Quito & Galapagos Southern Loop

Quito, Ecuador’s capital, sits high in the Andean foothills at an altitude of 2,850m. Constructed on the foundations of an ancient Incan city, it’s known for its well-preserved colonial center, rich with 16th- and 17th-century churches and other structures blending European, Moorish and indigenous styles. These include the cathedral, in the Plaza Grande square, and ultra-ornate Compañia de Jesús Jesuit church.

Quito, Ecuador’s capital, sits high in the Andean foothills at an altitude of 2,850m. Constructed on the foundations of an ancient Incan city, it’s known for its well-preserved colonial center, rich with 16th- and 17th-century churches and other structures blending European, Moorish and indigenous styles. These include the cathedral, in the Plaza Grande square, and ultra-ornate Compañia de Jesús Jesuit church.

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 Celebrity Xpedition, a 296-foot mega-yacht and your home for the week.

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 Celebrity Xpedition, a 296-foot mega-yacht and your home for the week.

Only 525 feet wide and less than a half a mile long, Mosquera Islet may be tiny, but it’s home to the one of the largest sea lion populations in the Galapagos. This narrow sandy expanse is situated in the channel between Baltra and North Seymour Island and offers a perfect opportunity for sea lion watching. Step ashore and you’re sure to see a sea lion or 10, basking in the sun or frolicking in the water nearby. They’re a playful bunch and very entertaining to watch. Just don’t get too close. The males can be aggressive if they think you’re encroaching on their territory. Just offshore, you might catch a glimpse of an orca pod. They often cruise the area looking for snacks, which can sometimes include sea lions.

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.

The landscapes of this small island are visually stunning. It’s the top of an old volcanic cone bathed in crimson. The rocks and sand are hued brilliant red and sit amid coves of clear aqua blue water. A short hike up a steep hill provides for several spectacular overlooks, while you search the high cactus for finches and other birds. A Zodiac ride along the coast is also an option, as guests look for sea lions, fur seals, and birds. A brackish lagoon just behind the landing site sometimes provides an extraordinary opportunity?to get up close and personal with flamingos—a photographer’s dream, when it happens. A swim off the beach or snorkel along the shore afterwards is just the way to end the day.

About one million years ago, six volcanoes (five of which are still active) coalesced to form seahorse-shaped Isabela, the largest of the Galapagos Islands. At 1,790 square miles, it’s larger than all of the other islands combined, and, because it’s located on the western edge of the archipelago near the Galápagos hotspot, it’s one the world’s most volcanically active places. While many of the Galapagos islands are home to wildlife only, Isabela had a robust population of 1,749 in the 2006 census. From Tagus Cove on the northwestern side (which sheltered whalers, pirates, and buccaneers in days of old) to the laid-back resort town of Puerto Villamil at its southern tip, the island offers visitors a dazzling variety of terrains, wildlife and experiences. The Cromwell Current hits the base of Isabela’s west coast, causing nutrient-rich water to up well creating the perfect feeding environment for ground for fish, whales, dolphins, and birds. Because 16 species of whales have been identified in the area (including humpbacks, sperms, sei, minkes and orcas), it’s regarded as the best place to see whales in the Galapagos. As is often the case in the region, animal species abound. Visitors can hope to see penguins, cormorants, marine iguanas, boobies, pelicans, Sally Lightfoot crabs, Galápagos land iguanas, Darwin’s finches, Galápagos hawks, and Galápagos doves. There are many and varied ways to encounter wildlife on Isabela: at Moreno Point, near Elizabeth Bay on the west coast, visitors traverse a lava path to find pools at which a wide variety of birds feed. Vicente Roca Point offers some of the most dramatic landscapes in the Galapagos and the opportunity to see the remains of Ecuador Volcano

Located on Isla Santa Maria (Floreana). Bring your postcards with you to a special spot on this island called Post Office Bay. It’s the historical site where an 18th-century whaling crew placed the wooden barrel that tourists still use today as a post office.

Floreana was the first capital of the Galapagos and where Charles Darwin 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 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 we offer a deepwater snorkel at nearby Champion Island.

