Year-Round Departures
Join us on a journey of ecological discovery as we set out from Quito to explore the incomparable beauty and wildlife of the Galápagos Islands.
Hotel
Flights
Transfers
Excursion
Extras
Expedition Cruise
Onboard Activities
Landing Activities
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: Quito, Ecuador 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 - MS
Santa Cruz II 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 panga 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, Galápagos
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. Day 5: Santa Cruz Island – Charles
Darwin Research Station 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 a panga
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 a panga 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, flick 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 Galápagos 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. Day 9: Stunning Rábida and
Bartolomé Your day starts on tiny Rábida
Island, located off the southern shore of Santiago Island. Take a thrilling
panga 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 Galápagos penguins on the shore.
Hike up to the summit of the island for fantastic views. Day 10: Genovesa Island 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. Day 11: End of Expedition with One
Last Adventure We’ll start our last morning on
the north shore of Santa Cruz Island. After a dry landing at a passenger wharf
and a bus ride to the island’s higher region, you’ll see 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 is 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 take a
transfer directly to the airport in Baltra for your flight to Quito, where
you’ll connect to your international flight. If you prefer, you can continue to
Guayaquil for another adventure. Flight to Quito must be requested at the time
of booking. Please contact us at the time of booking to continue on to Quito at
the end of your tour. To explore more of Ecuador, we
recommend extending your stay and joining one of our optional Post-Programs.
*Please refer to vendor brochure or their website for general information, itineraries and all terms, conditions and responsibility statements. As with all expeditions, nature prevails; weather and sea conditions, sets the final framework for all operations; safety and unparalleled guest experiences are at all times top priorities. All itineraries and dates are subject to change without notice. Cruise only unless otherwise specified. Wi-Fi may have limited connection in remote areas and streaming is not supported. Fees/taxes, optional excursions, travel insurance and gratuities not included unless otherwise specified. Restrictions and limitations apply per product. Ask AAA for details Agency #178-018-521 Job #1904
Buy one get one free offer: Offer includes 100% reduced cruise fare (flights, hotel, and transfers are not included) for a second guest when a full fare first guest is booked. First and second guests must be booked into the same cabin. Solo travelers receive a single supplement waiver of 35% off of a full fare. Offer is for new bookings, per person based on double occupancy, cruise only, and includes taxes, fees, and port expenses. Fares are in U.S. dollars. Offer is for HX Expeditions Galápagos itineraries aboard MS Santa Cruz II departing April 27-September 25, 2024. Offer is capacity controlled, and offer and fares may be modified or withdrawn without prior notice. Offer is combinable with Ambassador offer only. Cruises are subject to availability at time of booking. Other restrictions may apply. Offer is valid February 12-March 31, 2024.