Galapagos Outer Loop Cruise

Day 1 - Baltra, Galapagos Islands

Arrive: Sun 09 March 2025 / Depart: Sun 09 March 2025 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 2 -

Day 3 - Cormorant Point

Arrive: Tue 11 March 2025 at 08:00 / Depart: Tue 11 March 2025 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 3 - Southampton

Arrive: Tue 11 March 2025 at 15:00 / Depart: Tue 11 March 2025 at 18:00

The city center is a charming mix of old city walls and a large modern shopping centre. With multiple restaurants, museums, cinemas and theatres there is plenty to be explored. Time spent at embarkation and disembarkation ports may be limited which may restrict availability of shore excursions.

Day 4 - Santa Fe Island, Galapagos

Arrive: Wed 12 March 2025 at 08:00 / Depart: Wed 12 March 2025 at 11:30

Santa Fe Island lies to the southeast of Santa Cruz Island; located at the center of the Galapagos archipelago. It is also called Barrington Island, after British Admiral Samuel Barrington. Geologically, it one of the oldest of the volcanic islands, with rock formations beneath the surface of the water dating back almost four million years. Santa Fe Island is home to the Santa Fe land iguana and the Santa Fe rice rat, an invasive species. Large numbers of sea lions reside here as well, and can often be seen “surfing” in the waves along the coast or sunning on the beaches. The island is also home to the longest running research project on marine iguanas, begun in the late 1970’s. There is a single visitor site on the island, and three marine sites. The vegetation here is characterized by a dense forest of the giant Santa Fe cactus. Two trails can be found on Sante Fe Island. One is a short loop that provides an up-close look at the massive Santa Fe cacti. Santa Fe land iguanas and Galapagos hawks can be observed from this trail as well. The second trail climbs a steep cliff, providing a dramatic view of the inland section of the island. Underneath the surface of the waves below, sea lions are the main attraction along with sea turtles, rays and Galapagos sharks.

Day 4 - Punta Moreno, Isabela Island

Arrive: Wed 12 March 2025 at 15:00 / Depart: Wed 12 March 2025 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 5 - Punta Espinoza, Fernandina Island

Arrive: Thu 13 March 2025 at 08:00 / Depart: Thu 13 March 2025 at 11:30

Here on Isla Fernandina, guests may walk on recent lava flows from La Cumbre volcano and also observe the flightless cormorant, one of the islands' best examples of evolution.

Day 5 - Sullivan Bay, Santiago

Arrive: Thu 13 March 2025 at 15:00 / Depart: Thu 13 March 2025 at 18:00

Here you have the opportunity for a morning hike over a blackened landscape that is nothing less than a geologic wonderland. At every step, the hardened twists and turns of lava that flowed during a volcanic eruption in the 1900s are visible. Collapse craters, hornitos, and lava cactus dot the trail and where black pahoehoe lava flows between high piles of red volcanic debris (scoria cones). It resembles a strange Martian landscape. A short Zodiac ride along the coast provides additional viewing of the island’s interesting geology along with the opportunity to look for blue-footed boobies, sea turtles, and more.

Day 6 - South Plaza Island

Arrive: Fri 14 March 2025 at 08:00 / Depart: Fri 14 March 2025 at 11:30

Day 6 - Daphne Island, Galapagos

Arrive: Fri 14 March 2025 at 13:00 / Depart: Fri 14 March 2025 at 14:00

Day 6 - Dragon Hill (Santa Cruz)

Arrive: Fri 14 March 2025 at 15:00 / Depart: Fri 14 March 2025 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 7 - Puerto Ayora, Galapagos

Arrive: Sat 15 March 2025 at 08:00 / Depart: Sat 15 March 2025 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 8 - Baltra, Galapagos Islands

Arrive: Sun 16 March 2025 at 07:00 / Depart: Sun 16 March 2025

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 7 - Puerto Ayora, Galapagos

Arrive: Sat 15 March 2025 at 08:00 / Depart: Sat 15 March 2025 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 8 - Baltra, Galapagos Islands

Arrive: Sun 16 March 2025 at 07:00 / Depart: Sun 16 March 2025

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.