Quasar Expeditions

What Quasar Expeditions does

Over 38 years of exploration, Quasar Expeditions' Patagonia tours and luxury cruises to the Galapagos Islands are once-in-a-lifetime experience. On Quasar Expeditions' Patagonia adventures, you experience the region a bit differently. We provide access to the full circuit of amazing Patagonian sites in both Chile and Argentina, including National Parks Torres del Paine and Los Glaciares, and the mighty Perito Moreno Glacier. Each night you will enjoy luxury lodgings and incomparable locations, always under the care of the very best people. On Quasar Expeditions' Galapagos cruises, you will encounter giant Galapagos tortoises, prehistoric marine iguanas and unique species of penguins, flightless cormorants and flamingos up-close and personal. Guided along your Galapagos cruise by the most experienced naturalists, you feel like you are the first people to come across this natural paradise. Our distinctive yachts offer boutique hotel service, but are outfitted for true expeditions.

Name

Quasar Expeditions

Legal name

Quasar Expeditions

Website

https://www.quasarex.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Cruises, Expeditions, Travel, Tours

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Luxury Expedition Cruises

NAICS

Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water (4872), Tour Operators (561520)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Luxury Yacht & Small-Ship Expedition Cruises (THAEABAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Small-Ship Expedition Cruises (Under ~500 Guests) (THAEADAC), Eco-Cruises & Small-Ship Nature Cruises (Expedition Cruising) (THAAAEAK), Adventure Expedition Cruise Lines (Warm-Water & Remote Islands) (THAEABAE)

Keywords

• Luxury expedition cruises
• Small ship cruises
• Galapagos yacht charters
• Patagonia overland safaris
• Wildlife adventure travel

Headquarters

HQ city

Plantation

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Luxury Expedition Cruises: All-inclusive luxury yacht safari packages in Galapagos and Patagonia priced per person. Includes accommodations, all meals, guided shore excursions, snorkeling gear, wetsuits, naturalist guides, Zodiac landings, open bar, Starlink Wi-Fi, kayaks, paddleboards, Galapagos transfers, and onboard entertainment. Revenue generated through per-person cruise fees with pricing varying by yacht (Grace vs Evolution), itinerary length (8-day vs 15-day), cabin category, and season. Additional revenue from optional add-ons including scuba diving, gratuities, and trip extensions to Antarctica, Atacama, Amazon, and Peru.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Quasar Expeditions operates luxury safari-style small-ship cruises in the Galapagos Islands aboard two intimate yachts (the 32-guest Evolution and the 16-guest Grace) and overland 4x4 safaris through Chilean and Argentinean Patagonia. All-inclusive packages include accommodations, all meals, expert Level III naturalist guides, Zodiac landings, snorkeling, kayaking, paddleboarding, open bar, and Starlink Wi-Fi, with optional add-on trip extensions to Antarctica, the Atacama Desert, Peru, and the Ecuadorian Amazon.

Product overview

Quasar Expeditions is a family-owned luxury adventure travel company with 40 years of experience offering safari-style cruises and tours in South America. The company operates two primary yachts: the 32-guest Evolution Yacht and the 16-guest Grace Yacht (the royal honeymoon yacht of Princess Grace Kelly), both offering Galapagos Islands luxury cruises with itineraries of 8 and 15 days. Additional products include Patagonia overland safaris in private 4x4 vehicles with multiple duration options, and trip extensions to Antarctica, Atacama Desert, Peru, and the Ecuadorian Amazon. The company also offers specialized sub-brands including family cruises, honeymoon cruises, photography cruises, and private yacht charters.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Safari-Style Cruises™: The company's signature expedition style combining wildlife immersion with luxury yacht accommodations
• Evolution Yacht
• Grace Yacht

Products and services

• Evolution Yacht Galapagos Cruises All-inclusive luxury 8-day or 15-day Galapagos cruises aboard the 58.5m (192 ft) Evolution Yacht accommodating 32 guests in 16 staterooms. Features onboard doctor, infirmary, 360-degree decks, al-fresco lounge, jacuzzi, 10:1 guest-to-guide ratio, naturalist-guided shore excursions, snorkeling, kayaking, and Zodiac landings.
• Grace Yacht Galapagos Cruises Intimate luxury 8-day or 15-day Galapagos cruises aboard the 16-guest Grace Yacht with royal history as Princess Grace Kelly's honeymoon yacht. Offers 360-degree deck space, panoramic windows, personalized service, and a 10:1 guest-to-guide ratio.
• Patagonia Overland Safaris Private 4x4 vehicle adventures through Chilean and Argentinean Patagonia with local naturalists, including Patagonia Untamed Puma Tracking (6 days), Patagonia Select (7 days), Patagonia Revealed (9 days), and Patagonia Immersion (11 days).
• Family Cruises Family-focused Galapagos cruises with 15% year-round child discount, kid-friendly menus, engaging Level III naturalist guides, and activities tailored for multi-generational travel aboard the Evolution or Grace yacht.
• Honeymoon Cruises Romantic Galapagos honeymoons and couple retreats aboard the Grace or Evolution yachts with personalized itineraries, fine dining, private deck spaces, wildlife encounters, and optional captain-led vow renewals at sea.
• Photography Cruises Galapagos photography-focused cruises led by world-renowned professional photographers such as Tui de Roy, Harry Skeggs, Paul Zizka, and Suzy Eszterhas, providing hands-on wildlife, landscape, and underwater photography instruction.
• Private Yacht Charters Exclusive full-yacht charter experiences for private groups, families, or friends aboard the 16-guest Grace or 32-guest Evolution, with fully customizable itineraries, dedicated crew, and complete privacy.
• Trip Extensions Pre- and post-cruise multi-destination tour extensions including Antarctica cruises (6-18+ days), Atacama Desert tours (4-6 days), Peru tours (5-7 days), and Quito + Ecuadorian Amazon packages (6 days).

