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Wild Galapagos Escape

Sea Lions on the Beach

On this 8-day Wild Galápagos Escape cruise aboard the 48-guest National Geographic Islander II, witness the iconic wildlife that sparked the theory of evolution by natural selection, snorkel pristine waters teeming with sea lions and sea turtles, and hike black-sand beaches and lush highlands.

With multiple adventures each day on land and undersea—including options for walks and hikes, kayaking, paddleboarding, and snorkeling—you’ll be assured of the full Galápagos experience, but in less time. Get close to the iconic wildlife that has no instinct to flee human presence, making for magical encounters. Snorkel with sea lions, hike the highlands among giant tortoises, and see blue-footed boobies and other seabirds up close. As with the classic, 10-day expeditions, honed over the last 50 years, each voyage is crafted to offer you a diverse experience of the archipelago.

Drawing from 50+ years of sharing the wild wonder of Galápagos with adventurous guests and a top expedition team, you can look forward to an action-packed week. You’ll explore under the sure guidance of an expedition leader, three handpicked naturalists, including a Lindblad-National Geographic certified photo instructor and an undersea specialist, plus a wellness specialist. Make the expedition as active as you choose with options to snorkel, hike, kayak, and paddle. For those who prefer to stay dry, there’s the service of our undersea specialist, who’ll share undersea video footage with you during the cocktail hour.

Wild Galápagos Escape Highlights

  • Experience all Galápagos offers in just over one week, with departures on Saturday and Thursday
  • Snorkel and kayak among colorful fish, sea turtles, penguins, and playful sea lions, and 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
  • Add a three-night post-expedition extension in Quito, Ecuador
  • Have more time? Take back-to-back voyages and see more of the archipelago—because no single site in Galápagos National Park can be visited by the same ship more than once in two weeks, consecutive voyages call on different islands.
  • With National Geographic Global Explorers, our exclusive family program, kids and teens will learn about this fascinating part of the world—from “sneezing” iguanas to giant tortoises

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Itinerary


Day-to-Day Itinerary

Day 1 — Guayaquil, Ecuador

Upon arrival in Guayaquil, Ecuador, transfer to the 44-room Hotel del Parque, a tranquil haven surrounded by lush gardens set in a lovingly restored 19th-century building. Most flights arrive in the late evening. 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, including flying into Quito, Ecuador’s capital, instead of Guayaquil.

Day 2 — Guayaquil / Galápagos Islands / Embark Ship

Fly to Baltra in the center of Galápagos, a little world unto itself in the Tropical Pacific. We are welcomed by our naturalist staff and start exploring the islands.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Days 3-6 — Galápagos Islands
Listed below is a sample of islands we may visit during our expedition. Our expeditions begin and end at Baltra and include visits to Isla Santa Cruz and a careful selection of diverse islands. No two days are alike. Each of our itineraries offers an optimal balance of wildlife, landscapes, and experiences. All ship itineraries are subject to Galápagos National Park regulations.

North Seymour: Look for nesting frigatebirds, plus land and marine iguanas, and enjoy a beautiful coastal walk.

Santa Cruz: Head to the lush, green highlands to look for giant tortoises roaming in the wild.

Isabela: Toast crossing the Equator at Volcán Ecuador, northernmost of Isabela’s six great shield volcanoes. Keep an eye open for whales and dolphins as we ply these nutrient-rich waters, once the haunt of whalers and pirates.

Fernandina: One of the most active oceanic volcanoes in the world, Fernandina is the youngest and most pristine island in Galápagos—and home to the strange flightless cormorant and the largest marine iguanas.

San Cristóbal: Search for red-footed boobies and the endemic mockingbird and lava lizard—found only on this easternmost island.

Española: Located in the extreme southeast of the archipelago, this island is home to swallow-tailed gulls, Española mockingbirds, Nazca boobies, and seasonally, the world’s only population of waved albatrosses at Punta Suárez.

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 wooden barrel at Post Office Bay, and learn about its unusual postal system.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7 — Disembark Ship / Galápagos Islands / Guayaquil

Return by air to Guayaquil, where we transfer to the Hotel del Parque—or continue to Quito for an optional three-night extension. You may be able to take advantage of overnight flights. Ask your Expedition Specialist for details.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 8 — Guayaquil

Stay and linger in Guayaquil or return home today.

Please note: These expeditions begin and end at Baltra, and include visits to Isla Santa Cruz and a careful selection of diverse islands. Each of our itineraries offers an optimal balance of wildlife, landscapes and experiences. All ship itineraries are subject to Galápagos National Park regulations.

