Independent Galapagos cruise aboard the Galápagos Legend
Independent Galapagos cruise aboard the Galápagos Legend
Independent Galapagos cruise aboard the Galápagos Legend
7 Days Starting in Quito, Ecuador and ending in Guayaquil, Ecuador
Visiting: Quito, North Seymour Island, Bartolomé Island & Santiago Island, San Cristobal Island, San Cristobal, Guayaquil, South America
Tour operator:
Tour code:
ISK1-2026
Group Type:
Independent
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable adventure with the Independent Galapagos cruise aboard the Galápagos Legend. Begin your journey in Quito, Ecuador, with a private city tour exploring the rich legacy of the Incas and Spaniards. Fly to Baltra and board the Galápagos Legend for a 3-night cruise, guided by an expert Naturalist. Discover the unique wildlife of North Seymour Island, hike the volcanic landscapes of Bartolomé Island, and snorkel in the clear waters teeming with marine life. Visit the Giant Tortoise Reserve on San Cristobal and learn about conservation efforts. Conclude your trip in Guayaquil, with memories of the enchanting Galápagos Islands.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive In Quito,Ecuador
Location: Quito
Accommodation Name: Hilton Colon Quito
Welcome to Quito, where your hotel is available for mid-afternoon check-in.
ARRIVE IN QUITO, ECUADOR Welcome to Quito, where your hotel is available for mid-afternoon check-in.
Day 2: Quito
Location: Quito
Accommodation Name: Hilton Colon Quito
Meals Included: Breakfast
• 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.
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)
Day 3: Quito,Baltra (Embarkation),Galápagos Cruising: North Seymour Island
Location: North Seymour Island
Accommodation Name: Galápagos Legend
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Fly to Baltra and transfer with your expert Naturalist to the Galápagos Legend for your 3-night cruise. • Sail to North Seymour, a landmass formed by a series of underwater volcanic eruptions, which deposited layers of lava on the ocean floor. Take a walk amidst large nesting colonies of blue-footed boobies, magnificent and great frigate birds, and swallow-tailed gulls for an in-depth encounter with sea bird breeding cycles. You will also encounter sea lions, land iguanas and, on a lucky day, you might even come across the endemic Galápagos snake.
QUITO–BALTRA (EMBARKATION)–GALÁPAGOS CRUISING: NORTH SEYMOUR ISLAND • Fly to Baltra and transfer with your expert Naturalist to the Galápagos Legend for your 3-night cruise. • Sail to North Seymour, a landmass formed by a series of underwater volcanic eruptions, which deposited layers of lava on the ocean floor. Take a walk amidst large nesting colonies of blue-footed boobies, magnificent and great frigate birds, and swallow-tailed gulls for an in-depth encounter with sea bird breeding cycles. You will also encounter sea lions, land iguanas and, on a lucky day, you might even come across the endemic Galápagos snake.(B,L,D)
Day 4: Cruising: Bartolomé Island & Santiago Island
Location: Bartolomé Island & Santiago Island
Accommodation Name: Galápagos Legend
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Wake up at Bartolomé Island to discover a fascinating moonscape formed by volcanic parasitic cones. Hike to the summit for impressive views of the surrounding islands and Pinnacle Rock. You will also encounter marine iguanas, lava lizards, and blue-footed boobies. Bartolomé offers some of the best spots to snorkel, thanks to clear waters and abundant sea life, including sea turtles, white-tipped reef sharks, and maybe even Galápagos penguins. • This afternoon, sail to Sullivan Bay on Santiago Island and take a walk on young Pahoehoe lava flows formed during the last quarter of the 19th Century. See the reddish-yellow tuff-cones with various flora growing from the fissures. Walking on the solidified lava gives the impression of walking on another planet. After your guided walk, spend time snorkeling from the white sand beach where you may see penguins, sea lions, sharks, and rays.
