- Explorer Cabin from £7,865pp
- Darwin Suite £10,072pp
- 5% Savings on Cabins OR 10% Savings on Suites
- Return flights from the UK (London)
- Overseas transfers included
- 2 nights pre-stay in Quito including breakfast
- 6 nights All Inclusive Expedition cruise
- Full-day excursion: Historic Quito & Middle of the World, including lunch, before the expedition cruise
- In-depth lectures and discussions hosted by knowledgeable Expedition Team
- Escorted landings with small expedition boats with Expedition photographer
- All-inclusive, meals, drinks & Gratuities included
- A complimentary Ocean Bottle water bottle to refill on board and take home
- A lightweight drawstring backpack to use on board and take home with you
- Professional photos of your trip from our on board photographer
- All-inclusive drinks, WiFi, & Gratuities included
- Use of sauna, hot tubs, pool, fitness room, lounges and more
- Extra benefits for Suite guests include - Champagne welcome drink, dining in fine-dining restaurants on board,
- premium drinks, laundry & turndown service
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Galápagos Islands | In Darwin’s Footsteps Eastern Route
MS Santa Cruz II - HX
6th Sep 28
8 Nights
1
Fly from London, UK direct to Quito, Equator
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.
Settle into your hotel and enjoy an overnight stay.
2
Straddle the Equator at the Middle of the World City
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.
3
Get ready to explore the spectacular Galápagos Islands
After breakfast, a short flight will take you to Baltra Island in the spectacular Galápagos archipelago. A transfer brings you straight to the port where your comfortable expedition ship MS Santa Cruz II awaits.
You'll get your first glimpse of the islands' incredible wildlife on Mosquera Islet, home to one of the largest sea lion colonies in the archipelago. We'll take our small expedition boats ashore to get a closer look.
4
San Cristobal's tortoises - Meet the famous giant tortoises go.
First our small boats will take you to Punta Pitt, the only site in the Galápagos Islands 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.
Then we’ll head to the Cerro Colorado Tortoise Reserve, a breeding centre for the endangered giant tortoise. It's also home to other endemic species, including the San Cristobal mockingbird and lava lizard.
5
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 swim from our small boats, take a kayak for a paddle around the island, or join a trip in our glass-bottomed boat to observe the marine life below. After a delicious lunch, prepared by our onboard chefs, we head to South Plaza Island.
6
Darwin's Santa Cruz
Meet the famous giant tortoises of Galápagos
Today we pay a visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station in Puerto Ayora
A giant tortoise breeding centre, 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.
7
Dramatic Española - Lava lizards and incredible birdlife
Your Galápagos Islands cruise reaches Española, the archipelago's most southerly island. Birdlife here is truly extraordinary. Look out for Nazca boobies, blue-footed boobies and swallow-tailed gulls, and the mighty waved albatross on cruises April through December.
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 feet into the air.
8
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. Alternatively, see the reefs from our glass-bottomed boat or by kayak. After lunch, we'll sail to North Seymour.
9
End of your expedition - From the Galápagos Islands to Guayaquil
Your expedition cruise draws to a close as you disembark at Baltra Island. A transfer will take you to the airport in Baltra for your flight to Guayaquil (or if you prefer, to Quito) to connect to your international flight.
Why Book
MS Santa Cruz II - HX
Overview
When you are exploring the Galápagos islands with us onboard the MS Santa Cruz II, you will enjoy a relaxed atmosphere in high quality surroundings. The small size - with a guest capacity of maximum of 90 allows for a cozy yet classy environment. You'll easily feel at home on board.
With carbon-neutral operations, MS Santa Cruz II is environmentally-sustainable and socially conscious with the local community.
This sleek, spacious ship has a layout that allows you to enjoy your cruise from start to finish. Enjoy delicious food in the elegant restaurant, increase your knowledge of the Galápagos Islands with your fellow travellers in the Science Center or maybe mingle out on the multiple decks.
While exploring the Galápagos, you'll have the ability to actively engage in activities and encounters. After a day in Darwin's footsteps, you will enjoy coming home to a casual atmosphere with the best service there is. MS Santa Cruz II's amenities easily appeal to all world explorers.
Welcome aboard
An HX Expeditions trip includes everything from daily excursions and activities to our onboard Science Centre, meals, gratuities, drinks* and more. All designed to give you the expedition experience of a lifetime.
Food & Drink
Mouthwatering meals and creative cocktails await you aboard MS Santa Cruz II. With creativity and dedication, our cheerful staff draw inspiration from everything from the weather to the region’s flavours and local ingredients.
Entertainment
Your ship gives you everything you could wish for in a home away from home: places for stimulation, relaxation, and meetings with your fellow guests. With a Scandinavian-inspired décor and all modern conveniences, MS Santa Cruz II does it in comfort and style.
Health & Fitness
Whenever you feel the need to get your body moving, exercise facilities are on hand to get your pulse up. And whether you’re relaxing after a day of fascinating lectures, or a long hike, there’ll be plenty of opportunities to relax your body and mind.
Terms & Conditions
Terms and conditions apply. *Offer applies to new bookings made until 03 December. 2026 Bookings made outside of the o er period will not qualify. Offers with a saving, discount or amount o stated in GBP represents a discount applied to the “From” price quoted in GBP per person based on double occupancy of cabin on the specifi ed sailing or Tour Code. O er is subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without prior notice. Single supplements may apply and applies to all offer occupancies. ** Where the price for the same voyage is reduced between the time of booking and 90 days prior to scheduled departure, we will reduce the value of the booking. The value of the price di erence shall be applied fi rst to
reduce the balance of any amount due and thereafter by way of refund. Please see website for details. Prices correct at time of print and subject to availability. E&O
Galápagos Islands | In Darwin’s Footsteps Eastern Route
FROM £7,865PP
MS Santa Cruz II - HX
6th Sep 28
8 Nights
From
£7,865PP
