At a glance
- Duration:
- 8 Days
- Start/End:
- Roundtrip Quito or Guayaquil, Ecuador
- From:
- $8,154
- Time of Year:
- January - December
On this 8-day Wild Galápagos Escape cruise aboard the 48-guest National Geographic Islander II, witness the iconic wildlife that sparked the theory of evolution by natural selection, snorkel pristine waters teeming with sea lions and sea turtles, and hike black-sand beaches and lush highlands.
Explore Darwin’s islands in one action-filled week aboard the elegant National Geographic Islander ll. Witness the iconic wildlife that sparked the theory of evolution by natural selection, snorkel pristine waters teeming with sea lions and sea turtles, and hike black-sand beaches and lush highlands. As with our classic, 10-day expeditions, honed over more than 50 years, each voyage is crafted to offer a diverse perspective of the archipelago with multiple adventures daily on land and undersea.
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.
Wild Galápagos Escape Highlights
- Experience all Galápagos offers in just over one week, with departures on Saturday and Thursday
- Snorkel and kayak among colorful fish, sea turtles, penguins, and playful sea lions, and walk among colonies of wildlife and seabirds unfazed by your presence
- Maximize your time in the islands with options for exploration every day including hiking, kayaking, snorkeling, and more
- Add a three-night post-expedition extension in Quito, Ecuador
- Have more time? Take back-to-back voyages and see more of the archipelago—because no single site in Galápagos National Park can be visited by the same ship more than once in two weeks, consecutive voyages call on different islands.
- With National Geographic Global Explorers, our exclusive family program, kids and teens will learn about this fascinating part of the world—from “sneezing” iguanas to giant tortoises
Wild Galápagos Escape (8-days) Details
Day-to-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Guayaquil or Quito, Ecuador
Arrive in Ecuador, either in Quito, Ecuador’s capital city in the Andes, or in the coastal city of Guayaquil, and take an included transfer to your hotel for an overnight stay. Both cities are well-served by international carriers, and Galápagos flights start and end in Quito with a stop in Guayaquil. Guests in Guayaquil stay at the Hotel del Parque, a 44-room Relais & Châteaux hotel set along the river in lush tropical gardens. In Quito guests have the choice of several hotels, including a convenient airport hotel. You may opt to reserve additional hotel nights and tours in Quito or Guayaquil.
Day 2: Quito or Guayaquil / Galápagos Islands / Embark Ship
Fly to Baltra in the center of Galápagos, a little world unto itself in the Tropical Pacific, where you’ll be welcomed by your naturalist staff as you begin exploring the islands.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Days 3-6: Galápagos Islands
Listed below is a sample of islands you may visit during your expedition. Expeditions begin and end at Baltra and include visits to Isla Santa Cruz and a careful selection of diverse islands. No two days are alike. Each itinerary offers an optimal balance of wildlife, landscapes and experiences. All ship itineraries are subject to Galápagos National Park regulations.
North Seymour: Look for nesting frigatebirds, plus land and marine iguanas, and enjoy a beautiful coastal walk.
Santa Cruz: Head to the lush, green highlands to look for giant tortoises roaming in the wild.
Isabela: Toast crossing the Equator at Volcán Ecuador, northernmost of Isabela’s six great shield volcanoes. Keep an eye open for whales and dolphins as we ply these nutrient-rich waters, once the haunt of whalers and pirates.
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 and the largest marine iguanas.
San Cristóbal: Search for red-footed boobies and the endemic mockingbird and lava lizard—found only on this easternmost island.
Española: Located in the extreme southeast of the archipelago, this island is home to swallow-tailed gulls, Española mockingbirds, Nazca boobies, and seasonally, the world’s only population of waved albatrosses at Punta Suárez.
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 wooden barrel at Post Office Bay, and learn about its unusual postal system.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Galápagos Islands / Disembark Ship / Guayaquil or Quito
Disembark this morning for a return flight to the mainland, where you’ll transfer to Hotel del Parque in Guayaquil. In Quito there are several hotel options. The afternoon and evening are at your leisure. You may be able to take advantage of overnight flights home. Ask your expedition specialist about joining a culturally rich post-voyage extension to Quito and Otavalo, a celebrated market town.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 8: Guayaquil or Quito
After breakfast, transfer to the airport and board flights home, unless you have arranged for additional nights or an extension.
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