Drawing from 50+ years of sharing the wild wonders of Galápagos with adventurous guests, this special action-packed holiday voyage allows for 10 days of exploration in the archipelago—the most in-depth Galápagos experience available. Step aboard the National Geographic Islander II, with accommodations for just 48 guests, and see more islands, traveling from Santa Cruz south to Floreana, east to Española and San Cristóbal and north across the Equator to Genovesa. Make the expedition as active as you choose with options to snorkel, hike, kayak and paddleboard.
Highlights
See more islands on this special extended voyage, enjoying 10 days to explore Galápagos
Spend Christmas aboard the new National Geographic Islander II, outfitted with amenities and programs perfect for families
Snorkel and kayak in rich waters among shimmering fish, sea turtles, penguins, and playful sea lions
Walk among colonies of wildlife and seabirds unfazed by your presence
Maximize your time in the islands with options for exploration every day, including hiking, kayaking, snorkeling, and more
With National Geographic Explorers-in-Training, our exclusive family program, kids and teens will learn about this fascinating part of the world—from “sneezing” iguanas to giant tortoises
From
$17,819
/ per person
Does not include any flights
Itinerary
Expedition
Download ItineraryStarts atGuayaquil, EcuadorEnds atGuayaquil, Ecuador
Day 1
Guayaquil, Ecuador
Upon arrival in Guayaquil, transfer to the 44-room Hotel del Parque, a tranquil haven surrounded by lush gardens set in a lovingly restored 19th-century building. Choose to arrive early for an optional extra night to rest, relax and prepare for your voyage. Or opt for the full-day excursion from Guayaquil to Hacienda La Danesa. Ask your expedition specialist about options.
Arrival Time: Anytime.
Arrival City: Guayaquil or Quito, Ecuador
Day 1
Guayaquil, EcuadorUpon arrival in Guayaquil, transfer to the 44-room Hotel del Parque, a tranquil haven surrounded by lush gardens set in a lovingly restored 19th-century building. Choose to arrive early for an optional extra night to rest, relax and prepare for your voyage. Or opt for the full-day excursion from Guayaquil to Hacienda La Danesa. Ask your expedition specialist about options.
Arrival Time: Anytime.
Arrival City: Guayaquil or Quito, Ecuador
Day 2
Guayaquil / Galápagos Islands / Embark Ship
Fly to Baltra in the center of Galápagos, a little world unto itself in the tropical Pacific, where you'll be welcomed by your naturalist staff and embark National Geographic Islander II. Gather on deck for a welcome cocktail at sunset as the captain circumnavigates Daphne Island.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 2
Guayaquil / Galápagos Islands / Embark ShipFly to Baltra in the center of Galápagos, a little world unto itself in the tropical Pacific, where you'll be welcomed by your naturalist staff and embark National Geographic Islander II. Gather on deck for a welcome cocktail at sunset as the captain circumnavigates Daphne Island.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Days 3-10
Galápagos Islands
Listed below is a sample of islands you may visit during your expedition. All ship itineraries are subject to Galápagos National Park regulations.
Bartolomé: Climb the steps to the summit of this 300-foot volcanic wonderland for stunning views. Explore, swim and snorkel from the beach. You may even see Galápagos penguins, one of the world’s rarest.
Española: See swallow-tailed gulls, Española mockingbirds, Nazca boobies and, seasonally, the world’s only population of waved albatross at this birdy paradise, also home to vividly colored marine iguanas. Watch sea lions on the white sand beach and snorkel offshore at Gardner Bay.
Floreana: Follow a trail past a 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: Visit Puerto Ayora, the largest town and headquarters of both the Galápagos National Park and Charles Darwin Research Station. See the monument to Lonesome George and tour the giant tortoise breeding corrals. See giant tortoises roaming in the wild in the lush, green highlands.
South Plaza: Sea lions greet you at South Plaza, an uplifted block carpeted in salt-loving succulents and teeming with wildlife, including a noisy group of bachelor sea lions and a population of land iguanas. Admire diverse seabirds swooping along high sea cliffs.
Santa Fe: Snorkel and kayak in the secluded cove at Barrington Bay. On shore, a trail leads you through the largest cactus trees in Galápagos. The Santa Fe land iguana is found only on this island, where Galápagos hawks are also thriving once again.
Santiago: Hike over the smooth pahoehoe lava and admire spatter cones, little miniature hornitos and the wild riot of black lava at Sullivan Bay, the result an eruption recorded by passing buccaneers in 1897.
San Cristóbal: Land on a small, sparkling beach at Punta Pitt for a hike up to a plateau where blue- and red-footed boobies nest. You may also see endemic Cristóbal mockingbirds and lava lizards. On this easternmost island, explore the celebrated expanse of powdery white sand at Cerro Brujo in the afternoon. Circumnavigate iconic Kicker Rock.
