Photo’s Courtesy of Esteban and Danitza Villanueva.

One of the most exotic and unspoiled destinations on the planet is the Galápagos Islands. An archipelago of volcanic islands in the Eastern Pacific is home to some of the greatest biodiversity on the planet and a protected land and marine environment that was the first UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognized in 1978. The abundant variety of wildlife allowed Charles Darwin to observe the differences from island to island in 1835 and led to the theory of evolution.

We planned our Galápagos Islands expedition cruise through Boutique Travel Advisors, who crafted the perfect itinerary that started in Quito, Ecuador, an alluring capital city—also a World Heritage Site. We had time to experience and stroll Quito’s historic Centre and venture a few miles out of the city to visit the Equator, where we had the opportunity to stand with one foot in the Northern Hemisphere and one foot in the Southern!

From there, we flew to the Galápagos to begin our expedition cruise, which visited the islands of Baltra, Santiago, Rábida, Bartolomé, Genovesa, and Santa Cruz. Our home away from home was the HX MS Santa Cruz II, which provided a relaxed atmosphere in high-quality surroundings. As required by Ecuadorian law, the ship has a maximum capacity of 90, allowing each guest to have personal service onboard and an intimate experience with the animals during each naturalist-led shore excursion while at the same time never overwhelming the natural environment. This Galápagos Islands expedition cruise truly delivered an immersive and responsible way to explore this unique ecosystem.

Photo’s Courtesy of Esteban and Danitza Villanueva.

Each island was a completely new experience—from ecosystem to climate to wildlife. Some islands were barren rocky lava fields, while others were lush tropical jungles. Each of these terrestrial habitats was home to different and iconic animals—marine iguanas, giant tortoises, blue-and red-footed boobies, and Darwin’s finches. In the water, we encountered manta rays, seals, penguins, sharks, and a multitude of tropical fish.

As an HX Expedition Cruise, our journey stayed true to its name. With a variety of morning hikes, shore excursions, snorkeling opportunities, stargazing, nature lectures, and science experiments, there was always something keeping us busy. The ship’s onboard Expedition Team, consisting of local guides, allowed us to directly encounter the many natural wonders in our small zodiac boats and landing parties. Every aspect of this Galápagos Islands expedition cruise combined adventure with education, making it a truly unforgettable journey.

The Galápagos Islands offered us the perfect mix of adventure, creating cherished memories, wildlife encounters, stunning landscapes, and natural wonders, making it a perfect ESCAPADITA.

Galápagos Islands expedition cruise

Photo’s Courtesy of Esteban and Danitza Villanueva.

Island Highlights:

  • Santiago Island – Home to a large number of marine birds, sea lions, fur seals, and exotic birdlife, along with rock formations such as ‘Elephant Rock’ and ‘The Bishop.’
  • Rábida – Known for its red-colored beach, it offers a sea lion colony, marine iguanas, mockingbirds, yellow warblers, and several species of Darwin’s finches.
  • Bartolomé – This unearthly landscape is home to Galápagos penguins, sea lions, and white tip reef sharks.
  • Genovesa Island – Known as Bird Island for the assortment of birds, including Nazca boobies, red-footed boobies, great frigate birds, and storm petrels.
  • Santa Cruz – The island is home to two species of giant tortoise, with lush highlands covered in dense forests of Galápagos daisies, orchids, and bromeliads.