Galapagos Islands Expedition Cruise: Iconic Wildlife & Sublime Scenery

Begin your adventure in the vibrant city of Quito. You arrive in the Andean foothills on the Equator at 9,350 feet above sea level. Quito is the second-highest capital city in the world and is known for its well-preserved Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built on an ancient Inca settlement. After settling into your hotel, you explore the historic center, where you see colonial plazas, churches, and monuments. If your schedule allows, you can arrive a few days earlier to join an optional pre-program.

Today, you take a guided tour of Quito’s Old Town, one of the largest and best-preserved colonial districts in South America. You walk along cobblestone streets, view historic buildings, and sample chocolate made from Ecuadorian cacao. Later, you travel about 16 miles north of the city to the Middle of the World City. After lunch, you visit the monument that marks the Equator and have time to take photos while standing in both hemispheres.

As your South American 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 takes you straight to the port, where your comfortable expedition ship MS Santa Cruz II awaits you.

Begin your afternoon exploration of the Galápagos Islands by following the north shore of Santa Cruz to the fascinating landscapes of Cerro Dragón, or Dragon Hill, where you’ll land. On the first part of our walk, pass a brackish lagoon 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.

Start your day at Punta Vicente Roca, on the north-western tip of Isabela Island. After breakfast, explore the coast by dinghy and your naturalist guides will teach you about the area’s dramatic geology. This site is a nesting place for several bird species, so look out for flightless cormorants, Galápagos penguins, and boobies. Weather permitting, you can snorkel beside the cliffs, where you might find green sea turtles, oceanic sunfish, and even fur seals. 

In the afternoon, explore Fernandina, an island with a unique environment and a high density of marine iguanas. Scan the coast for sea lions, Sally lightfoot crabs, hawks, and penguins.

Today, explore Santa Cruz Island. In the morning, 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.

After breakfast, enjoy a dinghy ride among the channels on Floreana’s north shore before taking in the incredible views of the island from Baroness Cove. Later, 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 underwater wonders around Champion Islet in a dinghy or glass-bottom boat. This is one of the best snorkeling spots in the archipelago.
From there, head to Cormorant Point, where you walk from an olivine-crystal beach to a brackish lagoon. Along the way, see if you can spot American flamingos, pintail ducks, and other birds.

As your expedition cruise comes to a close, it’s time to bid farewell to the amazing wildlife and scenery of one of the world’s most incredible nature destinations. You’ll also say farewell to your wonderful crew and Expedition Team as you disembark at Baltra Island. 

A transfer takes you 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.   

To explore more of Ecuador, you can extend your stay and join one of the optional Post-Programmes.