Step ashore on pristine beaches by Zodiac, kayak or stand-up paddleboard along volcanic shores, and explore remarkable wildlife both on land and beneath the sea. Encounter the Galápagos’ extraordinary array of species—blue-footed boobies, marine iguanas, Darwin’s finches, pink flamingos, giant tortoises, and more—many of which are famously unafraid of humans. Snorkel in the protected waters of the Galápagos Marine Reserve alongside playful sea lions, sea turtles, and vibrant tropical fish. Throughout your journey, sail aboard the sleek and elegant National Geographic Islander II, an intimate vessel that feels like your own private yacht.
Highlights:
- Explore with just 96 fellow travelers and benefit from over 50 years experience, history and relationships in the Galápagos Islands, curated to offer intimate and diverse perspectives.
- Have up-close encounters with Galápagos wildlife and explore the undersea, too.
- Walk among wildlife with no instinctive fear of humans: lounge on beaches with sea lions, marvel at huge colonies of marine iguanas and see nesting seabirds.
- Adventure by kayak, paddleboard, glass-bottom boat and Zodiac.
- Participate in National Geographic Explorers-in-Training, an exclusive family program, where kids and teens learn to explore like scientists, as they discover this fascinating archipelago—from “sneezing” iguanas to giant tortoises
Trip Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in either Quito or Guayaquil
Day 2: Fly to Galápagos Islands / Embark National Geographic Endeavour II
Day 3-8: *Explore Galápagos Islands
Day 9: Disembark / Quito or Guayaquil
Day 10: Quito / Guayaquil
*Listed below is a sample of islands you may visit during your expedition. All ship itineraries are subject to Galápagos National Park regulations.
North Seymour: Follow coastal trails past Galápagos sea lions on this wildliferich central island. Continue inland through a silvery forest of endemic palo santo trees, where frigatebirds nest, blue-footed boobies dance and prehistoric-looking land iguanas feeding on cacti.
Isabela: Cross the Equator at Volcán Ecuador, northernmost of Isabela’s six great shield volcanoes. Keep an eye out for whales and dolphins, sea turtles and the elusive ocean sunfish. Follow in the footsteps of Charles Darwin and Herman Melville and look for wildlife along the wildly eroded volcanic shore.
Rábida: 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 entertaining from their nests. Jump in the surrounding waters for a snorkel, or explore by kayak or paddleboard.
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. On shore, hike across impressive recent lava flows.
Santiago: Explore tide pools and look for fur seals sheltered in quiet grottos of black basalt. Swim, snorkel, kayak and paddleboard along spectacular shorelines and explore an enchanting coastal forest where Charles Darwin once walked.
Santa Cruz: Call at Puerto Ayora, the largest town and headquarters of both the Charles Darwin Research Station and Galápagos National Park. Head to the lush, green highlands to see giant tortoises roaming in the wild.
San Cristóbal: Search for red-footed boobies and the endemic mockingbird and lava lizard—found only on this easternmost island. Explore Baquerizo Moreno, where sea lion colonies thrive in the middle of town.