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10 Night Galapagos Islands Nine of the Best Isles (Western and Northern Route) Cruise and Land Tour

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MS Santa Cruz II

Category SSF - Seven Seas Suite Forward
Seven Seas Suite (Forward)

Photos are examples only. Actual cabin colors and features may vary.

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10 Night Galapagos Islands Nine of the Best Isles (Western and Northern Route) Cruise and Land Tour from Quito

Ship: MS Santa Cruz II

Cruise Line: HX Expeditions

Sailed: Tuesday, Aug 18, 2026 from Quito, Ecuador

Ended: Friday, Aug 28, 2026

The itinerary information below reflects the original day-by-day port of call schedule for the Tuesday, Aug 18, 2026 departure of the MS Santa Cruz II. If HX Expeditions 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

Itinerary Map
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Day 1 - Tuesday - Aug 18, 2026

Quito, Ecuador

Begin your adventure in the vibrant city of 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 and enjoy an overnight stay. If you have time, why not come a few days earlier and join a pre-voyage option.

Day 2 - Wednesday - Aug 19, 2026

Quito, Ecuador

Today, you'll enjoy a guided tour of Quito's remarkable Old Town. It's one of the largest and best-preserved colonial-era quarters in South America. Wander through cobblestone streets as you admire the architecture and sample some delicious chocolate made from 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 of the Equator. Have your camera ready to capture the moment you stand with one foot in each hemisphere.

Day 3 - Thursday - Aug 20, 2026

Quito, Ecuador

Air Travel

Cruise Begins

Baltra, Galapagos, Ecuador

Dragon Hill, Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos, Ecuador

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 Galapagos Archipelago. A transfer will take you straight to the port, where your comfortable expedition ship MS Santa Cruz II awaits you. 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, meaning 'Dragon Hill', where we'll land. The first part of the walk here passes by a brackish 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 - Aug 21, 2026

Punta Vicente Roca, Ecuador

Fernandina Island, Galapagos, Ecuador

Scan the coastline and seas for iconic species. You'll start your day at Punta Vicente Roca, on the northwestern tip of Isabela Island. After breakfast, we'll explore the coast by small boat, learning about the dramatic geology of the area from your 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 fur seals. In the afternoon, we'll explore Fernandina, an island with a unique ecology and a big population of marine iguanas. Scan the coast for sea lions, Sally Lightfoot crabs, hawks, and penguins.

Day 5 - Saturday - Aug 22, 2026

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. A giant tortoise breeding center, here 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's 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 have time for another activity, including mountain biking or visiting a sugar plantation.

Day 6 - Sunday - Aug 23, 2026

Baroness Lookout, Ecuador

Bahia Post Office, Ecuador

Isla Champion, Ecuador

Cormorant Point, Floreana Island, Galapagos, Ecuador

After breakfast, you'll enjoy a small boat 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 wonders around Champion Islet in a small boat 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 commonly see American flamingos, pintail ducks, and more.

Day 7 - Monday - Aug 24, 2026

Las Bachas, Ecuador

Relax onboard while we anchor off Baltra Island. After four days of exploring the unique nature and environments of the Galapagos, it is the moment to pause for a while and 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 Galapagos wildlife like flamingos and sea turtles. Enjoy swimming or snorkeling before heading back to the ship for an expedition briefing about the following day.

Day 8 - Tuesday - Aug 25, 2026

Buccaneer Cove, Ecuador

Puerto Egas, Ecuador

See iconic wildlife and spectacular landscapes. 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 Galapagos 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 - Wednesday - Aug 26, 2026

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 small boat ride along the coast and explore the island's mesmerizing, red-colored beach. Soak up the sights and sounds made by a colony of sea lions, and watch for 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, discover colorful marine life from a glass-bottom boat, or watch for Galapagos penguins on the shore. Hike up to the summit of the island for fantastic views.

Day 10 - Thursday - Aug 27, 2026

Genovesa Island, Ecuador

Today, you'll explore Genovesa Island. The morning starts with a steep but short climb - only 90 feet - up Prince Philip's Steps, known as El Barranco, to reach 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. Afterwards or instead, hop into a kayak for some aquatic adventuring. In the afternoon, we'll land and swim 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 - Aug 28, 2026

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. A dry landing at a passenger wharf and a bus ride to the loftier region of the island will provide 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's home to two species of giant tortoise. These lush highlands also feature dense forests of Galapagos daisies, orchids, and bromeliads. After this visit, we'll transfer directly to the airport in Baltra for your flight to Quito - or if you prefer, to Guayaquil - to connect to your international flight. To explore more of Ecuador, why not extend your stay and join one of our post-voyage options.

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