It was our second go to to the Galapagos Islands, and we have been excited to affix Hurtigruten Expeditions to go island hopping in Darwin’s Footsteps on their newly refurbished Santa Cruz II. This actually was our dream Galapagos Cruise. The primary time we visited Galapagos Nationwide Park, we stayed on land and took water taxis and shuttles from island to island. That was enjoyable, however this journey with Hurtigruten Expeditions was luxurious, adventurous, informative, and enjoyable. We had a good time on the ship with solely 39 like-minded passengers. We felt like we had our personal private service as 60 knowledgeable guides and crew members taken care of our each want.
In regards to the Galapagos Islands
The Galapagos islands are a haven for an astonishing number of endemic species, from the well-known big tortoises to the playful sea lions and the colourful blue-footed boobies; you will notice animals which can be distinctive solely to those enchanted islands. The Galapagos marine iguana is the one iguana on the planet that feeds underwater, and Galápagos penguins are the one penguin species within the northern hemisphere. The wildlife right here was the inspiration for Charles Darwin’s concept of evolution.
The place are the Galapagos Islands?
The Galapagos archipelago contains 18 predominant islands off the coast of mainland Ecuador in the midst of the Pacific Ocean. These volcanic islands are among the many most remoted locations on Earth, and the easiest way to see them is by expedition cruise. All through our Galapagos journey, we spied on distinctive marine life and visited totally different islands boasting distinct ecosystems and landscapes, starting from lush highlands to barren volcanic terrain.
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With strict conservation efforts in place, the Galapagos Islands stay one of the crucial unspoiled pure paradises on earth, inviting vacationers to witness the wonders of evolution in actual time. We cruised the east Galapagos Islands, following the footsteps of Charles Darwin, who developed his Concept of Pure Choice after visiting the Galapagos.
Finest Galapagos Cruise
Following in Darwin Footsteps is the perfect route for a Galapagos cruise to introduce you to all of the highlights of Galapagos Nationwide Park in a short while. Being on provides a singular vantage level to discover this UNESCO Biosphere Reserve as you sail to distant locations and discover islands free from different folks.
About HX Hurtigruten Expeditions
Hurtigruten based Expedition Cruising in 1896 and is the chief in sustainable cruising. It’s the largest operator by capability in expedition cruising and is taken into account among the best Galapagos cruises within the Galapagos Islands.
In case you are trying to find an expedition ship to take to the Galápagos Islands, the Santa Cruz II was improbable. Plus it runs with carbon-neutral operations, is environmentally sustainable, and works with the local people.
It was giant sufficient to have all of the comforts you want but sufficiently small to get to the hard-to-reach locations. This expedition cruise supplied gourmand eating with wine pairings, luxurious cabins, native Galapagos consultants, and customized service.
What’s Included on a Galapagos Cruise?
When on the MS Santa Cruz II, breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the principle restaurant, drinks (home beer and wine, sodas, and mineral water) are included. All excursions, together with snorkeling, glass backside boat excursions, stand-up paddleboarding, panga rides, kayaking, mountaineering, and day excursions, are additionally included.
The Darwin Analysis Station, Tortoise Farm, Cultural Experiences, and metropolis excursions are additionally all included.
On the ship, complimentary snacks, tea, and low are included all through the day. The one issues you must pay for when onboard are drinks on the bar (albeit they’re cheap and so they have a number of completely satisfied hours all through the journey) and any souvenirs that you could be need.
Gratuities are additionally included in Hurtigruten cruises, so that you don’t want to fret about what to tip crew and guides on the finish of the journey. Though a bit of additional is at all times appreciated.
The Santa Cruz II even had free laundry with washers and dryers on deck. We relaxed within the scorching tubs after a day of mountaineering and washed our garments on the identical time.
Hurtigruten has greater than a century of expedition expertise and continuously evolves its conservation efforts.
HX based Expedition Cruising in 1896 and is the international chief in sustainable cruising. As we speak, it’s the largest operator by capability in expedition cruising. HX provides massive adventures on small, custom-built ships to over 250 locations in additional than 30 nations from pole to pole and is dedicated to being a catalyst for change towards a greener journey business. Hurtigruten additionally launched the world’s first battery hybrid-powered cruise ship (2019), and have since added two extra They have been the primary to ban heavy gasoline oil (2009) and single-use plastics (2018). When selecting a Galapagos Cruise, you possibly can really feel snug realizing that this firm is taking additional precautions to protect the atmosphere, wildlife, and cultures of the vacation spot.
Our six-day Galapagos cruise took us by way of a number of jap islands the place we might go snorkeling, sea kayaking, mountaineering, SUP, and zodiac cruising by way of the archipelago searching for marine life similar to sea turtles, sharks, and sea lions.
We had an opulent expertise from the second we landed in Quito to our remaining vacation spot within the rainforest of Mashpi Lodge. In complete, we spent two weeks in Ecuador, with six of our days exploring the Galapagos Archipelago.
We arrived in Quito at night time, the place the HX Expeditions workforce met us and drove us by non-public switch to the luxurious JW Marriott Resort Quito. This resort is top-notch notch, with stylish rooms, a fantastic swimming pool, a number of eating places, and a lounge.
