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Continue Your Journey
9 Night Galapagos Islands Expedition
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In Darwin’s Footsteps
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 cosy restaurants and artisanal shops. With two overnights here, you’ll have time to taste delicious Ecuadorian specialties and stroll through colorful markets brimming with local handicrafts. On the second day, you’ll visit Quito´s historic centre on a guided tour.
Awe inspiring Galápagos Islands
After exploring Quito´s historic centre and visiting the Equator, we’ll head to the Galápagos Islands for an unforgettable sea adventure. We’ll be on the lookout for iconic animals such as giant tortoises, marine iguanas and Blue-footed Boobies. 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.
*14 nights in the same stateroom: + $100pp (double occupancy)
*14 nights in the same stateroom: +$200pp (single occupancy)
*There are only a limited amount of staterooms available on each sailing where moving is not going to be necessary.
Your Cruise
- 7 Nights Luxury Galapagos Islands Expedition Cruise
- Taxes
H|X Booking Bonus
Hotel
- Two nights at a hotel in Quito before the expedition cruise, including breakfast and dinner on Day 2
Flights
- Flights in economy class between Quito and Baltra, including all taxes
Transfers
- Transfers between the airport and the hotel in Quito before the expedition cruise
- Transfers between the airport and the ship in Baltra
- 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)
Excursions
- Full-day excursion: Historic Quito & 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
- 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. Please note, streaming is not supported
- Use of hot tubs, fitness room, lounges and more
- Gratuities included. Fantastic service is standard at HX – though if you’d like to leave something extra, it’s always appreciated
- Range of included activities
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 panga 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
- The land programme in Peru and Quito, Ecuador takes place at high altitudes. At 11,100 ft and 9,350 ft above sea level, respectively, you might experience mild altitude sickness.
- The land-based tour in Peru involves long stretches of active travel and walking over uneven terrain. Be prepared for a climate that varies from high altitude to tropical weather.
- 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
- Additional overnight(s) if required due to international flight timings
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Luggage handling
Priority Access
» Priority check-in
» Priority access to specialty restaurant reservations
» Priority line at the Guest Services desk
» Priority line at the Shore Excursions desk
» Priority access to tenders ashore in select ports
» Priority disembarkation
Premium Dining
» Expanded 24-hour room service breakfast menu
» Pinnacle Class ships: Private dining venue for breakfast and dinner with an expanded menu
» All other ships: Priority seating in the Dining Room for breakfast and dinner with an expanded menu
Exclusive Amenities
» Complimentary stateroom upgrade
» Dedicated concierge service
» Welcome glass of sparkling wine on embarkation day
» Premium bathrobes
» Club Orange keycard
» Exclusive Club Orange tote bag (one per stateroom)
More information
Las Bachas
If you're fortunate, you might spot flamingos in the lagoons and Sally Lightfoot crabs scurrying all over the rocky tide at Las Bachas, the ideal location for a morning stroll along the coast.
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Galápagos Islands
The Galápagos Islands is a volcanic archipelago in the Pacific Ocean. It's considered one of the world's foremost destinations for wildlife-viewing. A province of Ecuador, it lies about 1,000km off its coast. Its isolated terrain shelters a diversity of plant and animal species, many found nowhere else. Charles Darwin visited in 1835, and his observation of Galápagos' species later inspired his theory of evolutio
Day 1 Vibrant Quito
Begin your adventure in the vibrant city of 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.
If you have time, we recommend coming a few days earlier and joining one of our optional Pre-Programs.
Day 2 Visit historic Quito
Straddle the Equator in the Middle of the World City
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
Get ready to explore the spectacular Galápagos Islands
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.
Get your first glimpse of the islands’ incredible wildlife on Mosquera Islet, home to one of the largest sea lion colonies in the archipelago. We’ll take our small panga boats ashore for a closer look.
As you stroll across the flat, sandy dunes, look out for blue-footed boobies and Sally Lightfoot crabs, and learn about the marine and terrestrial ecosystems from your naturalist guides.
