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Galápagos

  • 10 days
  • Aboard the National Geographic Endeavour or Islander
  • Explore by Zodiac, kayak, snorkeling, and hiking with a team of naturalists
Request a ReservationClick to see dates

Expedition Details

The Galápagos Archipelago, Darwin's living laboratory, is home to an abundance of wildlife. Isolated from the mainland for millions of years, it is one of the rare wildernesses where animals have no instinctive fear of humans. Traveling aboard the National Geographic Endeavour or National Geographic Islander, experience up close encounters with unique species such as flightless cormorants, marine iguanas, and domed giant tortoises.

Trip Highlights

  • Snorkel amid shimmering fish, sea turtles, penguins, and playful sea lions.
  • Cruise to pristine islands and walk among colonies of animals and birds unfazed by your presence.
  • Observe rare giant tortoises at the Charles Darwin Research Station.
  • Explore the waters of the Galápagos by kayak, glass-bottom boat (Endeavour only), or Zodiac.

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 along the sandy shoreline looking for land iguanas, sea lions, and rare birds.
(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 local naturalists; swim; snorkel; or explore the waters by kayak, glass-bottom boat (Endeavour only**), 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 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, travel into the highlands and roam the moss-draped landscape where wild tortoises often forage.

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 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 Galápagos. 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 in clear waters, or peer into an underwater world in a glass-bottom boat (Endeavour only) while keeping an eye out for flamingos, pintail ducks, and shorebirds. Hike to a pristine 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, 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 seaweed 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)

Optional Extensions

  • Peru - Post-Trip Extension, 8 Days
  • Quito - Post-Trip Extension, 1 Day)

Related Trips

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Expedition Team

Accompanying each expedition is a diverse team of experts — from naturalists to regional specialists — who will share their knowledge and insights on the wildlife, landscapes, and local culture. See one of the members of our extraordinary team below.

Sylvia Earle

Sylvia EarleMarine biologist Sylvia Earle is an Explorer-in-Residence at the National Geographic Society. Named one of Time magazine's "Heroes for the Planet" in 1998, Sylvia has pioneered research on marine ecosystems. Former chief scientist for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, she is the author of more than 125 scientific and popular publications. Sylvia most recently worked with the Society as director of the Sustainable Seas Expeditions project.

Sylvia will join the following departure:

Mar 18 - 27, 2011

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Lindblad/National Geographic Logo

This trip is offered in association with Lindblad Expeditions.

Expedition Dates

2010 2011 All
2010
  • Sep 11 - 20, 2010 [ISL]
  • Sep 24 - Oct 03, 2010 [END]
  • Oct 01 - 10, 2010 [END]
  • Oct 08 - 17, 2010 [END] (waitlist only)
  • Oct 15 - 24, 2010 [END]
  • Oct 16 - 25, 2010 [ISL]
  • Oct 22 - 31, 2010 [END]
  • Oct 23 - Nov 01, 2010 [ISL] (waitlist only)
  • Oct 29 - Nov 07, 2010 [END]
  • Oct 30 - Nov 08, 2010 [ISL] (waitlist only)
  • Nov 05 - 14, 2010 [END]
  • Nov 06 - 15, 2010 [ISL]
  • Nov 12 - 21, 2010 [END]
  • Nov 13 - 22, 2010 [ISL]
  • Nov 19 - 28, 2010 [END]
  • Nov 20 - 29, 2010 [ISL] (waitlist only)
  • Nov 26 - Dec 05, 2010 [END] (waitlist only)
  • Nov 27 - Dec 06, 2010 [ISL]
  • Dec 03 - 12, 2010 [END]
  • Dec 04 - 13, 2010 [ISL]
  • Dec 10 - 19, 2010 [END]
  • Dec 11 - 20, 2010 [ISL]
  • Dec 17 - 26, 2010 [END]
  • Dec 18 - 27, 2010 [ISL] (waitlist only)
  • Dec 24, 2010 - Jan 02, 2011 [END] (waitlist only)
  • Dec 25, 2010 - Jan 03, 2011 [ISL] (waitlist only)
  • Dec 31, 2010 - Jan 09, 2011 [END]

2011 dates »

