Active Galapagos Tour Prices & Details

(scroll down for trip dates and prices)

 

NOTE:  If the SAMBA is sold out during your preferred travel time, we would be happy to help you find a good alternative.

1.   DATES 

2023 Active Tours

OPTION 1 (JUST THE ACTIVE CRUISE):  US$ 4,500 /person 7 nights / 8 days (double accommodation)

  • 7 nights / 8 days on the highly acclaimed Samba - meals, excursions, wetsuits / snorkel equipment, kayaks, paddle boards, naturalist guide
  • Emergency medical evacuation insurance;
  • Carbon offsets - making your trip carbon neutral - Click here for more details.

OPTION 2 (BREEZE):   US$ 5,741 /person, 9 nights / 10 days (double accommodation)

  • 2 nights in Quito, including 2 nights in a comfortable boutique hotel;
  • Quito World Heritage city day tour;
  • 7 nights / 8 days on the highly acclaimed Samba - meals, excursions, wetsuits / snorkel equipment, kayaks, paddle boards, naturalist guide;
  • Transit control card;
  • Domestic flights, cruise, transfers and more included.
  • Emergency medical evacuation insurance (US$200,000)
  • Carbon offsets - making your trip carbon neutral - Click here for more details. 

OPTION 3 (LEISURE):   US$ 6,171 /person, 11 nights / 12 days (double accommodation)

Same as breeze, but add on 2 extra nights in Galapagos post-cruise in a lovely boutique hotel with pool. You'll have a naturalist guide at your service to help plan any excursions or accompany you.  Enjoy some down time after an active trip - wander about town, go to the local beach, do a bit of shopping, taste the local craft beer, coffee shops and more. 

 

CUSTOM TRIPS:  Contact us for custom itinerary options (solo, 15 day circumnavigation, extensions)

FUEL SURCHARGE:  Unless imposed at a later date by the ship owner, there is no fuel surcharge added to the 2023 trip price.

CABIN #7: This cabin is the only one on the upper deck and the only one with a double bed.  The price is $150 more / person for this cabin.

TRIPS DATES BELOW REFLECT THE "LEISURE" 11 NIGHT / 12 DAY OPTION.  

 


Tour CodeStart DateEnd DateItinerarySpaces Remaining
Santa Cruz 19 Nov 30 Nov Born of Fire SOLD OUT  
Santiago 26 Nov 07 Dec Island Diversity SOLD OUT  
Seymour 17 Dec 28 Dec Born of Fire 1 spaces left Book Now
Wolf 24 Dec 04 Jan Island Diversity SOLD OUT  

2024 Active Tours

OPTION 1 (JUST THE ACTIVE CRUISE):  US$ 4,800 /person 7 nights / 8 days (double accommodation)

  • 7 nights / 8 days on the highly acclaimed Samba - meals, excursions, wetsuits / snorkel equipment, kayaks, paddle boards, naturalist guide
  • Emergency medical evacuation insurance;
  • Carbon offsets - making your trip carbon neutral - Click here for more details.

OPTION 2 (BREEZE):  US$ 5,988 /person, 9 nights / 10 days (double accommodation)

  • 2 nights in Quito, including 2 nights in a very comfortable and unique Mama Cuchara Arts Hotel;
  • 7 nights / 8 days on the highly acclaimed Samba - meals, excursions, wetsuits / snorkel equipment, kayaks, paddle boards, naturalist guide;
  • Quito World Heritage city day tour with cable car to upper slopes of Pichincha volcano (weather permitting);
  • Transit control card;
  • Airport transfers with dedicated airport check-in assistance (domestic flights);
  • Domestic flights, cruise and more included;
  • Emergency medical evacuation insurance (US$200,000);
  • Carbon offsets - making your trip carbon neutral - Click here for more details. 

OPTION 3 (LEISURE):   US$ 6,448 /person, 11 nights / 12 days (double accommodation)

Enjoy some down time after an active trip - wander about town, go to the local beach, do a bit of shopping, taste the local craft beer, coffee shops and more.  Same as breeze, but add on:

  • 2 extra nights in Galapagos post-cruise in the lovely Ikala boutique hotel with pool;
  • Visit an organic coffee farm in the highlands;
  • Lunch at a tasty local restaurant;
  • Services of a naturalist guide to help plan any excursions or accompany you;
  • A guided visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station;
  • A farewell dinner on your last night in Galapagos;
  • Accompanied transfer to the hotel for your flight back to the continent, includes check-in assistance.