Day 4 Tortoises of San Cristobal
Meet the famous giant tortoises
Your first stop today is the Cerro Colorado Tortoise Reserve, a breeding center for the endangered giant tortoise. It’s also home to other endemic species, including the San Cristóbal mockingbird and the lava lizard.
The giant tortoise is probably the most iconic of all Galápagos wildlife, with a lifespan of over 100 years. They thrive here, ambling around forests similar to their natural habitat.
Up to August 2024 we’ll call at Cerro Brujo, on the island’s west coast. With its white coral beaches, you’ll literally be walking in Darwin’s footsteps as the naturalist visited here in 1835. There are plenty of sea and shore birds to look out for here, as well as sea lions.
After August 2024* we’ll instead likely explore Punta Pitt in our small panga boats. This is the only site in the Galápagos Islands where you might see three species of boobies. Enjoy a nature walk, explore the coastline by boat, or snorkel and swim in the crystal-clear water. *Note – this is dependent on local authority restrictions.
Day 5 Santa Fe and South Plaza
Spot wildlife against idyllic backdrops
We start the day with a scenic nature walk on the blissful beaches of Santa Fe, home to the endemic Barrington land iguana and a colony of sea lions.
You can swim or snorkel from our small panga boats, take a kayak for a paddle around the island, or join a trip in our glass-bottomed boat to observe the marine life below. After a delicious lunch prepared by our onboard chefs, we head to South Plaza Island.
Keep an eye out for frigatebirds, swallow-tailed gulls, and Galápagos shearwaters gliding on the breeze. Here, among a dazzling array of flora, land iguanas laze by the shore while marine iguanas slip in and out of the water.
Day 6 Explore Santa Cruz
Learn about local conservation efforts on Santa Cruz Island
Today, we pay a visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station in Puerto Ayora.
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, such as mountain biking or visiting a sugar plantation.
Day 7 Dramatic Espanola
Lava lizards and incredible birdlife
Your Galápagos Islands cruise reaches Española, the archipelago’s southernmost island. Birdlife here is truly extraordinary. On cruises from April through December, look for Nazca boobies, blue-footed boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, and the mighty waved albatross.
This is also a great chance to spot red Española lava lizards and marine iguanas, as well as see El Soplador, the famous blowhole that blasts water 75 feet into the air.
After lunch on board the ship, we’ll head to the picturesque coral beach of Gardner Bay and nearby Osborn Islet to seek out sea lions, mockingbirds, and finches. If you’re feeling active, you can go snorkeling or kayaking.
Day 8 Reef life on Eden Islet
Green turtles, sharks, and rare bird colonies
The abundant wildlife-watching opportunities continue at Eden Islet, where we hope to see Galápagos green turtles, rays, and friendly reef sharks. On shore, look for distinctive frigatebirds with their rubbery, red throats.
You can swim or snorkel to explore the reefs. You can also see the reefs from our glass-bottomed boat or by kayak. After lunch, we’ll sail to North Seymour.
The island is a great site for spotting colonies of blue-footed boobies and swallow-tailed gulls. Sea lions and marine iguanas also congregate here, attracted by the bountiful sea life in its waters.
Day 9 End of an expedition
From the Galápagos Islands back to Quito
Your expedition cruise draws to a close as you disembark at Baltra Island. A transfer will take you to the airport in Baltra for your flight to Quito – or if you prefer, to Guayaquil – to to connect to your international flight. To explore more of Ecuador, why not extend your stay and join one of our post-voyage options.
As you leave this fascinating region, you'll take with you incredible memories of amazing wildlife and wonderful experiences few have the privilege of seeing.
However, no representation or description of the protection made by CruisePlus Management Ltd to you, constitutes a binding assurance or promise about the protection. We (CruisePlus) are not an insurance company and we do not have the responsibility for ensuring adherence to the insurance terms & conditions, submission, payment or adjustment of claims.
We strongly suggest you read through the insurance information provided upon purchase and email us with any questions.
Covid-19 is considered a known event and exclusions apply for most, if not all policies.
