Enjoy our luxury and Smart expedition cruises .
WESTERN ITINERARY
CATEGORY: LUXURY CRUISE
STYLE: EXPEDITION CRUISE
STARTS THURSDAY TO MONDAY
5 day tour ;
Our Western Galapagos cruise itinerary begins in Baltra, where we will board the ship and sail towards Dragon Hill on Santa Cruz Island for an interesting hike through palo santo forests that are full of the Galapagos’ famed land iguanas. Overnight, we sail around the seahorse-shaped Isabela Island to two great visitor sites: Punta Vicente Roca on Isabela Island (with the fascinating geology of the collapsed Ecuador volcano) and then wild and pure Punta Espinoza on Fernandina (one of the most pristine islands in the world, with one of the archipelago’s biggest colony of marine iguanas and opportunities to see flightless cormorants).
From there, we sail back around to Santa Cruz Island to visit the world-famous Charles Darwin Research Station, where scientists are involved in research and conservation efforts, the most well-known of which involves a captive breeding program for Galapagos giant tortoises.
After that, we’ll spend the afternoon enjoying a range of activities. The following day finds us on Floreana Island, exploring its human history and stunning wildlife at both Post Office Bay and Cormorant Point.
Guests will also get to enjoy all Park-approved aquatic activities, including a proper glass-
bottom boat! Dine inside or grab a quick BBQ snack on the outdoor terrace. The crew aboard the Santa Cruz II loves to indulge guests with exceptional onboard service!
The highly advanced Santa Cruz II Galapagos Cruise is an Expedition Vessel specifically designed to operate in isolated regions, making it the perfect fit for exploring the remote Galapagos Islands. Measuring just under 72 meters (235 feet), this ample, five-deck vessel has 50 cabins that sleep up to 90 guests and includes extensive indoor and outdoor social areas where guests can fully enjoy the unbeatable splendor of taking a tour throughout the Galapagos Islands. With some of the latest advances in sustainable sailing, the Santa Cruz II Galapagos Cruise also aims to protect the delicate and beautiful ecosystem that it explores.
Baltra Island
You will arrive at Baltra Island via plane in the morning and then transfer to the dock to board the Santa Cruz II Galapagos Cruise. After an introductory briefing onboard, we will partake in an emergency boat drill, after which you will be assigned to your cabin and then be invited to lunch.
Cerro Dragon (Dragon Hill) [Santa Cruz Island]
The north shore of Santa Cruz hosts the fascinating landscapes of Cerro Dragon (Dragon Hill). The first part of the walk here passes by a brackish-water lagoon that’s frequented by shorebirds, ducks and American flamingos. Further inland, the trail offers a beautiful view of the bay and the western islands of the Galapagos, as well as a chance to check out some land iguanas.