Cruising the Galapagos on Board the Santa Cruz II
Overview
Your holiday starts the moment you arrive in Quito. We can pick you up at the airport and seamlessly take you to your selected hotel, where your Local Host will give you a warm welcome and materials to prepare you for your trip. The next day, after an included breakfast, we’ll pick you up at your hotel for a private tour of the city with a local expert. Hear the fascinating stories and little-known facts as you visit must-see sights like Independence Square, San Francisco Plaza Church, and the Basilica. You’ll also have free time to explore.
Perhaps ask your Local Host to arrange an excursion to the Middle of the World (latitude 0), where you can have a foot in each hemisphere, or take a ride on the highest cableway in South America and see amazing views of the city. Then you’re off to the Galápagos Islands, where your cruise ship is waiting.
On your 5-day cruise aboard the Santa Cruz II, all your meals are included. You’ll visit Santa Cruz Island, with a white-sand beach and brackish lagoons that serve as feeding grounds for various wading birds; Santiago Island, home to marine iguanas, Galápagos finches, flamingos, sea lions, and a common nesting area for sea turtles; Puerto Egas, known for its black-sand beach, land and marine birds, marine iguanas, and a colony of fur seals; Rábida Island, with its red-colored beach and large colonies of sea lions, marine iguanas, mockingbirds, yellow warblers, and Darwin’s finches; Bartolomé Island, where you’ll hike to the summit for a spectacular view of two beautiful bays and fascinating formations of lava flows; Genovesa Island, where you’ll take a panga ride along the cliffs to see the shore and seabirds nesting on the cliffs’ ledges, and where you’ll climb up Prince Phillip’s Steps to see masked boobies, blue and red-footed boobies, frigatebirds, and more; and finally on Santa Cruz Island, visit a Tortoise Reserve to see the Giant Galápagos Tortoises living in the wild.
Throughout the cruise, you’ll have the opportunity to swim and snorkel. Sometimes you may even be escorted by marine turtles! Throughout your cruise, you’ll be with an expert Naturalist who will bring this destination to life and be able to answer any question you may have.
Our goal is to help make this magical experience a reality! That’s why we’ve put together this holiday for you that includes sightseeing, hotels, cruise, transportation, most meals, and guides and Naturalists. That doesn’t even include the cost of your time or your sanity planning it all on your own! Let us handle the details while you grab your camera and swimsuit...the Galápagos Islands are waiting!
Itinerary
Arrive in Quito.
Your included private city tour showcases Independence Square, dominated by its formidable cathedral, San Francisco Plaza Church, and the basilica. (B)
Fly to the Galapagos Islands and board the Santa Cruz II. Visit Las Bachas on Santa Cruz Island, an important nesting area for the East Pacific green sea turtle. See brackish lagoons just steps away from the sea, a feeding ground for various wading birds-from stilts to flamingos. (B/L/D)
Arrive at Buccaneer Cove on Santiago Island to explore the dramatic coastline inhabited by a large number of marine birds, sea lions, and inter-tidal organisms. You will also have the opportunity to snorkel and take a ride on the panga or the glass- bottom boat. Later, at Puerto Egas-known for its black-sand beach, tuff-stone layers, and lava flows-see land and marine birds, as well as a colony of fur sea lions, marine iguanas, and marine turtles. (B/L/D)
Visit Rabida Island with its red-coloured beach, caused by the unusually high content of iron in the volcanic material. Your Naturalist will point out large colonies of sea lions, marine iguanas, mockingbirds, yellow warblers, and several species of Darwin's finches. Very close to the beach, a salt pond occasionally hosts American flamingos. Snorkel from the beach to see the unique combination of underwater species and submarine landscapes. At Bartolome Island, hike to the summit for a stunning view of Pinnacle Rock. Take a snorkel or a ride on the glass-bottom boat and possibly see Galapagos penguins in tropical waters! (B/L/D)
On Genovesa Island, take a walk up Prince Phillip's Steps as your Naturalist reveals large colonies of masked boobies, blue- and red-footed boobies, frigatebirds, storm petrels, and short-eared owls. In the afternoon, disembark on a beautiful beach at Darwin Bay to observe frigatebirds, red-footed and masked boobies, herons, finches, and mockingbirds. Return to the beach for snorkelling, kayaking, and swimming. (B/L/D)
Disembark at the north shore of Santa Cruz Island for a visit to a Tortoise Reserve in the highlands. Here, you will see and learn about the Giant Galapagos Tortoises living in the wild and what is being done to help preserve these ancient creatures. Later, fly to Guayaquil. (B)
Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
Trip Inclusions
- 7 Breakfasts
- 4 Lunches
- 4 Dinners
- Price does not include the cost of flights within this itinerary
- Airport transfers at your arrival and departure destination are not included in the price of the tour.
- Itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land and cruise. International flights not included.
Enjoy VIP access to iconic sights, skipping the que at major landmarks and locations. Read more
Your own friendly, knowledgeable Local Host has all the info to maximise your holiday. Read more
Monograms has carefully selected hotels that put you in the heart of each destination. Read more
Availability
Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you enquire. Additional savings may apply. We guarantee the lowest price in Australia. T&C’s apply.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Prices and trip information are correct at the time at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Monograms.