CRUISING: BARTOLOMÉ ISLAND & SANTIAGO ISLAND • Wake up at Bartolomé Island to discover a fascinating moonscape formed by volcanic parasitic cones. Hike to the summit for impressive views of the surrounding islands and Pinnacle Rock. You will also encounter marine iguanas, lava lizards, and blue-footed boobies. Bartolomé offers some of the best spots to snorkel, thanks to clear waters and abundant sea life, including sea turtles, white-tipped reef sharks, and maybe even Galápagos penguins. • This afternoon, sail to Sullivan Bay on Santiago Island and take a walk on young Pahoehoe lava flows formed during the last quarter of the 19th Century. See the reddish-yellow tuff-cones with various flora growing from the fissures. Walking on the solidified lava gives the impression of walking on another planet. After your guided walk, spend time snorkeling from the white sand beach where you may see penguins, sea lions, sharks, and rays. (B,L,D)
Day 5: Cruising: San Cristobal Island
Location: San Cristobal Island
Accommodation Name: Galápagos Legend
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Arrive at Pitt Islet on San Cristobal and walk to the top of a volcanic tuff to be rewarded with several magnificent viewpoints. This is one of the few sites where the Galápagos’ three booby species (blue-footed, red-footed, and Nazca) can be seen together. You will also find the two species of frigate birds and a sea lion colony. The island waters are excellent for dinghy rides to see a range of seabirds—and a great spot to snorkel! • At Cerro Brujo, visit a lagoon where migratory bird species can be seen: black-necked stilts, ruddy turnstones, whimbrels, other sandpiper species, and white-cheeked pintails. Cerro Brujo offers beautiful views of Kicker Rock, the southern part of San Cristobal, and the adjacent coast. Your visit includes time to swim with the sea lions and other marine life.
CRUISING: SAN CRISTOBAL ISLAND • Arrive at Pitt Islet on San Cristobal and walk to the top of a volcanic tuff to be rewarded with several magnificent viewpoints. This is one of the few sites where the Galápagos’ three booby species (blue-footed, red-footed, and Nazca) can be seen together. You will also find the two species of frigate birds and a sea lion colony. The island waters are excellent for dinghy rides to see a range of seabirds—and a great spot to snorkel! • At Cerro Brujo, visit a lagoon where migratory bird species can be seen: black-necked stilts, ruddy turnstones, whimbrels, other sandpiper species, and white-cheeked pintails. Cerro Brujo offers beautiful views of Kicker Rock, the southern part of San Cristobal, and the adjacent coast. Your visit includes time to swim with the sea lions and other marine life. (B,L,D)
Day 6: Cruising: San Cristobal (Disembarkation),Guayaquil
Location: San Cristobal
Accommodation Name: Hilton Colon Guayaquil
Meals Included: Breakfast
• After breakfast, disembark in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno and visit the Giant Tortoise Reserve on San Cristobal. Learn about the national park’s conservation and breeding programs to protect the endangered tortoise species. • Also, visit the port village for a last chance at souvenirs before bidding farewell to the enchanted Galápagos Islands. • Transfer to San Cristobal Airport and fly to Guayaquil, where the remainder of the day is at leisure.
CRUISING: SAN CRISTOBAL (DISEMBARKATION)–GUAYAQUIL • After breakfast, disembark in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno and visit the Giant Tortoise Reserve on San Cristobal. Learn about the national park’s conservation and breeding programs to protect the endangered tortoise species. • Also, visit the port village for a last chance at souvenirs before bidding farewell to the enchanted Galápagos Islands. • Transfer to San Cristobal Airport and fly to Guayaquil, where the remainder of the day is at leisure. (B)
Day 7: Guayaquil
Location: Guayaquil
Accommodation Name: Hilton Colon Guayaquil
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
GUAYAQUIL Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
What's Included
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Accommodation
Accommodation in Hilton Colon Quito and Hilton Colon Guayaquil.
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Meals
Buffet breakfast daily; 3 lunches; 3 three-course dinners.
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Private City Tour in Quito
Included private city tour showcasing the rich legacy left by the Incas and the Spaniards.
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Galápagos Legend Cruise
3-night cruise aboard the Galápagos Legend with expert Naturalist.
