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HX Hurtigruten Expeditions
MS Santa Cruz II Ship Information
Itineraries
13 Night Galapagos Islands In Darwins Footsteps Plus Machu Picchu Cruise and Land Tour

Virtual Tours

MS Santa Cruz II

Category SSF - Seven Seas Suite Forward
Seven Seas Suite (Forward)

Photos are examples only. Actual cabin colors and features may vary.

13 Night Galapagos Islands In Darwins Footsteps Plus Machu Picchu Cruise and Land Tour

From Lima, (Peru) to Guayaquil, (Ecuador)

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MS Santa Cruz II
HX Hurtigruten Expeditions
3 Stars

Cruise #: 13982381

Sail Date: Friday, Sep 4, 2026

Return Date: Thursday, Sep 17, 2026

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Room Types & Rates:

Oceanview		Call to Book1-800-427-8473
Balcony		Call to Book1-800-427-8473
Suite		Call to Book1-800-427-8473

*Prices are per person based on double occupancy

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Day by Day Summary and Map

13 Night Galapagos Islands In Darwins Footsteps Plus Machu Picchu Cruise and Land Tour

Land Segment of Itinerary

Friday - Sep 4, 2026

Day
1

Lima, Peru

Start your adventure in ancient and modern Lima. Welcome to Peru, one of the most fascinating countries in South America! If you have time after your arrival in Lima, consider simply wandering the streets to begin to acquaint yourself with the city and see what catches your eye. Or why not walk along the oceanfront boardwalk in the upmarket Miraflores district. Here, you'll find many restaurants and cafes, as well as shops if you need to purchase anything ahead of your adventure. Lima is considered the food capital of Latin America, so be sure to try local dishes like ceviche, which is raw fish marinated in lime juice with onion and chili. ...
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Land Segment of Itinerary

Saturday - Sep 5, 2026

Day
2

Lima, Peru

Discover Lima's historical center and more. After breakfast, you'll enjoy a Lima City Tour, including lunch, which will introduce you to Lima's historical center, which is packed with elegant Spanish colonial architecture, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and other interesting sites in Lima. You'll also visit the fascinating Larco Museum, which holds the best private collection of Pre-Columbian art in the country. After this half-day excursion you'll have more time to take in this multifaceted city. People watch in one of the city's grand plazas or seek out a restaurant for another dinner of regional specialities before settling in at your hotel for another overnight stay. ...
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Land Segment of Itinerary

Sunday - Sep 6, 2026

Day
3

Lima, Peru

Air Travel

Cusco, Peru

Bus Travel

Sacred Valley of the Incas, Peru, Peru

Get a brief look at Cusco before heading to the Sacred Valley. In the morning, we'll take a flight to Cusco, the ancient seat of the Inca Empire. Upon arrival we'll enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before taking a look at Sacsayhuaman fortress - a ceremonial compound and magnificent example of Inca military power that boasts a panoramic view of the city. Marvel at the construction techniques these ancient people used - this is just a foresight of the many wonders you'll be witnessing over the coming days. Afterwards, we visit the Sulca Textile House Museum, which gives you an insight into the traditional fabrics created and worn by people since Pre-Columbian times. There will also be a chance to see an exhibition of South American camelids, and an opportunity to do some shopping. After this brief visit to Cusco, we'll continue to our hotel in the Sacred Valley for an overnight stay. ...
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Land Segment of Itinerary

Monday - Sep 7, 2026

Day
4

Sacred Valley of the Incas, Peru, Peru

Bus Travel

Ollantaytambo, Peru

Train Travel

Aguas Calientes, Peru

Bus Travel

Machu Picchu, Peru

Bus Travel

Aguas Calientes, Peru

Train Travel

Ollantaytambo, Peru

Bus Travel

Sacred Valley of the Incas, Peru, Peru

Discover the lost city of the Incas. An early morning transfer will take you to Ollantaytambo, in the Sacred Valley, from where you'll catch a train along the narrow-gauge line to Machu Picchu, passing through stunning highland scenery along the way. After around two hours, we'll stop at the small town of Aguas Calientes and take the short bus ride to Machu Picchu-the so-called Lost City of the Incas. Enjoy a guided tour of this once-hidden settlement, marveling at the stone walls, terraces, and ramps that are carved into the mountain. You'll love the peaceful atmosphere of Machu Picchu as you gaze at the lowland jungle from this city in the clouds. After lunch, we'll return to our hotel where you'll enjoy another overnight stay. ...
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Land Segment of Itinerary

Tuesday - Sep 8, 2026

Day
5

Sacred Valley of the Incas, Peru, Peru

Bus Travel

Misminay, Peru, Peru

Bus Travel

Cusco, Peru

Andean Community and Cusco walking tour. Today, you'll get an insight into the lives of Andean highlanders with a visit to the Misminay community, where sacred ancestral traditions live on. Learn about their ancient farming techniques, textile weaving, and folkloric traditions passed down through generations and then enjoy a delicious lunch featuring authentic Peruvian flavors. After lunch, you'll be transferred to Cusco where you'll set out on a guided walking tour. A compact city packed with cultural beauty, there's no better way to discover the archaeological capital of South America than on foot. Visit the city's most important historical monuments and see the influence of different cultures. The Plaza de Armas and surrounding areas showcase architecture from after the Spanish conquest, yet just a short walk away you'll see Inca walls, some with blocks so large and intricate it remains a mystery as to how they were ever constructed. Meanwhile, a visit to the Santo Domingo Church reveals that it was built upon the foundations of the Inca temple Coricancha, which was dedicated to worship of the sun god, Inti. After the visit you'll walk back to your hotel for an overnight stay in Cusco. ...
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Land Segment of Itinerary

