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, making for incredible photographic opportunities. Join a National Geographic photographer aboard the National Geographic Endeavour and learn tips and techniques as you capture images of flightless cormorants, marine iguanas, giant tortoises, and the remarkable scenery of the islands.Trip Highlights
- Hone your skills while capturing images of wildlife in a variety of landscapes, from black lava fields to white-sand beaches, and from rocky cliffs to lush highland forests.
- Photograph colonies of iguanas, frigate, sea lions, and birds unfazed by your presence.
- See rare giant tortoises at the Charles Darwin Research Station.
- Explore the waters of the Galápagos by kayak, glass-bottom boat, snorkel, 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
Anchor off the picturesque port of Puerto Villamil. Walk the streets of this small town, and stroll along the nearby saltwater lagoons, home to flamingos and shore birds. Visit the island's tortoise breeding center. Explore Isabela's caves and shoreline, and search the waters for dolphins; whales; sea turtles; and the astonishing ocean sunfish, the Mola mola.
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.
Day 10 — Guayaquil/U.S.
Depart Guayaquil this morning, arriving home the same day.
Related Trips
View LargerExpedition 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.
Mark Thiessen
Mark Thiessen has been a staff photographer with National Geographic since 1990. His images have been published in National Geographic magazine, National Geographic Traveler, and National Geographic Adventure. Mark is an enthusiastic teacher and considered a master of digital photography and image processing.
Mark will join the following departures:
Nov 12 - 21, 2010 • Nov 19 - 28, 2010
This trip is offered in association with Lindblad Expeditions.
Expedition Costs
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: October 22 & 29; and November 19.
2011: February 4.
or
Book a 2011 expedition before October 29, 2010 and pay 2010 rates.
