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10 Night Galapagos Islands Expedition Cruise and Land Tour from Quito

Ship: MS Santa Cruz II

Cruise Line: Hurtigruten Cruise Line

Sailed: Tuesday, Jan 23, 2024 from Quito, Ecuador

Ended: Friday, Feb 2, 2024

The itinerary information below reflects the original day-by-day port of call schedule for the Tuesday, Jan 23, 2024 departure of the MS Santa Cruz II. If Hurtigruten Cruise Line modified this itinerary for weather or operational reasons after departing , the modified schedule would not be reflected here.

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Itinerary

Day by Day Summary and Map

Day 1 - Tuesday - Jan 23, 2024

Quito, Ecuador

Your journey of discovery 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. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it's packed with well-preserved colonial architecture, including colorful plazas, magnificent churches, and handsome monuments. If you have enough time in the evening, make sure to visit the Calle La Ronda, an ancient pedestrianized street with links to the poets and artists who've lived here. It's lined with shops and cafes, and there are many handicrafts available to buy. Pre-Programs: Why not experience another highlight of South America and discover the lost civilization of the Incas, including the breathtaking mountain stronghold of Machu Picchu. This optional 4-day Pre-Program starts in Lima and ends in Quito. Or arrive in Quito a few days early and join a 4-day tour to Cloud Forest Lodge in the Mashpi Reserve. The area is part of the Ecuadorian Choco rainforest, one of the world's greatest biodiversity hotspots. This optional extension is also available as a Post-Program.

Day 2 - Wednesday - Jan 24, 2024

Quito, Ecuador

Bus Travel

Sangolqui, Ecuador, Ecuador

Bus Travel

Cotopaxi National Park, Ecuador

Bus Travel

Quito, Ecuador

Today you'll visit Cotopaxi National Park, home to one of South America's most active volcanoes. But first, you'll stop at the photogenic Sangolqui open-air market, where you can browse colorful stalls with unique handicrafts, and sample different local specialities. Afterwards, we'll walk to Limpiopungo Lagoon, tucked in a high valley within the Cotopaxi National Park at 12,800 feet above sea level. Spot herds of llamas on the slopes and keep your eyes open for birds such as the Andean gull, several species of hummingbird and-with luck-the majestic Andean condor. You'll enjoy a tasty lunch prepared by some of the region's best chefs before returning to your hotel in the late afternoon.

Day 3 - Thursday - Jan 25, 2024

Quito, Ecuador

Air Travel

Cruise Begins

Baltra, Galapagos, Ecuador

Dragon Hill, Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos, Ecuador

After breakfast, a short flight will take you to Baltra Island in the spectacular Galapagos archipelago. A transfer brings you straight to the port where your comfortable expedition ship MS Santa Cruz II awaits. In the afternoon, we'll begin our exploration of the Galapagos Islands following the north shore of Santa Cruz towards the fascinating landscapes of Cerro Dragon-or Dragon Hill-where we'll land. The first part of the walk here passes by a brackish water lagoon that's 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 a chance to get a first look at some land iguanas.

Day 4 - Friday - Jan 26, 2024

Punta Vicente Roca, Ecuador

Fernandina Island, Galapagos, Ecuador

You'll start your day at Punta Vicente Roca, on the north-western tip of Isabela Island. After breakfast, we'll explore the coast by dinghy, learning about the dramatic geology of the area from our naturalist guides. This site is a nesting place for several bird species, so look out for flightless cormorants, Galapagos penguins, and boobies. Weather permitting, you'll get to snorkel alongside the cliffs, where you might find green sea turtles, oceanic sun fish, and even fur seals. In the afternoon, we'll 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.

Day 5 - Saturday - Jan 27, 2024

Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos, Ecuador

Bus Travel

Santa Cruz Highlands, Isla Santa Cruz, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, Ecuador

Bus Travel

Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos, Ecuador

Today, you'll explore Santa Cruz Island. In the morning, we'll disembark at Puerto Ayora to visit the Charles Darwin Research Station. The station consists of a giant tortoise breeding center and an impressive forest of prickly-pear cacti that's home to many land birds. It also serves as the headquarters for scientific investigation, conservation, and the National Park administration. After the visit, we'll head up to the cooler highlands of Santa Cruz Island for lunch. You'll have several options to choose from in the afternoon, which you can decide on beforehand with your expedition leader. At the end of the afternoon's activities, you'll return to Puerto Ayora and re-join MS Santa Cruz II.

