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Video: Galápagos | A trip of a lifetime
Galápagos Islands - Nine of the Best Isles (Western and Northern Route) - Roundtrip Quito, Ecuador
11 Days - MS Santa Cruz II
Departures from September 2024 through March 2026
Setting out from beautiful Quito
Quito is one of South America’s most alluring capitals and a World Heritage City of graceful Spanish-era architecture, packed with cozy restaurants and artisanal shops. With two overnights here, you’ll have time to taste delicious Ecuadorian specialities and stroll through colorful markets brimming with local handicrafts. On the second day, you’ll visit Quito's historic center on a guided tour.
Awe-inspiring Galápagos Islands
After your stay in Quito, we’ll head to the Galápagos Islands for an unforgettable sea adventure. This itinerary calls at nine incredible islands – Baltra, Santa Cruz, Isabela, Fernandina, Floreana, Santiago, Rábida, Bartolomé, and Genovesa. Here, you’ll visit picturesque landscapes showcasing a range of ecosystems and see many of the species which made these islands so famous, including giant tortoises, marine iguanas, Blue-footed Boobies, and Darwin's Finches. On this active cruise, and with an onboard Expedition Team of local guides, you’ll get closer to the many natural wonders in our small expedition boats, kayaks, and glass-bottom boat.
Photo: Guests enjoying the Panorama Bar & Lounge on board MS Santa Cruz II, Photo credit: Metropolitan Touring / HX
What's Included
Flights
- Flights in economy class between Quito and Baltra, and Baltra and Quito, including all taxes
Hotel
- Two nights at a hotel in Quito before the expedition cruise, including breakfast and dinner on Day 2
Transfers
- Transfers between the airport and the hotel in Quito before the expedition cruise
- Note: If your flights have not been booked with us, please provide us with your full flight details no later than 30 days prior to travel (applies to all transfers from the airport to your booked hotel via HX in Quito on the tour start date)
- Transfers between the airport and the ship in Baltra
Excursion
- Full-day excursion: Historic Quito and Middle of the World, including lunch, before the expedition cruise
Extras
- Galápagos Islands National Park admission fee
- Transit Control Card for the Galápagos Islands
- Access to the airport lounge at the Quito (or Guayaquil) airport upon return from the Galápagos Islands for guests flying internationally on the day of disembarkation
Expedition Cruise
- A stay in a cabin of your choice
- Daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- House wine and beer served with lunch and dinner. From October 1, 2024 departures, wine, beer and spirits (excluding premium alcoholic drinks) available from the bar at any time (subject to Ecuadorean licensing laws)
- All day coffee, tea, and soft drinks
- A complimentary water bottle to refill on board and take home
- A backpack or another piece of HX kit
- Professional photos from your trip taken by our onboard photographer
- Complimentary Wi-Fi. Streaming is not supported.
- Use of hot tubs, fitness room, lounges, and more
- Gratuities included
- Range of included activities
Photo: Guests enjoying delicious cuisine in the Beagle restaurant on board MS Santa Cruz II, Photo credit: Metropolitan Touring / HX
Onboard Activities
- In-depth lectures and discussions hosted by experts on the Expedition Team
- Full access to the ship’s Science Corner
- The Citizen Science Program allows guests to assist with ongoing scientific research
- An onboard professional photographer will give tips and tricks for taking the best landscape and wildlife photos
- Informal gatherings with the crew for daily briefings
Landing Activities
- Escorted and guided landings with small expedition boats
- Loan of all equipment for activities
- Expedition photographers on hand to assist you
- Notes
- All planned activities are subject to weather conditions
- Your flight from Baltra will be to Quito. If you wish to end your expedition in Guayaquil, please advise your booking agent.
- Quito’s altitude is at approximately 9,350 feet above sea level and during your stay, you might experience mild altitude sickness
- Excursions and activities are subject to change
- Please make sure you meet all entry and boarding requirements
- No gratuities expected
- Depending on your flight times, an additional overnight might be needed (not included)
What's Not Included
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Luggage handling
- Additional overnight(s) if required due to international flight timings
Photo: Map of the itinerary
Day 1: Vibrant Quito
Your journey begins on the Equator in the lush Andean foothills. At 9,350 feet, Quito is the second-highest capital city in the world, and its main draw is the exquisite Old Town, which was founded on an ancient Inca settlement. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is packed with well-preserved colonial architecture, including colorful plazas, magnificent churches, and stately monuments. Settle into your hotel, then head out to explore.
Day 2: Visit historic Quito
Today, enjoy a guided tour of Quito’s remarkable Old Town, one of the largest and best-preserved colonial-era quarters in South America. Wander through cobblestone streets as you admire the architecture and sample delicious chocolate made from the finest Ecuadorian cacao along the way.
Next, you’ll head to the iconic ‘Middle of the World City’, located around 16 miles north of Quito. After lunch, you’ll visit the famous monument that delineates the imaginary line that is the Equator. Have your camera ready to capture the moment you stand with one foot in each hemisphere.
Day 3: Your cruise begins
As your South America land adventure draws to a close, it is time to embark on the next stage of your journey. After breakfast, a short flight will take you to Baltra Island, a part of the spectacular Galápagos Archipelago. A transfer will take you straight to the port, where your comfortable expedition ship MS Santa Cruz II awaits you.
We’ll begin our exploration of the Galápagos Islands in the afternoon by following the north shore of Santa Cruz to the fascinating landscapes of Cerro Dragón, or Dragon Hill, where we’ll land. On the first part of our walk, we’ll pass a brackish lagoon that is frequented by shorebirds and American flamingos. Further inland, the trail offers a beautiful view of the bay and the western islands of the archipelago, as well as your first chance to encounter some land iguanas.