We cherished having a little bit of time to loosen up on this attractive property.
Pre-Tour in Quito – Cotopaxi Volcano
Most itineraries begin in Quito and provides passengers a day or two within the metropolis and ours was no exception. Many individuals additionally go for pre-trips to Machu Pichu to see the Inca empire, the cloud forest, or discover Lima Peru. Hey, it’s your dream Galapagos cruise, you possibly can see as a lot or as little as you want!
After a very good night time’s relaxation, we joined the HX expeditions workforce within the foyer of the JW Marriott for a day journey to the Cotopaxi Volcano and surrounding villages.
Cotopaxi is likely one of the prime day journeys from Quito and was included as a pre-tour to our Galapagos journey. Only a brief drive from the capital, Cotopaxi Nationwide Park is house to the majestic Cotopaxi Volcano, one of many highest energetic volcanoes on the planet.
After a hike across the lake to soak up the views of the volcanic cone, we stopped at a hacienda for lunch, adopted by the chance to feed lamas the cutest lamas. We additionally stopped at close by cities to discover markets and get immersed within the tradition with our native information…
Day 1 – Fly to Baltra Island (Aka South Seymour Island)
It was an early morning wake-up name to fly to the Galapagos Islands. We have been up at 4:30 am for breakfast after which a 45-minute drive to the airport. The flight to the Galapagos Islands takes about 2 1/2 hours from Quito, with a brief cease at Guayaquil on the coast.
The Galapagos Islands are distant. They’re a tiny archipelago 1,369 km off the coast of South America with no different land in sight. It actually looks like you might be an early explorer if you land on the islands.
Galápagos Nationwide Park rules are strict (rightfully so), and all of us had our baggage scanned for something that might contaminate the vacation spot. Earlier than flying from Quito and upon touchdown within the Galapagos.
One within the Galápagos Islands, we have been greeted by the Hurtigruten employees and the resident land iguanas on the native airport. With that form of welcome, we knew we have been in for a deal with as we toured the enchanted islands.
Welcome Assembly and Emergency Drills
We gathered our baggage and made our strategy to our transfers to the ship. Hopping on zodiacs, we have been on the MS Santa Cruz II in a flash, the place we have been fed lunch and had an introduction to the week.
Lunch was a buffet adopted by a predominant course and dessert. We might even have wine or beer if we felt prefer it. However, with excursions available, our day was simply getting began!
After lunch, we met on the muster stations for our emergency drill and discovered how we’d be disembarking to ship. As soon as we have been completed, we grabbed our PFDs (private floating gadgets), met within the library and disembarked in teams of 8 – 10 folks for our first island vacation spot.
Mosquera Island – Hike on the Seashore
Our first afternoon within the Galapagos was already off to a tremendous begin with a day tour that started with a panga journey (chances are you’ll know pangas as zodiacs), the place we explored the ocean cliffs of Mosquera Island. We spied frigate birds, blue-footed boobies, and pelicans alongside its rocky shore.
After an hour on the water, we have been let off on probably the most pristine white sand seaside you’ll ever see. This was our first encounter with sea lions of their pure habitat, and it didn’t disappoint. We walked alongside the pristine seaside watching frigate birds construct nests and puff their purple chests to draw a mate, loved sea lions enjoying within the surf and basking on the sand, and watched Sally Foot Crabs flitter round within the sand.
Because the solar set, we returned to the pangas in time for supper and a welcome toast with the captain
Day 2 – San Cristobal – Puerto Baquerizo Moreno
No journey to the Galapagos Islands could be full with out getting within the water and most Galapagos cruises supply a number of alternatives for snorkeling. We had a number of probabilities to go swimming, but in addition snorkeling. For individuals who need to discover the underwater world, all snorkeling gear is included. Our expedition cruise had moist fits, snorkels, fins, and even inflatable life preservers if you happen to needed additional buoyancy.
We met the expedition workforce on deck to get all of our gear, and after a frenzy of attempting on fits and becoming our discover, we have been able to go. This was our snorkeling gear for the following week, and we saved it on deck with our room quantity on it so we didn’t odor up our rooms. Moist fits may be fairly smelly.
As we speak was additionally the day we explored San Cristobal Island. Beginning with a panga journey, we had a wonderful sunny day on the water, viewing sea arches, sea cliffs, and the magnificent Kicker Rock. The final time we have been within the Galapagos Islands, we snorkeled at Kicker Rock and it was a tremendous place to view Galapagos sharks.
Morning Panga Tour to the seaside and snorkeling for the primary time. The water was heat and blue and this gave us a very good likelihood to check out our snorkeling gear from the shore earlier than our upcoming deep water snorkels.
Large Tortoise Breeding Heart
There isn’t a doubt that probably the most iconic wildlife on the Galapagos are the large tortoises. The pleasant giants dwell to 200 years outdated and may weigh as much as 800 kilos! We had three totally different alternatives to see big tortoises with our first cease being the latest tortoise breeding middle on the Galapagos Islands, the David Rodriguez Centro de Crianza de Tortugas Terrestres.
