Ultimate Galápagos Islands Expedition Cruising: A 2026 Northern Route Guide with HX Expeditions

There is "vacationing," and then there is Galápagos Islands expedition cruising. One is a trip; the other is a life-altering encounter with the rawest parts of our planet.

Last week, I stepped aboard the Santa Cruz II for their Northern Route with a group of friends who are like-minded travelers, and I’m still trying to process the magic. If you’re planning your own nature and wildlife expedition cruise, here is a look at what a "typical" (if you can even call it that!) five-day HX Expeditions itinerary looks like. This was truly the trip of a lifetime. Exploring the Galápagos Islands with HX Expeditions felt less like a standard cruise and more like stepping into a living, breathing nature documentary. From the misty heights of the Andes to the volcanic shores of Genovesa, every day offered a new "pinch-me" moment.

Whether you are looking for an eco-friendly cruise, wildlife photography opportunities, or a deep dive into Charles Darwin's legacy, this northern route itinerary is the ultimate way to experience the archipelago.

The Highlands & History: Quito and the Cloud Forest

Before our cruise started, we planned a couple days to explore Ecuador. Our journey began in the vibrant city of Quito, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best-preserved colonial centers in South America. Before even hitting the water, we headed into the Mindo Cloud Forest on a private tour with our group. It was a sensory overload in the best way: tiny hummingbirds landing in our hands, buzzing past our ears, the taste of fresh finger bananas, and local coffee. We hiked to hidden waterfalls, took a cable car, saw a couple toucan and rewarded ourselves with a local lunch in Mindo—if you go, try the local beer and fresh trout with the garlic butter sauce! We capped the day with a chocolate tasting tour that ended with a chocolate facial (yes, really!).

The next day, the HX Expeditions team (Metropolitan Touring) took us deep into the Old City. We walked through historic churches, caught a local parade, and navigated the bustling street markets. We even made it to the Equator line at the Middle of the World City to stand in both hemispheres at once.

Setting Sail from Baltra to Santa Cruz

The next part of the adventure kicked off with a smooth flight from Quito to Baltra Island. After landing, we were greeted by iguanas and finches before we even left the terminal! We caught a panga (the local name for the sturdy Zodiac boats) to our ship, the MS Santa Cruz II. After a thorough safety briefing, lunch and time to explore the ship we were ready for our first activity.

Our first landing was Las Bachas beach on Santa Cruz Island. This stunning white-sand beach is a major nesting site for green sea turtles. Within minutes, we were seeing the "greatest hits" of Galápagos wildlife: pink flamingos wading in brackish lagoons, blue-footed boobies, frigate birds, and those iconic bright-red Sally Lightfoot crabs scuttling over black volcanic rock. It was a spectacular introduction to the islands!

Sharks and Rays at Buccaneer Cove & Puerto Egas

One of the biggest highlights of an HX Expedition cruise is the focus on being in the water. We spent the morning at Buccaneer Cove on Santiago Island. On our first deep-water snorkel, we were surrounded by Galápagos sharks, white-tip, and black-tip sharks, but the showstopper was a massive Manta Ray gliding beneath us like a silent spaceship. Even the guides were excited for the unexpected encounter.

In the afternoon, we moved to Puerto Egas, known for its dramatic black volcanic landscapes and tide pools. We shared the beach with Galápagos fur seals, marine iguanas and watched a land iguana sunning themselves. The expedition team kept us informed with "tiny talks" and photography tips that helped us along the way.

Red Sands and Volcanic Peaks

Day three on the ship, took us to the striking red-sand beaches of Rábida Island. This island is a haven for sea lions, Darwin’s finches, and Galápagos hawks. We started with a 6:30 AM sunrise hike, followed by a snorkel that felt like swimming in an aquarium. This was an epic snorkel for our group as the waters had high visibility and there were encounters with sea lions, green turtles, a huge Galapagos shark, rays, and massive schools of fish. Many of us could have spent three more hours in the water!

In the afternoon, we reached Bartolomé Island, home to the most iconic postcard view in the Galápagos: Pinnacle Rock. Upon landing, we did try some snorkeling, but the waters had very poor visibility. We were rewarded as spotting several Galápagos penguins—the only penguin species found north of the equator. Following that, we hiked up 372 steps to the summit for an unforgettable panoramic view of the archipelago.

The Bird Island: Genovesa

We eventually made it to Genovesa Island, a rugged paradise for birders often called "Bird Island". We climbed the steep Prince Philip’s Steps to reach a plateau teeming with life: massive colonies of Nazca boobies, red-footed boobies, and great frigate birds. We did not catch a glimpse of the Galapagos Owl, but a guide did capture a photo of one in flight.

In the afternoon, we landed at Darwin Bay for an easy stroll among playful baby sea lions, and nesting gulls, boobies and herons. There is something so humbling about walking through a landscape where the animals have no fear of humans; they just continue their lives as you pass by. During the afternoon swim, we spotted a white-tip shark, various fish and a ray!

Farewell to the Giant Tortoises

We couldn't leave without visiting the icons of the islands. Our final morning was spent in the Highlands of Santa Cruz to see the Galápagos Giant Tortoises in their natural habitat. These gentle giants can weigh up to 550 pounds and live for over 100 years! Seeing them moving slowly through the lush greenery was the perfect, peaceful end to a high-energy week. This expedition wasn't just a vacation; it was an education in how beautiful and fragile our world is. If the Galápagos isn’t on your bucket list for 2026, it needs to be.

Why Choose a Galapagos Expedition Cruise in 2026?

When people ask me about Galápagos cruise planning, I always tell them to look for itineraries that balance land treks with water activities. The Santa Cruz II’s Northern Route is a masterclass in variety.

If you are planning a Galápagos vacation, an expedition cruise on a vessel like the MS Santa Cruz II offers a level of access you simply can't get from land-based tours. With expert naturalist guides and a dedicated Science Center on board, you don't just see the wildlife—you understand the ecosystem.

Contributing our daily sightings to iNaturalist allowed us to play a small part in ongoing conservation research. It’s a powerful reminder of how travel, when done intentionally, can foster a deeper connection to our planet’s preservation.

Ready to start your own Galapagos adventure? Reach out to Glacial Expeditions, pack your hiking boots and your sense of wonder—the islands are waiting!