Quito and Galapagos Southern Loop
When you set foot aboard our state-of-the-art Celebrity Xpedition® in the Galapagos Islands, be prepared for an experience like no other. Filled with complimentary room service, in-suite dining, massage services, plush bathrobes, a fitness room, and live music in the Discovery Lounge, you’ll experience the Galapagos Islands in style.
Onboard Features
Darwin's Restaurant
Casual, open-seating allows you the flexibility to enjoy the company of new friends.
Xpedition Suite
The unmatched natural beauty of the Galapagos is on full display with floor-to-ceiling glass doors and your own private veranda.
Royal Suite
Explore the islands that inspired Darwin’s theory of evolution all while immersed in modern luxury.
Travel Insurance
For your protection AAA recommends travel insurance. Pre-existing medical conditions may be waived with proper coverage if travel insurance is purchased within 14 days of initial deposit only. Other conditions may apply; ask your travel advisor. AAA recommends Allianz.
*Price is per person, cruise only, applies to selected sailing, lowest available fare stateroom category, based on double-occupancy, reflects any promotional savings, and is subject to change and availability until booked. Additional terms and conditions apply to offers. Non-refundable deposit: Non-refundable deposit booking (“NRDB”) cancelled prior to final payment due date will receive a future cruise credit in the amount of the deposit minus a 100 USD per person service fee. FCC is non-transferable and expires after 12-months from issue date. 100 USD per person service fee applies to changes to NRDB ship or sail date.
Day 1:
On the first day of your journey, you'll be greeted at the airport by a Celebrity Cruises representative and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy free time to relax and settle in.
Day 2:
During a guided tour of the capital of Ecuador, situated at an altitude of 9,350 feet, you'll stand on the equatorial line at the Half of the World Park and Museum, and marvel at the monasteries of San Francisco and Santo Domingo. Your tour director will escort you throughout your Quito stay and serve as your personal concierge. Lunch with a spectacular view of the city, and enjoy a welcome dinner at a local gourmet restaurant.
Quito To Baltra Embarkation:
You will be transferred to the Quito, Ecuador airport to board the flight to Baltra, Galapagos, where naturalist guides will be waiting to transfer you to the ship.
During World War II, Baltra served as a U.S. military base protecting the Panama Canal from enemy attack. Now the cactus-strewn landscapes of Baltra are home to the region's main airport.
Daphne is a satellite volcanic cone located north of Santa Cruz Island. This island is famous for the scientific investigation led by Peter and Rosemary Grant on the finches’ population, one of the most important studies in the field that supports Charles Darwin’s Theory.
Baltra Island, Galapagos:
During World War II, Baltra served as a U.S. military base protecting the Panama Canal from enemy attack. Now the cactus-strewn landscapes of Baltra are home to the region's main airport.
Mosquera Islet:
This small, flat, sandy islet sits in the channel between Baltra and North Seymour. It is almost devoid of vegetation, but has one of the largest populations of sea lions in the islands. Its sandy expanse offers visitors the perfect opportunity to observe sea lion behavior. It is also a beautiful site to observe lava gulls, coastal birds, and Sally lightfoot crabs.
Dragon Hill (Santa Cruz Island):
Dragon Hill, or "Cerro Dragon" is named after its population of land iguanas. The site offers a beautiful view of the landscape and two small brackish lagoons where flamingos and other shore birds occasionally feed. Along the trail, we'll cross a beautiful "white forest" of Palo Santo (incense) trees and Galapagos cotton plants. Excursion options include a high-intensity hike with swimming/snorkeling at the beach, high-intensity snorkeling from a zodiac followed by a short walk and a low-intensity Zodiac ride along the coastline with optional dry landing for animal observation.
Rabida Island:
A small island south of Santiago, Rabida is best known for its red sand and eroded volcanic landscape. A nesting colony of pelicans makes its home here, along with sea lions and some sea birds.
