Galápagos Islands – In Darwin’s Footsteps Plus Machu Picchu

The Galápagos Islands – In Darwin’s Footsteps Plus Machu Picchu is a 13-night South America cruise aboard MS Santa Cruz II, operated by HX Expeditions. Departing Lima, Peru on September 4, 2026, the voyage visits 9 ports.

Length: 13 nights
Departs: Sep 4, 2026
Returns: Sep 17, 2026
Ports of call: 9

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Itinerary

Day 1 Sep 4, 2026 Lima, Peru Splashing colour and culture into the arid Peruvian landscape, Lima is a city bedecked with grand colonial splendour. Founded in 1535, this sprawling capital enjoys a breezy oceanfront location and forms one of the world's largest desert cities. A place of sharp contrasts, almost 10 million people are packed into the city, occupying vastly different living conditions. Visit for an unfiltered experience of this richly layered place of ancient history, colonial relics and dazzling flavours. View less Rising from the misty blanket of the garua - a persistent fog that cloaks Lima during winter - you'll find one of South America's most culturally vibrant cities. The former capital of the Spanish colonists - head to Plaza de Armas to immerse yourself in the heart of the old city. The Basilica Cathedral of Lima watches over Plaza Mayor - listen out for the stomps of boots outside, as the pomp and ceremony of the Changing of the Guards draws crowds to the Government Palace. The history of this area runs much deeper, however, and pre-Colombian cities and temples emerge from the dusty earth nearby. Grand museums showcase unearthed treasures from the extraordinary civilisations who built vast mud adobe cities across Peru's coastline, and incredible settlements in the country's valleys and mountains. The Barranco district is Lima's artsy area, and you can walk from modern art galleries to see the local muse, the Bridge of Sighs. This wooden bridge is an artist's favourite, and one of the city's most romantic spots. Afterwards, sample some of Lima's cuisine, and the zingy flavours of spicy, lime-marinated fish ceviche. So revered in these parts, ceviche even has its own national day on June 28th. Sipping a Pisco Sour is the perfect way to round off your visit to this engrossing, multi-layered city. Lima, Peru port guide Search cruises visiting Lima, Peru

Lima, Peru photo — Day 1 Sep 4, 2026 Lima, Peru Splashing colour and culture into the arid Peruvian landscape, Lima is a city bedecked with grand colonial splendour. Founded in 1535, this sprawling capital enjoys a breezy oceanfront location and forms one of the world's largest desert cities. A place of sharp contrasts, almost 10 million people are packed into the city, occupying vastly different living conditions. Visit for an unfiltered experience of this richly layered place of ancient history, colonial relics and dazzling flavours. View less Rising from the misty blanket of the garua - a persistent fog that cloaks Lima during winter - you'll find one of South America's most culturally vibrant cities. The former capital of the Spanish colonists - head to Plaza de Armas to immerse yourself in the heart of the old city. The Basilica Cathedral of Lima watches over Plaza Mayor - listen out for the stomps of boots outside, as the pomp and ceremony of the Changing of the Guards draws crowds to the Government Palace. The history of this area runs much deeper, however, and pre-Colombian cities and temples emerge from the dusty earth nearby. Grand museums showcase unearthed treasures from the extraordinary civilisations who built vast mud adobe cities across Peru's coastline, and incredible settlements in the country's valleys and mountains. The Barranco district is Lima's artsy area, and you can walk from modern art galleries to see the local muse, the Bridge of Sighs. This wooden bridge is an artist's favourite, and one of the city's most romantic spots. Afterwards, sample some of Lima's cuisine, and the zingy flavours of spicy, lime-marinated fish ceviche. So revered in these parts, ceviche even has its own national day on June 28th. Sipping a Pisco Sour is the perfect way to round off your visit to this engrossing, multi-layered city. Lima, Peru port guide Search cruises visiting Lima, Peru

Day 6 Sep 9, 2026 Quito Quito, Ecuador's capital, sits high in the Andean foothills at an altitude of 2,850m. Constructed on the foundations of an ancient Incan city, it’s known for its well-preserved colonial center, rich with 16th- and 17th-century churches and other structures blending European, Moorish and indigenous styles. These include the cathedral, in the Plaza Grande square, and ultra-ornate Compañia de Jesús Jesuit church. Quito port guide Search cruises visiting Quito

Quito photo — Day 6 Sep 9, 2026 Quito Quito, Ecuador's capital, sits high in the Andean foothills at an altitude of 2,850m. Constructed on the foundations of an ancient Incan city, it’s known for its well-preserved colonial center, rich with 16th- and 17th-century churches and other structures blending European, Moorish and indigenous styles. These include the cathedral, in the Plaza Grande square, and ultra-ornate Compañia de Jesús Jesuit church. Quito port guide Search cruises visiting Quito