Day 4: Wildlife-rich Isabela and Fernandina
You’ll start your day at Punta Vicente Roca on the northwestern tip of Isabela Island. After breakfast, we’ll explore the coast on a expedition boat and your naturalist guides will teach you about the dramatic geology of the area.
This site is a nesting place for several bird species, so look out for flightless cormorants, Galapagos penguins, and boobies. Weather permitting, you can snorkel beside the cliffs, where you might find green sea turtles, oceanic sunfish, and fur seals.
In the afternoon, we’ll explore Fernandina, an island with a unique ecology and a large population of marine iguanas. Watch the coastline for sea lions, Sally Lightfoot crabs, hawks, and penguins.
Photo: Snorkeling with a Pacific Green Sea Turtle at Isabela Island, Photo credit: Shutterstock / HX
Day 5: Darwin’s Santa Cruz
Today, you’ll explore Santa Cruz Island. In the morning, we’ll disembark at Puerto Ayora to visit the Charles Darwin Research Station.
At this giant tortoise breeding center, you can see recently hatched tortoises and Darwin’s famous finches – the birds he used as a basis for his theory of evolution by natural selection. There’s also an impressive forest of prickly pear cacti that is home to many land birds.
Enjoy a cooler climate over lunch in the lush highlands, where giant tortoises shuffle about munching on grass and wallowing in pools.
You’ll also have time for another activity, including mountain biking or visiting a sugar plantation.
Day 6: Picturesque Floreana
After breakfast, enjoy an expedition boat ride through the channels on Floreana’s north shore before taking in the incredible views of the island from Baroness Cove. Later, we land at Post Office Bay to visit the historic barrel that has served as a post office in the archipelago for over two centuries.
After lunch, explore the wonders around Champion Islet in an expedition boat or aboard our glass-bottom boat. This is one of the best snorkeling spots in the archipelago.
From there, we head to Cormorant Point, where we’ll walk from an olivine-crystal beach to a brackish lagoon. Along the way, common sights include American flamingos, pintail ducks, and more.
Day 7: Relax in Baltra
Relax on board while we anchor off Baltra Island. After four days of exploring the unique natural environments of the Galápagos, have a relaxation day so you can recharge your batteries for the days ahead. Make use of the many onboard facilities, flip through the books in the library, or exercise in the gym – it’s up to you.
In the afternoon, we’ll land at Las Bachas beach, located on the northern shore of Santa Cruz Island. This glorious white beach with turquoise waters is a great place to spot iconic Galápagos wildlife like flamingos and sea turtles. Swim or snorkel before heading back to the ship for an expedition briefing about the following day.
Day 8: Pristine Santiago Island
Today, you’ll explore Santiago Island’s pristine beaches and picturesque landscapes. Take in the impressive cliffs of Buccaneer Cove on the northwest coast, home to a large number of marine birds and sea lions. Immerse yourself in the scenery through a range of water activities and marvel at fantastic rock formations such as ‘Elephant Rock’ and ‘The Bishop’.
In the afternoon, we’ll head to Puerto Egas, one of the best visitor sites on the island. You’ll have the opportunity to see a colony of Galapagos fur seals and exotic birdlife on an excursion. Or, you can swim or snorkel along the rocky shorelines, typically in the company of marine turtles.
Photo: Sea lion on the beach, Española Island, Photo credit: Andres Ballesteros
Day 9: Stunning Rábida and Bartolomé
Your day starts on tiny Rábida Island, located off the southern shore of Santiago Island. Take a thrilling expedition boat ride along the coast to explore the island’s mesmerizing, red-colored beach. Soak up the sights and sounds of a sea lion colony and keep an eye out for marine iguanas, mockingbirds, yellow warblers, and several species of Darwin’s finches.
In the afternoon, we’ll sail to the golden sands of Bartolomé Island, dominated by the imposing Pinnacle Rock. Swim or snorkel at the beach here or discover colorful marine life riding in our glass-bottom boat. You may even spot some Galapagos penguins on the shore. Hike up to the summit of the island for fantastic views.
Day 10: Genovesa, a bird paradise
Today, you explore Genovesa Island. The morning starts with a steep but short climb (only 90 feet) up Prince Philip’s Steps – otherwise known as El Barranco – to reach a flat and rocky plateau. Once there, you can walk along comfortably and look out for large colonies of Nazca Boobies, Red-footed Boobies, great frigatebirds, and storm petrels. Afterward, or instead, hop into a kayak for an aquatic adventure.
In the afternoon, we’ll land at the beautiful beach that borders Darwin Bay for a swim. After this refreshing dip, take a stroll and observe hundreds of island birds. You can also swim, snorkel, kayak, or just take relax on the beach.
Photo: Guests photographing a great frigatebird on Genovesa Island, Photo credit: Andres Ballesteros
Day 11: One last adventure
We start our last morning on the north shore of Santa Cruz Island. A dry landing at a passenger wharf and a bus ride to the loftier region of the island will provide a final highlight of your expedition cruise: giant tortoises in the wild.
The windward slopes of the island are set aside as a reserve that’s home to two species of giant tortoise. These lush highlands also feature dense forests of Galápagos daisies, orchids, and bromeliads.
After this visit we’ll transfer directly to the airport in Baltra for your flight to Quito to connect to your international flight, or if you prefer, continue to Guayaquil for another adventure.