CUSTOM TRIPS:  Contact us for custom itinerary options (solo, 15 day circumnavigation, extensions)

FUEL SURCHARGE:  Unless imposed at a later date by the ship owner, there is no fuel surcharge added to the 2024 trip price.

CABIN #7: This cabin is the only one on the upper deck and the only one with a double bed.  The price is $150 more / person for this cabin.

TRIPS DATES BELOW REFLECT THE "LEISURE" 11 NIGHT / 12 DAY OPTION.  

If you cannot join us on one of our dedicated "Active Galapagos" departures, ask us for Samba departures on other dates.


Tour CodeStart DateEnd DateItinerarySpaces Remaining
Open 09 Jan 16 Jan Island Diversity 3 spaces left Book Now
Albatross 14 Jan 25 Jan Born of Fire SOLD OUT  
Anemone 21 Jan 01 Feb Island Diversity 12 spaces left Book Now
Dolphin 28 Jan 08 Feb Born of Fire 4 spaces left Book Now
Finch 04 Feb 15 Feb Island Diversity 2 spaces left Book Now
Flamingo 11 Feb 22 Feb Born of Fire SOLD OUT  
Fur Seal 18 Feb 29 Feb Island Diversity SOLD OUT  
Giant Tortoise 25 Feb 07 Mar Born of Fire 8 spaces left Book Now
Lava Lizard 03 Mar 14 Mar Island Diversity 8 spaces left Book Now
SPECIAL Snorkel Focused Trip 10 Mar 21 Mar Born of Fire 8 spaces left Book Now
Marine Iguana 17 Mar 28 Mar Island Diversity 12 spaces left Book Now
Mockingbird 24 Mar 04 Apr Born of Fire 2 spaces left Book Now
Muyuyo 31 Mar 11 Apr Island Diversity 12 spaces left Book Now
Night Heron 21 Apr 02 May Born of Fire SOLD OUT  
Opuntia 28 Apr 09 May Island Diversity SOLD OUT  
Orca 19 May 30 May Born of Fire 4 spaces left Book Now
Osprey 26 May 06 Jun Island Diversity 8 spaces left Book Now
Oystercatcher 16 Jun 27 Jun Born of Fire 14 spaces left Book Now
Penguin 23 Jun 04 Jul Island Diversity 8 spaces left Book Now
Peperomia 30 Jun 11 Jul Born of Fire 14 spaces left Book Now
Peregrine Falcon 07 Jul 18 Jul Island Diversity 10 spaces left Book Now
Phalarope 14 Jul 25 Jul Born of Fire 8 spaces left Book Now
Pintail 21 Jul 01 Aug Island Diversity 14 spaces left Book Now
Sea Lion 28 Jul 08 Aug Born of Fire 14 spaces left Book Now
Sea Star 04 Aug 15 Aug Island Diversity 14 spaces left Book Now
Sea Turtle - Private Charter 22 Oct 29 Oct Born of Fire SOLD OUT  
Shearwater 17 Nov 28 Nov Born of Fire 12 spaces left Book Now
Storm Petrel 24 Nov 05 Dec Island Diversity 8 spaces left Book Now
Tropicbird 15 Dec 26 Dec Born of Fire 14 spaces left Book Now
Whale Shark 22 Dec 02 Jan Island Diversity 14 spaces left Book Now

2025 Active Tours

OPTION 1 (JUST THE ACTIVE CRUISE):  US$5,000  /person 7 nights / 8 days (double accommodation)

  • 7 nights / 8 days on the highly acclaimed Samba - meals, excursions, wetsuits / snorkel equipment, kayaks, paddle boards, naturalist guide;
  • Emergency medical evacuation insurance - US$200,000 coverage;
  • Carbon offsets - making your trip carbon neutral - Click here for more details.

OPTION 2 (BREEZE):  US$ 6,177 /person, 9 nights / 10 days (double accommodation)

  • 2 nights in Quito, including 2 nights in a very comfortable and unique Mama Cuchara Arts Hotel;
  • 7 nights / 8 days on the highly acclaimed Samba - meals, excursions, wetsuits / snorkel equipment, kayaks, paddle boards, naturalist guide;
  • Quito World Heritage city day tour with cable car to upper slopes of Pichincha volcano (weather permitting);
  • Transit control card;
  • Airport transfers with dedicated airport check-in assistance (domestic flights);
  • Domestic flights, cruise and more included;
  • Emergency medical evacuation insurance (US$200,000);
  • Carbon offsets - making your trip carbon neutral - Click here for more details. 