Day 6 - Sunday - Jan 28, 2024

Baroness Lookout, Ecuador

Bahia Post Office, Ecuador

Isla Champion, Ecuador

Cormorant Point, Floreana Island, Galapagos, Ecuador

After breakfast, you'll 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 on, we'll 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, you'll explore the underwater wonders around Champion Islet in a dinghy or aboard a glass-bottom boat. Here, you can snorkel in one of the best spots in the archipelago. From there, it's onwards to Cormorant Point, where we'll take a walk from an olivine-crystal beach to a brackish lagoon, where you can see American flamingos, pintail ducks, and other birds.

Day 7 - Monday - Jan 29, 2024

Las Bachas, Ecuador

Relax onboard while we anchor off Baltra Island. After four days of exploring the unique nature and environments of Galapagos, it is the moment to pause for a while and recharge your batteries for the days ahead. Make us of the many onboard facilities, flick through the books on the library, or exercise in the gym-it's up to you. In the afternoon, we'll land at Las Bachas beach located on Santa Cruz Island. This glorious white beach with turquoise waters is a great place to spot iconic Galapagos wildlife like flamingos and sea turtles. Enjoy some swimming or snorkeling before heading back to the ship for an expedition briefing about the following day and dinner.

Day 8 - Tuesday - Jan 30, 2024

Buccaneer Cove, Ecuador

Puerto Egas, Ecuador

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 fur sea lions and exotic birdlife on an excursion. Or you could just swim or snorkel along the rocky shorelines, typically, in the company of marine turtles.

Day 9 - Wednesday - Jan 31, 2024

Rabida, Ecuador

San Bartolome, El Salvador

Your day starts on tiny Rabida Island, located off the southern shore of Santiago. You can go for a thrilling dinghy ride along the coast or join an excursion exploring the island's mesmerizing, red-colored beach. Soak up the sights and sounds made by a colony of sea lions, and spot marine iguanas, mockingbirds, yellow warblers, and several species of Darwin's finches. In the afternoon, we'll sail to the golden sands of Bartolome Island, dominated by the imposing Pinnacle Rock. You can swim or snorkel off the beach here or discover colorful marine life from the glass-bottom boat, and spot Galapagos penguins on the shore. Hike up to the summit of the island for fantastic views.

Day 10 - Thursday - Feb 1, 2024

Genovesa Island, Ecuador

Today, you'll explore Genovesa Island. The morning starts with a steep but short climb-only 90 feet-up a flight of steps to reach a flat and rocky plateau. Once there, you can walk along comfortably and check out large colonies of Nazca boobies, red-footed boobies, great frigatebirds, and storm petrels. Afterwards or instead, hop into a kayak for some aquatic adventuring! In the afternoon, we'll land at the beautiful beach that fringes Darwin Bay for a swim. Following this refreshing dip, take a stroll and observe hundreds of island birds, or alternatively just take it easy on the beach, swimming, snorkeling, or kayaking.

Day 11 - Friday - Feb 2, 2024

Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos, Ecuador

Cruise Ends

Bus Travel

Santa Cruz Highlands, Isla Santa Cruz, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, Ecuador

Bus Travel

Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos, Ecuador

Day Boat Travel

Baltra, Galapagos, Ecuador

Bus Travel

Baltra, Galapagos, Ecuador

Air Travel

Guayaquil, Ecuador

We start our last morning on the north shore of Santa Cruz Island. After breakfast, your luggage will be taken to the airport, while you visit the Tortoise Reserve. A dry landing at a passenger's wharf and a bus ride to the loftier region of the island will provide the last highlight of the cruise: giant tortoises in the wild. The windward slopes of the island are home to two species of giant tortoise. These lush highlands include dense forests of Galapagos daisies, orchids and bromeliads, and several endemic land birds. After this visit, we'll transfer directly to Baltra Airport for your flight to Guayaquil and home-or you'll continue to Quito for another adventure. Post-Programs: Explore more of Ecuador with one of the optional Post-Programs. Travel to Napo River, in the heart of the Ecuadorian Amazon. Fly to Coca and spend three nights in a lodge surrounded by the beautiful rainforest and observe and learn about the flora and fauna on selected activities. Or instead, travel from Quito to the Mashpi Reserve, a unique habitat and ecosystem. Here you'll enjoy a 3-night stay in luxurious Cloud Forest Lodge and discover this breathtaking area (also available as a Pre-Program). Both post-programs have two nights in Quito included.