Independent Galapagos Cruise Aboard The Galápagos Legend

ARRIVE IN QUITO, ECUADOR Welcome to Quito, where your hotel is available for mid-afternoon check-in.

QUITO Your included private city tour showcases the rich legacy left by the Incas and the Spaniards. See Independence Square, dominated by its formidable cathedral, San Francisco Plaza Church, and the Basilica with its marvelous stained-glass windows. (B)

QUITO–BALTRA (EMBARKATION)–GALÁPAGOS CRUISING: NORTH SEYMOUR ISLAND Transfer to the airport for your flight to Baltra, where you’ll meet your expert naturalist and transfer to board the Galápagos Legend for an unforgettable three-night cruise. Set sail to North Seymour Island, a dramatic landmass formed by ancient underwater volcanic eruptions that layered lava across the ocean floor. Take a guided walk among impressive nesting colonies of blue-footed boobies, magnificent and great frigate birds, and swallow-tailed gulls, while gaining insight into the remarkable breeding cycles of Galápagos seabirds. Along the way, encounter playful sea lions, land iguanas, and—if luck is on your side—the elusive endemic Galápagos snake.(B,L,D)

CRUISING: BARTOLOMÉ ISLAND & SANTIAGO ISLAND Awake at Bartolomé Island to explore a striking moonscape shaped by volcanic parasitic cones. Hike to the summit for sweeping views of the surrounding islands and iconic Pinnacle Rock, while keeping an eye out for marine iguanas, lava lizards, and blue-footed boobies along the way. Bartolomé also boasts some of the best snorkeling in the Galápagos, with crystal-clear waters revealing sea turtles, white‑tipped reef sharks, and—on occasion—Galápagos penguins. This afternoon, sail to Sullivan Bay on Santiago Island and walk across young pahoehoe lava flows formed in the late 19th century, where reddish‑yellow tuff cones are dotted with emerging plant life. The otherworldly terrain feels like stepping onto another planet. After your guided walk, enjoy snorkeling from a white-sand beach, where you may encounter penguins, sea lions, sharks, and rays gliding through the water. (B,L,D)

CRUISING: SAN CRISTOBAL ISLAND Arrive at Pitt Islet on San Cristóbal and walk to the summit of a volcanic tuff cone, where multiple breathtaking viewpoints reward your climb. This remarkable site is one of the few places in the Galápagos where all three booby species—blue‑footed, red‑footed, and Nazca—can be seen together, along with two species of frigate birds and a lively sea lion colony. The surrounding waters are ideal for dinghy rides to observe seabirds up close and offer excellent snorkeling opportunities. Continue to Cerro Brujo, where a coastal lagoon attracts migratory birds such as black‑necked stilts, ruddy turnstones, whimbrels, sandpipers, and white‑cheeked pintails. Enjoy stunning views of Kicker Rock, southern San Cristóbal, and the island’s rugged coastline, with time included to swim alongside sea lions and other marine life in the clear waters. (B,L,D)

CRUISING: SAN CRISTOBAL (DISEMBARKATION)–GUAYAQUIL After breakfast, disembark in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno and visit the Giant Tortoise Reserve on San Cristóbal, where you’ll learn about the national park’s important conservation and breeding programs dedicated to protecting these endangered icons of the Galápagos. Return to the port village for a final opportunity to browse for souvenirs before bidding farewell to the enchanted islands. Later, transfer to San Cristóbal Airport for your flight to Guayaquil, where you’ll be taken to your hotel for a free evening. (B)

GUAYAQUIL Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)