Ultimate Galápagos Holiday Voyage

Day 1: Guayaquil, Ecuador

Upon arrival in Guayaquil transfer to the 44-room Hotel del Parque, a tranquil haven surrounded by lush gardens set in a lovingly restored 19th-century building. Choose to arrive early for an optional extra night to rest, relax, and prepare for your voyage. Or opt for the full-day excursion from Guayaquil to Hacienda La Danesa. Ask your expedition specialist about options.

Day 2: Guayaquil / Galápagos Islands / Embark Ship

Fly to Baltra in the center of Galápagos, a little world unto itself in the tropical Pacific. We are welcomed by our naturalist staff and embark National Geographic Islander II. Gather on deck for a welcome cocktail at sunset as the captain circumnavigates Daphne Island.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Days 3-10: Galápagos Islands

Listed below is a sample of islands we may visit during our expedition. All ship itineraries are subject to Galápagos National Park regulations.

Bartolomé: Climb the steps to the summit of this 300-foot volcanic wonderland for stunning views. Explore, swim and snorkel from the beach. You may even see Galápagos penguins, one of the world’s rarest.

Española: See swallow-tailed gulls, Española mockingbirds, Nazca boobies and, seasonally, the world’s only population of waved albatross at this birdy paradise, also home to vividly colored marine iguanas. Watch sea lions on the wide sand beach, and snorkel offshore, at Gardner Bay.

Floreana: Follow a trail past a rose pink-tinted lagoon frequented by flamingos. Snorkel among sea lions and abundant fish, or cruise along Champion Islet by Zodiac. Visit the famous 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. See the giant tortoises roaming in the wild in the lush, green highlands.

South Plaza: Sea lions greet us at South Plaza, an uplifted block carpeted in salt-loving succulents and teeming with wildlife, including a noisy group of bachelor sea lions and a population of land iguanas. Admire diverse seabirds swooping along high sea cliffs.

Santa Fe: Snorkel and kayak in the secluded cove at Barrington Bay. On shore, a trail leads us through the largest cactus trees in Galápagos. The Santa Fe land iguana is found only on this island, where Galápagos hawks are also thriving once again.

Santiago: Hike over the smooth pahoehoe lava and admire spatter cones, little miniature hornitos, and the wild riot of black lava at Sullivan Bay, the result an eruption recorded by passing buccaneers in 1897. San Cristóbal: Land on a small, sparkling beach at Punta Pitt for a hike up to a plateau where blueand red-footed footed boobies nest and you may see endemic Cristóbal mockingbirds and lava lizards. On this easternmost island, explore the celebrated expanse of powdery white sand at Cerro Brujo in the afternoon. Circumnavigate iconic Kicker Rock.

Genovesa: Sail north across the Equator to the remote northern realm of the Galápagos, bathed in warmer tropical waters and home to the red-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, great frigate birds and other nesting seabirds. Paddle and kayak along the cliffs of this flooded caldera, where Galápagos fur seals and sea lions haul out to rest.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11: Galápagos Islands / Disembark Ship / Guayaquil

Bid farewell to the ship this morning and fly back to Guayaquil, where we transfer to Hotel del Parque, with the late afternoon and evening are free to explore. Ask your expedition specialist about Quito and other post-voyage options.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12: Guayaquil

Transfer to the airport for flights home. There are flights in the early morning hours, or relax and take a later flight today.

Included

• All meals and non-alcoholic beverages*
• Your bar tab and all crew gratuities are included in the voyage price on all National Geographic Explorer, National Geographic Endurance, and National Geographic Orion voyages. Please call for details.
• Your bar tab and WiFi** are included in the voyage price on all National Geographic Islander or National Geographic Endeavour II voyages. Please call for details.
• Cappuccinos, lattes & filtered water
• 24-hour coffee, tea & soda on demand (soda not included on Lord of the Glens)
• Hors d’oeuvres & snacks during Recap
• Fitness center or exercise equipment, depending on the ship
• Fully stocked library, and other gracious public spaces
• The guidance and company of our expedition staff
• The services of a physician on certain ships/destinations
• Hotels ashore as indicated in itinerary
• Meals on land, as indicated in itinerary
• Sightseeing & entrance fees
• Special access permits, park fees, port taxes
• Transfers to and from group flights
• The expertise of our expedition staff
• All excursions
• Zodiac & kayak explorations
• Snorkeling, including wetsuits, masks, fins & snorkel where relevant
• Presentations and guest speakers in the lounge

Not Included

• International and internal airfare
• Additional hotel nights
• Private transfers
• Travel Protection Plan
• Passport, visa, and immigration fees
• Expedition extensions
• Gratuities
• Alcoholic beverages (except aboard Sea Cloud, Lord of the Glens, National Geographic Orion, National Geographic Explorer, National Geographic Endurance, National Geographic Islander and National Geographic Endeavour II); certain super-premium brands not included
• Spa treatments
• Gratuities
• Scuba diving
• Laundry
• Internet and phone
• Gift shop items and any other items of personal nature

National Geographic Islander II

Launching in August 2022, the sleek and elegant National Geographic Islander II will sail year-round in the Galápagos Islands and elevate the guest experience to an entirely new level.

National Geographic Islander II Details …