Overview
Independent Galapagos cruise aboard the Galápagos Legend
How deep is your love of adventure? Is it deep enough to follow the course of Charles Darwin to discover your own love affair with the wildlife paradise of the Galápagos Islands? If so, this Globus Independent tour in South America is pointing you in the right direction. Begin by exploring the historic heart of Quito and depart for parts unknown, where blue-footed boobies, giant tortoises, and diving iguanas of the Galápagos give new meaning to mind-blowing discoveries. Cruise in luxury on the Galápagos Legend and explore the archipelago in the company of a naturalist guide. Sail upon pristine waters to discover the perfectly evolved creatures who thrive on this volcanic archipelago. Stroll the sand where sea lions bask and albatross brace against the updrafts above the cliffs. Sail, snorkel, and simply stay in a state of astonishment through the islands of Santa Cruz, South Plaza Island, and other island sanctuaries of spectacular species. Visit the Giant Tortoise Reserve where conservationists work to protect the gentle giants for which the islands are named. Treat yourself to a tour that is exclusively yours with free time, me time, and optional adventures that speak to your independent spirit!
Highlights of Independent Galapagos cruise aboard the Galápagos Legend
Travelers Notes
Special features included in this tour:
- Private guided sightseeing of Quito’s colonial center, including Independence Square and the Basilica
- 3-night Galápagos cruise aboard the Galápagos Legend with naturalist-led excursions
- Landing at North Seymour Island to view blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds, and sea lions
- Hike to the summit of Bartolomé Island with panoramic views of Pinnacle Rock
- Landing at Santiago Island’s Sullivan Bay for a guided hike and snorkeling
- Visit to San Cristobal’s Pitt Islet and Cerro Brujo lagoon for seabird viewing and snorkeling
- Guided visit to the Giant Tortoise Reserve on San Cristobal Island
- Roundtrip internal flights between mainland Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands
Product Group
Independent Galapagos cruise aboard the Galápagos Legend
Independent Tour
Venture further to enjoy the world your way without the group. The experts at Globus put Peace of Mind first in travel planning. We take care of the details with included hotel accommodations, daily breakfasts and select meals, guided sightseeing, and transportation between cities. Explore confidently, knowing your Globus Local Hosts and GlobusGO mobile app provide you with tips and recommendations to personalize your tour and see the world your way.
UNESCO Sites
City of Quito|Galapagos Islands
Notes
Transportation is as outlined in the day-by-day itinerary and includes private airport transfers to/from intra-vacation flights. Internal flights to/from the Galápagos are included. Local Guide service is provided 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 is subject to change. Maximum elevation is 9,350 ft.This vacation includes the following intra-vacation air segments in the vacation price: Quito/Galápagos & Galápagos/Guayaquil. Galápagos package includes Galápagos National Park entrance fee and transit card
Meals
Buffet breakfast daily; 3 lunches; 3 three-course dinners
Itineraries
Day 1
ARRIVE IN QUITO, ECUADOR Welcome to Quito, where your hotel is available for mid-afternoon check-in.
Day 2
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 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)
Day 4
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)
Day 5
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)
Day 6
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)
Day 7
GUAYAQUIL Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
Departures
Hotels
| # | Name | Description | City | Address | Rating |
| 1 | Hilton Colon Quito (SAT) | The Hilton Colon Quito hotel is 10 minute walk from the colonial Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This modern hotel enjoys spectacular views of the city. Amenities include a fitness center, spa, outdoor heated pool, 5 restaurants/lounges, laundry service, concierge, florist, barber shop, and gift shop. | Quito | Ave Amazonas N 1914 Y Patria Avenida 1 | Superior First-Class |
| 2 | Hilton Colon Guayaquil - SAT | Combining excellent service and a laid-back resort feel, Hilton Colon Guayaquil is conveniently located only a few minutes from Jose Joaquin de Olmedo International Airport. The hotel is the perfect retreat for those traveling to and from the Galapagos Islands. | Guayaquil | Av Francisco de Orellana Mz 111 | Moderate Deluxe |
