Darwin's
 Galapagos

Google
This site Web

Home | Galapagos pictures | Travel basics  Travel - details | Seasons / weather | History | Site map | Voyage of the Beagle
Request Information about a Galapagos trip | Animal Groups

Trip Details

Celebrity Xpedition - All Inclusive - 5 Star Service - Southwestern
Hiking, Photography, Snorkeling, Wildlife, Good Food, Comfortable Cabins - 11 Days

Ship Name: Celebrity Xpedition - Expedition Ship - 96 passengers
Activities: Birding, Snorkeling, Wildlife Viewing, Zodiac Tours. See a video here

Testimonials     Ship types

Galapagos Cruise - Celebrity Xpedition - Southeas
Galapagos Cruise - Celebrity Xpedition - Southeas

Galapagos Tours and Cruises aboard Celebrity Xpedition
Highlights

Expect five-star service, wonderful food and a very nice cabin. This is truly a quality cruise (you will be very comfortable!) with a "lighter" natural history program. All-inclusive package program.

Summary

Experience a truly intimate encounter with the Galapagos. Operated by the only major cruise line sailing these waters, she offers touches of the familiar, such as complimentary plush bathrobes, hot tub, sauna, and fitness room. This cruise is all-inclusive—from hotel accommodations to transfers, to round-trip Galapagos airfare, to Park fees and drinks. Excursions range between high, medium and low intensity so you can explore the islands at your own pace. Additionally, strict environmental guidelines and regulations are followed, and the naturalist guides are certified by the Galapagos National Park and they also follow their own conservation program onboard.

Itinerary

Trips start and end at the same place, but on alternate weeks cruise a southeasterly or southwesterly route.

The first and last three days are the same for each cruise

Day 1 - SE & SW: Quito, Ecuador
On the first day of your journey, you'll be greeted at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy free time to relax and settle in.

Day 2 - SE & SW: Quito, Ecuador
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.

Day 3 - SE & SW: Baltra Island / Daphne Island
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 and where you will meet the ship. After just a short bus and Zodiac ride you will be aboard. Your luggage will be delivered straight to your stateroom, giving you the opportunity to explore the Xpedition, a 296-foot mega-yacht and your home for the week.

Daphne is a satellite volcanic cone located north of Santa Cruz Island. The crater floor is an important breeding site for the blue-footed boobies. This island is famous for the scientific investigation led by Peter and Rosemary Grant on the finches' population, one of the most important studies on the field that support Charles Darwin's theory. The cliff shore of the island is home for sea lions, pelicans, blue-footed boobies, and tropic birds. In addition, large schools of fish can be observed from the Zodiac rides.

Southwest Cruise - 11 Days
 1: Quito, Ecuador
 2: Quito, Ecuador
 3: Baltra Is. / Daphne Island
 4: Espanola Island
 5: Floreana Island
 6: Isabela Island
7: Isabela Island / Fernandina Island
8: South Plaza Island / Santa Fe Island
9: Santa Cruz Island
10: Baltra Island
11: Quito, Ecuador


Southwesterly Cruise

Day 4 - SW: Espanola Island
A long white sand beach and clear blue waters make Gardner Bay an ideal spot for swimming, snorkeling, or just relaxing on the beach. In the water, sea turtles, rays, colorful tropical fish, and maybe even a white-tip reef shark may be seen. It is also home to a colony of sea lions. Excursion options include beach walking, swimming, or a deep water snorkel for experienced snorkelers.

Espanola is the oldest island in the Galapagos and is home to an abundance of wildlife. At the site of Suarez Point, visitors can expect to see sea lions, Galapagos hawks, marine iguanas, and both blue-footed and Nazca boobies. And, between late March to the following January, the waved albatross come here to mate and raise their young. Excursion options include a long, rocky walk to look for albatross and observe an impressive blowhole that spews water like a towering geyser.

Day 5 - SW: Floreana Island
Floreana was the first capital of the Galapagos and where Charles Darwin first met the islands' governor. Its 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. Excursion options near Cormorant Point include a relatively short walk to the lagoon and sea turtle-nesting beach, and optional snorkeling and swimming at the landing beach. In addition, for experienced snorkelers only, a deep water snorkel is offered near Champion Island.

Rich in history, Post Office Bay is home to the post office barrel established in about 1793 where whalers and others could leave their mail to be picked up by outbound ships. Continue the tradition and during your short visit, post your own letter or postcards at this early mail stop.

Day 6 - SW: Isabela Island
Along the beautiful rocky shore at Moreno Point, a field of hardened black lava flows is pockmarked by shallow pools, which are home to shorebirds and flamingos. The mangrove-lined shore also provides a chance to see marine iguanas, sea turtles, stingrays, sharks, penguins, and the flightless cormorant. Excursion options include a long walk and Zodiac ride, or an extended Zodiac ride.

Composed of five coalesced volcanoes, this is the largest island in the Galapagos and the most recently active. The latest eruption occurred in 2009. Here at Urvina Bay on Isabela Island, you will see large land iguanas, finches, and if lucky, a giant tortoise or two. In 1954, the intrusion of magma below one of the island's volcanoes caused part of the bay to be uplifted some six meters. Today, you can walk through the remains of what was once a thriving underwater reef. Excursion options include a long, faster-paced hike with some rock climbing required, followed by an optional snorkel (if conditions allow), or a short walk and optional snorkel.

