Galapagos
Cruise Highlights:
- Observe the famous tortoises grazing in the lush highlands
- Photographers can travel on Photo Expeditions or with National Geographic Photographers on select dates
Free round-trip air between Miami or New York/Galapagos on select January-June 2012 departures when you book by March 31, 2012. (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.
At a glance
Duration: 10 Days, 9 Nights
Coverage: Roundtrip Guayaquil, Ecuador
From: $4,750
Season: January - December
Activities: Birding, Hiking, Natural history, Photography, Sightseeing, Snorkeling, Zodiac cruises
A Galapagos cruise aboard National Geographic Endeavour or National Geographic Islander offers all the hallmarks of a Lindblad Expedition, plus the expansive feeling that comes with voyaging aboard this stately ship. Access to five onboard Naturalists gives you the freedom to gravitate towards any of the expedition team members whose interests in ornithology, geology or undersea life mirror your own. Join them on hikes, Zodiac rides, or the ship’s deck during one of the spontaneous, thrilling wildlife encounters when the Captain spots a pod of orcas or a blue whale and changes course to pull alongside them.
To make the most of your 10-day Galapagos cruise, we offer plenty of choices, including some shore landings before breakfast and long hikes, short hikes or coastal explorations from Zodiacs and kayaks. Go deep water snorkeling in the wetsuit and snorkeling gear we provide – which are yours for the entire expedition – or try snorkeling for the first time in a friendly, patient environment. And if you don’t want to get in the water, simply climb aboard our glass-bottom boat for an undersea experience while staying dry. We have the resources onboard to add depth to your experience at any activity level – and all of them are included in the price of the cruise.
After a day of exploring, relax in one of the comfortable public spaces, including the finest library in the islands, or visit her wellness spa and then take a massage on her unique floating platform.
What an incredible destination. The animals have no fear of humans and everything is in close encounters. We saw more birds and sea life than I could every have imagined.
Day-to-Day Itinerary
- DAY 1 — U.S./Guayaquil, Ecuador
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Depart U.S. and arrive Guayaquil by late evening; it’s a short drive to Hotel Hilton Colón, where we spend the night.
- DAY 2 — Guayaquil / Galápagos / Embark
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After the 1 1⁄2-hour flight to the Galápagos, we’ll immediately board the ship. Over the course of the week, our exact routing depends on the National Park Service.(B, L, D)
- DAY 3-8 — Galapagos Islands
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The following is a representative sample of the islands we may visit during your week on board: (B,L,D)
North Seymour
Have up-close encounters with colonies of nesting blue-footed boobies (seasonal) and magnificent frigate birds, plus sea lion harems. Spot swallow-tailed gulls, marine iguanas, land iguanas and fur seals along the cliffs. Walks and Zodiac rides to choose from.North Seymour and Rabida
Enjoy walks, Zodiac forays, or deep- water snorkeling — with hundreds of fish, white-tipped reef sharks, rays, eels and more. Visit rabida’s bright red beach to see wildlife, including a nesting colony of pelicans (sea- sonal), and Galápagos hawks, doves, Darwin’s finches, mocking birds, and more, plus gorgeous scenery. Various walks, kayaking, and snorkeling are on offer.Fernandina
Fernandina Island is the youngest island and one of the most pristine tropical islands left on Earth. Look forward to hikes over relatively recent lava flows, and to Cormorant point for marine iguanas, flightless cormorants, Sally Lightfoot crabs, and intriguing tide pools. activities also include Zodiac forays and snorkeling, perhaps with sea turtles, penguins, or cormorants.Isabela
