Private Trip

Galapagos Active Expedition

Galapagos Luxury Wildlife Safari

Type
Private

X
Scheduled
The right number of like-minded travellers to make new friends.
Private
Your dates. Your group. Our expertly-designed itinerary.
Custom
Tailored to your interests, a bespoke travel experience.
Support
Daytime Guided

X
Self-Guided
Combines the hallmarks of any B&R itinerary (excellent hotels and beautiful routes) with the freedom of pacing each day exactly the way you like.
Daytime Guided
Throughout the day, a knowledgeable local guide provides insider access and expert tips. At night, you can explore and dine on your own.
24/7 Guided
Our B&R guides are with you throughout, anticipating needs, translating languages, providing advice and—above all—facilitating fun.
Hotels
Signature

X
Signature
We use premium hotels that are unique expressions of the region. Often they’ve had a previous life as a monastery or a castle, but in every case they offer an exceptionally comfortable stay.
Bistro
These are stylish 4-star properties that offer a casual and comfortable stay. Often without a 24-hour concierge or room service, they tend to be smaller family-run hotels that are perfect for the region.
Level
Recreational

X
Occasional
“I can’t say I really ‘work out,’ but I’m in good shape and am relatively active.”
Recreational
“I enjoy a good walk or ride, and feel comfortable while on the move.”
Enthusiast
“I get moving at least once a week, and don’t mind a little sweat.”
Avid
“I get moving a few times per week and enjoy some exertion.”
Expert
“I want to feel invigorated each day and going hard is how I like to do that.”
Click here for full details on each activity level »

A pantheon of the Animal Kingdom

Starting in Quito, Ecuador’s capital city, see the many charms of this UNESCO World Heritage Site before journeying to the Galápagos Islands—a modern-day Eden with an unmatched abundance of exotic, endemic wildlife. Spot sea lions sharing the beach with marine iguanas, explore archaic volcanic tunnels and—like Darwin before you—cross paths with giant tortoises. This inimitable adventure is sure to provide you with memories you’ll treasure endlessly.

Please note that space in the Galápagos Islands is very limited and fills up quickly. To secure space, it’s best to book at least one year in advance.

Trip designed by Travel Expert Veronika Macas

View Veronika’s Profile

TRIP DETAILS

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Based on 4 ppl double occupancy
Request your date for exact pricing 7 Days / 6 Nights
Quito to Quito request a
DETAILED ITINERARY

PHOTO & VIDEO GALLERY

How do you want to travel?

Go Private Go Bespoke

Galapagos Active Expedition

Ready-to-Book private tours are designed to be enjoyed off-the-rack, but there is room for minor adjustments to fit the trip to your needs. If the gap is too great, then we’d be happy to tailor-make you a Bespoke trip from scratch. Simply tell us a few details about your group and select your preferred date. One of our Trip Designers will spring into action, confirming the details or exploring alternatives, over the next 48 hours.

Best Time to Visit

January	April	July	October
February	May	August	November
March	June	September	December

Request Your Date

Have a custom trip designed exactly to your interests. Like a tailor making a bespoke suit, it will fit you perfectly.

Our Bespoke trip designers are a talented bunch who can craft unforgettable experiences for your specific group—and working within your needs and budget.

Get in touch with a Trip Designer to begin planning your perfect vacation.

REQUEST A QUOTE

Day by Day

You’ll be picked up from the airport and driven to the kingly Casa Gangotena hotel. The first night in Quito is yours to enjoy and explore the city on your own.

Set sail for Santa Cruz Island—a perfect introduction to the Galápagos. Settle in at the Pikaia Lodge and enjoy lunch by the pool or a welcome cocktail at the DNA bar. The afternoon is yours to explore the resort and its many wonderful amenities.

Take the day to discover Santa Cruz Island—visit the lava tunnels, spend time at the Giant Tortoise Reserve or do some snorkelling along the coast, the activity opportunities are endless.

All aboard the Pikaia Yacht! Spend a full day hiking, snorkelling and exploring Bartolomé Island and Sullivan Bay. Get up close and personal with the local penguin colony and be sure to have your camera ready for spectacular views.

Today, you are free to tour Santa Cruz Island even further. We recommend visiting the Charles Darwin Research Station—here you can gain insight into the efforts being made to preserve this UNESCO Site and catch a glimpse of the islands’ namesake, the famous Galápagos tortoises!

