GALAPAGOS FAMILY ODYSSEY ITINERARY:
Day 1 — Miami/Guayaquil, Ecuador
Depart Miami for Guayaquil. Upon arrival, transfer to our
hotel. Hotel Hilton Colón
Day 2 — Guayaquil/Galápagos
This morning, fly to the Galápagos Islands and board our
comfortable expedition ship. During lunch, sail to Isla Santa
Cruz for a magnificent introduction to the diverse wildlife of
the islands. Spend the afternoon exploring mangrove-flanked
channels and the shoreline of Cerro Dragon, looking for land
iguanas, sea lions, rare birds, and golden rays. National
Geographic Polaris** or National Geographic Islander* (B, L, D)
Days 3-8 Exploring the Galápagos
In keeping with the nature of an expedition, our itinerary
is flexible, allowing you to take advantage of this
extraordinary wildlife sanctuary. You will have the opportunity
to go on nature walks with local naturalists, swim, snorkel, or
explore the waters by kayak, glass-bottom boat (Polaris and
Endeavour only), or Zodiac. (B, L, D daily)
We plan to make the following stops during this voyage:
Isla Bartolomé: Bartolomé's landscape is an enchanting
convergence of lava flows, mangroves, and beautiful white-sand
beaches. Here you may also have the opportunity to swim with
Galápagos penguins.
Isla Santiago: Santiago offers some of the best “tide
pooling” in the islands. Follow a path along a series of pools
and underwater caverns in search of Galápagos fur seals, sea
lions, and Sally Lightfoot crabs.
Isla Santa Cruz: Santa Cruz is home to the Charles
Darwin Research Station, a breeding station for endangered
native species. Join a staff member of the research station for
an introduction to the Darwin Foundation's ecological studies
and giant Galápagos tortoise breeding program. Later, travel
into the highlands and roam the moss-draped landscape where wild
tortoises often forage.
Isla Isabela: Anchor off the picturesque port of
Puerto Villamil. Walk the streets of this small town, and stroll
along the nearby saltwater lagoons, home to flamingos and shore
birds. Visit the island's tortoise breeding center. Explore
Isabela's caves and shoreline, and search the waters for
dolphins, whales, sea turtles, and the astonishing ocean
sunfish, the Mola mola.
Isla Fernandina: Discover Punta Espinosa on Isla
Fernandina — the youngest and most pristine island in the
Galápagos. Through a thicket of white mangroves lies the largest
colony of marine iguanas in the Galápagos. Sea lions play along
the coast and flightless cormorants hunt from their nesting site
against the dramatic backdrop of Isla Isabela's volcanoes.
Isla Floreana: At Champion Islet, snorkel among sea
lions in clear waters, or peer into an underwater world in a
glass-bottom boat (Polaris or Endeavour only) while keeping an
eye out for flamingos, pintail ducks, and shorebirds. Hike to a
pristine white-sand beach, a favorite nesting site for sea
turtles. Those interested can take a Zodiac ride to Post Office
Bay. If you see a letter addressed to someone who lives near
you, the tradition is to deliver it by hand.
Isla Española: A paradise for bird lovers, Isla
Española is home to Darwin's finches, Hood mockingbirds, and
blue-footed boobies. You'll also see Española marine iguanas,
which develop vivid green and red coloration from their food, a
coastal seaweed that blooms in iguana-mating season.
Day 9 — Galápagos/Guayaquil
After breakfast, disembark the ship and fly to Guayaquil.
The evening is at your leisure. Hotel Hilton Colón (B)
Day 10 — Guayaquil/Miami
Depart Guayaquil for Miami this morning, arriving in the
early afternoon. (B)
Back to NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC
EXPEDITIONS - Menu Page
Click Here to View Our Selection of
South America Tours
