When's the best time to go to the Galápagos?

The islands are a year-round destination and Evolution sails every week, so there is no single best month. December to May is warmer with calmer seas; June to November is cooler, with more upwelling that tends to mean livelier snorkelling. Evolution also runs an eight-day loop the other way, from San Cristobal to Baltra, and a combined fifteen-day cruise that covers both loops for travellers who want the whole archipelago in one trip. We will help you choose whichever route and season suits your dates.

I'm worried about seasickness. How big is the boat?

At 58.5 metres and carrying a maximum of 32 guests, Evolution is a proper ocean-going yacht rather than a small speedboat, so she handles the open-water crossings more steadily than a smaller vessel. If you are prone to seasickness we would still suggest bringing wristbands or tablets, and your naturalist guide can advise on which crossings are calmest.

Can I add Peru or mainland Ecuador?

Yes, plenty of Evolution guests combine the islands with mainland Ecuador or extend into Peru. Our Galápagos & Machu Picchu twin-centre holiday is built for exactly that pairing; tell us what you have in mind and we will build the rest of the trip around your cruise dates.

How do I book, and what deposit is needed?

Enquire and we will confirm availability with Quasar Expeditions directly, since dates are allocated on a first-come basis and this yacht is popular. Once you are happy with the itinerary and cabin category we will ask for a deposit to secure your place, with the balance due closer to departure. We will talk you through the exact figures when we quote.

SEA LIONS · SUN DECK · SNORKEL

Evolution Galápagos Cruise with Flights from London

A 32-guest heritage yacht through the western and central Galápagos Islands, sailing every week from Baltra.

Galapagos IslandsExpedition CruiseEvolution11 days / 10 nightsFlights IncludedPrice on enquiry

Evolution carries just 32 guests around the western and central Galápagos Islands aboard a yacht built in the style of a 1920s ocean liner, with teak decks, a wood-panelled lounge and a sun deck carrying two jacuzzis. Naturalist guides look after every landing at a ratio of one to every ten guests, and a dedicated chef treats dinner as part of the adventure rather than an afterthought.

Return flights from London are included, along with the flight to the islands and a night in Quito either side of the cruise, and the whole holiday is ATOL protected. Evolution sails every week; we confirm your exact dates once you enquire.

DAY BY DAY

Your itinerary

Overnight flight from London to Ecuador, connecting via a European or US hub.

Sun deck jacuzzi aboard Evolution, Galápagos

LIFE ON BOARD

Life on board

Evolution's main deck holds the dining room, an al-fresco dining terrace, the reception and a lounge with its own coffee station, and out at the bow, a jacuzzi with loungers for watching the islands go by. Climb to the top deck and you reach a second, al-fresco lounge and bar beside the captain's bridge, with more sun loungers around a second jacuzzi.

A crew of 21 runs the yacht for a maximum of 32 guests, including a cruise director, an onboard doctor and infirmary, and naturalist guides at a ratio of one to every ten guests.

Twin Deluxe Stateroom aboard Evolution, Galápagos

YOUR CABIN

Your cabin

Sixteen cabins across three categories: the Master Suite and two further suites on the top Albatross Deck, each with a proper window onto the sea, then nine Premium Staterooms on Cormorant Deck and four Deluxe Staterooms on Darwin Deck, both with ocean-view portholes and a choice of twin or double beds.

Every cabin has air conditioning and an en-suite bathroom, and each deck is a short flight of stairs from the dining room and sun deck above. It is an older, more traditional style of cabin than the newer catamarans in the fleet, in keeping with a yacht built to evoke the golden age of ocean travel.

Al fresco dining table aboard Evolution, Galápagos

FOOD AND GUIDES

Food and guides

Meals are served three times a day by a dedicated chef who caters to dietary needs on request, from breakfast to a plated dinner, with wine, local beer, cocktails, spirits, soft drinks and coffee included throughout the cruise. Meals move outside to the al-fresco dining deck whenever the weather allows.

Between excursions, naturalist guides run evening briefings on what you'll see the next day, and with one guide for roughly every ten guests, there's time for a real question rather than a queue.

Ensuite bathroom aboard Evolution, Galápagos — Ensuite bathroom aboard Evolution

The bar at sunset aboard Evolution, Galápagos — The bar at sunset

Indoor dining room aboard Evolution, Galápagos — The indoor dining room

A plated dinner course aboard Evolution, Galápagos — A plated dinner course on board

A sea lion ashore at sunset near Evolution, Galápagos — A sea lion ashore as Evolution anchors at sunset

Evolution's bow at anchor, Galápagos — Evolution's bow

What's Included

Return flights from London (other UK airports on request)
Internal flights between Quito or Guayaquil and the Galápagos
One hotel night in Quito before the cruise
All transfers in Ecuador and the Galápagos
Your cabin aboard Evolution for the full cruise
All meals on board
Naturalist guides
All excursions on the itinerary
Snorkelling equipment
Galápagos National Park entrance fee
Galápagos Transit Control Card

What's Not Included

Travel insurance
Tips
Drinks
Wetsuit hire
Personal spending money

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Return flights from London, the internal flight to the Galápagos, transfers and a night in Quito are all part of the price, and the whole holiday is ATOL protected. If anything went wrong with the airline or the ground arrangements, you're covered.

Ready to sail the Galápagos aboard Evolution?

Tell us your dates and cabin preference and we will check availability with Quasar Expeditions, then send a full quote with flights and ATOL protection included.

Plan your trip Make an Enquiry

We typically respond within 24 hours

Wildlife & Nature

Sea lions hauled out on the beach the moment you land at Daphne or Bahía Borrero on your first afternoon

Flightless cormorants and marine iguanas on Fernandina's raw lava shore at Punta Espinoza

Snorkelling alongside Galápagos penguins in the current off Isabela's Punta Vicente Roca

Giant tortoises roaming wild in the Santa Cruz Highlands, and young tortoises at the Charles Darwin Research Station

Sea lion colonies and cliff-nesting seabirds at Gardner Bay, Española

Dolphins riding the bow wake as Evolution moves between islands overnight

Expedition Cruise

Price on enquiry

Flights Included

Evolution

11 days / 10 nights

No commitment, we respond within 24 hours

Expedition Cruise

Price on enquiry

Flights Included

Evolution

11 days / 10 nights

No commitment, we respond within 24 hours

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Tailor-made · ATOL 10898

Combine this with another country

Most of our expedition clients add a few extra days exploring nearby, Peru's Sacred Valley before the Galápagos, Mexico's cenotes after the cruise. A specialist can shape the whole journey.

Combine this with another country

Price on enquiry