Day 7 - SW: Isabela Island / Fernandina Island
The half-collapsed remains of an ancient volcano make for a spectacular setting at Vicente Roca Point on Isabela Island. Awe-inspiring cliffs, blue waters, and wildlife create a Zodiac ride to remember as you search for sea turtles, penguins, fur seals, the flightless cormorant, marine iguanas, marine mammals, and the oddly-shaped form of the elusive sunfish.

Fernandina is the youngest island in the Galapagos and as Darwin wrote, it is "covered with immense deluges of black naked lava." With its extraordinary black lava rocks, Espinoza Point hosts the largest colony of marine iguanas in the archipelago, along with sea lions and a nesting site for flightless cormorants. Excursion options include a long walk, a Zodiac ride and short walk, as well as a deep water snorkel for experienced snorkelers.

Day 8 - SW: South Plaza Isand / Santa Fe Island
One of two twin islands off Santa Cruz, South Plaza was born of upheaval, uplifted during a geological event. The rocky island is strewn with prickly pear cactus and is home to land iguanas, marine iguanas, and a colony of sea lions. Your excursion here is a short walk to view wildlife, flora, and geology.

Southeast of Santa Cruz, the small uplifted island of Santa Fe is dotted with cactus and is home to some of the largest land iguanas in the islands. Lava lizards, sea lions, Galapagos hawks, finches, and the Galapagos Mockingbird may be seen. Excursion options include a short walk, and an optional deep water snorkel

Day 9 - SE & SW: Santa Cruz Island
Puerto Ayora is the main population center of the islands, home to the National Park Tortoise Breeding Center and the Charles Darwin Research Station. Visit the Tortoise Breeding Center, and hopefully say hello to one of the island's most famous residents, Lonesome George, as well as walk through the Charles Darwin Station. You will also have the opportunity to take a bus ride to the highlands to observe giant tortoises in the wild and walk through a lava tunnel. There will also be free time available for shopping.

Day 10 - SE & SW: Baltra Island
Return to Baltra Island and say farewell to the enchanted islands. A representative will greet you at the airport for your flight to your post-cruise Quito experience. Your luggage will be transferred from the ship directly to the plane. Your flight departs the Galapagos giving you one last glimpse of the world's most treasured archipelago.

Day 11 - SE & SW: Quito, Ecuador
Upon your arrival to Quito, a representative will escort you to your hotel. Enjoy an optional afternoon excursion to the local craft market, time permitting. Dinner is served at your hotel. The following morning, after a continental breakfast, your representative will once again escort you to the airport for your return flight home.

*The above rates are per person based on double occupancy and serve as a guideline only. Fares increase by cabin category and as the sailing date approaches. Please contact ExpeditionTrips for exact rates.

Single Rate: 2 times the regular cabin category double occupancy rate.

Triple Rate: Triple occupancy cabins are available upon request and rates will vary depending on the sail date.

Additional Costs:
International Airfare
Fuel surcharge may apply

Price includes Galapagos airfare, 3 nights hotel and transfers.

Included:
Voyage aboard Xpedition; meals and select beverages onboard; room service; onboard programs and lectures; complimentary snorkeling equipment, mini wetsuits, binoculars, and walking sticks; gratuities while onboard for crew, lecturers, and guides; Galapagos National Park fee; Galapagos tourist card fee; pre-cruise transfer from Quito Airport to hotel and back; two nights in shared double occupancy hotel room in Quito before flight to Baltra; meals during land portion of itinerary; a guided full-day tour of Quito; round-trip air transportation from Quito to Baltra; transfers from Baltra Airport to Xpedition; gratuities for hotel staff and Quito tour guides; post-cruise transfers from Xpedition to Baltra Airport; one post-cruise night at hotel with dinner and breakfast; transfer from hotel to Quito Airport. Subject to change without notice.

Not Included:
Air transportation between home city and Quito; any food or beverages obtained off of Celebrity Xpedition (except as noted); purchases of souvenirs, gifts and other personal items on board; personal services such as spa, laundry, Internet, and telecommunication charges; baggage, travel/cancellation and personal insurance; optional pre/post packages; certain premium beverages; fuel surcharge may apply.

Galapagos travel home page

Tell me more about a trip to the Galapagos
 

Galapagos Cruises
The following are representative, please use the form above to help us find your perfect trip
Trips leave year round

Santa Cruz - Southeastern
Expedition ship - families
90 passengers - 5 days
Santa Cruz - Northern
Expedition ship - families
90 passengers
5 days from $3,388
Santa Cruz - Southwestern
Expedition ship - families
90 passengers - 6 days
Celebrity Xpedition - Southeastern
Luxury vessel
Natural history "lite"
96 passengers - 11 days
Celebrity Xpedition - Southwestern
Luxury vessel
Natural history "lite"
96 passengers - 11 days
Galapagos Sky
Diving option
Dive boat
16 passengers
8 days from $5,695
Cachalote I - North-South
Small sailboat, ideal for charter
16 passengers
8 days from $3,400
Cachalote I - Western
Small sailboat, ideal for charter
16 passengers
8 days from $3,400
Eric / Letty
Northwestern Cruise
Motor Yachts, good guides, kayaking options
20 passengers
8 days from $4,500
Eric / Letty
Southern Cruise
Motor Yachts, good guides, kayaking options
20 passengers
8 days from $4,500
Recommended reading


Wildlife of the Galapagos



Galapagos: Islands Born of Fire



Ecuador and Galapagos
Adventure Map


More Galapagos Travel Books

Request details for your own cruise to the Galapagos   |   Galapagos basics


copyright 2005 to present Paul Ward |  
privacy policy