A small black sand beach, a sea turtle nesting site, offers wonderful morning swimming. a more challenging hike over a rugged area of shoreline, then inland through a land iguana nesting colony; and a shorter walk within the iguana colony. Walking, birding, kayaking and deep water snorkeling, with Zodiac rides are on offer.Santiago
A landing on one of the most important sea turtle nesting sites in Galápagos. Walks take us past a salt water lagoon to see shore birds; up a small hill to land bird and endemic vegetation terrain. Snorkeling, plus Zodiac rides and kayaking to Buccaneer Cove. Visit puerto Egas (where our cover shot was taken) for a coastal trek to fur seal grottoes, masses of marine iguanas, sea birds, and more against vivid green sea mosses. Swimming and snorkeling from the beach.Santa Cruz
Look for fur seals, blue-footed boobies, pelicans, sea lions and more. Walks in the El Chato tortoise preserve for encounters with giant tortoises in the wild. return to sea level and explore bustling puerto ayora before embarking the ship.San Cristobal
Wet landing on a green, olivine beach for a hike and spectacular scenery — tuff stone cliffs “worked” by sea and wind. Zodiac rides along the coastline reveal blue-footed and red-footed boobies. Kayaking, swimming from the beach and snorkeling from Zodiacs off an islet in the bay are all options. In the afternoon — more opportunities for snorkeling and Zodiac adventures. and in between the sights & activities, life aboard our expedition ships is rich and varied — marvelous meals to enjoy in an always-casual ambience. Engaging talks by our Naturalists are part of the Daily recap ritual that binds our expedi- tion community and increases the fun. Socializing with staff and fellow guests, or retreating to one of the ship’s nooks & crannies with a good book is always an option. as is reserving a relaxing massage or revitalizing Wellness treatment. - DAY 9 — Galápagos / Disembark / Guayaquil
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Disembark and fly to Guayaquil. The late afternoon and evening are free to explore the city. Overnight Hotel Hilton Colón. (B)
- DAY 10 — Guayaquil / Home
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This morning fly home. (B)
Dates & Rates
Free round-trip air between Miami or New York/Galapagos on select January-June 2012 departures when you book by March 31, 2012. (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 | Categories | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Solo 1 | Solo 2 |
| January 6, 13†, 20†, 27 | $4,750 | $5,500 | $6,000 | $6,500 | $8,250 | $5,950 | $6,880 |
| February 3, 10, 17, 24 | $4,750 | $5,500 | $6,000 | $6,500 | $8,250 | $5,950 | $6,880 |
| March 2, 9 | $4,750 | $5,500 | $6,000 | $6,500 | $8,250 | $5,950 | $6,880 |
| March 16, 23, 30 | $5,500 | $6,250 | $6,750 | $7,250 | $9,000 | $6,880 | $7,820 |
| April 6, 13, 20, 27 | $4,750 | $5,500 | $6,000 | $6,500 | $8,250 | $5,950 | $6,880 |
| May 4†, 11†, 18, 25 | $4,750 | $5,500 | $6,000 | $6,500 | $8,250 | $5,950 | $6,880 |
| June 1, 8 | $4,750 | $5,500 | $6,000 | $6,500 | $8,250 | $5,950 | $6,880 |
| June 15, 22, 29 | $5,500 | $6,250 | $6,750 | $7,250 | $9,000 | $6,880 | $7,820 |
| July 6, 13, 20, 27 | $5,500 | $6,250 | $6,750 | $7,250 | $9,000 | $6,880 | $7,820 |
| August 3, 10, 17 | $5,500 | $6,250 | $6,750 | $7,250 | $9,000 | $6,880 | $7,820 |
| August 24 | $4,750 | $5,500 | $6,000 | $6,500 | $8,250 | $5,950 | $6,880 |
| September 28 | $4,750 | $5,500 | $6,000 | $6,500 | $8,250 | $5,950 | $6,880 |
| October 5, 12, 19, 26 | $4,750 | $5,500 | $6,000 | $6,500 | $8,250 | $5,950 | $6,880 |
| November 2, 9, 16†, 23†, 30 | $4,750 | $5,500 | $6,000 | $6,500 | $8,250 | $5,950 | $6,880 |
| December 7, 14 | $4,750 | $5,500 | $6,000 | $6,500 | $8,250 | $5,950 | $6,880 |
| December 21, 28 | $6,000 | $6,750 | $7,250 | $7,750 | $9,500 | $7,510 | $8,450 |
| National Geographic Islander | Categories | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Solo 1 | Solo 2 |
| December 3, 10, 17, 24 | $5,550 | $6,390 | $7,060 | $7,480 | $8,940 | $8,320 | $9,580 |
| 2012 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Solo 1 | Solo 2 |
