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We’ve been back in Galápagos since June 2021, with two ships exploring the islands weekly. The vibe is warm and welcoming and reports coming in from the field are a joy to read.
Blue-footed boobies nesting on the hiking trails, staring quizzically as you walk past. Mockingbirds landing on camera lenses and peering at their reflections. Sea lions hopping off rocks as you hop out of your Zodiac, eager to look at you, or swim with you. Galápagos is a rare and magical place and the most welcoming place to be after the year our species has had. We know—we’ve been leading expeditions here for more than 50 years.
In Galápagos, one thing is certain: expect the unexpected! Surrounded by wildlife on land and at sea, you never know what might happen. And that’s been the draw since Darwin landed in 1835.
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Galápagos
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Length
10 days
From
$7,710
Prices are per person
Galápagos
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Galápagos
Peru
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Length
16 days
From
$13,910
Prices are per person
Galápagos
Peru
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Galápagos
Peru
Wild Escapes
Special Offers
Length
10 days
From
$7,330
Prices are per person
Galápagos
Peru
Wild Escapes
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Galápagos
Wild Escapes
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Length
7 days
From
$6,020
Prices are per person
Galápagos
Wild Escapes
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Travel to the Galápagos is on! Here are some things you might be wondering if you're considering a trip to the world's most interesting islands.
Dive in and experience Galápagos with all your senses. Choose how you want to explore—hike, paddleboard, kayak, snorkel, or arrange to dive (on select departures). Take a long hike or just relax on the beach. Our generous staff-to-guest ratio means you can always find a naturalist whose interests and approach you share whether you want to focus on birding, human history, photography, the undersea, or more. Since the first international tourist expedition cruise to the Galápagos Islands in July 1967 with Lars-Eric Lindblad, we’ve introduced generations of guests to these strange and wonderful islands, the world’s first UNESCO World Heritage site.
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Anahi Concari, Naturalist, January 23, 2022
more daily expedition reportsFrom climate conditions, to water temperature, to packing the right footwear. Find answers to the questions our Expedition Specialists get most often.
Read moreHenry David Thoreau called it the “tonic of wildness.” It’s what a cruise to Galápagos, with its beauty and wildness, gives you—a spirit lift. To compound this healthful effect, we provide a quality of shipboard life and a philosophy of wellness to relax and rejuvenate body, mind, and spirit.
This is the best trip we have ever taken. We have been all over the world and nothing else compares.
Barry Z.
Lindblad Expeditions supports stewardship efforts in the places we explore, and one way we do that is through the Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic (LEX-NG) Fund. Traveler contributions to the LEX-NG Fund in Galápagos currently support our regional partners—the Charles Darwin Foundation, Galápagos National Park Directorate, Island Conservation, and the Scalesia Foundation—in their efforts to research and conserve the unique wildlife of the islands and promote education in the region.
1/27/2022
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National Geographic Endeavour II
Our day began with a pre-breakfast climb on Bartholomew Island, where we had the chance to learn about geological features like cinder cones and tuff cones. There are lava flows that date back about 200 years. We enjoyed a snorkeling activity in the same area. Then we moved the ship to another islet called Chinese Hat. We had the option to snorkel or ride in a dinghy to see some Galapagos penguins.
1/26/2022
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National Geographic Endeavour II
Santa Cruz Island is the second largest island in the Galapagos and home to many of the archipelago's endemic and native species, including the Galapagos land iguana (Conolophus subcristatus). The iguana’s habitat is located in the northwest of the island, a site we visited today. After breakfast, we boarded Zodiacs to head toward Dragon Hill, a name that honors the land iguanas abundant here. Walking along the beach, we found coastal vegetation and many marine iguanas warming their bodies with the first rays of the sun. In the sea, blue-footed boobies and pelicans tried to catch some fish. Walking inland, the vegetation changed radically. Palo santo trees that appeared dry and leafless were covered with lichens, giving them a grayish color. Not far from there, we observed our first land iguanas; some of them walked indifferently in the dry grass, while others remained motionless in the middle of the path, showing no fear of us. We observed some cacti, whose pads looked bitten by the iguanas. Sharp and long spines do not prevent the incredible reptiles from eating the cacti. The reptiles use their strong claws, thick skin and powerful jaws to remove the spines. The cacti feed the iguanas and quench their thirst, and the iguanas devour the succulent plans. After visiting Dragon Hill, we returned to the ship to prepare to discover the incredible underwater world that surrounds the island of Santa Cruz. While snorkeling, we saw many tropical fish, whitetip reef sharks, stingrays, sea turtles and even a sea lion feeding on a tuna in the sea. After lunch, National Geographic Endeavor II sailed north toward Borrero Bay. At 2:30 p.m., we started our activities in the calm waters of the island. Guests had several options to choose from: kayaking, paddleboarding or a Zodiac ride. Around the mangrove trees, we found a large number of sea turtles. We also spotted whitetip and blacktip sharks of different sizes. The sharks swam calmly in the shallow waters of the bay. Guests photographed lava herons, pelicans and some frigatebirds in the mangroves. When we returned to the ship, we found a truly spectacular scene. Dozens of manta rays jumped everywhere. They somersaulted in the air as if trying to fly, and then landed completely horizontally on the water. This produced a loud sound due to the contact of water with the flat body of this majestic creature. We approached the rays and stood at a short distance. Without flinching, they continued with this "cleansing ritual" that works to rid their bodies of certain ectoparasites. The show lasted for a bit to the great delight of our guests, who enjoyed their seats in this magnificent theater as the scene unfolded on stage. Just before sunset, National Geographic Endeavor II circumnavigated around Daphne Mayor Islet. Our guests had the opportunity to taste different wines while observing the countless seabirds that flew over the ship and the spectacular crater in the middle of the ocean. It was an excellent end to a great day in this natural paradise called Galapagos.
1/25/2022
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National Geographic Endeavour II
Today we enjoyed the opportunity to explore the uplands of Santa Cruz, one of the largest islands of the Galápagos. The humid zone offers perfect foraging grounds for the giant tortoise; in order to find the tortoises, we travelled by bus from the north of the island to the southern side. We found large numbers of tortoises on the privately owned El Manzanillo Ranch. After a delicious lunch, we returned to our ship and weighed anchor. We had reports that Wolf Volcano, located on Isabela Island, was still active! We navigated for a few hours until we reached the coast nearest to the eruption site; from there, we admired a beautiful red glow against the dark night. What an amazing opportunity to admire the forces of nature that produced these magnificent islands!
1/24/2022
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National Geographic Endeavour II
Floreana was the first island in the Galapagos to be colonized by people. When Ecuador took possession of the islands in 1832, a penal colony was established on Floreana. Floreana was the second island Darwin landed on when he visited the Galapagos in 1835. During his stay, Darwin met some of the convicts and explored the highlands.
1/23/2022
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National Geographic Endeavour II
The Galapagos Islands are a spectacular archipelago, but not all islands are the same, each one has its unique character. This was what inspired the great naturalist Charles Darwin when he was visiting the islands in 1835. We woke up anchored in Española, which is one of the most beautiful islands because of the abundance of wildlife and the incredible way in which the animals behave. You may find sea lions and mockingbirds examining your backpacks or shoes. The animals are curious and fearless, due to the conditions of this place. The morning gave us the chance to visit a beach with beautiful crystalline waters, and the afternoon was time for our first hike in the islands.
Sven-Olof Lindblad
With Free Air
