At a glance
- Duration:
- 10 Days
- Start/End:
- Guayaquil or Quito, Ecuador roundtrip
- From:
- $8,940
- Time of Year:
- January - December
On this 10-day Galápagos by Catamaran: An Intimate Voyage cruise aboard the 16-guest National Geographic Delfina, zodiac to pristine beaches, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard along volcanic shores, explore wildlife on land or under the sea.
Experience the Galápagos aboard a stylish and stable double-hulled yacht for 16 guests, well-equipped for up-close exploration. See and do more with two veteran naturalists, including a National Geographic certified photo instructor. National Geographic Delfina is available as a private charter. The ship is perfectly sized for a group of family and friends, or your organization.
Few destinations are more iconic than the Galápagos Islands, where Lindblad Expeditions brought the very first group of citizen explorers more than 50 years ago. Sail among the varied landscapes of this magical archipelago to encounter giant tortoises, blue-footed boobies, playful penguins, and charismatic sea lions, all unfazed by your presence. With multiple ways to explore on land and at sea, including hikes, photo walks, kayaking, paddleboarding, and snorkeling, every day reveals new discoveries interpreted by a team of expert local guides.
Galápagos by Catamaran: An Intimate Voyage Highlights
- Encounter Galápagos wildlife up close—and explore the undersea, too—on an exclusive catamaran with 16 guests and two veteran expedition staff to guide you over a full week in the islands.
- Adventure by kayak, paddleboard, and Zodiac on waters rich in marine life.
- Discover wildlife unfazed by your presence: lounge on beaches with sea lions, walk among huge colonies of marine iguanas, and delight at the antics of nesting seabirds from ship and shore.
- Snorkel with sea lions, turtles, and abundant fish in the protected waters of the Galápagos Marine Reserve in the company of 16 guests and your snorkel guides.
- See more of Ecuador with a stay in Quito, or venture to the tropical Andes at Mashpi Lodge.
Galápagos by Catamaran: An Intimate Voyage Details
Day-to-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Quito or Guayaquil, Ecuador
Arrive in Ecuador, either in Quito, Ecuador’s capital city in the Andes, or in the coastal city of Guayaquil, for an included transfer to your convenient hotel for overnight. Both cities are well-served by international carriers, and Galápagos flights start and end in Quito with a stop in Guayaquil. You may opt for a pre-voyage extension to Mashpi Reserve in the tropical Andes outside Quito, or take just one extra day on the See Quito Pre-Voyage Extension.
Day 2: Quito or Guayaquil / Galápagos Islands
In the morning, if you’re joining the recommended flight to the Galapagos, transfers to the airport and luggage assistance will be provided.* Upon arrival, you’ll embark on the 16-guest National Geographic Delfina.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Days 3-8: Exploring the Galápagos Islands
Below are a selection of islands you may visit during your expedition. Itineraries are subject to Galápagos National Park regulations.
North Seymour: Follow coastal trails past playful Galápagos sea lions on this wildlife-rich central island. Continue inland through a silvery forest of endemic palo santo trees, where frigatebirds nest, blue-footed boobies dance and where you may also encounter prehistoric-looking land iguanas feeding on cactus.
Bartolomé: Climb the steps to the summit of this 300-foot volcanic wonderland for stunning views. Explore, swim and snorkel from the beach. Catch a glimpse of Galápagos penguins, one of the world’s rarest.
Santiago: Explore tide pools and look for fur seals sheltered in quiet grottos of black basalt. Swim, snorkel, kayak and paddleboard along Santiago’s spectacular coast, and explore an enchanting coastal forest where Charles Darwin once walked.
Isabela: Cross the Equator at Volcán Ecuador, the northernmost of Isabela’s six great shield volcanoes. Keep an eye out for whales and dolphins, sea turtles and the elusive ocean sunfish. Over two days, land in the footsteps of Darwin and Melville, and look for wildlife along the wildly eroded volcanic shore.
Fernandina: One of the most active oceanic volcanoes in the world, Fernandina is the youngest and most pristine island in Galápagos—and home to the strange flightless cormorant, Galápagos penguins and the largest marine iguanas. Hikes ashore lead across impressive recent lava flows.
Española: See swallow-tailed gulls, Española mockingbirds, Nazca boobies and, seasonally, the world’s only population of waved albatross at this bird paradise, also home to vividly colored marine iguanas. Watch sea lions on the white sand beach, and snorkel offshore at Gardner Bay.
Floreana: Follow a trail past a pink-tinted lagoon sometimes frequented by flamingos. Snorkel among sea lions and abundant fish or cruise along Champion Islet by Zodiac. Visit the historic mail barrel at Post Office Bay.
Santa Cruz: Visit Puerto Ayora, the largest town and headquarters of both the Galápagos National Park and Charles Darwin Research Station. See the monument to Lonesome George and tour the giant tortoise breeding corrals. Witness giant tortoises roaming in the wild in the lush, green highlands.
Santiago: Explore tide pools and look for fur seals sheltered in quiet grottos of black basalt. Swim, snorkel, kayak and paddleboard along Santiago’s spectacular coast, and explore an enchanting coastal forest where Charles Darwin once walked.
Genovesa: Sail across the Equator to the remote northern realm of the Galápagos into this flooded caldera, home to over one million seabirds. Visit Prince Philip’s Steps at the top of the island. Highlights along the trail are many, from Nazca, red- and blue-footed boobies and frigates to gulls, owls, fur seals, hammerhead sharks, turtles and manta rays.
San Cristobal: Walk along the powdery white sand at a gorgeous beach fronted by iconic Kicker Rock. Explore Baquerizo Moreno, where sea lions thrive in the middle of town.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9: Galápagos Islands / Disembark Ship / Guayaquil or Quito
Disembark this morning and join the recommended flight to Guayaquil or Quito; transfers to the airport and luggage assistance will be provided.* Unwind in Hotel Oro Verde in Guayaquil, or pick from several options in Quito, including a convenient airport hotel.
The afternoon and evening are at your leisure. You may be able to take advantage of overnight flights home. Ask your expedition specialist about Peru, Quito and other post-voyage options. Upon arrival in Guayaquil, many guests continue on a flight to Lima, Peru, for Galapagos by Catamaran + Machu Picchu and Peru’s Land of the Inca.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 10: Guayaquil or Quito
After breakfast, transfer to the airport and board flights home, unless you have arranged for additional nights or an extension.
Departure Time: Anytime on day 10, or anytime after 7:00 p.m. local time on day 9
Departure City: Guayaquil or Quito
Meals Included: Breakfast