Las Tintoreras, Isabela Island
Named after the Spanish word for whitetip reef shark, Las Tintoreras is a small island or islet just offshore Puerto Villamil, Isabela. After a dry landing, we walk along a pebbled nature trail to enjoy a magnificent volcanic landscape with lichen-covered lava rocks to a narrow channel where whitetip reef sharks are often found resting on the bottom. It is also an excellent place to observe large marine iguanas, sea turtles, rays, sea lions, blue-footed boobies and the Galapagos penguins that seasonally nest here.
Puerto Villamil, Isabela Island:
Welcome to the small, laid-back island town of Puerto Villamil. An interpretive trail, approximately 1.5 km from town, takes you around secluded wetland lagoons to the Tortoise Center. The Center was created to protect baby tortoises from the threats of foreign species such as pigsand donkeys, as well as to educate visitors and locals about the importance of the Galapagos giant tortoise. Visitors can see both hatchling tortoises and the older breeding animals.
Post Office Bay, Floreana Island
Rich in history, this site is home to the post office barrel established in about 1793, where pirates, buccaneers, whalers, and others could leave their mail to be picked up by outbound ships. The tradition continues today, as visitors leave addressed postcards in the barrel and sort through left mail to deliver at home.
Cormorant Point, Floreana Island:
Floreana was the first capital of the Galapagos, and where Charles Darwin met the islands' Governor. It's small brackish lagoon is often home to flamingos, stilts, and white-cheeked pintail ducks, and one of its beaches is a highly used nesting site for sea turtles. Check out the green-hued sand where you land.
Cerro Brujo, San Cristobal:
Located on the north coast of San Cristobal Island, Cerro Brujo is the eroded remains of a volcanic tuff cone. It is one of the first sites visited by Charles Darwin. Captain Fitzroy climbed to the top of the hill to scout out reefs. The favorite attraction here is the gorgeous white sand beach; a wonderful place to swim or take a walk along the shoreline.
Kicker Rock, San Cristobal Island - Cruising
Kicker Rock or León Dormido, named for its characteristic shape like that of a boot or sleeping lion, is a dramatic sight with the remains of a volcanic tuff cone rising almost 148m straight up out of the ocean. Erosion has split the rock into two parts, forming a narrow channel between.
Los Lobos, San Cristobal Island:
Named after its large colony of sea lions, this island usually allows visitors to observe sea lion pups, especially while snorkeling. In addition, we may see blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds, and even a glimpse at the second type of sea lion species found in Galapagos: The Fur Sea Lion. It is a seasonal nesting location for blue-footed boobies and frigatebirds.
This is the main population center of the islands, and home to the National Park Service tortoise-breeding center and the Charles Darwin Research Station. You will be able to visit the tortoise-breeding center and walk through the Charles Darwin Research Station.
Punta Suarez:
Española is the oldest island in the Galapagos and home to an abundance of wildlife. At Suarez Point, be greeted by a colony of sea lions upon arrival. This area is also home to nearly the entire world population of Waved Albatross—though they're graceful in the air, their clumsy behavior on land is a sight to see. A cliffside hike leads to a natural lava fissure that spews water like a towering geyser.
Gardner Bay (Espanola):
The beach at Gardner Bay, with its sparkling white sand, offers one of the best places to relax and swim in the Galapagos. It's home to one of the most important colonies of sea lions in the archipelago, and is also a nesting site for sea turtles. Three species of Darwin’s finches and Española mockingbirds may also be seen here.
Daphne Major - Cruising:
Daphne is a satellite volcanic cone located north of Santa Cruz Island. The crater floor is an important breeding site for blue-footed boobies. The cliff shore of the island is home for sea lions, pelicans, blue-footed boobies, and tropical birds which can be observed during the circumnavigation of the island.
Baltra Island, Galapagos:
During World War II, Baltra served as a U.S. military base protecting the Panama Canal from enemy attack. Now the cactus-strewn landscapes of Baltra are home to the region's main airport.
Baltra - Quito Disembarkation:
You will be transferred to the airport in Baltra for your flight to Quito. Upon your arrival in Quito, a Celebrity Cruises® representative will escort you to the JW Marriott hotel. Dinner is served at the hotel.
Your Celebrity Cruises representative will once again escort you to the airport for your return. Breakfast is included.
Galapagos Southern Loop, by Celebrity Cruises