| January 7, 14, 21, 28 | $5,450 | $6,200 | $6,700 | $7,200 | $8,950 | $8,170 | $9,290 |
| February 4, 11, 18, 25 | $5,450 | $6,200 | $6,700 | $7,200 | $8,950 | $8,170 | $9,290 |
| March 3, 10 | $5,450 | $6,200 | $6,700 | $7,200 | $8,950 | $8,170 | $9,290 |
| April 14, 28 | $5,450 | $6,200 | $6,700 | $7,200 | $8,950 | $8,170 | $9,290 |
| May 5, 12 | $5,450 | $6,200 | $6,700 | $7,200 | $8,950 | $8,170 | $9,290 |
| June 2, 9 | $5,450 | $6,200 | $6,700 | $7,200 | $8,950 | $8,170 | $9,290 |
| June 16, 30 | $5,950 | $6,700 | $7,200 | $7,700 | $9,450 | $8,915 | $10,040 |
| July 7, 14, 21, 28 | $5,950 | $6,700 | $7,200 | $7,700 | $9,450 | $8,915 | $10,040 |
| August 4, 11 | $5,950 | $6,700 | $7,200 | $7,700 | $9,450 | $8,915 | $10,040 |
| August 19, 25 | $5,450 | $6,200 | $6,700 | $7,200 | $8,950 | $8,170 | $9,290 |
| September 1, 8, 22 | $5,450 | $6,200 | $6,700 | $7,200 | $8,950 | $8,170 | $9,290 |
| October 27 | $5,450 | $6,200 | $6,700 | $7,200 | $8,950 | $8,170 | $9,290 |
| November 3, 10, 17 | $5,450 | $6,200 | $6,700 | $7,200 | $8,950 | $8,170 | $9,290 |
| December 1, 15 | $5,450 | $6,200 | $6,700 | $7,200 | $8,950 | $8,170 | $9,290 |
| December 22, 29 | $6,450 | $7,200 | $7,700 | $8,200 | $9,950 | $9,670 | $10,790 |
* Reverse itinerary
† Photo Cruise
Map
Ships
National Geographic Endeavour
Don’t let her accommodating public and private spaces, the posh quiet and rich collection of books in her Library, or the lavish observation space on her decks fool you — the National Geographic Endeavour is an expedition ship, designed for discovery and active exploration, not just passing-by. The National Geographic Endeavour heads out equipped with a fleet of Zodiacs, enabling us to make landfall in all the remote and riveting locations that beckon! We offer kayaking opportunities wherever possible and frequent walks or hikes. View ship details...
National Geographic Islander
The National Geographic Islander is a versatile 164-foot twin-hulled vessel with 24 spacious cabins comfortably accommodating 48 guests. She is a sturdy expedition ship, designed for year-round discovery and active exploration of the Galápagos and can reach places inaccessible to larger ships due to its small size. View ship details...
Cruise Reviews
- National Geographic Islander - June 2011
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Magical is the only word that comes to mind. Both in the destination and the whole experience. Linda, you are the best, you prepared us for everything. We came to you with other ideas and you cleared out the junk and crystallized what was important and what to look for in our choice of a ship.
- National Geographic Endeavour - March 2011
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Thank you for the greetings, and the bottle of wine - that was a lovely surprise and a very thoughtful gesture. The trip was amazing! It lived up to all our expectations and more. The ship was very nice, and all of the hospitality people that we met were delightful, pleasant, and did their jobs very well. We really liked our choice of cabin # 106 on the ship. The 100 level was definitely the right one for us. Lindblad does an excellent job of arranging and organizing everything - we were very impressed with the entire operation.
- National Geographic Islander - January 2011
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Just returned from our trip of a lifetime. We planed and planed and worked with Linda, and every inch exceeded our expectations.
Due to storms we didn't want to have any issues with missing flights so we flew into Miami a night early and stayed at the hotel right in the airport. We were first in line for our flights out to Guayaquil the next day.
We arrived in Guayaquil late at night and were picked up and taken to the Hilton along with many others who would be our sailing. Hilton was a a nice hotel and seemed to be the best in the area. A good night's sleep, an early breakfast and off we were on our charter flight to the Islands.
Lonely Planet Ecuador & Galapagos Islands - by Lonely Planet - $23.99
Galapagos, Preserving Darwin's Legacy - by Tui De Roy - $49.95