Galapagos Outer Loop Cruise

Day 1 - Baltra, Galapagos Islands

Arrive: Sun 18 December 2022 / Depart: Sun 18 December 2022 at 14:30

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 1 - Daphne Island, Galapagos

Arrive: Sun 18 December 2022 at 17:00 / Depart: Sun 18 December 2022 at 18:00

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 2 - Gardner Bay, Espanola Island

Arrive: Mon 19 December 2022 at 07:00 / Depart: Mon 19 December 2022 at 14:00

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 2 - Punta Suarez

Arrive: Mon 19 December 2022 at 15:00 / Depart: Mon 19 December 2022 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 3 - Cormorant Point

Arrive: Tue 20 December 2022 at 07:00 / Depart: Tue 20 December 2022 at 13:00

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 - Post Office , Galapagos

Arrive: Tue 20 December 2022 at 13:30 / Depart: Tue 20 December 2022 at 20:00

Located on Isla Santa Maria (Floreana). Bring your postcards with you to a special spot on this island called Post Office Bay. It's the historical site where an 18th-century whaling crew placed the wooden barrel that tourists still use today as a post office.

Day 4 - Moreno Point (Isabella)

Day 4 - Urvina Bay (Isabela)

Arrive: Wed 21 December 2022 at 14:00 / Depart: Wed 21 December 2022 at 19:00

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 22 December 2022 at 07:00 / Depart: Thu 22 December 2022 at 12:00

Day 5 - Vicente Roca

Arrive: Thu 22 December 2022 / Depart: Thu 22 December 2022

Day 6 - South Plaza Island

Arrive: Fri 23 December 2022 / Depart: Fri 23 December 2022

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 6 - Dragon Hill (Santa Cruz)

Arrive: Fri 23 December 2022 / Depart: Fri 23 December 2022

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 24 December 2022 at 07:00 / Depart: Sat 24 December 2022 at 19:00

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 25 December 2022 at 07:00 / Depart: Sun 25 December 2022

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.