Day 1: Quito or Guayaquil, Ecuador
We meet you on arrival in Ecuador, either in Quito, Ecuador’s capital city in the Andes, or in the coastal city of Guayaquil, for an included transfer to your convenient hotel for an overnight stay. Both cities are well-served by international carriers, and Galápagos flights start and end in Quito with a stop in Guayaquil. Guests in Guayaquil stay at the locally owed Hotel Oro Verde and have the choice of several hotels in Quito, including a convenient airport hotel.
Day 2: Quito or Guayaquil/Galápagos
This morning, take a required flight to the Galápagos Islands (booked by Lindblad Expeditions at an additional cost) and board National Geographic Endeavour II. After lunch, we begin our exploration of the islands and their diverse wildlife.
Days 3–8: Exploring the Galápagos
Our expedition includes visits to Santa Cruz and a careful selection of other diverse islands. Our itinerary offers an optimal balance of wildlife, landscapes, and experiences. All itineraries are subject to Galápagos National Park regulations. Here is a sample of islands we may visit during our expedition.
Española
Home to swallow-tailed gulls, Española mockingbirds, Nazca boobies and, seasonally, the world’s only population of waved albatross at Punta Suarez.
Floreana
Follow a trail past a rose pink-tinted lagoon frequented by flamingos. Snorkel among sea lions and abundant fish, or cruise along Champion Islet by Zodiac. Visit the famous barrel at Post Office Bay.
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.
Continue on a second day exploring the north of the island at Cerro Dragon, the habitat of the colorful Santa Cruz land iguanas, brought back from the brink of extinction. Later take a Zodiac cruise or paddle a mangrove-lined lagoon.
Bartolomé
Walk to the top of Bartolomé’s volcanic cone for a stunning view of Pinnacle Rock and the surrounding golden sand beaches. After the hike, immerse yourself among schools of multicolored reef fish. You may also have the opportunity to swim with Galápagos penguins. Visit Sombrero Chino, the nearby islet in the shape of a Chinese hat, where you can take a Zodiac ride along the Sullivan Bay lava flow, and may also kayak and paddleboard.
Genovesa
Sail into a flooded caldera, walk among swallow-tailed gulls, red-footed boobies, and Nazca boobies and keep a lookout for hunting short-eared owls. Ride Zodiacs, kayak along the caldera, and snorkel among large schools of parrot fish at this magical place.
DAY 9: Galápagos/Disembark/Quito or Guayquil
Disembark this morning for a return flight to the mainland, where we transfer to Hotel Oro Verde in Guayaquil, and have several options in Quito, including a convenient airport hotel. The afternoon and evening are at your leisure. You may be able to take advantage of overnight flights home.
DAY 10: Quito or Guayaquil
After breakfast, transfer to the airport and board flights home.