CURATED GALAPAGOS EXPEDITIONS
Curated Galapagos Expeditions
Find your treasure in the Galapagos.
Some travelers come for a photograph. The ones we work with come for what cameras can’t capture. The silent rise of a giant tortoise. The mating dance of the waved albatross on Española. The hammerhead schools off Darwin’s Arch. The marine iguana feeding underwater at Fernandina. Premium expedition ships, naturalist guides, and the islands curated the way the islands deserve.
Five premium Galápagos expedition sailings
The Treasures
What only luxury Galapagos itineraries unlock
A smaller group at the right site at the right hour. A guide who has been reading these islands long enough to know what the tide will bring. That's what the curated tier is. Not a different Galápagos, a slower one
Treasure One
Fernandina & Isabela
The western islands. Marine iguana colonies feeding underwater, flightless cormorants, Galapagos penguins at the equator. Only premium ships with longer itineraries reach Punta Espinoza.
Treasure Two
Española Island
The only place in the world to see the waved albatross. Blue-footed booby courtship dances. Cliffs full of nazca boobies. Restricted access, requires a premium itinerary.
Treasure Three
Genovesa Island
Darwin Bay. The birdwatcher’s sanctuary. Red-footed boobies (rare on most itineraries), great frigatebirds inflating their pouches, storm petrels, swallow-tailed gulls.
Treasure Four
Hammerheads at Darwin & Wolf **Liveaboard dive sites**
The world’s most concentrated schools of scalloped hammerhead sharks. Whale sharks (June through November). Diving-class liveaboards only.
Treasure Five
Giant Tortoise Highlands
El Chato Reserve on Santa Cruz and Cerro Alto on San Cristóbal. Hundred-year-old tortoises in their wild habitat. Premium itineraries include guided highlands time.
Treasure Six
Sierra Negra Caldera
The second-largest volcanic caldera on Earth. Isabela Island. Active fumaroles, lava fields, panoramic Andean-Pacific views. A hike few cruise itineraries include.
The Vessels
The premium fleet, hand-picked
A curated selection of expedition vessels we’ve personally vetted across 18 years. Suite accommodations, naturalist guide ratios of 1:10 or better, gourmet kitchens, and itineraries that unlock the outer islands.
Luxury Expedition Ship
La Pinta Yacht
Metropolitan Touring’s flagship. 24 luxury cabins with panoramic windows. Gourmet cuisine, sun deck Jacuzzi, premium naturalist team. 4 and 5-day itineraries.
Request availability →Eponymous Catamaran
Treasure of Galapagos
The vessel that gave this site its name. A first-class catamaran with 8 staterooms, expert guides, and one of the most varied itineraries in the central archipelago. The original treasure.
Request availability →Luxury Catamaran
Petrel Catamaran
Modern luxury motor catamaran. 8 spacious suites with balconies, observation deck, glass-bottom panga for marine viewing. Itineraries reach the western islands.
Request availability →Boutique Yacht
Bonita Yacht
Intimate boutique yacht for travelers who prefer small-ship privacy. 8 cabins, attentive crew-to-guest ratio, personalized service. Ideal for honeymooners and families.
Request availability →Premium Expedition
Galapagos Legend
Larger expedition ship with up to 100 passengers, multiple naturalist guides, two-restaurant dining, full lecture program. Ideal for travelers who want the cruise-ship comforts.
Request availability →First-Class Catamaran
Tip Top V Catamaran
Luxury first-class catamaran with 9 spacious suites, full-glass observation lounge, multilingual guides. One of the best-rated boats for families and multigenerational groups.
Request availability →How We Curate
What earns a place in our fleet
Guide-to-guest ratio
Minimum 1 naturalist per 10 guests on shore visits. The best vessels run 1:8 or 1:6 for intimate viewing.
Naturalist credentials
Galapagos National Park Class III certification. Marine biology or related field. Personal track record with our guests.
Itinerary access
Licensed for the outer islands (Fernandina, Genovesa, Española). Visits restricted sites few mid-tier ships can access.
Cabin standard
Air conditioning, ensuite bathrooms, panoramic windows, suite-level finishes. Most premium vessels offer balcony cabins.
Sustainability
Smart Voyager Certification or equivalent. Waste protocols, freshwater management, fair labor practices.
Track record
At least three years of consistent operation under current management. No safety incidents on record.
For the Discerning Traveler
Frequently asked
When is the best time to cruise the Galapagos?
There is no bad season. December through May offers warmer water, calmer seas, and active mating displays. June through November brings cooler water, more nutrients in the currents, larger marine life concentrations including whale sharks, and more dramatic photography light. For waved albatross on Española: April through December.
How long should a luxury Galapagos cruise be?
For first-time Galapagos travelers, a 7 to 8-day itinerary covers the most diversity (central, southern, and western islands). 4 to 5-day cruises are excellent for travelers combining Galapagos with mainland Ecuador. 10 to 14-day extended expeditions reach the remote northern islands of Darwin and Wolf for diving.
What sets premium Galapagos itineraries apart from budget cruises?
Three things: itinerary access (premium vessels are licensed for more outer islands and restricted sites), guide quality (Class III naturalists with marine biology backgrounds), and ship comfort (suite cabins, gourmet dining, smaller passenger counts for intimate viewing). The cost difference is significant but so is the experience.
Can you arrange a private charter?
Yes. Several vessels in our fleet are available for full-yacht private charter for families and small groups (typically 12 to 24 guests). This allows custom itinerary design, dietary specialization, and complete privacy. Inquire via WhatsApp for charter availability and pricing.
What does a luxury Galapagos cruise typically cost?
Premium expedition vessels typically range from approximately $5,000 to $9,500 USD per person for a 7 to 8-day cruise. Full-yacht charters start around $40,000 USD for the smallest premium vessels. Pricing varies by cabin category, season, and itinerary length. We’ll send detailed pricing when you inquire via WhatsApp.
Do you arrange the full Ecuador trip beyond the cruise?
Yes. As part of the CarpeDM Adventures network, we coordinate pre-cruise nights in Quito Old Town boutique hotels, private day tours, and post-cruise extensions including Cuyabeno Amazon expeditions to our own ecolodges and high-altitude climbs of Cotopaxi or Chimborazo through our Climb Ecuador partnership.
A Galapagos Tier for Every Traveler
Sister sites in the network
CarpeDM operates three tier-specific Galapagos sites. If a curated luxury expedition isn’t the right fit, head to the right sister site below.
Luxury Tier · You’re here
Treasure of Galapagos
Curated premium expedition vessels, hand-picked itineraries, the outer islands and restricted sites.
Mid-Range Tier
CarpeDM Travel
First-class catamarans and yachts. The sweet spot of comfort and value.
Visit mid-range tier →Budget Tier
Last Minute Galapagos Deals
Last-minute discounts on tourist-class and first-class boats for flexible-date travelers.
Visit budget tier →Your treasure is waiting.
Send us your travel window, group size, and what matters most to you. We’ll curate a Galapagos expedition that earns its name.
WhatsApp Our Quito Team →+593 98 534 1575 · info@thisiscarpedm.com