Expedition Advisory · Galápagos · HX Expeditions
Galápagos: Nine of the Best Isles
Quito and the western / northern islands · 11 days / 8 nights aboard
HX’s UK-published starting offer fare on selected departures, per person sharing. International flights are additional. Checked 4 October 2026; offers, availability and fares can change.
Personal advice · No obligation · No advisory fees
Why we picked this voyage
An expedition worth considering
This longer circuit gives the islands room to show their variety. Western lava landscapes, giant tortoises, red beaches and northern seabird colonies all feature in the published route. HX includes two Quito hotel nights, a city and equator excursion and the domestic flights, making it a useful option for travellers who want a complete Ecuador programme.
Travellers wanting a longer island circuit with two Quito hotel nights and included domestic flights.
Eight nights aboard reach the western and northern islands, including Fernandina and Genovesa.
Some landings involve uneven ground or steps. Quito is at altitude; the final mainland flight routing needs checking with your international travel plan.
Let’s match the ship, season and cabin to your priorities.
Talk to an expedition guideThe Expedition Advisory difference
Why book this voyage with us?
Choose your voyage and cabin with confidence. We’ll help with the rest of your journey.
Operator Pricing
You pay the expedition operator’s fare. We check applicable offers and promotions for your voyage. Our advice and booking support cost you nothing extra.
Independent Advice
Compare this voyage with other expedition options. We match the ship, season and cabin to your priorities. We search all available itineraries from our partner operators, including voyages not listed on our website.
Field Experience
Our expedition guiding experience helps you understand sea conditions, time ashore and daily expedition life before you choose.
Beyond the Cruise
Get practical flight, packing and preparation guidance, plus a pre-departure call with a regional guide. We can book your hotels and transfers with no extra booking fee.
Personal advice · No obligation · No advisory fees
The voyage
Voyage overview
This longer circuit gives the islands room to show their variety. Western lava landscapes, giant tortoises, red beaches and northern seabird colonies all feature in the published route. HX includes two Quito hotel nights, a city and equator excursion and the domestic flights, making it a useful option for travellers who want a complete Ecuador programme.
- Isabela and Fernandina’s western island wildlife
- Santa Cruz conservation and giant tortoises
- Floreana, Santiago and Rábida
- Bartolomé’s volcanic scenery
- Genovesa’s seabird colonies
Your expedition
Day-by-day plan
Published western / northern route. Daily activities adapt to conditions.
Arrive in Quito
Transfer to the included hotel in Ecuador’s highland capital. An extra night before the programme is an option if you would like more time to acclimatise.
Quito and the equator
Explore the historic city and the Middle of the World area on the included guided day, with lunch. Return to your Quito hotel.
Baltra and Cerro Dragón
Fly from Quito to Baltra and embark Santa Cruz II. Begin exploring Santa Cruz at Cerro Dragón, looking for coastal birds and land iguanas.
Day 4
Isabela and Fernandina
Explore Punta Vicente Roca by small boat, with snorkelling if conditions permit. Continue to Fernandina’s lava shores, where marine iguanas and flightless cormorants are among the wildlife to look for.
Santa Cruz conservation and highlands
Visit the giant-tortoise conservation facilities near Puerto Ayora, then head into the highlands. Lunch and guided exploration give time to understand the islands’ conservation story.
Floreana
Discover the channels around Baroness Cove and the tradition of Post Office Bay. Marine exploration around Champion Islet and a visit to Cormorant Point add contrasting habitats.
Baltra and Las Bachas
Enjoy a slower morning aboard while the ship is at Baltra. Later, explore Las Bachas on Santa Cruz, with beach time and water activities as conditions allow.
Santiago
Small-boat exploration around Buccaneer Cove is followed by Puerto Egas. Look for coastal wildlife and fur seals, with guided interpretation throughout.
Day 9
Rábida and Bartolomé
Explore Rábida’s red shore, then Bartolomé’s striking volcanic scenery. A stepped summit walk and water activities offer different perspectives on the landscape.
Day 10
Genovesa
Explore the seabird colonies around Prince Philip’s Steps and Darwin Bay. The steps and uneven ground require suitable mobility; the team explains the activity choices.
Santa Cruz and mainland Ecuador
Visit the highlands before transferring to Baltra for the included mainland flight. Confirm whether your package returns to Guayaquil or Quito before arranging international flights.
Wildlife sightings, landings and water activities depend on conditions and park permissions. Your confirmed departure programme controls the final travel plan.
Choose your season
Dates and departures
| Departure | Programme |
|---|---|
| 5-15 January 2027 | MS Santa Cruz II · Quito or Guayaquil return programme |
| 19-29 January 2027 | MS Santa Cruz II · Quito or Guayaquil return programme |
| 12-22 September 2028 | MS Santa Cruz II · Quito or Guayaquil return programme |
| 26 September-6 October 2028 | MS Santa Cruz II · Quito or Guayaquil return programme |
Selected programmes for travel from now through October 2028. Exact dates, ship and cabin availability require confirmation. Starting fares above apply to selected departures across the operator’s programme.
Find the right departure and cabin for you.
Check dates with EAPlan your voyage
Your ship and life aboard
MS Santa Cruz II
Santa Cruz II carries a maximum of 90 guests in 50 outside cabins. Onboard spaces include the Beagle Restaurant, Panorama bar and lounge, a library and Science Corner, sun decks, a gym and two hot tubs. The ship was refurbished in 2021 and is designed as a comfortable base for guided island exploration.
The ship experience
Life aboard
Explore the cabins, shared interiors and spaces for relaxing between outings.
Representative ship photography supplied in the operator’s published material. Confirm your chosen ship, category and bedding with EA.
Cabins and suites
Explorer cabins
Outside cabins have private bathrooms. Twin, double, solo and family arrangements depend on category. We will compare location, bedding and interconnecting options.
Darwin Suites
Published size is 30.3 square metres, with two large windows and a double bed that can be configured as twins. A sofa bed can accommodate a child under 12; interconnection with an Explorer cabin is possible.
Watch the experience
HX Expeditions · Watch on YouTube
Explore with your guides
Activities and exploration
- Isabela and Fernandina’s western island wildlife
- Santa Cruz conservation and giant tortoises
- Floreana, Santiago and Rábida
- Bartolomé’s volcanic scenery
- Genovesa’s seabird colonies
Guided walks, small-boat outings and snorkelling are central to the Galápagos experience. Kayaking, glass-bottom boat outings and other activity choices vary by ship and conditions. We will check your interests and mobility needs when matching a departure.
The voyage package
What the voyage includes
Published inclusions
- Eight nights aboard with meals, selected drinks and gratuities
- Two Quito hotel nights with breakfast, plus the published second-day dinner
- Guided Quito and equator excursion with lunch
- Published mainland-Galápagos economy flights and programme transfers
- Galápagos National Park admission
- Guided landings, small-boat outings and onboard talks
Additional costs and exclusions
- International flights
- Travel insurance and personal expenses
- Optional extensions and services outside the published package
Confirm all inclusions for the specific departure and offer with EA before booking.
Expedition Advisory guidance
Make the whole journey work
The 11-day programme includes two Quito nights and eight ship nights. International flights can extend the total journey. Compare the package’s final mainland airport carefully: domestic flights may end in Guayaquil, while a Quito return can require a different arrangement. We will check mobility needs for steps, wet landings and uneven trails.
Let’s find your expedition
Tell us your dates, party size and what matters most. We’ll compare the ship, cabin and complete travel plan.
Personal advice · No obligation · No advisory fees