over this period.

You are not required to have a visa when visiting the Galapagos Islands from the UK as long as you are staying for less than 90 days. You do, however, need to have a passport that will be valid for a minimum of 6 months after the end of your holiday and has space for exit stamps.

You are not required to have any specific vaccines for going to the Galapagos Islands. British travellers, however, should be up to date with routine vaccination courses and boosts that the UK recommends, such as the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine and diphtheria-tetanus-polio vaccine.

Why Book A Galapagos Cruise With Travel Differently?


Drawing of a tree

Travel Galapagos Greener

We believe in travelling greener at Travel Differently. We exclusively collaborate with properties, cruisers, and activity providers who share our commitment to sustainability. Additionally, we carbon offset all of the holidays we plan at 150% to offer net positive trips.

The Galapagos Islands are such a unique and special corner of the world, so we are passionate about visiting them in a way that is respectful and mindful of the environment and those living there – human and animal.

Drawing of a compass

Travel Galapagos Slower

We are firm believers in the benefits of slow travel. To get the most out of your Galapagos cruise, reduce your speed and spend more time uncovering all of the magical sites that make this archipelago such a sought-after destination.

By offering the opportunity to travel at a slower pace, our Galapagos Island cruises provide travellers with a more authentic and immersive experience. You can discover lesser-visited sites alongside the must-see attractions, while also having the time to fully appreciate each one and the scenery you encounter along the way.

Drawing of 2 hikers

Travel Galapagos Fairer

Our Galapagos Island cruise itineraries are built upon the principles of travelling fairer. We meticulously craft them with sustainability in mind, only partnering with like-minded organisations dedicated to social development and environmental preservation.

By exclusively collaborating with companies that share our values, we ensure that our Galapagos cruises not only benefit the inhabitants of the archipelago but also safeguard its precious environment and ecosystems for years to come.

Drawing of a bag

Travel Galapagos Better

Fairer, greener and slower, our Galapagos Island cruises offer authentic experiences that truly benefit those living in the archipelago, along with its wildlife.

As a 100% independent boutique tour operator, we pride ourselves on crafting bespoke journeys personally tailored to the interests and preferences of each guest. Each trip is thoughtfully designed with the individual traveller in mind to provide them with the most incredible adventure.

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