Galapagos Inner Route with Celebrity Cruises

During your guided tour of the capital of Ecuador, situated at an altitude of 9,350 feet, you’ll stand on the equatorial line at the Intiñan Solar Museum, and marvel at the monastery of San Francisco and la Compañia Church. 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.

Daphne Island is usually only ever open to scientists, so visiting this important wildlife hub is a truly treasurable experience. Keep your eyes peeled for Nazca and blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds, swallow tailed gulls and more tropical birds, as well as sea lions and large schools of fish. Back on Celebrity Flora, continue your research in the Discovery Lounge, where the naturalists host engaging presentations on the wonderful wildlife and geology of the destination.

Spend the morning discovering the unique Galapagos geology of Puerto Egas on Santiago Island, home to a striking black sand beach and scenic walking trails, as well as offering the opportunity to spot various birds, endemic marine iguanas, sea lions and fur seals. Onwards to Rabida Island – nicknamed ‘Mars on Earth’ – where beaches of red sand, landscapes dominated by prickly pear cacti and more wonderful wildlife await.

Explore the rich mangroves of Elizabeth Bay on Isabel Island by boat, where golden rays, spotted eagle rays, white-tip sharks and green turtles make for spectacular snorkelling. Visited by Charles Darwin back in 1835, spend the afternoon exploring the pirate hideaway of Tagus Cove – also on Isabel Island – enjoying views over the birdrich Darwin’s Lake.

Santiago Island’s Sullivan Bay showcases an utterly unique, volcanic landscape of lava cones and fields that resemble knotted ropes – you’d be forgiven for thinking you’d landed on the moon! Over in Bartolome Island, one of the youngest in the archipelago, discover the popular Pinnacle Rock, at the foot of which awaits great snorkelling, as well as penguins and sea lions.

On Santa Cruz Island, marvel at the perfect white sands of Las Bachas, one of the largest nesting areas in the region for the Pacific green sea turtle. After lunch on board, hike along the shore of the black lava rock North Seymour Island, spotting a wealth of wildlife both on land, in the sky and in the water. Back on board, why not indulge in a cocktail on the Vista Deck, or a muscle-soothing soak in the Sunset Lounge’s plunge pool?

The charming waterfront town of Puerto Baquerizo on San Cristobal Island is next to explore. You can visit a local interpretation centre on a guided excursion, or simply browse the shops at your leisure. The only place in the Galapagos to house all three species of boobies (Nazca, red-footed and blue-footed), Punta Pitt peninsula offers spectacular views on hikes or from the landing beach.

Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island is perhaps best known for housing the Charles Darwin Research Station, though it also boasts a glorious giant tortoise reserve which aims to conserve and increase numbers of this famed species. The town itself is also well worth exploring, home to art galleries, corner cafés, mosaic murals and cute shops.

Spend another night in Quito after your cruise.