From Quito to the Galápagos: My HX Expeditions Journey So Far

There are trips that inspire you… And then there are journeys that completely immerse you in the natural world, challenge you physically, and remind you why travel is so transformative.
My adventure with HX Expeditions through Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands has already been filled with unforgettable moments, incredible wildlife encounters, meaningful cultural experiences, and yes… even an unexpected injury that taught me the importance of preparation, support, and slowing down.
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Here’s a look at my journey so far.

First day in Galápagos, taking a photo with a Sea Lion.

​Arrival in the Galápagos: First Wet Landing & Wildlife Encounters
Our Galápagos expedition officially began with a very early wake-up call at 4:30 AM.  After breakfast at 5 AM, we headed to the airport for our flights from Quito to Guayaquil and then onward to Baltra in the Galápagos Islands.

Landing in the Galápagos felt surreal.  The airport may be tiny, but the excitement was huge.  Customs were smooth and efficient, and shortly after, we boarded a zodiac.  This small expedition boat carries only about 12 passengers at a time to reach the Santa Cruz II expedition ship.
After lunch and expedition briefings, we experienced our very first wet landing.
The moment my feet touched the shores of the Galápagos, I knew this destination was unlike anywhere else in the world.
We saw sea lions lounging along the beach, black marine iguanas sunbathing on volcanic rocks, endemic birds soaring overhead, and one of the most beautiful sunsets imaginable.  It was the perfect introduction to expedition cruising and the raw beauty of the Galápagos Islands.
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That evening, we attended the captain’s welcome reception and dinner onboard while excitement filled the ship for the adventures ahead.

Exploring Quito: Churches, Chocolate & The Middle of the World
Before heading to the islands, we had the opportunity to explore Quito, Ecuador’s beautiful capital city.

Our city tour included visits to historic churches filled with intricate architecture and centuries of history.  During the tour, we also encountered peaceful protests outside the government palace while the president was working there that day.  Police officers were present throughout the area to maintain order, but what stood out to me most was the welcoming atmosphere — officers even interacted with visitors using puppets as a symbol of safety and community spirit.

One of my favorite experiences of the day was visiting Chez Tiff Artesanal, a local chocolate factory, where we learned about Ecuadorian chocolate production and enjoyed a tasting demonstration.  Ecuador is known for producing some of the world’s finest cacao, and the flavors were incredible.

Afterward, we headed to Crater Restaurant, known for its stunning views of the volcano crater.  Unfortunately, the weather was cloudy so that we couldn’t see the crater itself, but the lunch was absolutely delicious.

I enjoyed a fresh salad and a cooked shrimp ceviche prepared Ecuadorian-style — completely different from ceviches I’ve had in other countries.  It was served with popcorn, plantain chips, and a local tree nut on the side.  For dessert, I had cheese with dried plums, a surprisingly delicious combination.

Later, we visited the famous Middle of the World monument.
I had visited the Equator back in 2020 and remembered trying the famous egg-balancing challenge.  During that trip, I also purchased a beautiful piece of artwork from a local artist whose gallery was located right at the Equator.  Over the years, we stayed connected through Facebook, but I never told him I was returning to Ecuador.  When I walked into his gallery this time, he was completely surprised to see me standing there again.  It was such a special and heartfelt reunion, and he even gave me a thank-you gift for coming back to visit him.  This time, I also decided to attempt something different: balancing myself in a yoga tree pose directly on the equator line.

Let me tell you… It’s much harder than it looks, but I did it!

That evening, HX Expeditions hosted a wonderful dinner before our early departure to the Galápagos the next morning.

San Cristóbal Island: Blue-Footed Boobies & Giant Tortoises
Day four brought one of the most exciting wildlife days yet.
We started with a super early morning wet landing on San Cristóbal Island for a hike to observe red-footed boobies, blue-footed boobies, and frigate birds in their natural habitat.
One of the highlights was spotting a nesting blue-footed booby protecting two eggs right beside the trail.

After returning to the ship for breakfast, guests had the option to snorkel or explore by glass-bottom boat.  Since I don’t snorkel, I chose the glass-bottom boat experience, which still let me admire the incredible marine life beneath the surface.

Later that afternoon, we made a dry landing at the David Rodriguez National Park sanctuary, where giant tortoises roam freely in protected habitat areas.
We ended the day with yet another spectacular Galápagos sunset before returning to the ship.

Santa Fe Island: Sea Lions, Snakes & Stargazing
Santa Fe Island was one of the most visually fascinating days of the expedition.
As soon as we arrived for our wet landing, more than 30 sea lions welcomed us on the beach.  They played together, surfed through the waves, and came incredibly close to our group without fear.