Wednesday - Sep 9, 2026

Day
6

Cusco, Peru

Air Travel

Lima, Peru

Air Travel

Quito, Ecuador

Discover the vibrant city of Quito. The day begins with breakfast at your hotel. We'll then drive to the airport in Cusco for the morning flight via Lima to Ecuador. You'll arrive in Quito in the afternoon. Your journey begins on the Equator in the lush Andean foothills. At 9,350 feet, Quito is the second-highest capital city in the world, and its main draw is the exquisite Old Town which was founded on an ancient Inca settlement. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it's packed with well-preserved colonial architecture as evidenced in colorful plazas, magnificent churches, and handsome monuments. Settle into your hotel, then head out to explore. ...
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Land Segment of Itinerary

Thursday - Sep 10, 2026

Day
7

Quito, Ecuador

Straddle the Equator at the Middle of the World City. Today you'll enjoy a guided tour of Quito's remarkable Old Town - one of the largest and best-preserved colonial-era quarters in South America. Wander through cobblestone streets as you admire the architecture - and sample some delicious chocolate made from finest Ecuadorian cacao along the way. Next, you'll head to the iconic 'Middle of the World City', located around 16 miles north of Quito. After lunch, you'll visit the famous monument that delineates the imaginary line of the Equator. Have your camera ready to capture the moment you stand with one foot in each hemisphere. ...
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Land Segment of Itinerary

Friday - Sep 11, 2026

Day
8

Quito, Ecuador

Air Travel

Cruise Segment of Itinerary

Day 8 - Friday - Sep 11, 2026

Day
8

Cruise Begins

Baltra, Galapagos, Ecuador

Isla Mosquera, Ecuador

Get ready to explore the spectacular Galapagos Islands. After breakfast, a short flight will take you to Baltra Island in the spectacular Galapagos archipelago. A transfer brings you straight to the port where your comfortable expedition ship MS Santa Cruz II awaits. You'll get your first glimpse of the islands' incredible wildlife on Mosquera Islet, home to one of the largest sea lion colonies in the archipelago. We'll take our small panga boats ashore to get a closer look. As you stroll across flat and sandy dunes, look out for blue-footed boobies and Sally Lightfoot crabs, and learn about the marine and terrestrial ecosystems from your naturalist guides. ...
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Saturday - Sep 12, 2026

Day
9

San Cristobal Island (Puerto Baquerizo), Ecuador

San Cristobal Island (Puerto Baquerizo), Ecuador

Land Travel

Cerro Colorado, Ecuador

Land Travel

San Cristobal Island (Puerto Baquerizo), Ecuador

Punta Pitt, Ecuador

Meet the famous giant tortoises. Your first stop today is the Cerro Colorado Tortoise Reserve - a breeding center for the 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 Galapagos wildlife, with a lifespan of over 100 years. Here, they thrive, ambling around forests similar to their natural habitat. Our small panga boats will then take us to Punta Pitt, the only site in the Galapagos Islands 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. ...
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Sunday - Sep 13, 2026

Day
10

Santa Fe Island, Ecuador

South Plaza, Ecuador

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 swim or snorkel from the small panga boats, take a kayak for a paddle around the island, or join a trip in the glass-bottomed boat to observe the marine life below. After a delicious lunch, prepared by our onboard chefs, we head to South Plaza Island. Keep an eye out for frigatebirds, swallow-tailed gulls, and Galapagos 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. ...
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Monday - Sep 14, 2026

Day
11

Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos, Ecuador

Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos, Ecuador

Learn about local conservation on Santa Cruz Island. Today we pay a visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station in Puerto Ayora. A giant tortoise breeding center, here you can see recently hatched tortoises and Darwin's famous finches - the birds he used as a basis for his theory of evolution by natural selection. There's also an impressive forest of prickly pear cacti that's home to many land birds. Enjoy a cooler climate over lunch in the lush highlands, where giant tortoises shuffle about munching on grass and wallowing in pools. You'll have time for another activity, such as mountain biking or visiting sugar plantation. ...
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Tuesday - Sep 15, 2026

Day
12

Espanola, Ecuador

Lava lizards and incredible birdlife. Your Galapagos Islands cruise reaches Espanola, the archipelago's most southerly island. Birdlife here is truly extraordinary - look out for Nazca boobies, blue-footed boobies, and swallow-tailed gulls, and the mighty waved albatross on cruises April through December. It's also a chance to spot red Espanola lava lizards and marine iguanas, as well as see the famous blowhole, El Soplador, blasting water 75 feet into the air. After lunch onboard 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 snorkeling or kayaking. ...
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Wednesday - Sep 16, 2026

Day
13

Eden Islet, Ecuador

North Seymour Island, Galapagos, Ecuador

Green turtles, sharks, and rare bird colonies. The wealth of wildlife watching opportunities continues at Eden Islet, where we hope to see Galapagos 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. Alternatively, see the reefs from the 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. ...
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Thursday - Sep 17, 2026

Day
14

Baltra, Galapagos, Ecuador

Cruise Ends

Land Segment of Itinerary

Day 14 - Thursday - Sep 17, 2026

Day
14

Air Travel

Guayaquil, Ecuador

From the Galapagos Islands to Guayaquil. Your expedition cruise draws to a close as you disembark at Baltra Island. A transfer will take you to the airport in Baltra for your flight to Quito to connect to your international flight, or if you prefer, continue to Guayaquil for another adventure. To explore more of Ecuador, why not extend your stay and join one of the optional Post-Programs. As you leave this fascinating region, you'll take with you incredible memories of amazing wildlife and wonderful experiences few have the privilege of seeing. ...
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Other Sail Dates and Itineraries on MS Santa Cruz II

Sail Date	Itinerary Name	Interior From	Oceanview From	Balcony From	Suite From	Details

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