Galápagos Islands – in Darwin's Footsteps (Eastern Route)
HX Expeditions · MS Santa Cruz II · 8 days

Day 1: Begin your adventure in the vibrant city of Quito. Your journey begins on the Equator in the lush Andean foothills. At 9,350 feet, Quito is the second-highest capital city in the world, and its main draw is the exquisite Old Town which was founded on an ancient Inca settlement. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it's packed with well-preserved colonial architecture as evidenced in colorful plazas, magnificent churches, and handsome monuments. Settle into your hotel and enjoy an overnight stay. If you have time, why not come a few days earlier and join one of the pre-voyage options. Day 2: Straddle the Equator at the Middle of the World City. Today, you'll enjoy a guided tour of Quito's…
The sailing, in facts
| Operator | HX Expeditions |
|---|---|
| Ship | MS Santa Cruz II |
| Length | 8 days |
| Region | Galápagos |
| Departures | 39 listed · 2026-09-09 to 2028-03-22 |
Day by day
| Day | Where |
|---|---|
| Days 1–3 | Quito, Ecuador |
| Day 3 | Air travel |
| Day 3 | Baltra Island, Ecuador |
| Day 3 | Isla Mosquera, Galápagos Islands, Ecuador |
| Day 4 | Punta Pitt, Ecuador |
| Day 4 | Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, Ecuador |
| Day 4 | Galapaguera, Ecuador |
| Day 4 | Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, Ecuador |
| Day 5 | Isla Santa Fé, Ecuador |
| Day 5 | South Plaza, Ecuador |
| Day 6 | Puerto Ayora, Ecuador |
| Day 6 | Santa Cruz Highlands, Isla Santa Cruz, Galápagos Islands, Ecuador |
| Day 6 | Puerto Ayora, Ecuador |
| Day 7 | Punta Suarez, Ecuador |
| Day 7 | Gardner Bay, Ecuador |
| Day 7 | Islote Osborn, Galápagos Islands, Ecuador, Ecuador |
| Day 8 | Eden Islet, Ecuador |
| Day 8 | Isla North Seymour, Ecuador |
| Day 9 | Baltra Island, Ecuador |
| Day 9 | Air travel |
| Day 9 | Guayaquil, Ecuador |
Every departure
| Departs | Returns | Days | Ship | Offer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-09-09 | 2026-09-17 | 8 | MS Santa Cruz II | Yes |
| 2026-09-23 | 2026-10-01 | 8 | MS Santa Cruz II | Yes |
| 2026-10-07 | 2026-10-15 | 8 | MS Santa Cruz II | Yes |
| 2026-10-21 | 2026-10-29 | 8 | MS Santa Cruz II | Yes |
| 2026-11-04 | 2026-11-12 | 8 | MS Santa Cruz II | Yes |
| 2026-11-18 | 2026-11-26 | 8 | MS Santa Cruz II | Yes |
| 2026-12-02 | 2026-12-10 | 8 | MS Santa Cruz II | Yes |
| 2026-12-16 | 2026-12-24 | 8 | MS Santa Cruz II | Yes |
| 2026-12-30 | 2027-01-07 | 8 | MS Santa Cruz II | Yes |
| 2027-01-13 | 2027-01-21 | 8 | MS Santa Cruz II | Yes |
| 2027-01-27 | 2027-02-04 | 8 | MS Santa Cruz II | Yes |
| 2027-02-10 | 2027-02-18 | 8 | MS Santa Cruz II | Yes |
| 2027-02-24 | 2027-03-04 | 8 | MS Santa Cruz II | Yes |
| 2027-03-10 | 2027-03-18 | 8 | MS Santa Cruz II | Yes |
| 2027-03-24 | 2027-04-01 | 8 | MS Santa Cruz II | Yes |
| 2027-04-07 | 2027-04-15 | 8 | MS Santa Cruz II | Yes |
| 2027-04-21 | 2027-04-29 | 8 | MS Santa Cruz II | Yes |
| 2027-05-05 | 2027-05-13 | 8 | MS Santa Cruz II | Yes |
| 2027-05-19 | 2027-05-27 | 8 | MS Santa Cruz II | Yes |
| 2027-06-02 | 2027-06-10 | 8 | MS Santa Cruz II | Yes |
| 2027-06-16 | 2027-06-24 | 8 | MS Santa Cruz II | Yes |
| 2027-06-30 | 2027-07-08 | 8 | MS Santa Cruz II | Yes |
| 2027-07-14 | 2027-07-22 | 8 | MS Santa Cruz II | Yes |
| 2027-07-28 | 2027-08-05 | 8 | MS Santa Cruz II | Yes |
| 2027-08-11 | 2027-08-19 | 8 | MS Santa Cruz II | Yes |
| 2027-08-25 | 2027-09-02 | 8 | MS Santa Cruz II | Yes |
| 2027-09-08 | 2027-09-16 | 8 | MS Santa Cruz II | Yes |
| 2027-09-22 | 2027-09-30 | 8 | MS Santa Cruz II | Yes |
| 2027-11-03 | 2027-11-11 | 8 | MS Santa Cruz II | Yes |
| 2027-11-17 | 2027-11-25 | 8 | MS Santa Cruz II | Yes |
| 2027-12-01 | 2027-12-09 | 8 | MS Santa Cruz II | Yes |
| 2027-12-15 | 2027-12-23 | 8 | MS Santa Cruz II | Yes |
| 2027-12-29 | 2028-01-06 | 8 | MS Santa Cruz II | Yes |
| 2028-01-12 | 2028-01-20 | 8 | MS Santa Cruz II | Yes |
| 2028-01-26 | 2028-02-03 | 8 | MS Santa Cruz II | Yes |
| 2028-02-09 | 2028-02-17 | 8 | MS Santa Cruz II | Yes |
| 2028-02-23 | 2028-03-02 | 8 | MS Santa Cruz II | Yes |
| 2028-03-08 | 2028-03-16 | 8 | MS Santa Cruz II | Yes |
| 2028-03-22 | 2028-03-30 | 8 | MS Santa Cruz II | Yes |
Current offers
- 130th Anniversary Offers — through 2028-03-31 · Up to 25% off or a Free Upgrade to a Suite + Up to US$1,000pp air credit In celebration of our 130th Anniversary, sail with us in 2026 and enjoy one of two offers; up to 25% off all-inclusive expeditions to Antarctica, Alaska, Greenland and more (discounts vary by destination), OR a free upgrade to a Suite on select departures. In addition, save up to US$1,000 per person on round-trip Premium Economy or Business Class flights to Antarctica. Valid on departures from October 2026 to March 2027—combinable with our 130th Anniversary offers. Offer 1: Save up to 25% Offer 2: Enjoy a free upgrade to…
- 130TH ANNIVERSARY INCENTIVE — Valid for Travel Now Through 30 Sep 2028
Supplier offers, from the Virtuoso promotions feed. They stack with the advisor benefits on the booking rather than replacing them — how that works.
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