Galapagos Classic Cruise

Welcome to Ecuador! Arrive at Quito’s Mariscal Sucres Internatinoal Airport and transfer to your boutique hotel.

This morning your private guide will meet you at your hotel and take you on a city tour highlighting the very best parts of this historic, dynamic city. Start with a walk through the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where colonial-era cathedrals, plazas, and sculptures all have an interesting story to reveal. Sample some traditional Ecuadorian dishes such as ceviche or locro de papas as you work up an appetite, and indulge your sweet tooth with a fun and informative chocolate-making workshop. Head for the hills in the afternoon, where a drive out of the city reveals panoramic views of snow-capped volcanoes towering over lush and verdant valleys.

This morning you will have a private transfer to the airport in Quito to catch your flight to Baltra Island in the Galapagos, where you and your fellow cruise passengers will be met upon arrival. A quick ferry ride brings you to the nearby island of Santa Cruz, where you will head inland to the lush highlands to see giant tortoises in their natural habitat. Keep an eye out for finches and flycatchers along the way! You will then visit the Galapagos National Park Headquarters and the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn about island’s unique flora and fauna and the various conservation projects working to protect them. Board your luxury yacht, the Integrity, just in time to enjoy a fantastic welcome dinner before the yacht embarks on an overnight voyage to your next destination.

Today you will awaken in Gardner Bay on Española and board a Zodiac to take you ashore to enjoy some beach time. Keep an eye out for the ever-curious Española mockingbirds hopping about as you see basking sea lions and turtle nesting sites along the immaculate white sand beach. After a morning snorkeling session along the underwater cliffs of Gardener-by-Española, the afternoon will be spent amidst a dazzling array of wildlife at the infamous Punta Suárez. From the largest lizards in the Galapagos to boldly colored marine iguanas to the stately waved albatross, you will encounter all kinds of fascinating creatures who call Española home.

This morning you will greeted by a cacophony of barking sea lions as you disembark at Punta Pitt, a pristine site known for its unique wildlife and rugged volcanic beauty. A steep hike leads up the cliff to the only place in the Galapagos where you can see all three types of boobies (red-footed, blue-footed, and Nazca) nesting together, plus two species of frigatebirds and various other seabirds. After a refreshing lunch onboard the Integrity, a short Zodiac ride along the striking cliffs of Cerro Brujo will take you to a relaxing afternoon at a lovely coral sand beach. Sip a handcrafted cocktail onboard the Integrity and enjoy a sunset cruise as the boat makes its way toward tomorrow’s adventures.

Step ashore on Santa Fé this morning and hike to a giant Opuntia cactus grove, where you will have the opportunity to see the Santa Fé land iguana, one of the three species of land iguanas found exclusively in the Galapagos Archipelago. Spend the rest of the morning exploring the turquoise waters of the bay by kayak or snorkeling before heading to South Plaza Island in the afternoon. The small but mighty South Plaza offers a surprising diversity of wildlife, including a lively sea lion colony, a large colony of land iguanas, and the chance to spot the rare hybrid iguana (a cross between marine and land iguanas unique to South Plaza Island).

This morning you will awaken in Darwin Bay, a stunning, remote cove on Genovesa Island home to some of the most diverse birdlife in the Galapagos. A hike through the lush mangrove forest onshore will reveal warblers, various finches, and yellow-crowned night herons, plus red-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, great frigatebirds, and swallow-tailed gulls. The marine life at Darwin Bay is also not to be missed, and a morning snorkeling excursion will reveal assorted tropical fish, sharks, sea turtles, and rays. An afternoon Zodiac ride along the cliffs will take you to Prince Phillip’s Steps, a natural stone staircase that leads to a prime nesting ground for various seabirds. After a short, steep hike to reach the plateau at the top, you will be rewarded with dramatic vistas of the surrounding cliffs and coastline and world-class birdwatching.

Spend the morning exploring the otherworldly landscapes of Sullivan Bay on Santiago Island. The extensive Pahoehoe lava flows that characterize the area are a photographer’s dream, with smooth, undulating surfaces punctuated by lava tubes, lava bubbles, and twisted lava coils. After an active morning exploration on land, snorkel the pristine waters near Pinnacle Rock on Bartolomé in the afternoon. Watch playful Galapagos penguins dive and dart through the waters around you as you meander amongst mesmerizing schools of colorful tropical fish. Save some energy for an afternoon hike up to the top of the island to catch one of the most iconic views in the Galapagos as you gaze out at Pinnacle Rock, Santiago Island, and Daphne Major and Minor.

This morning you will be welcomed ashore at Red Beach by scuttling ghost crabs and wading birds. A short hike brings you to a saltwater lagoon where sea lions, pintail ducks, and common stilts are often seen, as well as various finches, Galapagos doves, and mockingbirds. This afternoon you will embark on a Zodiac ride through the turquoise waters near Sombrero Chino, one of your best opportunities to see Galapagos penguins. After snorkeling with penguins, sharks, rays, and various tropical fish, you will land at a tranquil white sand beach to explore a meandering trail that crosses varying types of lava rock. Onboard the Integrity, celebrate the last night together with your fellow passengers and crew with a sumptuous dinner and one last island sunset.

After breakfast aboard the Integrity, you will disembark on Baltra Island to catch your departing flight back to Quito. Depending on your departing international flight time, there may be the opportunity to arrange for a brief afternoon activity in Quito.