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 that rare wilderness 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.
Hotel Hilton Colón
Day 2 — Guayaquil/Galápagos
This morning, fly to the Galápagos Islands and board our comfortable expedition ship. During lunch, we begin our exploration of the islands and their diverse wildlife.
National Geographic Endeavour or National Geographic Islander
(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)
Listed below are some of the islands we may visit during our expeditions:*
Isla Bartolomé
Walk to the top of Bartolomé's volcanic cone for a stunning view of Pinnacle Rock and the surrounding white sand beaches. You may also have the opportunity to swim with Galápagos penguins.
Isla Santiago
Follow a path along a series of tide pools and underwater caverns in search of Galápagos
fur seals, marine iguanas, 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. Learn about the Darwin Foundation and their giant Galápagos tortoise breeding program. Visit “Lonesome George,” the last surviving
tortoise of his kind. Later, travel into the highlands where wild tortoises forage.
Isla Isabela
Spend the early morning on the lookout for dolphins, whales, sea turtles, and the unusual ocean sunfish, the Mola mola. Explore caves and hidden lagoons by Zodiac, and snorkel among sea turtles.
Isla Floreana
At Champion Islet, snorkel among sea lions, or
peer into an underwater world in a glass-bottom
boat (Endeavour only) while keeping an eye out
for the endangered Floreana Mockingbird. Those
interested can visit Post Office Bay—if you see a
letter addressed to someone who lives near you,
the tradition is to deliver it by hand.
Isla Fernandina
Discover the marine iguana haven of Punta Espinoza as we hike over lava flows. Galapagos hawks and sea lion nurseries are also found as we explore this island.
Isla Española
See Darwin's finches, boobies, and waved albatross on this birder's paradise. Walk among vivid green and red marine iguanas, and observe sea lions up close on a pristine white-sand beach.
Day 9 — Galápagos/Guayaquil
After breakfast, disembark the ship and fly to Guayaquil. The evening is at your leisure.
Hotel Hilton Colón (B)
Day 10 — Guayaquil/U.S.
Depart Guayaquil this morning, arriving home the same day.
(B)
Optional Extension
- Peru - Post-Trip Extension, 8 Days
Related Trips
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.
Chris Johns
Chris Johns was named Editor in Chief of National Geographic magazine in January 2005. He is the ninth editor of the magazine since its founding in 1888. Johns’ editorial efforts have been recognized with 13 National Magazine Awards from the American Society of Magazine Editors in the past five years, most recently for Magazine of the Year and Single-Topic Issue in 2011. Johns became a National Geographic contract photographer in 1985 and joined the magazine staff in 1995. As a photographer, he produced more than 20 articles for National Geographic, eight of which were cover stories. Johns was named one of the world’s 25 most important photographers by American Photo magazine in 2003.
Chris will join the following departure:
Mar 30 - Apr 08, 2012This trip is offered in association with Lindblad Expeditions.
Expedition Dates
* Please note: Itineraries will vary slightly from week to week subject to the Galápagos National Park regulations. Each itinerary will include Isla Santa Cruz and a selection of the other stops listed in the itinerary.
With temperate weather year-round, any month is a great time to visit the Galápagos. Peak prices have been established for popular travel periods (i.e. summer vacation). See below for details.
Special Offer
Book by March 31, 2012 to receive free round-trip air between Miami or New York/Galápagos on select January–June 2012 departures. (Upgrade to business class is available on the New York/Guayaquil flights for only $500 round-trip). Subject to availability; new bookings only. Please call for details.
National Geographic Endeavour
Expedition Costs
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 $450 (subject to change).
