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 Independence by Globus vacation 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 sanctuaries of spectacular species on Bartolomé, Santiago, North Seymour, and San Cristobal Islands. Visit the Giant Tortoise Reserve where conservationists work to protect the gentle giants for which the islands are named. You’ll also find the I-time you deserve to fall in love with adventure again!
Highlights of Independent Galapagos cruise aboard the Galápagos Legend
Price Details US
This vacation includes the following Intra-Vacation Air segments in the vacation price: Quito/Galápagos; Galápagos/Quito. Galápagos package includes Galápagos National Park entrance fee and transit card ($120 value) but will show separately on your invoice. These fees will be added to your Vacation Estimate.
Notes
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. Galapagos Islands itineraries are fully subject to change.Maximum elevation on tour is 9,350 ft. in Quito.
Travelers Notes
Transportation: As outlined in the day-by-day itinerary below and private airport transfers to/from intra-vacation flights; Galápagos intra-vacation flights and taxes are includedGuides: In Quito; Naturalist in the Galápagos
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
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 • Fly to Baltra and transfer with your expert Naturalist to the Galápagos Legend for your 3-night cruise. • Sail to North Seymour, a landmass formed by a series of underwater volcanic eruptions, which deposited layers of lava on the ocean floor. Take a walk amidst large nesting colonies of blue-footed boobies, magnificent and great frigate birds, and swallow-tailed gulls for an in-depth encounter with sea bird breeding cycles. You will also encounter sea lions, land iguanas and, on a lucky day, you might even come across the endemic Galápagos snake.(B,L,D)
Day 4
CRUISING: BARTOLOMÉ ISLAND & SANTIAGO ISLAND • Wake up at Bartolomé Island to discover a fascinating moonscape formed by volcanic parasitic cones. Hike to the summit for impressive views of the surrounding islands and Pinnacle Rock. You will also encounter marine iguanas, lava lizards, and blue-footed boobies. Bartolomé offers some of the best spots to snorkel, thanks to clear waters and abundant sea life, including sea turtles, white-tipped reef sharks, and maybe even Galápagos penguins. • This afternoon, sail to Sullivan Bay on Santiago Island and take a walk on young Pahoehoe lava flows formed during the last quarter of the 19th Century. See the reddish-yellow tuff-cones with various flora growing from the fissures. Walking on the solidified lava gives the impression of walking on another planet. After your guided walk, spend time snorkeling from the white sand beach where you may see penguins, sea lions, sharks and rays. (B,L,D)
Day 5
CRUISING: SAN CRISTOBAL ISLAND • Arrive at Pitt Islet on San Cristobal and walk to the top of a volcanic tuff to be rewarded with several magnificent viewpoints. This is one of the few sites where the Galápagos’ three booby species (blue-footed, red-footed, and Nazca) can be seen together. You will also find the two species of frigate birds and a sea lion colony. The island waters are excellent for dinghy rides to see a range of seabirds—and a great spot to snorkel! • At Cerro Brujo, visit a lagoon where migratory bird species can be seen: black-necked stilts, ruddy turnstones, whimbrels, other sandpiper species, and white-cheeked pintails. Cerro Brujo offers beautiful views of Kicker Rock, the southern part of San Cristobal, and the adjacent coast. Your visit includes time to swim with the sea lions and other marine life. (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 Cristobal. Learn about the national park’s conservation and breeding programs to protect the endangered tortoise species. • Also, visit the port village for a last chance at souvenirs before bidding farewell to the enchanted Galápagos Islands. • Transfer to San Cristobal Airport and fly to Guayaquil, where the remainder of the day is at leisure. (B)