2011
  • Jan 01 - 10, 2011 [ISL]
  • Jan 07 - 16, 2011 [END]
  • Jan 08 - 17, 2011 [ISL] (waitlist only)
  • Jan 14 - 23, 2011 [END]
  • Jan 15 - 24, 2011 [ISL]
  • Jan 21 - 30, 2011 [END]
  • Jan 22 - 31, 2011 [ISL]
  • Jan 28 - Feb 06, 2011 [END]
  • Jan 29 - Feb 07, 2011 [ISL] (waitlist only)
  • Feb 04 - 13, 2011 [END]
  • Feb 05 - 14, 2011 [ISL]
  • Feb 11 - 20, 2011 [END]
  • Feb 12 - 21, 2011 [ISL]
  • Feb 18 - 27, 2011 [END]
  • Feb 19 - 28, 2011 [ISL]
  • Feb 25 - Mar 06, 2011 [END]
  • Feb 26 - Mar 07, 2011 [ISL]
  • Mar 04 - 13, 2011 [END]
  • Mar 05 - 14, 2011 [ISL] (waitlist only)
  • Mar 11 - 20, 2011 [END]
  • Mar 12 - 21, 2011 [ISL]
  • Mar 18 - 27, 2011 [END]
  • Mar 19 - 28, 2011 [ISL]
  • Mar 25 - Apr 03, 2011 [END]
  • Mar 26 - Apr 04, 2011 [ISL]
  • Apr 01 - 10, 2011 [END]
  • Apr 02 - 11, 2011 [ISL] (waitlist only)
  • Apr 08 - 17, 2011 [END]
  • Apr 09 - 18, 2011 [ISL]
  • Apr 15 - 24, 2011 [END]
  • Apr 16 - 25, 2011 [ISL]
  • Apr 22 - May 01, 2011 [END]
  • Apr 23 - May 02, 2011 [ISL] (waitlist only)
  • Apr 29 - May 08, 2011 [END]
  • Apr 30 - May 09, 2011 [ISL]
  • May 07 - 16, 2011 [ISL]
  • May 14 - 23, 2011 [ISL]
  • May 20 - 29, 2011 [END] (waitlist only)
  • May 21 - 30, 2011 [ISL]
  • May 27 - Jun 05, 2011 [END]
  • May 28 - Jun 06, 2011 [ISL]
  • Jun 03 - 12, 2011 [END]
  • Jun 04 - 13, 2011 [ISL]
  • Jun 10 - 19, 2011 [END]
  • Jun 11 - 20, 2011 [ISL]
  • Jun 18 - 27, 2011 [ISL]
  • Jun 24 - Jul 03, 2011 [END]
  • Jun 25 - Jul 04, 2011 [ISL]
  • Jul 02 - 11, 2011 [ISL]
  • Jul 08 - 17, 2011 [END]
  • Jul 15 - 24, 2011 [END]
  • Jul 16 - 25, 2011 [ISL]
  • Jul 22 - 31, 2011 [END]
  • Jul 29 - Aug 07, 2011 [END]
  • Jul 30 - Aug 08, 2011 [ISL]
  • Aug 05 - 14, 2011 [END]
  • Aug 06 - 15, 2011 [ISL]
  • Aug 13 - 22, 2011 [ISL]
  • Aug 19 - 28, 2011 [END]
  • Aug 20 - 29, 2011 [ISL]
  • Aug 27 - Sep 05, 2011 [ISL]
  • Sep 03 - 12, 2011 [ISL] (waitlist only)
  • Sep 10 - 19, 2011 [ISL]
  • Sep 17 - 26, 2011 [ISL]
  • Sep 23 - Oct 02, 2011 [END] (waitlist only)
  • Sep 30 - Oct 09, 2011 [END]
  • Oct 07 - 16, 2011 [END]
  • Oct 14 - 23, 2011 [END]
  • Oct 21 - 30, 2011 [END]
  • Oct 22 - 31, 2011 [ISL]
  • Oct 28 - Nov 06, 2011 [END]
  • Oct 29 - Nov 07, 2011 [ISL] (waitlist only)
  • Nov 04 - 13, 2011 [END]
  • Nov 05 - 14, 2011 [ISL] (waitlist only)
  • Nov 11 - 20, 2011 [END] (waitlist only)
  • Nov 12 - 21, 2011 [ISL]
  • Nov 18 - 27, 2011 [END]
  • Nov 19 - 28, 2011 [ISL]
  • Nov 25 - Dec 04, 2011 [END]
  • Nov 26 - Dec 05, 2011 [ISL]
  • Dec 02 - 11, 2011 [END]
  • Dec 03 - 12, 2011 [ISL] (waitlist only)
  • Dec 09 - 18, 2011 [END] (waitlist only)
  • Dec 10 - 19, 2011 [ISL]
  • Dec 16 - 25, 2011 [END]
  • Dec 17 - 26, 2011 [ISL]
  • Dec 23, 2011 - Jan 01, 2012 [END]
  • Dec 24, 2011 - Jan 02, 2012 [ISL]

« 2010 dates

[ISL] National Geographic Islander
[END] National Geographic Endeavour

Expedition Costs

2010 2011 All
2010
Prices for the 2010 season.
  Endeavour Islander
Category 1
 $4,980$5,380
Category 2
 $5,690$6,180
Category 3
 $6,280$6,820
Category 4
 $6,740$7,220
Category 5
 $8,040$8,520

« 2009 costs | 2011 costs »

2011
Prices for the 2011 season.
  Endeavour Islander
Category 1
 $5,230$5,550
Category 2
 $5,980$6,390
Category 3
 $6,590$7,060
Category 4
 $6,990$7,480
Category 5
 $8,450$8,940

« 2010 costs

View Ship/Deck Plan Prices are per person, double occupancy.

2010:
For a single cabin on the Islander, add $2,700 in Category 1 and $3,100 in Category 2. For a single cabin on the Endeavour, add $1,240 in Category 1 and $1,390 in Category 2.

2011:
For a single cabin on the Islander, add $2,770 in Category 1 and $3,190 in Category 2. For a single cabin on the Endeavour, add $1,300 in Category 1 and $1,460 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).

Third person rates are available in a limited number of Category 3 and Category 5 cabins at one half the double occupancy rate.

Special Offer

Special offers when you book one of the following expeditions before October 29, 2010.

Receive free international airfare between Miami and Guayaquil on the following departures:

2010: September 11; October 15, 22 & 29; November 6, 13, 19 & 27 and December 4 & 11

2011: January 7, 14, 15, 21, 22 & 29; February 4, 11, 12, 19, 25 & 26; March 4, 5, 11, 18 & 25

or

Book a 2011 expedition before October 29, 2010 and pay 2010 rates.

Request a ReservationClick to see dates
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