- January 14 - 23, 2012
National Geographic Islander
(waitlist only) - January 21 - 30, 2012
National Geographic Islander - January 27 - February 05, 2012
National Geographic Endeavour - January 28 - February 06, 2012
National Geographic Islander
(waitlist only) - February 03 - 12, 2012
National Geographic Endeavour - February 04 - 13, 2012
National Geographic Islander - February 10 - 19, 2012
National Geographic Endeavour - February 11 - 20, 2012
National Geographic Islander
(waitlist only) - February 17 - 26, 2012
National Geographic Endeavour - February 18 - 27, 2012
National Geographic Islander - February 24 - March 04, 2012
National Geographic Endeavour - February 25 - March 05, 2012
National Geographic Islander - March 02 - April 11, 2012
National Geographic Endeavour - March 03 - 12, 2012
National Geographic Islander - March 09 - 18, 2012
National Geographic Endeavour - March 10 - 19, 2012
National Geographic Islander - March 16 - 25, 2012
National Geographic Endeavour - March 23 - April 01, 2012
National Geographic Endeavour - March 30 - April 08, 2012
National Geographic Endeavour - April 06 - 15, 2012
National Geographic Endeavour - April 13 - 22, 2012
National Geographic Endeavour - April 14 - 23, 2012
National Geographic Islander
(waitlist only) - April 20 - 29, 2012
National Geographic Endeavour - April 27 - May 06, 2012
National Geographic Endeavour - April 28 - May 07, 2012
National Geographic Islander - May 05 - 14, 2012
National Geographic Islander - May 12 - 21, 2012
National Geographic Islander - May 19 - 28, 2012
National Geographic Islander - May 25 - June 03, 2012
National Geographic Endeavour - June 01 - 10, 2012
National Geographic Endeavour - June 02 - 11, 2012
National Geographic Islander - June 08 - 17, 2012
National Geographic Endeavour - June 09 - 18, 2012
National Geographic Islander - June 16 - 25, 2012
National Geographic Islander - June 22 - July 01, 2012
National Geographic Endeavour
(waitlist only) - June 23 - July 02, 2012
National Geographic Islander
(waitlist only) - June 29 - July 08, 2012
National Geographic Endeavour - June 30 - July 09, 2012
National Geographic Islander - July 07 - 16, 2012
National Geographic Islander - July 13 - 22, 2012
National Geographic Endeavour - July 14 - 23, 2012
National Geographic Islander
(waitlist only) - July 20 - 29, 2012
National Geographic Endeavour - July 21 - 30, 2012
National Geographic Islander - July 27 - August 05, 2012
National Geographic Endeavour - July 28 - August 06, 2012
National Geographic Islander
(waitlist only) - August 04 - 13, 2012
National Geographic Islander - August 10 - 19, 2012
National Geographic Endeavour - August 11 - 20, 2012
National Geographic Islander - August 17 - 26, 2012
National Geographic Endeavour - August 18 - 27, 2012
National Geographic Islander - August 24 - September 02, 2012
National Geographic Endeavour - August 25 - September 03, 2012
National Geographic Islander - September 01 - 10, 2012
National Geographic Islander - September 08 - 17, 2012
National Geographic Islander - September 15 - 24, 2012
National Geographic Islander
(waitlist only) - September 22 - October 01, 2012
National Geographic Islander - September 28 - October 07, 2012
National Geographic Endeavour - October 05 - 14, 2012
National Geographic Endeavour - October 12 - 21, 2012
National Geographic Endeavour - October 19 - 28, 2012
National Geographic Endeavour - October 26 - November 04, 2012
National Geographic Endeavour - October 27 - November 05, 2012
National Geographic Islander - November 02 - 11, 2012
National Geographic Endeavour - November 03 - 12, 2012
National Geographic Islander - November 09 - 18, 2012
National Geographic Endeavour - November 10 - 19, 2012
National Geographic Islander - November 17 - 26, 2012
National Geographic Islander - November 24 - December 03, 2012
National Geographic Islander
(waitlist only) - November 30 - December 09, 2012
National Geographic Endeavour - December 01 - 10, 2012
National Geographic Islander - December 07 - 16, 2012
National Geographic Endeavour - December 08 - 17, 2012
National Geographic Islander
(waitlist only) - December 14 - 23, 2012
National Geographic Endeavour - December 15 - 24, 2012
National Geographic Islander - December 21 - 30, 2012
National Geographic Endeavour
(waitlist only) - December 22 - 31, 2012
National Geographic Islander
(waitlist only) - December 28, 2012 - January 06, 2013
National Geographic Endeavour - December 29, 2012 - January 07, 2013
National Geographic Islander - January 04 - 13, 2013
National Geographic Endeavour - January 05 - 14, 2013
National Geographic Islander - January 11 - 20, 2013
National Geographic Endeavour - January 12 - 21, 2013
National Geographic Islander - January 18 - 27, 2013
National Geographic Endeavour - January 19 - 28, 2013
National Geographic Islander - January 25, 2013 - February 03, 2012
National Geographic Endeavour - January 26 - February 04, 2013
National Geographic Islander - February 01 - 10, 2013
National Geographic Endeavour - February 02 - 11, 2013
National Geographic Islander - February 08 - 17, 2013
National Geographic Endeavour - February 09 - 18, 2013
National Geographic Islander - February 15 - 24, 2013
National Geographic Endeavour - February 16 - 25, 2013
National Geographic Islander - February 22 - March 02, 2013
National Geographic Endeavour - February 23 - March 03, 2013
National Geographic Islander - March 01 - 10, 2013
National Geographic Endeavour - March 02 - 11, 2013
National Geographic Islander - March 08 - 17, 2013
National Geographic Endeavour - March 09 - 18, 2013
National Geographic Islander - March 15 - 24, 2013
National Geographic Endeavour - March 16 - 25, 2013
National Geographic Islander - March 22 - 31, 2013
National Geographic Endeavour - March 23 - April 01, 2013
National Geographic Islander - March 29 - April 07, 2013
National Geographic Endeavour - March 30 - April 08, 2013
National Geographic Islander