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Guided Walks and Snorkeling
Guided walks and snorkeling opportunities at various islands including North Seymour Island, Bartolomé Island, Santiago Island, and San Cristobal Island.
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Giant Tortoise Reserve Visit
Visit to the Giant Tortoise Reserve on San Cristobal.
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Airport Transfers
Transfers to and from airports in Quito, Baltra, and San Cristobal.
What's Not Included
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Wet Landings
Guests will need to be able to jump in the water, out of the boats/zodiacs and walk a couple of meters to the beaches.
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Terrain
Terrain in the Galápagos Islands is rocky and uneven.
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Itinerary Changes
Galápagos Islands itineraries are fully subject to change.
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Maximum Elevation
Maximum elevation on tour is 9,350 ft.
in Quito.
Meals
Buffet breakfast daily; 3 lunches; 3 three-course dinners
Notes
Transportation is as outlined in the day-by-day itinerary and include private airport transfers to/from intra-vacation flights. Internal flights to/from the Galápagos are included. Local guide service is provied in Quito. A Naturalist in the Galápagos is also provided. In the Galápagos, there will be “wet landings” meaning guests will need to be able to jump in the water, out of the boats/zodiacs and walk a couple of meters to the beaches. Terrain is rocky and uneven. Itinerary in the Galápagos are subject to change. Maximum elevation is 9,350 ft.
UNESCO Sites
City of Quito|Galapagos Islands
Accommodation
Stay at the luxurious Hilton Colon Quito and Hilton Colon Guayaquil, offering comfort and convenience in prime locations. Enjoy a 3-night cruise aboard the Galápagos Legend, providing an immersive experience in the Galápagos Islands.
Mode of Transport
Fly to Baltra and transfer with your expert Naturalist to the Galápagos Legend for your 3-night cruise.
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of wildlife can I expect to see on North Seymour Island?
On North Seymour Island, you can expect to see large nesting colonies of blue-footed boobies, magnificent and great frigate birds, swallow-tailed gulls, sea lions, land iguanas, and possibly the endemic Galápagos snake.
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What activities are available on Bartolomé Island?
On Bartolomé Island, you can hike to the summit for impressive views, encounter marine iguanas, lava lizards, and blue-footed boobies, and snorkel in clear waters where you might see sea turtles, white-tipped reef sharks, and Galápagos penguins.
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What can I expect during the visit to Sullivan Bay on Santiago Island?
At Sullivan Bay on Santiago Island, you will walk on young Pahoehoe lava flows formed during the last quarter of the 19th Century, see reddish-yellow tuff-cones with various flora, and snorkel from the white sand beach where you may see penguins, sea lions, sharks, and rays.
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What unique bird species can be seen on San Cristobal Island?
On San Cristobal Island, you can see the Galápagos’ three booby species (blue-footed, red-footed, and Nazca), two species of frigate birds, and a sea lion colony.
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What is included in the visit to the Giant Tortoise Reserve on San Cristobal?
The visit to the Giant Tortoise Reserve on San Cristobal includes learning about the national park’s conservation and breeding programs to protect the endangered tortoise species.
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What are 'wet landings' and what should I be prepared for?
'Wet landings' mean that guests will need to be able to jump in the water from the boats/zodiacs and walk a couple of meters to the beaches. The terrain in the Galápagos Islands is rocky and uneven.
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What is the maximum elevation reached during the tour?
The maximum elevation reached during the tour is 9,350 ft. in Quito.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
For over 90 years.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest Covid-19 policies
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Travel documents, including any air tickets, itineraries, and other information, are available approximately two to three weeks prior to departure provided full payment has been received.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
The Globus Lighthouse Project - an illuminating initiative where we can all come together to tread lightly and give generously for the globe's greater good. Globus, along with sister companies Avalon Waterways and Cosmos, invite our travellers and partners to help us in supporting causes that provide for a more sustainable planet and a brighter tomorrow.
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Low Deposit
Globus requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of globus charges.
Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.