HX Expeditions

Daily Itinerary

1. Day 1

   Quito

   Ecuador

   

   Quito, Ecuador’s capital, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its colonial architecture and rich history. Visitors must savor local dishes like locro de papa and hornado while exploring vibrant markets. The best time to visit is during the dry season, from June to September, when the weather is ideal for discovering nearby attractions like Isabela Island and Cajas National Park.

2. Day 2

   Quito

   Ecuador

   

   Quito, Ecuador’s capital, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its colonial architecture and rich history. Visitors must savor local dishes like locro de papa and hornado while exploring vibrant markets. The best time to visit is during the dry season, from June to September, when the weather is ideal for discovering nearby attractions like Isabela Island and Cajas National Park.

3. Day 3

   Baltra Island, Santa Cruz Island

   Ecuador

   

   Baltra Island is a pivotal port in the Galápagos, historically rooted and now a gateway to adventure. Must-do experiences include sampling fresh ceviche de mero and exploring the nearby Isabela Island and Las Tintoreras Islet. The best season to visit is during the warmer months from December to May.

4. Day 4

   San Cristobal Island, Galapagos Islands

   Ecuador

   

   San Cristóbal Island, a historic gateway to the Galápagos, offers a unique blend of natural beauty and rich culture. Must-do experiences include savoring local dishes like ceviche de mero and visiting the stunning Las Tintoreras Islet. The best time to visit is during the dry season from June to November, when the weather is cooler and wildlife is particularly active.

5. Day 5

   Santa Fe Island, Galapagos

   Ecuador

   

   Santa Fe Island is one of the oldest geological formations in the Galápagos archipelago, renowned for its endemic land iguanas, towering giant prickly pear cacti, and a sheltered bay teeming with sea lions. A wet landing and nature trail through the cactus forest ranks among the most memorable wildlife encounters in the islands, best experienced during the warm season from December to May when seas are calmer and snorkelling visibility peaks. HX Expeditions and Tauck offer expertly guided itineraries that include this uninhabited gem.

6. Day 6

   Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos Islands

   United States

   

   Santa Cruz Island is the hub of the Galápagos Archipelago, home to the Darwin Research Station's giant tortoise breeding programs and wild tortoise populations grazing in misty highland meadows alongside pristine Tortuga Bay. Must-do experiences include encountering wild giant tortoises in the highlands, snorkeling with sea turtles at Tortuga Bay, and visiting the Charles Darwin Research Station. Year-round pleasant conditions, with January-May best for nesting wildlife and June-December offering the clearest snorkeling.

7. Day 7

   Galapagos Islands

   Ecuador

   

   The Galápagos Islands remain the ultimate destination for those who believe travel can still deliver genuine wonder: a volcanic archipelago one thousand kilometres off the Ecuadorian coast where evolution proceeded in isolation, producing wildlife of astonishing tameness and diversity that shaped Darwin's theory of natural selection. Blue-footed boobies perform courtship dances unperturbed by observers; giant tortoises lumber through highland mist; marine iguanas bask on black lava like prehistoric sentinels. Visitor numbers are strictly controlled within the UNESCO-protected reserve. The cool, nutrient-rich Garúa season (June–November) and the warm season (December–May) each offer distinct wildlife spectacles.

8. Day 8

   North Seymour Island

   Ecuador

   

   North Seymour Island, a gem within the Galápagos archipelago, is renowned for its remarkable biodiversity and stunning volcanic landscapes. Must-do experiences include hiking the island’s interior to witness nesting frigatebirds and snorkeling in nearby crystal-clear waters. The best season to visit is from June to December, when the weather is cooler and wildlife activity is at its peak.

9. Day 9

   Baltra Island, Santa Cruz Island

   Ecuador

   

   Baltra Island is a pivotal port in the Galápagos, historically rooted and now a gateway to adventure. Must-do experiences include sampling fresh ceviche de mero and exploring the nearby Isabela Island and Las Tintoreras Islet. The best season to visit is during the warmer months from December to May.

Cabin Categories

Explorer Cabin

Outside

164 sq ftMax 2EE

With comfortable spaces and large picture windows to illuminate the interior spaces and allow guests to take in the views, these cabins offer elegant relaxation areas after a day of active exploring. There are 17 Explorer cabins located as on the Expedition deck.

Double or Twin ConfigurationShowerToiletries ProvidedSafeHair DryerDesk

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Explorer Cabin

Outside

151–161 sq ftMax 2EH

With comfortable spaces and large picture windows to illuminate the interior spaces and allow guests to take in the views, these cabins offer elegant relaxation areas after a day of active exploring. There are 23 Explorer cabins located as on the Horizon deck.

ShowerToiletries ProvidedRoom Service AvailableSafeHair DryerDesk+1

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Explorer Cabin

Outside

164 sq ftMax 1EP

With comfortable spaces and large picture windows to illuminate the interior spaces and allow guests to take in the views, these cabins offer elegant relaxation areas after a day of active exploring. There are 3 Explorer cabins located as on the Panorama deck.

One Single BedShowerRoom Service AvailableTVSafeTelephone+1

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Explorer Family Cabin

Outside

185 sq ftMax 3FH

With comfortable spaces and large picture windows to illuminate the interior spaces and allow guests to take in the views, these cabins offer elegant relaxation areas after a day of active exploring. There are 2 Explorer family cabins located on the Horizon deck. Cabins are equipped with twin beds and a sofa bed (ideal for children under 12).

Double or Twin ConfigurationLounge AreaShowerToiletries ProvidedSafeHair Dryer+3

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Voyager Single Cabin

outside

VH

With comfortable spaces and large picture windows to illuminate the interior spaces and allow guests to take in the views, these cabins offer single bed, and plenty of space for solo travelers. There are 2 Voyager cabins located on the Horizon deck.

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Darwin Suite

Suite

326 sq ftMax 3DS

Our three Darwin suites on the Panorama deck, featuring double picture windows, will provide superb comfort and deluxe amenities for more discerning guests. Available in twin or double bed and if more space is desired, they can be interconnected with an Explorer cabin.

Double or Twin ConfigurationLounge AreaShowerToiletries ProvidedSuite BenefitsSafe+3

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