Sail between North Seymour Island and Mosquera Islet, where you'll spot blue-footed boobies, penguins, sea lions and marine iguanas (perhaps even dolphins and orcas in the distance). If you choose to snorkel, playful sea lions may accompany you!

On your last day at Pikaia Lodge, enjoy the morning at your leisure before being driven to the airport for your departure flight.

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Request a Detailed ItineraryGalapagos Active Expedition

Hotels

Casa Gangotena, Quito

Glimpse the heart of old Quito as it was meant to be enjoyed, amidst the generous comforts of this handsomely restored mansion. Sumptuously appointed rooms bask in the warmth of natural light as towering windows overlook the Plaza San Francisco. Stately and sophisticated, yet perfectly intimate thanks to the Ecuadorean hospitality. View hotel website »

Pikaia Lodge, Santa Cruz Island

Hidden in a secluded location atop an extinct volcano crater, Pikaia Lodge is a stunning new alternative for exploring the "Last Paradise on Earth" in a truly luxurious and sustainable way. Pikaia Lodge is designed for the eco-adventure traveller seeking intimate contact with the unique natural heritage of the Galápagos. Guests will enjoy active guided land and marine day programs in small groups. View hotel website »

Read about hotels

We had high expectations for this Galapagos trip and were blown away with how 'other worldly' and incredible it was. Cannot wait for our next B&R trip!

— Donald Holzworth

Butterfield & Robinson offers a nine-day tour of the Galapagos Islands designed specifically for families, including kayaking, excursions on small panga boats in search of penguins, and snorkeling with sea lions, turtles and perhaps hammerhead sharks. The tour is conducted on the Isabela II, a 37-passenger vessel that takes you in comfort to and from eight islands. These include North Seymour with its dramatic volcanic landscape, Punta Suarez, inhabited by lava lizards and albatrosses, and beach-ringed Genovesa Island.

USA TODAY

We never wanted to be the biggest travel company in the world, just the best.
— George Butterfield

Consistently voted one of the World's Best Tour Operators in Travel + Leisure magazine's annual reader survey.

Activity Level What’s Included Gear Extend Your Trip

Recreational

This walking trip features plenty of uneven footing and dirt trails—but its focus is not on covering distance. Transportation to and from the day’s event is provided in most instances. The change in elevation (Quito is 2,800 metres above sea level) may interfere with the breathing of some travellers.

The Traveller

“I enjoy going for a good walk or ride and can even handle an incline or two.”

The Terrain

Relatively flat but will include inclines and the occasional climb or two.

What’s included? Everything you need. Plus everything you’d
want. Plus a few things you never knew you wanted ‘til you got them.

In a word: everything. In ninety words? Signature B&R guides; local experts; unique, unforgettable biking and walking routes; private tours; authentic local cuisine; lessons and demonstrations; local artisanal wines; wine tastings; all victuals and libations; all the endorphins you can handle; new insight; interesting, fun and like-minded travel companions; a feeling of total freedom. In short: an extraordinary, hassle-free journey of discovery.

All transfers
All Accommodation as indicated
Galápagos Cruise 7 nights/8 days Cruise inclusions: 
All shore excursions with English speaking guides 
All meals 
Soft drinks and juices 
Welcome cocktail 
Use of snorkeling equipment 
Use of wetsuits 
Transfer between the airport in Baltra and the dock upon arrival & departure on Saturday
VIP lounge at the airport in Baltra on outgoing flights
Internal flights to/from Quito to Galápagos Islands
All park fees and taxes
VIP Assistance at Quito Airport for international flight home

The Bikes

You can’t enjoy a great biking trip without a really great bike. On this trip, we’ll use well-tuned, high-quality, local bikes that provide a good fit to your size and weight.

Local Bikes

trip pool Sometimes your B&R trip simply isn’t long enough! Extend your stay for the best vacation possible. If you wish to spend a few days in region either before or after your official B&R trip, and need assistance making those plans, your B&R Travel Advisor can help.

Call us to create an independent travel experience that fits your needs—we can also arrange for a local guide.

We craft extraordinary experiences, tailor made to meet
your every need, with every stitch of every day crafted
just the way you want it. Learn more about Bespoke