OPTION 3 (LEISURE):   US$ 6,576 /person, 11 nights / 12 days (double accommodation)

Enjoy some down time after an active trip - wander about town, go to the local beach, do a bit of shopping, taste the local craft beer, coffee shops and more.  Same as breeze, but add on:

  • 2 extra nights in Galapagos post-cruise in the lovely Ikala boutique hotel with pool;
  • Visit an organic coffee farm in the highlands;
  • Lunch at a tasty local restaurant;
  • Services of a naturalist guide to help plan any excursions or accompany you;
  • A guided visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station;
  • A farewell dinner on your last night in Galapagos;
  • Accompanied transfer to the hotel for your flight back to the continent, includes check-in assistance.

 

CUSTOM TRIPS:  Contact us for custom itinerary options (solo, 15 day circumnavigation, extensions, charters)

FUEL SURCHARGE:  Unless imposed at a later date by the ship owner, there is currently no fuel surcharge added to the 2025 trip price.

CABIN #7: This cabin is the only one on the upper deck and the only one with a double bed.  The price is $150 more / person for this cabin.

 

** If you cannot join us on one of our dedicated "Active Galapagos" departures, ask us for Samba departures on other dates.

 

TRIPS DATES BELOW REFLECT THE "LEISURE" 11 NIGHT / 12 DAY OPTION.  

 


Tour CodeStart DateEnd DateItinerarySpaces Remaining
Academy Bay 12 Jan 23 Jan Born of Fire 14 spaces left Book Now
Albemarle 19 Jan 30 Jan Island Diversity 14 spaces left Book Now
Baltra 26 Jan 06 Feb Born of Fire 14 spaces left Book Now
Bindloe 02 Feb 13 Feb Island Diversity 14 spaces left Book Now
Caldwell 09 Feb 20 Feb Born of Fire 14 spaces left Book Now
Champion 16 Feb 27 Feb Island Diversity 14 spaces left Book Now
Covington 23 Feb 06 Mar Born of Fire 14 spaces left Book Now
Daphne 02 Mar 13 Mar Island Diversity 12 spaces left Book Now
Darwin 09 Mar 20 Mar Born of Fire 14 spaces left Book Now
Eden 16 Mar 27 Mar Island Diversity 14 spaces left Book Now
Enderby 23 Mar 03 Apr Born of Fire 14 spaces left Book Now
Fernandina 30 Mar 10 Apr Island Diversity 14 spaces left Book Now
Floreana 18 May 29 May Born of Fire 14 spaces left Book Now
Gardner 25 May 05 Jun Island Diversity 14 spaces left Book Now
Genovesa 29 Jun 10 Jul Born of Fire 14 spaces left Book Now
Indefatigable 06 Jul 17 Jul Island Diversity 14 spaces left Book Now
Isabela 13 Jul 24 Jul Born of Fire 14 spaces left Book Now
Marchena 20 Jul 31 Jul Island Diversity 14 spaces left Book Now
Marielas 27 Jul 07 Aug Born of Fire 14 spaces left Book Now
Marlborough 03 Aug 14 Aug Island Diversity 14 spaces left Book Now
Pinzon 16 Nov 27 Nov Born of Fire 14 spaces left Book Now
Rabida 23 Nov 04 Dec Island Diversity 14 spaces left Book Now
Santa Cruz 14 Dec 25 Dec Born of Fire 14 spaces left Book Now
Seymour 21 Dec 01 Jan Island Diversity 14 spaces left Book Now
Wolf 28 Dec 08 Jan Born of Fire 14 spaces left Book Now

 

 2.   PRICE DETAILS

 PRICE INCLUDES: 

