“A little world within itself,” as Darwin described it, where life-altering encounters with animals—curious, or sublimely indifferent to our presence–happen like nowhere else on earth. Each island is diversely fascinating and magical. You’ll discover the islands and habitats of this legendary volcanic archipelago aboard our intimate expedition ship, the 96 guest National Geographic Endeavour II, waking each day to fresh adventures. We’ll use our onboard fleet of nimble Zodiacs and kayaks to explore natural wonders up-close. Gain remarkable insights from our knowledgeable team. Hike among the wildlife; investigate the vibrant sea—snorkel, stand-up paddleboard, and swim daily with sea lions, sea turtles, and penguins; and capture these moments in your best photos ever with the guidance of our certified photo instructor.
Arrival Time: Arrive anytime.
Arrival City: Guayaquil
Meet the group in Guayaquil at the Hotel Oro Verde Guayaquil, a convenient locally-owned hotel, for an overnight stay.
Join your fellow travellers for a casual welcome cocktail party at the hotel.
In the morning we will fly to the Galápagos and embark the National Geographic Endeavour II. You will be embarking on the island of Santa Cruz.
(flight included)
After lunch, our journey begins as we explore the islands and their remarkable wildlife. Land on a beautiful beach of fine white sand, where naturalists introduce us to the islands on a walk to shallow lagoon behind the beach frequented by shorebirds. Take your first dip in the Pacific and try out snorkel equipment for the week.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
In the Galápagos, no single site can be visited by the same ship more than once over a two-week period. The idea was developed in 2011, and Lindblad was the first voluntary adopter of this innovative new proposal by the Galápagos National Park, which has as its purpose to spread people out to allow for a more intimate experience. We have created an optimal balance during each week in terms of terrain and wildlife. If you wish to see all the sites, you could join for two weeks, but be assured there is no better week to experience Galápagos—just nuances for one week to the other. Itineraries are determined by the National Park and subject to change.
North Seymour / Rabida
Morning: On this wildlife-rich island, follow trails past coastal groups of Galápagos sea lions and marine iguanas inland through a silvery forest of Palo Santo to colonies of magnificent and great frigatebirds, blue-footed boobies, and other seabirds. See land iguanas clambering over rocks in search of cacti and other flowers. Look for swallow-tailed gulls, noddy terns, red-billed tropic birds and Galápagos fur seals on the rocky walls of this small island (like neighboring Baltra), created by geologic up lift not by lava flows. An excellent introduction to the archipelago.
Afternoon: Land on a red sand beach on this volcanically varied island, where we explore inland. We may see flamingos feeding in a brackish lagoon and clownish brown pelicans entertain from their nests. Plunge in for your first snorkel or explore by kayak or paddleboard. (B, L, D)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
4 hours of conference sessions
Punta Espinosa, Fernandina / Punta Vicente Roca, Isabela
Morning: Hike over impressive lava past tide pools where marine iguanas gather in piles, young sea lions play and the strange flightless cormorant nests in the remote western archipelago. One of the most active oceanic islands in the world, 5000-foot Fernandina is the youngest and most pristine island in Galápagos.
Afternoon: Cross the Equator at Volcán Ecuador, northernmost of Isabela’s six great shield volcanoes. Snorkel and Zodiac along the wildly eroded coast, where we might see green turtles, fur seals and even penguins. Keep an eye out for whales and dolphins—the waters here in the west are rich. Join fellow travelers on deck to celebrate crossing the Equator. (B, L, D)
4 hours of conference sessions
Urbina Bay & Tagus Cove, Isabela
Morning: Hike through the dry forest along the uplifted coastline at Urbina Bay, where you search for land iguanas and where giant tortoises sometimes are sighted feeding on cactus. Return to swim from the inviting black sand beach.
Afternoon: Land in the footsteps of Darwin and Melville at historic Tagus Cove, once the haunt of whalers and pirates. Kayak, paddleboard and snorkel in the cove, where marine life is rich and a Zodiac cruise along the shore is rewarding. Join naturalists for a hike inland along the crater rim around Darwin’s Lake to a viewpoint. (B, L, D)
4 hours of conference sessions
Playa Espumilla / Buccaneer’s Cove & Puerto Egas, Santiago
Morning: Explore a dense coastal forest, home to Galápagos hawks and other land birds, or stroll along the wide beach early this morning. After breakfast, swim, snorkel, kayak and paddleboard along the spectacular coast of Buccaneers Cove, a secluded atelier where pirates once careened their ships.
Afternoon: After lunch, explore tide pools and look for fur seals sheltered in quiet grottos of black basalt at Puerto Egas, where you see evidence of an old salt mine and other human history. Swim and snorkel from the beach, which is frequented by sea lions and marine iguanas. (B, L, D)
4 hours of conference sessions
Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz
Morning: Call at Puerto Ayora, the largest town and headquarters of both the Galápagos National Park and Charles Darwin Research Station. Tour the giant tortoise breeding corrals, a pioneering effort, and then head to the lush, green highlands to see giant tortoises roaming in the wild. Here you also have lunch at a local ranch and those who wish can visit the Tomás de Berlanga school supported by the Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic Fund. Most evenings scientists or a representative from the Charles Darwin Station joins us aboard. (B, L, D)
4 hours of conference sessions
Punta Pitt, Cerro Brujo & Kicker Rock, San Cristobal
Morning: Land on a small, sparkling beach at Punta Pitt for a hike up to a plateau where masked-, blue- and red-footed footed boobies all nest and look for endemic San Cristóbal mockingbirds, lava lizards and other wildlife. Return to the small beach to swim, snorkel, kayak and paddleboard.
Afternoon: Relax at the celebrated expanse of powdery white sand at Cerro Brujo, one of the most beautiful beaches in Galápagos, and tour the rock formations by Zodiac, paddleboard or kayak. Join fellow guests on the observation deck for a farewell cocktail as the captain circumnavigates Kicker Rock at sunset. (B, L, D)
Disembark this morning on the island of San Cristobal for a return flight to Guayaquil (flight included) where we transfer to Hotel Oro Verde Guayaquil.
The late afternoon and evening are free to explore the city. You may be able to take advantage of overnight flights.
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast, leave Hotel Oro Verde in Guayaquil for the airport and flights home, unless an extension has been arranged.
Departure Time: Anytime on 9 November 2025, OR anytime after 7:00 p.m. local time on 8 November 2025.
Departure City: Guayaquil
End of arrangements. Please note this program may be subject to change