Visiting the Galapagos Islands of Ecuador is a bucket-list experience for many. The archipelago is famous for its amazing wildlife, much of which has been very well protected from humans. This makes it a wonderful place to get to see some unique birds, tortoises, and marine-life in an intimate way. We recommend exploring this destination with Quasar Expeditions, a small Galapagos Islands yacht cruise that gives you an intimate experience throughout the archipelago. This article goes through the various aspects of Quasar Expedition’s service that makes it so valuable.
Blueprint Travelers Recommendation: Quasar Expeditions
The Quasar Boat for Your Galapagos Islands Yacht Cruise
Quasar only operates two boats so they have the utmost focus on the wellbeing of their guests on the boats. In addition, their two boats have a maximum capacity of 16 and 32 guests, so each experience is well tailored and personalized. The photos throughout this guide are from the Evolution Yacht (32 people). The boats were renovated in 2017 (the Evolution) and 2023 (the Grace) so they are updated and modern. The crew is impeccable with keeping them fresh, making you a new towel animal on your bed every day.
The rooms included a queen, king, or two twin beds, a desk, a wardrobe to organize your clothes, and a bathroom. You have access to a hot shower every day to wash off the salty water from your snorkeling adventures. And each room has individual temperature control, making sure that every guest is comfortable in their cabin. You will really only be in the cabins to get changed throughout the day and sleep in the evenings. In addition, after putting your clothes in the wardrobe, the crew will put your bags in the boat’s storage for the duration of the cruise to keep your room clutter-free.
Beyond the rooms, the boats include outdoor lounge spaces on various decks along with a bar. Its a relaxing location to sit and read while the boat is moving from one destination to the next. The bartender often has fresh squeezed juices ready for the guests and some snacks to hold everyone over between meals. (You really won’t go hungry on the Galapagos Islands yacht cruise.)
At the front of both boats is a a jacuzzi (the perfect place to warm up after snorkeling adventures) and lounge chairs where you can take in the amazing Galapagos sunshine. There are spots to hang your wet clothes to dry against the Galapagos wind and store the snorkeling gear that will be provided to you. At the back of the decks are the outdoor dining areas where you will have many meals, weather permitting. And inside there is a lounge where you will get daily briefings about the next day’s activities and watch a few videos about the Galapagos (along with other important cultural events, such as the Copa America soccer/football matches). Overall, the boats will feel cozy and luxurious.
The Various Quasar Itineraries
There are three itinerary options that Quasar Expeditions provides to visit the Galapagos Islands. The first two are each 8-day itineraries that explore separate parts of the Galapagos archipelago. (Blueprint Travelers went on the 8-Day In the Steps of Pirates & Darwin itinerary and had the opportunity to see giant Galapagos tortoises (in the wild and in the breeding center), crabs, iguanas, sea lions, penguins, albatrosses, finches, flamingos, blue-footed boobies, cormorants, sharks, octopuses, stingrays, manta rays, blue whales, dolphins, and so much more.) However, either itinerary provided is equally amazing and gives visitors access to a plethora of unique wildlife. The two different 8 day itineraries occur on alternative weeks.
The third itinerary provided is a 15 day itinerary that combines the two 8 day itineraries into a whole experience that discovers the entire archipelago. If you want the opportunity to see as much wildlife as possible and see the maximum number of islands, then consider the longer itinerary.
All itineraries visit the Charles Darwin Foundation on the island of Santa Cruz. Here, the giant Galapagos tortoises are bred and guarded until their shells become hard enough and they can be released in the wild on the appropriate island. Different islands have different breeds of tortoises and the center is trying to keep the genetics of the tortoises as pure as possible. The tortoises of the islands are all protected and there are farms and reserves around Santa Cruz where large quantities of tortoises run (walk) wild. This is where will be able to get the closest to these tortoises and experience their sheer size. If you want that classic Galapagos photo standing behind a tortoise, this is the place where you will get it.