  • 8 day cruise on an upscale tourist superior ship (all meals, top quality naturalist guide, private double occupancy rooms, private bathroom, hot water, shower, air conditioning)
  • Return flight: Quito or Guayaquil, to Galapagos, and back to either Quito or Guayaquil + Transit control card
  • 2 nights' accommodation in an upscale boutique hotel in colonial Quito (Mama Cuchara) with breakfast, on the continent (pre-cruise)
  • Full day tour: Quito - World Heritage colonial Andean city.
  • Host in Quito to help with airport check-in for flight to Galapagos
  • Airport transfers (domestic flights to and from Galapagos)
  • Free use of kayaks (6) and paddle boards (2) on-board the ship (used only at dedicated visitor sites)
  • Free wetsuit, snorkel, mask and fins
  • Two additional nights in Puerto Ayora in a well-located, luxury boutique hotel (Ikala)
  • Most meals, as indicated in the itinerary
  • Our help with trip extensions (e.g. Amazon jungle, Machu Picchu, Cuenca, cloud forest...)
  • Our comprehensive Galapagos Voyage Guide (electronic version)
  • Carbon offsets for in-country carbon emissions (domestic flight / cruise)
  • $200,000 emergency medical evacuation insurance coverage 

PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:

  • Tip for naturalist guide (sug. $150/person), ship's crew (sug. $250/person)
  • Alcoholic beverages, drinks
  • International arrivals and departures transfers
  • Galapagos National Park entrance fee ($100 - subject to change)
  • Trip insurance - emergency medical / cancellation (always strongly recommended)
  • Personal expenses
  • Corkage fee ($10/bottle)
  • Some meals, as indicated in itinerary

3.   YOUR NATURALIST GUIDES

You will enjoy top services from one of a small team of carefully selected guides that serve our Active Galapagos cruises.  Our guides are chosen for their passion and for their in-depth knowledge of Galapagos and conservation.  They have a canny knack for conveying this passion to their guests and should be able to handle your most challenging questions. 

The Samba's principle guide is Juan Manuel Salcedo.   We believe that Juan is at the vanguard of a new generation of naturalist guides in Galapagos - he is promoting a new way to seeing/knowing the islands (see:  The Samba Way).  Juan grew up in Galapagos.  He is a father of two young girls - his family lives in the highlands of Santa Cruz island. His wife's family has also been living in Galapagos for many years and are active members of the community.  Juan carried out most of his studies in Ecuador, but also spent some time in California obtaining a "skipper's" certificate.  He is personally in charge of selecting and training the colleagues with whom he shares the CNH Tours Active Galapagos trips.   

 

  
Juan Manuel Salcedo prepares the guests for the next day's activities   

4.   ITINERARIES

SOUTH EAST:   Island diversity

# islands visited:  10

The Southeast itinerary will have you visit a great diversity of islands, from the tiny South Plaza to the "brought-back-from-the-brink" Española island, once overrun by goats and with only a handful of giant tortoises remaining.   See the red and green iguanas, the rare hybrid land/marine iguanas, snorkel at Devil's Crown and watch penguins at the iconic Bartolome Island.  Enjoy the best beaches in the islands - and for shark lovers - this itinerary gives you more opportunities for close observations  

CLICK HERE FOR THE DAY BY DAY SOUTH EAST ITINERARY

 

NORTH WEST:   Born of fire

# islands visited:  5

This itinerary takes you to the western shores of the archipelago, and the most geologically active.   Volcanos frequently erupt here - and most of the land consists of wide expanses of sterile lava fields interspersed with small islands of life.   Waters are more nutrient rich and cooler - making for a richer diversity of marine life.  The flightless cormorant survives here, but in small numbers.

CLICK HERE FOR THE DAY BY DAY NORTH WEST ITINERARY 

  

 neptune      

The traditional equatorial line crossing celebration on the Samba.   Can you spot Poseidon, Charles Darwin, the tortoise, the penguin, the mermaid... 

news

Our family holiday on the Samba rates as one of the very best we have ever had!  We loved that every day was filled from before dawn to bedtime with a combination of activities that everyone enjoyed.  Our guide Santiago Moran was exceptional and worked out very quickly what we all enjoyed.  The crew were brilliant and made our stay on board really comfortable.  I had thought the Galapagos would be a once in a lifetime experience but I am now inspired to go  back and explore the NW having loved the SE itinerary.

Abigail Church, Nairobi

Active Galapagos on the Samba, March 2016

(Abigail and her husband run a high end safari outfit in Eastern Africa - please contact if you would like to be put in touch!)

Abigail Church
Kenya

 

Click here for more testimonials