Another stop on San Cristobal Island brings the opportunity to explore a fascinating geologic landscape, beach, and satellite volcanic cone. Zodiac rides along the shore bring you to a huge natural cutout that makes for a unique photo opportunity and then swings into a natural cathedral of towering rocks that is nothing less than astonishing. Along the way crabs and shorebirds dot the volcanic landscape. Afterwards, you are brought to a fine white sand beach for a short walk and/or swim amidst a colony of sea lions. A sunset circumnavigation around the spectacular eroded volcanic cone of Kicker Rock is the perfect way to end the day.

Off the northwest coast of San Cristobal lies Kicker Rock, where thousands of years ago a volcanic eruption left behind enormous vertical rock faces that rise nearly 500 feet from the ocean. There are actually two volcanic rocks here, with a channel between where small boats can navigate. Nicknamed Sleeping Lion because of its shape, Kicker Rock is an important ecological monument as it’s home to many species of nesting birds including frigates and blue-footed boobies. It’s also magnificent for snorkeling as tropical fish are abundant and the water is crystal clear.

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.

Santa Cruz is the second-largest island in the Galapagos and home to Puerto Ayora (the largest town in the islands). In 1959, the Ecuadorian government declared all the islands, except areas already colonized, as a national park. In the same year, the Charles Darwin Foundation was founded to promote scientific research and ensure the conservation of the Galapagos. In 1992, the waters surrounding the Galapagos were declared a marine reserve. Here, you have the opportunity to visit a giant tortoise reserve in the lushly vegetated highlands, where the animals roam free in their natural habitat. On another excursion, a short drive through town brings you to the Galapagos Park Service giant tortoise breeding station and the Charles Darwin Research Station. Afterwards there is time to wander through the lovely streets of Puerto Ayora for some shopping.

One of Espanola’s and the islands true gems, Punta Suarez is where wildlife viewing is at its very best. A hike from the beach over boulders to the steep southern cliffs leads to a dramatic blowhole where water can gush up to 50 feet into the air. Along the way, you’ll pass through a sea lion colony (make sure you avoid stepping on colorful marine iguanas), and walk past an abundance of Nazca boobies nesting on the nearby rocks. Blue-footed boobies, Galapagos hawks, mockingbirds, finches, and red-billed tropic birds also make their home at this end of the island. From about May to December, Espanola hosts the only colony of Waved Albatross in the Galapagos. It’s a special treat to catch a courtship dance or watch the juveniles try to take off at the Albatross Airport.

Gardner Bay on Espanola’s northern side hosts one of the longest beaches in the Galapagos, and a beautiful way to start the day. During a morning walk along a soft white sand beach, you’ll visit a sea lion colony, look for pups playing in shallow water pools, and search for the startlingly red Sally Lightfoot crabs, shorebirds, and marine iguanas. Afterwards, go for a swim, snorkel or just relax on the sparkling white sand.

The cliff shore of the island is home for sea lions, pelicans, blue footed boobies and tropic bird. In addition, large schools of fish can be observed from the zodiac rides.

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 Celebrity Xpedition, a 296-foot mega-yacht and your home for the week.

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 Celebrity Xpedition, a 296-foot mega-yacht and your home for the week.

Quito, Ecuador’s capital, sits high in the Andean foothills at an altitude of 2,850m. Constructed on the foundations of an ancient Incan city, it’s known for its well-preserved colonial center, rich with 16th- and 17th-century churches and other structures blending European, Moorish and indigenous styles. These include the cathedral, in the Plaza Grande square, and ultra-ornate Compañia de Jesús Jesuit church.

Quito, Ecuador’s capital, sits high in the Andean foothills at an altitude of 2,850m. Constructed on the foundations of an ancient Incan city, it’s known for its well-preserved colonial center, rich with 16th- and 17th-century churches and other structures blending European, Moorish and indigenous styles. These include the cathedral, in the Plaza Grande square, and ultra-ornate Compañia de Jesús Jesuit church.