Galapagos National Geographic

Book by March 31, 2012 to receive free round-trip air between Miami or New York/Galapagos on select January-June 2012 departures. (Upgrade to business class is available on the New York/Guayaquil flights for only $500 round-trip).

Our Galápagos vacation features nimble Zodiacs and kayaks that take us to the volcanic shores and pristine beaches of Galápagos, and an undersea program utilizes underwater video, glass-bottom boat and hydrophone that bring seldom seen or heard worlds to life. Every expedition in Galápagos is led by a team of five Naturalists, (including an Underwater Specialist), a videographer, and Expedition Leader, providing a multitude of resources for a rich and unmatched understanding of all that you’ll see.

Day 1 – U.S. / Guayaquil, Ecuador

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

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)

Days 3-8 – Galápagos Islands

Galápagos Islands
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 (seasonal), 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 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

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

This morning fly home. (B)

Extend Your Stay

If you would like to add on to your stay in the Galápagos with an optional visit to the colonial city of Quito, the capital of Ecuador, we’ve put together two different tour options to explore the city and its surroundings. Each tour focuses on the historical and cultural aspects of Ecuador. If you choose to take one or more of these excursions, we will gladly make additional hotel arrangements for you at the Hotel Hilton Colón in Quito. Contact us for more details.

Book by March 31, 2012 to receive free round-trip air between Miami or New York/Galapagos on select January-June 2012 departures. (Upgrade to business class is available on the New York/Guayaquil flights for only $500 round-trip).

From aboard the intimate 48-guest National Geographic Islander we navigate the volcanic archipelago, and our nimble Zodiacs and a fleet of kayaks take us further in our exploration and afford us intimate views of Galápagos wildlife.

A hallmark of the Lindblad Expeditions experience, our team of 3 expert Naturalists (including an Undersea Specialist) and Expedition Leader are always available to point out the intricacies of the wildlife as it unfolds before your eyes on the Galápagos Islands. Their specialized knowledge and use exploration equipment including video microscope, Splash-Cam, underwater video and hydrophone provide a deep and unmatched understanding of Galápagos and, of course, some great options for family cruises.

Day 1 – U.S. / Guayaquil, Ecuador

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

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)

Days 3-8 – Galápagos Islands

Galápagos Islands
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 (seasonal), 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 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

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

This morning fly home. (B)

Extend Your Stay

If you would like to add on to your stay in the Galápagos with an optional visit to the colonial city of Quito, the capital of Ecuador, we’ve put together two different tour options to explore the city and its surroundings. Each tour focuses on the historical and cultural aspects of Ecuador. If you choose to take one or more of these excursions, we will gladly make additional hotel arrangements for you at the Hotel Hilton Colón in Quito. Contact us for more details.