A Sample 8 Day Itinerary for Your Galapagos Islands Yacht Cruise
Day 1
PM
Land in Baltra
Bus to dock
Arrive on the boat
Unpack bags and settle into the cabin
Safety briefing
Day 2 briefing
Team introduction
Dinner
Day 2
AM
Breakfast
Panga ride to Isabela Island to see animals
Snorkeling safety briefing
Snorkeling gear distribution
Snorkeling
PM
Lunch
Dry landing on Fernandina Island + hike around the island
Day 3 briefing
Dinner
Day 3
AM
Wet landing on Isabella Island to see giant tortoises
Breakfast
Movie about Charles Darwin
Learn to fold towels into animals
Snorkeling
PM
Lunch
Day 4 briefing
Dinner
Day 4
AM
Breakfast
Dry landing on Bartolome Island
Hike up to the top of the island
Snorkeling
PM
Lunch
Movie about Alfred Russel Wallace
Hike or beach relaxation
Day 5 briefing
Dinner
Day 5
AM
Breakfast
Wet landing on a beach of Santa Cruz Island
Walk along beach and relax
Talk about Galapagos Conservation
PM
Lunch
Snorkeling
Wet landing on Rabida Island to see a red sand beach
Day 6 briefing
Dinner
Day 6
AM
Breakfast
Arrive at Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island
Visit Tortoise Captive Breeding Center
PM
Lunch in the highlands
Walk around the highlands and see giant tortoises
Explore Puerto Ayora
Returned to yacht
Day 7 briefing
Dinner
Day 7
AM
Breakfast
Dry landing on Isla Espanola
Hike around the island
Snorkeling
PM
Lunch
Wet landing on a beach on Isla Espanola
Relax and enjoy the beach
Day 8 briefing
Dinner
Day 8
AM
Sail around Kicker Rock
Pack bags
Breakfast
Dry Landing at San Cristobal
Bus to airport
Flight out of San Cristobal
The Blueprint Travelers Galapagos Islands Staples
The Quasar Expeditions Staff
We can’t compare the staff of Quasar to any other agency because this is the only Galapagos tour that we have done. However, we can adamantly say that the Quasar staff was absolutely perfect. Everyone ensures that guests have an incredible experience on and off the boat, starting with a cruise director who always had snacks available at the front desk. They can answer any and all of your questions.
The staff’s attention to detail is impeccable. For example, the bartender may quickly learn your dining and drinking preferences and have the drink you want prepared for you before you even have to ask. The chefs provide delicious meals and made sure guests are never hungry (and can accommodate food restrictions). Some meals are buffets and some are plated dinners. Either way, the food is fresh, focusing on local ingredients and Ecuadorian recipes. Local fishermen sometimes trade the fish they catch with the produce on the boat, making some of the meals very fresh.
Everyone else works behind the scenes to make sure the experience was seamless. The deckhands will greet you every time you return to the boat. The cleaning staff makes sure the cabins are always fresh, tidy, and clean. And everyone is friendly and warm, making the boat feel like home for the week that you will be there. Quasar also provides a doctor on board the ship, and while you may not think you will need a doctor on vacation, it is a nice luxury to have because you never know how your body will react to being in another country or on a boat.
The Luxury Galapagos Islands Yacht Cruise Expectations
The reason we have written this article about Quasar Expeditions is because our expectations for the experience were high, and they met every expectation. They advertise themselves as a safari-style cruise, which sets them apart from other Galapagos Islands yacht cruise offerings. The dinghy drivers are experts at getting you close to animals and each dinghy of 10-11 guests will have a naturalist on board to explain what you are seeing.
There is about 1 naturalist for every 10 to 11 guests on the yacht. Each of these naturalists are infectious with their love and passion for the wildlife and animals of the Galapagos. (We will never forget naturalist Christina grinning with excitement as she spotted the Blue Whales and was guiding everyone to look along the horizon line where they were spouting. Or when Hernan gave us confidence to swim with sharks due to his true love and passion for the animals.)
While the naturalists are hired by the National Park and contracted out to different tour companies, the guides at Quasar solely work with this boat, ensuring that Quasar has naturalists that meet their standards, both for their knowledge and for the way they take care of the guests. They are with you for every experience and expedition, explaining the wildlife and phenomena around you. Because your group will be small, you will get to know the naturalists personally and create true connections. And it is obvious that the naturalists have a strong rapport with the other members of the team on the ship.
Quasar Expeditions: Beyond the Galapagos Islands Yacht Cruise
Quasar Expeditions can go beyond just providing an excellent Galapagos Islands yacht cruise. Here are some of the other aspects that the organization can help you with when planning a trip to Ecuador and beyond within South America.
Planning Everything You Need in Ecuador
When reserving your cruise to the Galapagos, you will work with an agent to help manage the travel logistics, Galapagos Islands yacht cruise requirements, etc. They will send you reminder emails with any forms that you need to fill out, payments that you need to complete, and travel information you may need before your adventure.
Beyond the nitty gritty of the cruise, these agents can also help you plan the rest of your time in Ecuador. This includes reserving the hotel and activities you may want to do in Quito before or after your Galapagos Islands yacht cruise. They can also recommend and reserve lodging in other parts of Ecuador, including visiting the historical town of Cuenca or the amazing region of the Amazon. You can truly lean on the Quasar team as a holistic travel agent for your time in Ecuador. They know some different gems throughout the country and can help navigate your travels to best suit your interests.
Planning a Trip Beyond Ecuador
Quasar Expeditions has recently expanded their services beyond the Galapagos islands. They use their knowledge of safari-like travel to provide wildlife-focused experiences in the Patagonia region of Chile and Argentina. These tours run year-round but the seasons will change the wildlife you will see and the weather you will experience. Because it is in the southern hemisphere, the summers are in December-March and the winters fall between June-September. Reach out to their agents to learn more about these trips and start setting up your adventure!