Galapagos Outer Loop & Machu Picchu Cruise

Day 1 - Quito

Arrive: Fri 20 September 2024

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.

Day 2 - Quito

Depart: Sat 21 September 2024

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.

Day 3 - Baltra, Galapagos Islands

Arrive: Sun 22 September 2024

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.

Day 3 - Baltra, Galapagos Islands

Depart: Sun 22 September 2024 at 14:00

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.

Day 3 - Daphne Island, Galapagos

Arrive: Sun 22 September 2024 / Depart: Sun 22 September 2024

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.

Day 4 - Espanola Island

Arrive: Mon 23 September 2024 at 08:00 / Depart: Mon 23 September 2024 at 11:30

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.

Day 4 - Punta Suarez

Arrive: Mon 23 September 2024 at 15:00 / Depart: Mon 23 September 2024 at 19:00

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.

Day 5 - Cormorant Point

Arrive: Tue 24 September 2024 at 08:00 / Depart: Tue 24 September 2024 at 11:30

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.

Day 5 - Bahia Post Office, Floreana

Arrive: Tue 24 September 2024 at 15:00 / Depart: Tue 24 September 2024 at 18:00

Day 6 - Punta Moreno, Isabela Island

Arrive: Wed 25 September 2024 at 08:00

Day 6 - Punta Moreno, Isabela Island

Depart: Wed 25 September 2024 at 18:00

Due to currents and upwelling, the water here is noticeably colder than in other parts of the Galapagos and in 1954, part of this area along Isabela’s coast was uplifted 12–15 feet just prior to an eruption. The remains of a coral reef raised during the uplift can still be found at Urvina Bay. On a long hike, you can ramble through the now high-and-dry corals of this once thriving reef or stick to a shorter version of the same hike and look for land iguanas, finches, and if luck holds, giant tortoises. Afterwards, if conditions allow, the black sand beach of Urvina Bay offers a chance for swimming and snorkeling. While in the water, you may see sea turtles and diving cormorants.

Day 7 - Punta Espinoza, Fernandina Island

Arrive: Thu 26 September 2024 at 07:00 / Depart: Thu 26 September 2024 at 11:30

Fernandina is the youngest island in the Galapagos and,as Darwin wrote, it is “covered with immense delugesof black naked lava.” Along with its extraordinary blacklava rocks, this point of land hosts the largest colony ofmarine iguanas in the Archipelago, along with sea lionsand a nesting site for flightless cormorants.

Day 7 - Galapagos Islands

Arrive: Thu 26 September 2024 at 15:00 / Depart: Thu 26 September 2024 at 18:00

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

Day 8 - South Plaza Island

Arrive: Fri 27 September 2024 at 08:00 / Depart: Fri 27 September 2024 at 11:30

A small uplifted island just off the northeast coast of Santa Cruz. The island’s low-lying landscape is covered with colorful saltbush, scrub, and giant prickly pear cactus. A subspecies of land iguana is found on the island in plentiful abundance and sometimes can be seen munching on the cactus. The southern cliffs are steep and rocky, and home to numerous seabirds as well as a bachelor colony of sea lions. Looking down into the clear blue waters, schools of surgeonfish swim by as birds shoot in and out of the holes in the cliff. A short hike and Zodiac ride provide ample opportunity to observe the beauty and wildlife of the island.

Day 8 - Dragon Hill (Santa Cruz)

Arrive: Fri 27 September 2024 at 15:00 / Depart: Fri 27 September 2024 at 18:00

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.

Day 9 - Puerto Ayora, Galapagos

Arrive: Sat 28 September 2024 at 08:00 / Depart: Sat 28 September 2024 at 18:00

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.

Day 10 - Baltra, Galapagos Islands

Arrive: Sun 29 September 2024 at 07:00

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.

Day 10 - Baltra, Galapagos Islands

Depart: Sun 29 September 2024

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.

Day 11 - Callao, Peru

Arrive: Mon 30 September 2024 / Depart: Mon 30 September 2024

Lima offers many opportunities for exploration and adventure. The city's main square, the Plaza de Armas, is home to a majestic water fountain built in 1650. Experience the city's architectural history highlighted by a visit to the Church of San Francisco. A visit to the National Museum of Anthropology and Archaeology provides a chance to explore the diverse heritage of Peru, including the Chavin, Nazca, Chumu and Inca cultures.

Day 12 - Cusco

Arrive: Tue 01 October 2024 / Depart: Tue 01 October 2024

This former capital of the Inca Empire and current archeological capital of the Americas is literally built on its ancient past. Here, ancient ruins serve as the foundation for colonial churches and palaces, creating a unique fusion of styles. Top sights include Qorikancha (Temple of the Sun), Catedral, and the fortress of Sacsayhuamán.

Day 13 - Sacred Valley

Arrive: Wed 02 October 2024

The Sacred Valley is a region in Peru's Andean highlands. Along with the nearby town of Cusco and the ancient city of Machu Picchu, it formed the heart of the Inca Empire. Stretching roughly 60 kilometers, it’s an area of fertile farmland and Spanish colonial villages like Pisac and Ollantaytambo. Pisac is known for its Sunday handicraft market and hilltop Incan citadel.

Day 14 - Sacred Valley

Depart: Thu 03 October 2024

The Sacred Valley is a region in Peru's Andean highlands. Along with the nearby town of Cusco and the ancient city of Machu Picchu, it formed the heart of the Inca Empire. Stretching roughly 60 kilometers, it’s an area of fertile farmland and Spanish colonial villages like Pisac and Ollantaytambo. Pisac is known for its Sunday handicraft market and hilltop Incan citadel.

Day 15 - Cusco

Arrive: Fri 04 October 2024 / Depart: Fri 04 October 2024

This former capital of the Inca Empire and current archeological capital of the Americas is literally built on its ancient past. Here, ancient ruins serve as the foundation for colonial churches and palaces, creating a unique fusion of styles. Top sights include Qorikancha (Temple of the Sun), Catedral, and the fortress of Sacsayhuamán.

Day 16 - Callao, Peru

Arrive: Sat 05 October 2024

Lima offers many opportunities for exploration and adventure. The city's main square, the Plaza de Armas, is home to a majestic water fountain built in 1650. Experience the city's architectural history highlighted by a visit to the Church of San Francisco. A visit to the National Museum of Anthropology and Archaeology provides a chance to explore the diverse heritage of Peru, including the Chavin, Nazca, Chumu and Inca cultures.

Day 17 - Callao, Peru

Depart: Sun 06 October 2024

Lima offers many opportunities for exploration and adventure. The city's main square, the Plaza de Armas, is home to a majestic water fountain built in 1650. Experience the city's architectural history highlighted by a visit to the Church of San Francisco. A visit to the National Museum of Anthropology and Archaeology provides a chance to explore the diverse heritage of Peru, including the Chavin, Nazca, Chumu and Inca cultures.