Please note: All day-by-day breakdowns are a sampling of the places we intend to visit, conditions permitting.

Galapagos Itinerary Map


Dates & Rates


Dates & Rates


DatesSUISSO
Jul 1, 2023$9,790$13,650$14,590
Jul 6, 2023$9,790$13,650$14,590
Jul 15, 2023$9,790$13,650$14,590
Jul 29, 2023$9,790$13,650$14,590
Aug 3, 2023$9,790$13,650$14,590
Aug 12, 2023$9,790$13,650$14,590
Aug 17, 2023$9,790$13,650$14,590
Aug 26, 2023$9,790$13,650$14,590
Aug 31, 2023$9,790$13,650$14,590
Sep 23, 2023$9,790$13,650$14,590
Oct 7, 2023$9,790$13,650$14,590
Oct 12, 2023$9,790$13,650$14,590
Oct 21, 2023$9,790$13,650$14,590
Oct 26, 2023$9,790$13,650$14,590
Nov 4, 2023$9,790$13,650$14,590
Nov 9, 2023$9,790$13,650$14,590
Nov 18, 2023$9,790$13,650$14,590
Nov 23, 2023$9,790$13,650$14,590
Dec 2, 2023$9,790$13,650$14,590
Dec 7, 2023$9,790$13,650$14,590
Dec 16, 2023$10,770$15,020$16,050
Dec 21, 2023$12,820$17,930$19,220
Dec 30, 2023$12,410$17,370$18,490
Jan 4, 2024$11,688$16,301$17,419
Jan 13, 2024$11,091$15,469$16,530
Jan 18, 2024$11,091$15,469$16,530
Jan 27, 2024$10,870$15,160$16,200
Feb 1, 2024$11,091$15,469$16,530
Feb 10, 2024$11,688$16,301$17,419
Feb 15, 2024$11,442$15,957$17,052
Feb 29, 2024$10,979$15,313$16,363
Mar 9, 2024$12,771$17,804$19,032
Mar 14, 2024$11,268$15,709$16,795
Mar 23, 2024$12,788$17,835$19,058
Mar 28, 2024$11,688$16,301$17,419
Apr 6, 2024$12,771$17,804$19,032
Apr 11, 2024$11,442$15,957$17,052
Apr 20, 2024$10,795$15,051$16,081
Apr 25, 2024$10,701$14,917$15,948
May 4, 2024$10,580$14,750$15,760
May 9, 2024$10,090$14,343$15,040
May 18, 2024$10,580$14,750$15,760
May 23, 2024$10,191$14,343$15,181
Jun 1, 2024$10,770$15,020$16,050
Jun 6, 2024$10,870$15,160$16,200
Jun 15, 2024$11,852$16,526$17,663
Jun 29, 2024$12,905$17,988$19,235
Jul 4, 2024$12,054$16,802$17,967
Jul 13, 2024$10,970$15,430$16,350
Jul 18, 2024$11,670$16,265$17,393
Jul 27, 2024$11,031$15,378$16,442
Aug 1, 2024$10,680$14,880$15,910
Aug 10, 2024$10,090$14,200$15,030
Aug 15, 2024$10,680$14,880$15,910
Aug 24, 2024$10,090$14,200$15,030
Aug 29, 2024$10,090$14,200$15,030
Sep 12, 2024$10,090$14,200$15,030
Sep 21, 2024$10,402$14,494$15,494
Sep 26, 2024$11,080$15,444$16,515
Oct 5, 2024$10,090$14,200$15,030
Oct 10, 2024$10,090$14,200$15,030
Oct 19, 2024$10,090$14,200$15,030
Oct 24, 2024$10,090$14,200$15,030
Nov 2, 2024$10,090$14,200$15,030
Nov 7, 2024$10,380$14,470$15,470
Nov 16, 2024$10,090$14,200$15,030
Nov 21, 2024$10,090$14,200$15,030
Nov 30, 2024$10,090$14,200$15,030
Dec 5, 2024$10,090$14,200$15,030
Dec 14, 2024$10,979$15,313$16,363
Dec 28, 2024$15,600$20,611$22,505

Ships


Ships

National Geographic Islander II

National Geographic Islander
Sailing starting in August 2022, the sleek and elegant 48-passenger National Geographic Islander II will sail year-round in the Galápagos Islands and elevate the guest experience to an entirely new level. View ship details…

Video


Video


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