Genovesa: Sail north across the Equator to the remote northern realm of the Galápagos, bathed in warmer tropical waters and home to the red-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, great frigate birds and other nesting seabirds. Paddle and kayak along the cliffs of this flooded caldera, where Galápagos fur seals and sea lions haul out to rest.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Days 3-10
Galápagos IslandsListed below is a sample of islands you may visit during your expedition. All ship itineraries are subject to Galápagos National Park regulations.
Bartolomé: Climb the steps to the summit of this 300-foot volcanic wonderland for stunning views. Explore, swim and snorkel from the beach. You may even see Galápagos penguins, one of the world’s rarest.
Española: See swallow-tailed gulls, Española mockingbirds, Nazca boobies and, seasonally, the world’s only population of waved albatross at this birdy paradise, also home to vividly colored marine iguanas. Watch sea lions on the white sand beach and snorkel offshore at Gardner Bay.
Floreana: Follow a trail past a 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: Visit Puerto Ayora, the largest town and headquarters of both the Galápagos National Park and Charles Darwin Research Station. See the monument to Lonesome George and tour the giant tortoise breeding corrals. See giant tortoises roaming in the wild in the lush, green highlands.
South Plaza: Sea lions greet you at South Plaza, an uplifted block carpeted in salt-loving succulents and teeming with wildlife, including a noisy group of bachelor sea lions and a population of land iguanas. Admire diverse seabirds swooping along high sea cliffs.
Santa Fe: Snorkel and kayak in the secluded cove at Barrington Bay. On shore, a trail leads you through the largest cactus trees in Galápagos. The Santa Fe land iguana is found only on this island, where Galápagos hawks are also thriving once again.
Santiago: Hike over the smooth pahoehoe lava and admire spatter cones, little miniature hornitos and the wild riot of black lava at Sullivan Bay, the result an eruption recorded by passing buccaneers in 1897.
San Cristóbal: Land on a small, sparkling beach at Punta Pitt for a hike up to a plateau where blue- and red-footed boobies nest. You may also see endemic Cristóbal mockingbirds and lava lizards. On this easternmost island, explore the celebrated expanse of powdery white sand at Cerro Brujo in the afternoon. Circumnavigate iconic Kicker Rock.
Genovesa: Sail north across the Equator to the remote northern realm of the Galápagos, bathed in warmer tropical waters and home to the red-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, great frigate birds and other nesting seabirds. Paddle and kayak along the cliffs of this flooded caldera, where Galápagos fur seals and sea lions haul out to rest.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11
Galápagos Islands / Disembark Ship / Guayaquil
Bid farewell to the ship this morning and fly back to Guayaquil, where you'll transfer to Hotel del Parque. The late afternoon and evening are free to explore. Ask your expedition specialist about Quito and other post-voyage options.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11
Galápagos Islands / Disembark Ship / GuayaquilBid farewell to the ship this morning and fly back to Guayaquil, where you'll transfer to Hotel del Parque. The late afternoon and evening are free to explore. Ask your expedition specialist about Quito and other post-voyage options.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12
Guayaquil
Transfer to the airport for flights home. There are flights in the early morning hours, or relax and take a later flight today.
Departure Time: Anytime on day 12, or after 7:00 p.m. local time on day 11.
Departure City: Guayaquil or Quito, Ecuador
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 12
GuayaquilTransfer to the airport for flights home. There are flights in the early morning hours, or relax and take a later flight today.
Departure Time: Anytime on day 12, or after 7:00 p.m. local time on day 11.
Departure City: Guayaquil or Quito, Ecuador
Meals Included: Breakfast
Video
Expedition Spotlight - A Milestone Celebration in Galápagos
- Aug 2024
In this episode of Expedition Spotlight, Founder and CEO Sven Lindblad shares more about his family's past legacy while looking to the future as he visits the National Geographic Gemini and National Geographic Delfina, two new additions to the Galápagos fleet which set sail in 2025.
Dates & Rates
Filters
Ships
National Geographic Islander II
GUESTS 48
CABINS 26
DECKS 5
With a 1:1 guest-to-crew ratio, National Geographic Islander II is a gracious expedition vessel with the feeling of a private yacht.
Expedition Team
Over 50+ years of exploring, Lindblad Expeditions’ veteran staff and the quality companionship they provide has established the company’s reputation. From expedition leaders to naturalists, most hold advanced degrees and are established authorities in their fields. Some join a few expeditions each year to explore the same sites, some of them spending some time in the field away from rigorous academic work. And others lead expeditions all around the world—with many guests saying, “Where you’re going, we’re going,” and returning time after time to travel with them. Browse our team directory to discover the full cast of expedition staff.
Special Offers
SUITE EXCLUSIVES
BRINGING THE KIDS
10% OFF BACK-TO-BACK VOYAGES
CELEBRATE LIFE'S MILESTONES
SAVE 5% TRAVELING AS A GROUP
PAY BY DEBIT: EARN A $100 ONBOARD CREDIT
COMBINING OFFERS