We had the possibility to see child tortoises and juveniles of their pure habitat. There have been 15 species of big tortoises on the Galapagos Islands however at this time there are solely 11. Nevertheless, they’ll quickly be saying that they discovered one other species that survived extinction so there are actually 12.
Tortoises have been almost worn out as a consequence of whalers and pirates taking tortoises to their ships to make use of as meals. As a result of big tortoises can go for therefore lengthy with out meals and water, they made glorious meals for people with little entry to meat.
Sadly, their numbers dropped considerably. At one time there have been almost 100,000 big tortoises on the Galapagos. As we speak with the entire conservation efforts, their numbers have climbed to twenty,000.
San Cristobal Downtown
It was then free time to take pleasure in downtown San Cristobal. This city is legendary for the colony of sea lions that bask on its shores. Right here you’ll discover sea lions on the sidewalks, on park benches, and even in boats. They’ve fenced off the city for the reason that final time we have been right here in order that they now should work a bit more durable to get into city, however some nonetheless sneak by way of, and it’s so cute.
Day 3 – Santa Fe Island
Panga Trip to the seaside with loads of sea lions. There are stunning cacti on the island and plenty of land iguanas. Santa Fe Land Iguana – yellow – or smiling iguana. Longest hike with loads of iguanas – escape into teams of 8 – 12 folks.
After lunch, we had a pictures chat to learn to take higher images with our iPhones and cameras as our ship moved on to the following location.
Deep Water Snorkeling
The snorkeling at Santa Fe Island was precisely what you’d count on of snorkeling within the Galapagos. We performed with sea lions as they blew bubbles in our faces and zipped round us in circles. They appeared as in the event that they have been enjoying a sport of “let’s see how shut we will get to the people with out truly touching them.”
After enjoying with them for a while, our information Claudia informed us that there have been sea turtles close by. We swam to observe them gracefully swim by way of the water.
After admiring their magnificence, two noticed eagle rays swam in our path and we had the possibility to swim with them for a bit.
The water was crystal clear, heat, and calm. We spent greater than an hour having fun with the colourful fish, marine iguanas, and underwater world.
Day 4 – Santa Cruz Island
Santa Cruz Island is legendary for the Charles Darwin Analysis Station. This tour took us to a different big tortoise breeding middle with a deal with training. We discovered all concerning the evolution of animals of the Galapagos, its historical past, and naturally Darwin’s concept of evolution.
We even noticed Darwin’s finches, nevertheless, we discovered that it was truly the mockingbird that was essential in his theories and the truth that folks say it was the Galapagos finch is a fable.
It was then time to pay our respects to Lonesome George. This tortoise died in 2012 however lives on as a reminder to preserve and protect. He was the final of his species of Large Tortoise and even with all of the efforts put forth to assist him breed, he by no means did produce offspring and when he died, his species died with him.
Rancho Mayzanillo
After studying all concerning the tortoises and seeing them on the analysis middle, we lastly had the possibility to see them of their pure habitat. Driving as much as our subsequent vacation spot, we noticed tortoises on the highway, tortoises within the fields, and tortoises beside cows, they have been all over the place.
We walked by way of the grounds and noticed a whole bunch of big tortoises going about their every day lives. We even noticed a pair mating. It was uplifting to see how they’re now thriving in at this time’s atmosphere.
Day 5 – Espanola Island
As we speak was one other spectacular day with panga rides, science corners, sea lions, boobies, and nature however what made at this time totally different was our go to to the bridge to go to the captain.
HX Expeditions has an open-door coverage the place you possibly can go to the captain anytime. All you have to do is ask the entrance desk if it’s a good time, and they’ll notify the bridge that you just’ll be stopping by.
The captain was welcoming and informative exhibiting us how the crew navigates by way of the islands, explaining the gear and mapping, and going by way of the every day lifetime of being a captain. It was fascinating.
It is rather cool to hang around on the bridge and watch the officers effortlessly sail the ship by way of an unforgiving atmosphere. Should you ever can go to the bridge, we extremely advocate you’re taking it!
Day 6 – Mosquera Island Eden Island
Snorkel with sharks
Our remaining day ended with our most intense snorkeling journey. Our information had watched us all week to see how effectively our group might deal with the water. This was the day we lastly noticed sharks. The water was uneven however clear, and after spending a number of days snorkeling within the Galapagos, we have been relaxed and ready. Plus, we had a information in the back and front to control us all as we snorkeled within the swift present.
It was a spectacular feeling to leap from the pangas and immediately see half a dozen sharks beneath. There may be nothing higher than snorkeling within the Galapagos.
For these not snug snorkeling, there was an choice for glass-bottom boat excursions so everybody had the possibility to benefit from the marine lifetime of the islands. It actually caters to each degree of journey you might be snug with.
A Galapagos Cruise is on many individuals’s bucket lists and we cherished our time on this remoted area of the world. Whereas it is vitally totally different from different cruise locations, if you’re prepared for an journey you’ll take house reminiscences that may final a lifetime.