Expedition Details
From the proud strut of the blue-footed booby to the clacking courtship of the waved albatross, the Galápagos Archipelago is one of the few places on earth where the behavior of birds in the wild can be observed at close range. In the company of birding experts from National Geographic and Victor Emmanuel Nature Tours, set out on a special expedition to the Galápagos that focuses on bird-watching.Trip Highlights
- Cruise to pristine islands and walk among colonies of birds unfazed by your presence.
- See flightless cormorants, great frigate birds, and Nazca boobies; swim with Galápagos penguins; and learn to identify Darwin's famous finches.
- Snorkel amid shimmering fish, sea turtles, penguins, and playful sea lions.
- Observe rare giant tortoises at the Charles Darwin Research Station.
Itinerary - 10 Days
Day 1 — U.S./Guayaquil, Ecuador
Depart for Guayaquil and upon arrival, transfer to our hotel.
Day 2 — Guayaquil/Galápagos
This morning, fly to the Galápagos Islands and board our comfortable expedition ship. During lunch, sail to North Seymour Island for a magnificent introduction to the diverse wildlife of the islands. This afternoon, walk among the blue-footed boobies, sea lions, and land iguanas that inhabit the island's picturesque coastline. Keep an eye out for male frigate birds puffing out their scarlet gullar pouches.
(B,L,D)
Days 3 through 8 — Exploring Galápagos
In keeping with the nature of an expedition, our itinerary is flexible, allowing you to take advantage of this extraordinary wildlife sanctuary. You will have the opportunity to go on nature walks with top birders and local naturalists, swim, snorkel, or explore the waters by kayak or Zodiac.
(B, L, D daily)
We plan to make the following stops during this voyage:
Isla Bartolomé
Bartolomé's landscape is an enchanting convergence of lava flows, mangroves, and beautiful white-sand beaches. Here you may also have the opportunity to swim with Galápagos penguins.
Isla Santiago
Santiago offers some of the best "tide pooling" in the islands. Follow a path along a series of pools and underwater caverns in search of American oystercatchers, Galápagos fur seals, sea lions, and Sally Lightfoot crabs.
Isla Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz is home to the Charles Darwin Research Station, a breeding station for endangered native species. Join a staff member of the research station for an introduction to the Darwin Foundation's ecological studies and giant Galápagos tortoise breeding program. Later, head into the highlands to roam the lush, moss-draped landscape where wild tortoises often forage. Vermillion flycatchers can sometimes be spotted among the branches here.
Isla Isabela
Spend the early morning on the lookout for dolphins; whales; sea turtles; and the astonishing ocean sunfish, the Mola mola. Then trace the southern coast of Isla Isabela to the cliffs known as Punta Vicente Roca. Explore caves and hidden lagoons by Zodiac, and don snorkeling gear to examine shells and other marine life embedded in hardened lava flows. Many species of birds-from flamingos and penguins to pelicans to flightless cormorants-can be found here.
Isla Fernandina
Discover Punta Espinosa on Isla Fernandina, the youngest and most pristine island in the Galápagos. Through a thicket of white mangroves lies the largest colony of marine iguanas in the islands. Sea lions play along the coast and flightless cormorants hunt from their nesting site against the dramatic backdrop of Isla Isabela's volcanoes.
Isla Floreana
At Champion Islet, snorkel among sea lions and schools of surgeonfish in clear waters, or glide along the shore in a Zodiac, spotting pelicans and other shorebirds. Hike past a flamingo--dotted lagoon to a white-sand beach, a favorite nesting site for sea turtles. Those interested can take a Zodiac ride to Post Office Bay. If you see a letter addressed to someone who lives near you, the tradition is to deliver it by hand.
Isla Española
A paradise for bird lovers, Isla Española is home to Darwin's finches, waved albatrosses, Hood mockingbirds, and blue-footed boobies. You'll also see Española marine iguanas, which develop vivid green and red coloration from their food, a coastal algae that blooms in iguana-mating season.
Day 9 — Galápagos/Guayaquil
After breakfast, disembark the ship and fly to Guayaquil. The evening is at your leisure.
(B)
Day 10 — Guayaquil/U.S.
Depart Guayaquil this morning, arriving home the same day.
(B)
Related Trips
Expedition Team
Accompanying this expedition is a diverse team of experts — including biologists, naturalists, and regional specialists — who will share their knowledge and insights on the birds, wildlife, landscapes, and local culture. See one of the members of our extraordinary team below.
Kitty Coley
Naturalist Kitty Coley explored and dived throughout the Galápagos in 2001. Trained as a geologist, Kitty's knowledge of volcanoes combined with her love of nature and ornithology make her ideally suited to introduce you to the volcanoes, birds, and marine mammals of these remarkable islands. An avid bird-watcher and butterfly expert, Kitty is an enthusiastic teacher who will share her great love of nature, geology, and the wildlife of these magical islands.
Kitty will join the following departure:
Nov 06 - 15, 2010
This trip is offered in association with Lindblad Expeditions.
Expedition Dates 
Expedition Costs
For a single cabin on the Islander, add $2,700 in Category 1 and $3,100 in Category 2.
Airfare is not included in the expedition cost. Round-trip economy airfare between Miami and Guayaquil is from $660, and between Guayaquil and Galápagos is $420 (subject to change).
Special Offer
Book before October 29, 2010 and receive free international airfare between Miami and Guayaquil on the November 6, 2010 departure.
