In Darwin's Footsteps 2022 | Santa Cruz II

Begin your adventure in the 'city of eternal spring'

Welcome to Quito, high up in the foothills of the Ecuadorian Andes and straddling the Equator.

Built on the foundations of an ancient Inca settlement, today you'll find a bustling, modern capital. Its well-preserved historic centre, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, blends Spanish colonial architecture, with Moorish and indigenous influences. Settle into your hotel, then head out to explore.

If you have time, come a few days early and join our four-day Pre-Programme and tour the lost civilisation of the Incas at the breathtaking Machu Picchu.

Visit one of Ecuador's natural wonders

Your first stop is the bustling Sangolqui open-air market, where you can sample Andean specialities and buy handicrafts from friendly stallholders.

Spot wild llamas, Andean Gulls, and maybe the majestic condor on your drive through Andean moorlands to Cotopaxi National Park. We’ll take a walk to the beautiful Limpiopungo Lagoon.

The day's main highlight is Cotopaxi Volcano. You'll walk to a height of almost 12,800 ft up this stunning active volcano. Almost perfectly conical, it features one of the world's only equatorial glaciers. For lunch, you'll enjoy some fantastic regional cooking before returning to the hotel.

Meet the Galápagos' giant tortoises

Your first stop today is the Cerro Colorado Tortoise Reserve – a breeding centre for the highly endangered giant tortoise. It's also home to other endemic species, including the San Cristobal Mockingbird and lava lizard.

The giant tortoise is probably the most iconic of all Galápagos wildlife, with a lifespan of over 100 years. Here, they thrive, ambling around forests similar to their natural habitat.

Our small expedition boats will then take you to Punta Pitt, the only site in the Galápagos where you might see three species of boobies. Enjoy a nature walk, explore the coastline by boat, or snorkel and swim in the crystal-clear water.

Spot wildlife against idyllic backdrops

We start the day with a scenic nature walk on the blissful beaches of Santa Fe, home to the endemic Barrington land iguana and a colony of sea lions.

You can go swimming or snorkelling from our expedition boats, take our kayaks for a paddle around the island, or join a trip in our glass-bottomed boat and observe the marine life below. After lunch, prepared by our onboard chefs, we head to South Plaza Island.

Spot frigatebirds, Swallow-tailed Gulls and Galápagos Shearwaters gliding on the breeze. Here, among a dazzling array of flora, land iguanas laze by the shore while marine iguanas slip in and out of the water.

Learn about local conservation on Santa Cruz Island

Today you'll visit the Charles Darwin Research Station in Puerto Ayora, where a team of 200 work to conserve the local wildlife. Here you can see baby tortoises and Darwin’s famous finches - the birds he used as a basis for his theory of evolution.

Experience a cooler climate over lunch in the lush highlands, where giant tortoises roam, munching on grass and wallowing in pools.

Then there's time for an optional activity, including mountain biking or kayaking in beautiful Tortuga Bay. Or hike to the snow-white beach of Playa Brava and the secluded mangrove cove at Playa Mansa.

Lava lizards and incredible birdlife

Your Galápagos cruise reaches Española, the archipelago's most southerly island. Birdlife here is truly extraordinary - look out for Waved Albatrosses, Nazca Boobies, Blue-footed Boobies and Swallow-tailed Gulls.

It’s also a chance to spot red Española lava lizards and marine iguanas, as well as see the famous blowhole, El Soplador, blasting water 75 ft into the air.

After lunch on board the ship, we'll head to the picturesque coral beach of Gardner Bay and nearby Osborn Islet, to seek out sea lions, mockingbirds and finches. If you're feeling active, you can go snorkelling or join an optional kayaking excursion.

Green turtles, sharks and rare bird colonies

The wealth of wildlife-watching opportunities continues at Eden Islet, where we hope to see Galápagos green turtles, rays and friendly reef sharks. On the shore, look out for distinctive frigatebirds with their rubbery, red throats.

You can swim or snorkel to explore the reefs. Or you may also have a chance to see the reefs from our glass-bottomed boat or by kayak. After lunch, we'll sail to North Seymour.

The island is a great site for spotting colonies of Blue-footed Boobies and Swallow-tailed Gulls. Sea lions and marine iguanas also congregate here, attracted by the bountiful sea life in its waters.

The end of an incredible wildlife adventure

Your expedition cruise around the Galápagos Islands draws to a close as you disembark at Baltra Island. From here, you'll fly to Guayaquil, where a friendly representative will help you connect to your international flight. From here it's on to Quito.

As you leave this fascinating region, you'll take with you incredible memories of amazing wildlife and wonderful experiences in this unique part of the world that few have the privilege of seeing.

Back in the charming city of Quito, you'll have time to explore and see some of the sights you may have missed at the start of your trip.

Say goodbye to South America

Enjoy a delicious breakfast at your hotel, before preparing for your journey home.

We hope you're left with some amazing memories of the incredible scenery and wildlife of the Galápagos Islands and Ecuador, as well as thoughts of your newfound friends and the wonderful adventure you shared together.