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Galápagos Islands – Iconic Wildlife & Sublime Scenery
HX | 7 Days | Quito to Baltra
January - December 2026 Departures
This Galápagos Islands expedition begins with two nights in Quito, Ecuador’s capital and a UNESCO World Heritage City, where you’ll savor local specialties, explore colorful markets, and enjoy a guided tour of its historic center. From there, a flight takes you to Baltra to embark on MS Santa Cruz II, a specially equipped ship designed for exploration. Sailing through the islands of Isabela, Floreana, Fernandina, and Santa Cruz, you’ll witness the Galápagos’ extraordinary wildlife—marine iguanas, giant tortoises, Nazca Boobies, and Darwin’s iconic finches—while exploring diverse ecosystems that inspired Darwin’s theory of evolution. With activities ranging from kayaking, snorkeling, and paddleboarding to glass-bottom boat rides and guided nature walks, this journey offers an immersive encounter with one of the world’s most unique natural wonders.
AAA Member Benefits and Special Offers:
- Member Benefits
- Up to $100 onboard credit per person
Call to Book
1-800-529-3222
Included With Your Trip
Your Ship: MS Santa Cruz II
What's Included?
Flights
- Flights in economy class between Quito and Baltra, including all taxes
Hotel
- Two nights at a hotel in Quito before the expedition cruise, including breakfast and dinner on Day 2
Transfers
- A transfer from the airport to the hotel in Quito for bookings starting 1 May 2024, and departures between 1 May and 31 Dec 2024
- Note: If you arrive up to three days before the start of the tour, a transfer from the airport in Quito to the designated hotel that is a part of your package can be arranged at an extra cost
- Note: If your flights have not been booked with us, please provide us with your flight details no later than 30 days prior to travel so we can arrange your transfer (applies to all transfers from the airport to your hotel in Quito on the tour start date)
- Transfer from the hotel to the airport in Quito before the expedition cruise
- 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 1 October 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. 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
- 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
- Depending on your flight times, an additional overnight might be needed (not included)
Additional Information
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.
You’ll begin your 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 you’ll land. On the first part of your walk, you’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, you’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, you’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: Darwin's Santa Cruz
Today, you’ll explore Santa Cruz Island. In the morning, you’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, 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 HX's glass-bottom boat. This is one of the best snorkeling spots in the archipelago.
From there, head to Cormorant Point, where you’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: End of an Expedition
As your expedition cruise comes to a close, it’s time to bid farewell to the wildlife and scenery of one of the world’s most incredible nature destinations. You’ll also say farewell to the wonderful crew and naturalist guides as you disembark at Baltra Island.
A transfer will take 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.
Price My Trip
Product Code: AAA-HX_LF
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