Quantifiable outcome

• 9 consecutive years #1 Intimate-Ship Ocean Cruise Line (Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards, 2018-2026)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ABBcoreTechnology or Integration · 26 May 2026ABB is collaborating with Quasar Expeditions to modernize the 52.9-meter yacht Quasar Conservation with hybrid-electric propulsion technology. The conversion includes ABB's Onboard DC Grid, an 814-kilowatt-hour battery storage system, and permanent magnet propulsion motors. This makes the vessel the first of its kind to operate in the Galápagos Islands on battery power. The project extends the yacht's operational life by up to 25 years and ensures compliance with Galápagos National Park's strict environmental regulations on noise and emissions.
• World Wildlife Fund (WWF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerQuasar Expeditions partners with WWF to reduce waste onboard their yachts. The partnership focuses on eliminating single-use plastics and implementing sustainable waste management practices across the fleet, contributing to the company's zero single-use plastic policy.
• Carbon FundcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerQuasar Expeditions creates 100% carbon neutral adventures in partnership with the Carbon Fund. All carbon emissions from expeditions are offset through this partnership, supporting broader climate initiatives.
• Galapagos National ParkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerQuasar Expeditions operates as an official partner of Galapagos National Park. All itineraries are National Park-approved with regulated landing sites and visitor number limits. Quasar naturalists are park-certified guides with Level III rankings. The partnership requires compliance with strict environmental regulations including the 2012 two-week site rotation rule.
• San Cristobal Island Scouts ProjectminorOthersQuasar Expeditions empowers young conservators through the San Cristobal Island Scouts Project, founded by Quasar's Founder Dolores Diez. The program engages local youth in conservation education and environmental stewardship, connecting the company's operations with the local community.
• Starlink (SpaceX)coreTechnology or IntegrationQuasar Expeditions provides Starlink satellite Wi-Fi connectivity aboard all their yachts, enabling guests to maintain internet access even in remote Galapagos locations where traditional connectivity is unavailable.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Lindblad Expeditions: Public expedition cruise company operating small ships worldwide, including the Galapagos. Directly comparable to Quasar in target customer (experiential luxury travelers), itinerary model (naturalist-led, small-ship), and pricing tier, but with broader geographic reach and stronger balance sheet.
• Ecoventura: Ecuador-based small-ship Galapagos cruise operator running 16- and 20-guest yachts with naturalist guides. Overlaps directly with Quasar on Galapagos product, guest profile, sustainability positioning, and luxury price band, making it the closest head-to-head competitor.
• Metropolitan Touring: Ecuadorian heritage Galapagos cruise and South America tour operator running the Yacht La Pinta and other vessels. Closely comparable on Galapagos luxury cruise product, target market, and add-on destinations (Peru, Amazon) in the same South America flywheel as Quasar.
• Natural Habitat Adventures: US-based nature-focused small-group adventure travel company offering wildlife expeditions worldwide, including Galapagos. Comparable on experiential luxury, naturalist-led small-group model, sustainability ethos, and Patagonia/wildlife safari product.

Broad incumbents

• Celebrity Cruises (Galapagos): Major mass-premium cruise brand operating the 100-guest Celebrity Flora and Xpedition in the Galapagos. Comparable destination and customer segment, but serves a higher-volume, slightly less intimate positioning than Quasar's small-ship model.
• Abercrombie & Kent: Established global luxury tour operator with deep Galapagos and South America offerings. Comparable on luxury positioning, naturalist-guided small-group itineraries, and multi-destination trip-extension model, though at much larger scale and broader portfolio than Quasar.
• Hurtigruten: Norwegian expedition cruise line operating small ships globally including Galapagos sailings. Comparable on small-ship expedition cruise category and sustainability messaging, but with broader geography and larger fleet than Quasar's two-yacht model.
• Silversea Cruises: Luxury expedition cruise line operating small ships with Galapagos and Antarctic itineraries. Comparable on premium small-ship expedition positioning and luxury traveler profile, but at a larger scale and broader global deployment.
• Tauck: US-based luxury guided tour operator with South America, Galapagos, and Patagonia programs. Comparable on luxury traveler segment, all-inclusive pricing, and multi-destination itineraries, though without Quasar's small-ship yacht focus.

Emerging players

• G Adventures: Adventure travel tour operator with small-group Galapagos yacht cruises and Patagonia expeditions. Comparable on destination mix, nature/wildlife focus, and Patagonia product, though operating at a lower price point and broader audience than Quasar's luxury niche.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/quasarex
• Facebookfacebook.com/quasarexpeditions
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/quasar-expeditions

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Quasar Expeditions