Galapagos Islands photo — Day 8 Sep 11, 2026 Galapagos Islands The Galápagos Islands is a volcanic archipelago in the Pacific Ocean. It's considered one of the world's foremost destinations for wildlife-viewing. A province of Ecuador, it lies about 1,000km off its coast. Its isolated terrain shelters a diversity of plant and animal species, many found nowhere else. Charles Darwin visited in 1835, and his observation of Galápagos' species later inspired his theory of evolution. Galapagos Islands port guide Search cruises visiting Galapagos Islands

Day 9 Sep 12, 2026 San Cristobal Island, Galapagos Islands An impressive tuff cone has been carved by erosion into an outstanding natural sculpture, being a resting place for marine birds such as blue-footed bobbies and brown pelicans. One of the most beautiful white sand beaches of the Galapagos (swim or snorkel). View sea lions, sally lightfooted crabs, blue-footed bobbies. Behind the dunes, you find a coastal lagoon, which was visited in the past by the locals to extract salt, today it is home to some shorebirds such as stilts and plovers. The vegetation (as it is one of the oldest islands) shows some endemic species such as Scalesia incisa (flowering plant) only found on this island.

Day 14 Sep 17, 2026 Guayaquil The second major jumping off point for the Galapagos Islands after Quito, this is a little city with a big heart. A sea port first and foremost, the city’s personality has been founded on that, and all the better it is for it too. Almost Caribbean in feeling, the clement climate coupled with the intermingling rhythms floating from the windows and abundance of fresh seafood make this a very tropical destination. View less Once not even considered by the travel books as a potential destination in its own right, the city has undergone something of a resurgence in the past few years. Proud Guayaquileños will not hestitate to point out the Malecón or the exciting new riverfront promenade, once a no-go area after dark, now happily (and hippily) lined with museums, restaurants, shops, and ongoing entertainment. The new airport and urban transportation network are also lauded to the happy tourists who find themselves here. As the largest and most populous city in Ecuador as well as being the commercial centre, it would only be natural that the city would have some kind of modern architecture, but it is the colourful favelas, or to use their real name guasmos, that cling to the side of the hillside like limpets that really catch your eye. A blend of old and new, the first inhabitants can be traced back to 1948 when the government cleared the area for affordable housing, these shanty towns are witness to the social and political particularities that Guayaquil has faced in the past. Guayaquil port guide Search cruises visiting Guayaquil

Pricing

Lowest fare we've tracked over the observed 99-day span: $10,993 · range $10,993–$11,224

Current prices

Per person · 2 guests · incl. taxes & fees

Price information is not available.

Price history

90 days

○ = last seen (sold out or delisted).

Lowest fares with no residency, age, or service requirement — verify eligibility at booking. How our pricing works

Cabin grades

Oceanview

Lowest Oceanview $11,225 EE Explorer Cabin EH Explorer Cabin EP Explorer Cabin FH Explorer Family Cabin

Suite

Lowest Suite $13,404 DS Darwin Suite

Lines step when the price changed; a gap means sold out or no public fare that day. Plot up to 6 at once.

Show all 6 cabin grades

Cabin grades and pricing
Name	Supplier code	Type
Explorer Cabin	EE	Oceanview
Explorer Cabin	EH	Oceanview
Explorer Cabin	EP	Oceanview
Explorer Family Cabin	FH	Oceanview
Voyager Single Cabin	VH	Oceanview
Darwin Suite	DS	Suite

Ship

Your ship MS Santa Cruz II 4★ **2,664** GT 90 guests Built **2021** With carbon-neutral operations, MS Santa Cruz II is environmentally-sustainable and socially conscious with the local community. This sleek, spacious ship has a layout that allows you to enjoy your cruise from start to finish. Enjoy delicious food in the elegant restaurant, increase your knowledge of the Galápagos Islands with your fellow travellers in the Science Center or maybe mingle out on the multiple decks. While exploring the Galápagos, you'll have the ability to actively engage in activities and encounters. After a day in Darwin's footsteps, you will enjoy coming home to a casual atmosphere with the best service there is. MS Santa Cruz II's amenities easily appeal to all world explorers. MS Santa Cruz II ship guide Search cruises on MS Santa Cruz II

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Other sailing dates

Same itinerary, different dates. Prices per person · incl. taxes & fees.

Other available sailing dates
View	From pp	Departs
	from $11,224 $863 / night	Sep 18, 2026Voyage _@SCGALEMACEU-260918
	from $11,224 $863 / night	Oct 2, 2026Voyage _@SCGALEMACEU-261002
	from $11,034 $848 / night	Oct 16, 2026Voyage _@SCGALEMACEU-261016
	from $11,034 $848 / night	Oct 30, 2026Voyage _@SCGALEMACEU-261030
	from $11,986 $922 / night	Nov 13, 2026Voyage _@SCGALEMACEU-261113

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