Galapagos Cruise

Starting from $4,750

Save $400 per person on available August 24 - December 15, 2012 departures. Subject to availability; new bookings only. Please call for details.

10 Days, 9 Nights

Dates:
National Geographic Endeavour
2012
July 6, 13, 20, 27
August 3, 10, 17, 24
September 28
October 5, 12, 19, 26
November 2, 9, 16†, 23†, 30
December 7, 14, 21, 28

2013
January 4, 11, 18, 25
February 1, 8, 15, 22
March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
April 5, 12
June 7, 14, 21, 28
July 5, 12, 19, 26
August 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
September 6, 13, 20, 27
October 4, 11, 18, 25
November 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
December 6, 13, 20, 27
 
National Geographic Islander
2012
July 7, 14, 21, 28
August 4, 11, 19, 25
September 1, 8, 22
October 27
November 3, 10, 17
December 1, 15, 22, 29

2013
January 5, 12, 19, 26
February 2, 9, 16, 23
March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
April 6, 13, 20, 27
May 4, 11, 18, 25
June 1, 8, 15, 29
July 6, 13, 20, 27
August 3, 10, 17, 24
October 5, 12, 19
November 2, 16, 30
December 7, 14, 21, 28

Ship:
National Geographic Endeavour
National Geographic Islander

Located 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, the Galápagos Islands provide a natural habitat for some of the world’s most interesting and unusual animals. Only in Galápagos will you come face to face with wildlife that has never developed a fear of people. Blue-footed boobies. Electric-orange Sally Lightfoot crabs. Pink flamingos. The beauty of Galápagos is practically psychedelic.

With an expedition to the Land of Darwin, you have the opportunity to study blue-footed boobies performing a courtship “dance”, snorkel with playful sea lions, watch a male frigatebird ballooning his crimson chest pouch to attract a female, kneel beside marine iguanas, and marvel at Galápagos penguins.

This Galápagos cruise vacation features nimble Zodiacs and kayaks that will take you 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 the 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.

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Day-to-Day Itinerary

Day 1 — U.S./Guayaquil, Ecuador
Depart U.S. and arrive Guayaquil by late evening. We’ve found that Miami is a convenient gateway for most, but other air alternatives are available. If you choose to take the non-stop American Airlines group flight from Miami, we depart in the early evening with a flying time of approximately 4 hours. Upon arrival in Guayaquil, it’s a short drive to the Hotel Hilton Colón. Overnight at the Hilton Guayaquil.
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 — Galapagos 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 (sea- sonal), 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 (where our cover shot was taken) 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 ambiance. Engaging talks by our Naturalists are part of the Daily recap ritual that binds our expedition 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)