Built in 1990, the Galapagos Explorer II is one of the most elegant ships that cruises the Galapagos Islands. In 1959, Ecuador made 97% of Galapagos’ land area into a national park. The islands have since been designated as a Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The Explorer II travels to the most remote islands of the archipelago and provides comfort and scientific information to all its passengers.

The Classic Quito and Galapagos Islands Tour is the most economical way of visiting the Galapagos Islands and the city of Quito. This itinerary includes a five-day cruise in the Galapagos Islands on a Tourist Superior cruise and two days in Quito with a tour of the city and the Equatorial Monument.

The Santa Cruz is brilliantly designed for sailing the Galapagos and was completely renovated in 1998. The Santa Cruz has gained worldwide recognition for its excellent standards that include superior service, the most knowledgeable multilingual naturalist/guides, and menus that feature the best international and Ecuadorian dishes. Travelers on the Santa Cruz will spend time in Quito and then the Galapagos visiting the fur seals, frigates, iguanas, sea lions, turtles and other exotic wildlife that populate the islands.

This Yampu trip will allow you to take in the historic beauty of the Ecuadorian capital of Quito before flying to the famous Enchanted Islands of the Galapagos. Despite an earthquake in 1917, Quito has the best-preserved and least altered historic centre in Latin America. The city also holds the impressive designation as an UNESCO World Heritage site. After visiting Quito, you will enjoy the paradise of the Galapagos, navigating in the Galapagos Legend. The Galapagos Legend has all the amenities of a cruise liner yet is small enough to create an intimate experience with the unique nature of the Galapagos.

Along with the excitement of visiting the Galapagos, this itinerary allows ample time to explore Ecuador’s fascinating capital city of Quito. The city rests in a cool Andean valley, surrounded by majestic mountains and filled with cathedrals, interesting museums, plazas, and parks. Leaving the mainland, you will cruise around the Galapagos Islands onboard either the M/Y Coral I or the Coral II; both are elegant and classic yachts. The Coral fleet is ideal for explorers who want to visit the islands with privacy and supreme comfort. The cruising speed of the fleet will allows you less time traveling and more time visiting the majestic islands.