Galápagos

January 12-21, 2024

Price: Starting at $8,350 per person. Discover the wonder of Galápagos aboard 96-guest National Geographic Endeavour II. Optional extension to Peru.

Brochure

“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 uniquely fascinating and magical. We will discover the diverse habitats across this legendary volcanic archipelago aboard our well-equipped expedition ship, the 96-guest, National Geographic Endeavour II. We’ll use our onboard fleet of nimble Zodiacs and kayaks for up-close explorations and gain remarkable insights from our knowledgeable naturalist team. Hike among the wildlife; investigate the vibrant sea—snorkel, stand-up paddle board, and swim daily with sea lions, sea turtles, and penguins. And for those who prefer to stay dry, there’s the adventure of our glass-bottom boat—providing the opportunity for any guest to discover the rich life of the undersea. We’ll explore under the sure guidance of an expedition leader, a team of handpicked naturalists, including a photo instructor, certified field educators who run the global explorers’ program for kids and teens, and an undersea specialist. Their knowledge and passion for the islands is the key to our once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Drawing from 50+ years of sharing the wild wonder of Galápagos with adventurous guests and a top expedition team, you can look forward to the most in-depth experience possible. Because the undersea is just as important as life on land, you’ll have opportunities to snorkel, kayak and paddleboard almost every day, sometimes twice a day. For those who prefer to stay dry, there’s the adventure of National Geographic Endeavour II’s glass-bottom boat. And each day you’ll have the option to walk, hike, or Zodiac cruise, and to join a different naturalist as you choose: there are no assigned groups for your Galápagos adventure travel.

Highlights

Listed below is a sample of islands we may visit during our expedition. All ship itineraries are subject to Galápagos National Park regulations.

BALTRA: The arid Baltra Islet was once home to a US airbase during WWII. Follow coastal trails past playful Galápagos sea lions on this wildlife-rich central island. Continue inland through a silvery forest of endemic palo santo trees, where frigatebirds nest, blue-footed boobies dance, and where we may also encounter prehistoric-looking land iguanas feeding on cactus.

SEYMOUR NORTE: Discover the largest colony of nesting magnificent frigatebirds in Galápagos, red- and blue-footed boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, and brown noddies. This small island is also home to land and marine iguanas and sea lions.

RÁBIDA: Land on a red sand beach on this volcanically varied island, where flamingos sometimes feed in a brackish lagoon, sea lions cavort on the beach, and pelicans nest on low-lying shrubs. Rábida is an inviting place to kayak, paddleboard, and snorkel. The sunsets are magnificent.

FERNANDINA: One of the most active oceanic volcanoes in the world, it’s the youngest and most pristine island in Galápagos- -and home to the strange flightless cormorant and the largest marine iguanas.

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 you ply these rich waters, once the haunt of whalers and pirates.

SANTIAGO: Explore tide pools and search for fur seals in quiet grottos on this island where lava walks, a coastal forest, and kayaking along lava flows are high points.

SANTA CRUZ: Santa Cruz is not just the principal town in the islands, it is home to the Charles Darwin Research Station, where you learn about the science being done here. Visit the neighboring captive breeding program for Galápagos giant tortoises being conducted by their partners in conservation, the Galápagos National Park Service. Later after lunch in the highlands, search for wild Galápagos giant tortoises in their native habitat.

SAN CRISTOBAL: Stroll, swim, and snorkel from a green-tinted beach and hike inland to a cinder cone for views of an impressive volcanic landscape. Encounter nesting blue and red-footed boobies, along with San Cristóbal mockingbirds and San Cristóbal lava lizards, both endemic to this easternmost island.