Expedition Cruise to the Galápagos Islands

Flight to Quito

Your journey of discovery begins after you fly from the UK to Quito, a city which straddles the equator and where it feels like spring is eternally in the air. Beautifully situated in a high valley, at 9,350 ft this is the second highest capital city in the world, and the views of the nearby mountains remind you at all times of your Andean location.  

Quito was founded on an ancient Inca settlement, and today it’s a bustling and modern place. But you don’t need to look too far beneath the contemporary façade to find the past, and the Old Town is a showcase of classical Spanish architecture. In fact, the city’s diligent preservation of its history caused it to be declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site back in 1978.

After arrival at Mariscal Sucre Airport in Quito you´ll be transferred to your centrally-located hotel in the city.

As night falls, take a look at the sparkling city lights that spread up the surrounding hills and mountains – truly a mesmerising sight! You’ll spend your first night in South America at your Quito hotel and wake up rested and refreshed for the journey ahead.

A cultural tour of Quito

Enjoy the Andean splendour of Quito

Today you'll experience Ecuador’s capital in local style, on an included full-day city tour. With your local guide, you'll take in markets, meet healers, learn from artisans, and enjoy a delicious Ecuadorian lunch at the chic Casa Gangotena.

In Quito's Old Town, the largest and best-preserved historical centre in the Americas, we'll visit old churches, sample chocolate, and see pre-Columbian artefacts in a restored 17th Century mansion – Casa del Ablado Archeological Museum.

We end the tour atop El Panecillo – a volcanic hill offering panoramic views of the city, before heading back for a delicious dinner at our hotel.

Climb Cotopaxi Volcano

Visit one of Ecuador's natural wonders

Today, you'll visit the bustling Sangolqui open-air market, where you can sample Andean specialities and buy handicrafts from friendly stallholders.

Spot wild llamas, Andean Gulls, and maybe the majestic condor on your drive through Andean moorlands to Cotopaxi National Park. We’ll take a walk to the beautiful Limpiopungo Lagoon.

The day's main highlight is Cotopaxi Volcano. You'll walk to a height of almost 12,800 ft up this stunning active volcano. Almost perfectly conical, it features one of the world's only equatorial glaciers. For lunch, you'll enjoy some fantastic regional cooking before returning to the hotel.

Your cruise begins

Get ready to explore spectacular Galápagos

We fly to Baltra Island, where you'll board MS Santa Cruz II, meet your Expedition Team, and settle in for your Galápagos Islands cruise. From the airport to your ship and tour, every effort is made to protect the delicate environment.

You'll get your first glimpse of the islands' incredible diversity on Mosquera Islet, home to one of the largest sea lion colonies in the archipelago. We'll take small expedition boats ashore to get a closer look.

As you stroll across flat and sandy dunes, look out for Blue-footed Boobies and Sally Lightfoot crabs. And learn about the marine and terrestrial ecosystems from your guides.

San Cristobal's tortoises

Meet and learn about the giant tortoise

You'll visit Cerro Colorado Tortoise Reserve, a breeding centre for the highly endangered giant tortoise. It's also home to other endemic species including the San Cristobal Mockingbird and lava lizard.

The giant tortoise is probably the most iconic of all Galápagos wildlife, with a lifespan of over 100 years. Here, they thrive, ambling around forests similar to their natural habitat.

Our small expedition boats will then take you to Punta Pitt, the only site in the Galápagos 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.

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 go swimming or snorkelling from our expedition boats, take our kayaks for a paddle around the island, or join a trip in our glass-bottomed boat and observe the marine life below. After lunch, prepared by our onboard chefs, we head to South Plaza Island.

Spot 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.

Explore Santa Cruz Island

Learn about local conservation on Santa Cruz Island

Today you'll visit the Charles Darwin Research Station in Puerto Ayora, where a team of 200 work to conserve the local wildlife. Here you can see baby tortoises and Darwin’s famous finches - the birds he used as a basis for his theory of evolution.

Experience a cooler climate over lunch in the lush highlands, where giant tortoises roam, munching on grass and wallowing in pools.

Then there's time for an optional activity, including mountain biking or kayaking in beautiful Tortuga Bay. Or hike to the snow-white beach of Playa Brava and the secluded mangrove cove at Playa Mansa.

Dramatic Española

Lava lizards and incredible birdlife

Your Galápagos cruise reaches Española, the archipelago's most southerly island. Birdlife here is truly extraordinary - look out for Waved Albatrosses, Nazca Boobies, Blue-footed Boobies and Swallow-tailed Gulls.

It’s also a chance to spot red Española lava lizards and marine iguanas, as well as see the famous blowhole, El Soplador, blasting water 75 ft 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 snorkelling or join an optional kayaking excursion.

Reef life on Eden Islet

Green turtles, sharks and rare bird colonies

The wealth of wildlife-watching opportunities continues at Eden Islet, where we hope to see Galápagos green turtles, rays and friendly reef sharks. On the shore, look out for distinctive frigatebirds with their rubbery, red throats.

You can swim or snorkel to explore the reefs. Or you may also have a chance to 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.

Back to Baltra Island

The end of an incredible wildlife adventure

Your expedition cruise around the Galápagos Islands draws to a close as you disembark at Baltra Island. From here, you'll fly to Guayaquil, where a friendly representative will help you connect to your international flight.

As you leave this fascinating region, you'll take with you incredible memories of amazing wildlife and wonderful experiences in this unique part of the world that few have the privilege of seeing.

Arrival in the UK

Flight arrival in the UK.