Day 7
GUAYAQUIL Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
Departures
| # | Air Start Date | Land Start Date | Land End Date | Land Only Price | Discount | Final | Departure Code | Status |
| 1 | 2023-09-29 | 2023-09-30 | 2023-10-06 | $4319 | $0 | $5009 | ISK130930 | Not Available |
| 2 | 2023-10-13 | 2023-10-14 | 2023-10-20 | $4319 | $0 | $5699 | ISK131014 | Not Available |
| 3 | 2023-10-27 | 2023-10-28 | 2023-11-03 | $4319 | $0 | $4319 | ISK131028 | Not Available |
| 4 | 2023-11-10 | 2023-11-11 | 2023-11-17 | $4319 | $0 | $4519 | ISK131111 | Not Available |
| 5 | 2023-11-24 | 2023-11-25 | 2023-12-01 | $4319 | $0 | $5699 | ISK131125 | Not Available |
| 6 | 2023-12-08 | 2023-12-09 | 2023-12-15 | $4319 | $0 | $4319 | ISK131209 | Not Available |
| 7 | 2023-12-22 | 2023-12-23 | 2023-12-29 | $4319 | $0 | $4319 | ISK131223 | Not Available |
| 8 | 2024-01-05 | 2024-01-06 | 2024-01-12 | $4459 | $0 | $4459 | ISK140106 | Not Available |
| 9 | 2024-01-19 | 2024-01-20 | 2024-01-26 | $4459 | $0 | $5969 | ISK140120 | Available |
| 10 | 2024-02-02 | 2024-02-03 | 2024-02-09 | $4459 | $0 | $5969 | ISK140203 | Available |
| 11 | 2024-02-16 | 2024-02-17 | 2024-02-23 | $4579 | $0 | $4579 | ISK140217 | Not Available |
| 12 | 2024-03-01 | 2024-03-02 | 2024-03-08 | $4459 | $0 | $4779 | ISK140302 | Available |
| 13 | 2024-03-15 | 2024-03-16 | 2024-03-22 | $4579 | $0 | $4579 | ISK140316 | Not Available |
| 14 | 2024-03-29 | 2024-03-30 | 2024-04-05 | $4459 | $0 | $4459 | ISK140330 | Available |
| 15 | 2024-04-12 | 2024-04-13 | 2024-04-19 | $4459 | $0 | $4459 | ISK140413 | Available |
| 16 | 2024-04-26 | 2024-04-27 | 2024-05-03 | $4459 | $0 | $4779 | ISK140427 | Available |
| 17 | 2024-05-10 | 2024-05-11 | 2024-05-17 | $4459 | $0 | $4779 | ISK140511 | Available |
| 18 | 2024-05-24 | 2024-05-25 | 2024-05-31 | $4459 | $0 | $4779 | ISK140525 | Available |
| 19 | 2024-07-05 | 2024-07-06 | 2024-07-12 | $4459 | $0 | $4459 | ISK140706 | Available |
| 20 | 2024-07-19 | 2024-07-20 | 2024-07-26 | $4459 | $0 | $5279 | ISK140720 | Available |
| 21 | 2024-08-16 | 2024-08-17 | 2024-08-23 | $4459 | $0 | $4779 | ISK140817 | Available |
| 22 | 2024-08-30 | 2024-08-31 | 2024-09-06 | $4459 | $0 | $5969 | ISK140831 | Available |
| 23 | 2024-09-13 | 2024-09-14 | 2024-09-20 | $4459 | $0 | $4459 | ISK140914 | Available |
| 24 | 2024-09-27 | 2024-09-28 | 2024-10-04 | $4459 | $0 | $4459 | ISK140928 | Available |
| 25 | 2024-10-11 | 2024-10-12 | 2024-10-18 | $4459 | $0 | $5279 | ISK141012 | Available |
| 26 | 2024-10-25 | 2024-10-26 | 2024-11-01 | $4459 | $0 | $5279 | ISK141026 | Available |
| 27 | 2024-11-08 | 2024-11-09 | 2024-11-15 | $4459 | $0 | $5279 | ISK141109 | Available |
| 28 | 2024-11-22 | 2024-11-23 | 2024-11-29 | $4459 | $0 | $5279 | ISK141123 | Available |
| 29 | 2024-12-06 | 2024-12-07 | 2024-12-13 | $4459 | $0 | $4459 | ISK141207 | Available |
| 30 | 2025-01-03 | 2025-01-04 | 2025-01-10 | $4719 | $0 | $6349 | ISK150104 | Please Call |
| 31 | 2025-01-17 | 2025-01-18 | 2025-01-24 | $4719 | $0 | $5359 | ISK150118 | Available |
| 32 | 2025-01-31 | 2025-02-01 | 2025-02-07 | $4719 | $0 | $4719 | ISK150201 | Available |
| 33 | 2025-02-14 | 2025-02-15 | 2025-02-21 | $4719 | $0 | $5069 | ISK150215 | Available |
| 34 | 2025-02-28 | 2025-03-01 | 2025-03-07 | $4719 | $0 | $5359 | ISK150301 | Available |
| 35 | 2025-03-14 | 2025-03-15 | 2025-03-21 | $4719 | $0 | $5069 | ISK150315 | Available |
| 36 | 2025-03-28 | 2025-03-29 | 2025-04-04 | $4719 | $0 | $4719 | ISK150329 | Available |
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 |
