7D/ 6N Galapagos Luxury Expedition Cruise

Upon arrival at Quito airport, you will meet with your guide, who will transfer you to your hotel.

Situated in a circle of Andean peaks, Quito is the world’s second-highest capital, with arguably one of the finest settings in the world. Originally settled by the Quitu tribe in the first millennium, Quito was an important part of the Inca Empire before being destroyed and re-founded by the Spanish conquistador Sebastián de Benalcázar in 1534. The colonial center, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1978, is one of the largest and best-preserved in Latin America. It is home to excellent museums, churches, and art galleries.

Overnight Illa Experience or similar.

A unique journey through flavors, traditions, and local heritage The tour begins with hotel pick-up, heading straight into the heart of everyday Quito. The vibrant Santa Clara Market welcomes visitors with its colors, scents, and a lively display of local flowers, fruits, basketry, and traditional ceramics. For those seeking a deeper cultural connection, there is an optional Andean energy cleansing ritual with a traditional healer. The next stop offers one of the city’s most impressive panoramic views from the towers of a stunning Neo-Gothic church, one of the most iconic landmarks in Quito.

The experience continues along one of the city’s most traditional streets, where creativity and history blend seamlessly. Visitors can step into artisan workshops that preserve ancestral techniques in leather, wood, and metal, depending on availability. In the same area, a warm and authentic gastronomy experience awaits, hosted by a local who shares her culinary traditions in an intimate and welcoming setting.

As the journey moves into the historic center, guests will admire some of Quito’s most representative churches, treasured icons of the city’s cultural heritage. This part of the tour includes a gastronomy experience in a colonial house, where locally sourced ingredients are transformed into traditional treats, highlighting the richness of Ecuadorian flavors.

The walk continues through historical landmarks such as old libraries and iconic plazas. Here, visitors can enjoy a taste of traditional sweets while listening to local legends that bring Quito’s history and folklore to life. To end the experience on a high note, the final stop is at a traditional bakery, where guests are invited to savor a freshly baked local pastry and a cup of Quito-style coffee before returning to the hotel.

Overnight, Illa Experience or similar.

Am: Baltra – Transfer Airport

Your Galápagos journey starts with a flight to Baltra Island, which leads you to board the luxurious Hermes cruise ship.

Pm: Bachas Beach

The initial excursion leads you to Bachas Beach on Santa Cruz Island after you have settled into your accommodation. The beach contains untouched white sand, which sea turtles use for nesting, while its shallow water areas function as habitats for flamingos and marine iguanas. The shoreline displays World War II barge remains, which create a historical backdrop for the natural scenery. The beach transforms into a golden hue during sunset, which creates a perfect setting for the upcoming wildlife experiences.

AM: Caleta Tagus

Isabela Island stands as the biggest island in the Galápagos and serves as the main destination today. Your day begins with an exploration of Tagus Cove, which served as a shelter for pirates and whalers throughout its history, while ancient rock carvings demonstrate centuries of human activity. Visitors can observe Darwin Lake from the cove while they swim with sea turtles and penguins, and tropical fish.

PM: Urbina Bay

The afternoon brings you to Urbina Bay, which stands as a special location because its ocean floor lifted up in 1954 to reveal coral reefs and underwater creatures. The region hosts Giant tortoises and land iguanas, and seabirds populate the coastal zone. The day brings together historical elements with geological features and wildlife encounters, which will stay in your memory forever.

AM: Espinosa Point

Fernandina Island holds the title of being the most untouched Galápagos island because it remains free from all invasive species. The trail at Espinosa Point leads visitors past marine iguana colonies, which spread across the lava rocks, while they watch the flightless cormorant that shows specific adaptations to survive in this habitat. The volcanic terrain becomes a vibrant habitat because sea lions, penguins, and Sally Lightfoot crabs inhabit the area.

PM: Vicente Roca Point

The afternoon brings a trip to Vicente Roca Point, which lies on Isabela Island, where visitors can explore its steep cliffs and discover its wonderful underwater world for snorkeling. The cruise adventure would become a highlight because it provides underwater encounters with mola mola and sea turtles, and various colorful fish species.

AM: Egas Port

Santiago Island presents visitors with an extraordinary combination of natural geological features and historic landmarks. The first light of dawn brings you to Egas Port, where volcanic rocks surround pools that contain abundant marine creatures. The region houses fur seals, which faced near extinction because of extensive hunting in the past.

PM: Espumilla Beach & Bucaneer Cove

The afternoon trip takes you to Espumilla Beach, which serves as a sea turtle nesting area, before heading to Buccaneer Cove, where pirates used to sail. The cliffs reach high into the sky while the water reveals tropical fish that swim in groups. The day unites the stunning natural environment with the captivating human historical background of the Galápagos.

AM: North Seymour

Your final day begins on North Seymour Island, a birdwatcher’s paradise. The island boasts two main attractions, which include its large blue-footed booby colonies and its magnificent frigatebird population, whose courtship displays create an impressive visual performance. The island hosts two main animal species, which include land iguanas and sea lions; thus, visitors encounter different wildlife at every turn.

PM: Baltra Airport – Departure

The last guided tour will end before you head back to Baltra Airport to catch your flight to mainland Ecuador. We’ll accompany you to the airport and assist you with check-in and baggage handling. Upon arrival in Quito, a member of our staff will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel.