Galapagos Islands travel, Art In Voyage style, means stepping off the catamaran and straight into a Relais & Châteaux lodge — and back again. Hosted by Crystal Hochman, this journey makes no one choose between the call of the sea and the comfort of land. Expect private conservation guides who know every iguana by reputation, snorkeling sessions in crystal-clear turquoise waters, and evenings where the wines are sourced from Ecuador and your seat is at the captain’s table. The result? The islands exactly as they should be seen: with one foot on the sand and the other on deck.
• Enjoy a private airport transfer on arrival to your luxury boutique hotel in Quito.
• Later, meander through Quito’s UNESCO World Heritage center with a private guide — colonial façades, gilded churches, and local legends included.
• Stop by local artisans to learn about traditional crafts and snack on local street-food favorites along the way.
• The day ends with a welcome dinner at one of our favorite restaurants, paired with fantastic wines from both Ecuador and abroad.
• After breakfast in Quito, board a short two-hour flight to the Galapagos Islands.
• A private driver takes you to Pikaia Lodge on Santa Cruz island, your luxurious home base with serious ocean views.
• Lunch is served overlooking the Pacific, followed by an indulgent spa treatment.
• Dinner is gourmet and paired with international wines.
• After breakfast, set out on an optional guided hike in the surrounding jungle to learn about the Galapagos’ extraordinary flora and fauna.
• A picnic is served outdoors before you return to the lodge with time to relax.
• As the day winds down, sundowners are poured to celebrate the adventure. Dinner follows — gourmet plates matched with international wines.
• After breakfast, meet the crew of the Endemic catamaran and your conservation guide, who will run through the itinerary for your four-night cruise through the Galapagos Islands.
• The first cruise stop is Dragon Hill, where a hypersaline lagoon attracts flamingos, pintail ducks, stilts, and more.
• A short hike up the hill reveals Galapagos land iguana nesting sites and sweeping views across the bay.
• Dinner is served on board the catamaran.
• Our first port of call is Cerro Brujo on San Cristobal Island, a white-sand beach once explored by Charles Darwin and still ruled by sea lions, Galapagos marine iguanas, brown pelicans, and blue-footed boobies.
• Snorkel in its turquoise waters before continuing to Leon Dormido (Kicker Rock), two striking ocean rocks teeming with seabirds.
• Below the surface, Kicker Rock dive site brings you face to face with rays, turtles, hammerhead sharks, and bright reef fish.
• Sundowners are poured at Isla Lobos, home to frigatebirds and other feathered residents, before dinner back on board.
• The morning begins at Osborn Islet, where you slip into the water for snorkeling and swimming among schools of fish.
• After lunch, sail on to Española Island to Gardner Bay, known for its white-sand beaches, turtles, sea lions, and tropical fish.
• The day closes at Suarez Point, a wildlife haven of nesting seabirds, mockingbirds, Galapagos doves, hawks, marine iguanas, and lava lizards large enough to look prehistoric.
• Dinner is served back on board the catamaran.
• After breakfast, sail to Santa Fé Island, a volcanic uplift crowned by the largest Opuntia cactus forest in the Galapagos. Its cliffs host swallow-tailed gulls, tropicbirds, and shearwaters, while lava lizards and land iguanas patrol the rocky terrain.
• A turquoise lagoon offers calm waters for snorkeling alongside sea lions.
• After lunch on the catamaran, return to Santa Cruz to visit the Darwin Research Station, learning about the islands’ natural history, conservation efforts, and tortoise breeding projects.
• Dinner is served on board the catamaran.
• The morning is spent on South Plaza island, home to one of the largest land iguana populations, marine iguanas, and unique hybrid iguanas. The island’s striking mix of dry and coastal vegetation, cliffs, and rocky trails offers breathtaking views.
• Afterward, transfer to the airport for your flight back to Quito.
• If you’re not ready to say goodbye, our travel concierges are on hand to extend your journey. Why not head out on a three-night cruise to Floreana, Santiago, and North Seymour Islands, or set off for Ecuador’s Cloud Forest, where butterflies and orchids steal the show.
Our day-to-day itinerary may, from time to time and prior to departure, need to be altered or slightly modified to address possible unforeseen logistical and weather challenges. In such rare instances, Art In Voyage guarantees delivery of the content of the itinerary yet, in a different order.
All listed retreats (hotels, villas, and barges) are, at times, subject to changes. In such rare instances, similar or higher standards will be upheld.
Travel insurance, once purchased, goes into effect upon payment of the premium. You have 15 days from that date to cancel it (providing no claims have been filed or initiated during that period). Beyond 15 days, it becomes non-refundable/non-changeable/non-transferrable.
In case of a cancelation at more than 90 days prior to departure, your deposit will be returned minus a $500 per person administrative fee.
In case of a cancelation within the penalty period: Find a replacement at least 30 days prior to departure and your journey will be fully refunded, minus a $500 per person administrative fee.