It was honestly one of the cutest wildlife encounters I’ve ever experienced.
The island hike itself was short but rocky, reinforcing how important proper footwear is on expedition cruises.  Along the trail, we spotted endemic iguanas, giant cactuses, spiders, and unexpectedly… a snake.

While climbing over a large rock, I noticed what turned out to be a Galápagos racer snake, the only snake species known to inhabit the island.  Thankfully, our guide Dani explained that it was non-venomous, but seeing it so close on the trail was still a little terrifying.
Later, during another glass-bottom boat excursion, I saw colorful fish and ocean turtles gliding beneath us.

In the afternoon, we visited Plaza Sur Island, famous for its volcanic landscapes, marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies, and conservation projects involving giant cactuses.  Researchers are currently protecting young cacti from iguanas to study whether overgrazing is preventing them from reaching full size.
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Nearby, we also passed Kicker Rock, one of the Galápagos’ most famous diving sites.
Back onboard, the crew greeted us with drinks and snacks on the aft deck while sharks circled the ship below.

That evening ended with one of the most magical experiences yet: stargazing.
The ship’s lights were turned off completely as our guide, Dani, pointed out constellations and shared mythology stories beneath an incredibly clear night sky.

Santa Cruz Island & An Unexpected Accident
Our full-day excursion on Santa Cruz Island began with a visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station, where we learned about giant tortoise conservation and incubation programs.

One fascinating detail was learning how scientists determine the sex of tortoises based on egg temperature exposure during incubation.

We also saw the famous giant tortoise known as Lonesome George, whose inability to reproduce became one of the Galápagos’ most well-known conservation stories.
Afterward, some guests chose to take a bike ride, while others traveled by bus to a local hacienda where sugar cane, coffee, and moonshine are produced.

We later visited Rancho El Manzanillo for lunch and a chance to observe giant tortoises roaming freely through muddy fields.  We even had to wear rubber boots because of the mud and the tortoise poop!

Unfortunately, later that afternoon, my journey took an unexpected turn.
While taking photos near the Santa Cruz sign, I wasn’t paying attention to where I was walking.  I missed a step, twisted my ankle badly, and immediately heard a cracking sound.
Thankfully, two fellow travel advisors rushed to help me while the expedition crew, guides, and onboard doctor arrived within minutes.

Since I couldn’t walk, they transported me back to the ship on a stretcher via zodiac.  Even in pain, I somehow managed to laugh and take photos with the crew and the doctor during the rescue.

The onboard medical team immediately began treatment with pain medication locally and injections, anti-inflammatory capsules, compression wrapping, and a walking boot.  The swelling was intense at first, but thankfully, it improved significantly by the next morning.
What impressed me most throughout this entire experience was the professionalism and care provided by HX Expeditions and the crew aboard the Santa Cruz II.

Doctor Marcelo Izquierdo checked on me multiple times throughout the day, meals were delivered directly to my cabin, and both the crew and my fellow travel advisors constantly made sure I was okay.
This experience reminded me how important it is to:

• Always watch your step while traveling
• Wear proper footwear during expedition activities
• Purchase travel insurance for medical emergencies, not just flight delays or lost luggage
• Travel with companies that prioritize safety and onboard medical support

One of the biggest advantages of traveling with HX Expeditions is having a permanent doctor onboard, trained expedition staff, emergency protocols, and support systems already in place.
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Even the expedition guides are trained in emergency response procedures and communication protocols in remote environments.

Final Thoughts So Far
Another detail worth mentioning is how seamless the overall logistics have been throughout this experience.

HX Expeditions works closely with Metropolitan Touring in Ecuador, which coordinated airport transfers, hotels, flights to and from the Galápagos, and all land-based touring.
Even though I didn’t receive every tiny detail of the itinerary beforehand, I actually appreciated discovering parts of the journey organically as we traveled.  Expedition cruising is immersive by nature, and attending the daily expedition briefings onboard is part of the experience.

This journey has already reinforced why expedition travel is unlike any other form of travel.
It’s not just about seeing beautiful places; it’s about learning, adapting, exploring responsibly, connecting with nature, and sometimes even overcoming unexpected challenges along the way.

And despite my injury, I can honestly say this has been one of the most unforgettable travel experiences of my life.

Should the Galápagos, Antarctica, Alaska, or the Nordic regions be on your bucket list, I would love to help you plan your own HX Expeditions adventure.  Connect with me today!