Go Gaga for the Galápagos
Exploring the Galápagos with Lindblad, onboard a National Geographic expedition ship, is a bucket-list item for many travelers, and it’s easy to see why…
A sea lion mother and pup enjoy a cuddle with the National Geographic Islander in the background (photo credit: Lindblad Expeditions)
If you are a lover of wildlife, the Galápagos Islands should already be on your bucket list. If it isn’t, take out your pen right now and add it to the list! Teeming with a diverse range of creatures—from penguins to iguanas to blue-footed boobies to sea lions and more—the Galápagos is best explored by expedition ship, and that’s where our friends at Lindblad come in.
While exploring the Galápagos with Lindblad, you’ll be snorkeling, hiking, paddleboarding, and cruising by Zodiac, encountering animals that will be unafraid of you and getting to see them up-close. You’ll set off on either the National Geographic Endeavour II (96-guest capacity) or the yacht-scaled National Geographic Islander (48-guest capacity), and you will enjoy the benefit of Lindblad’s 50+ years of experience cruising the Galápagos, which they view as the best islands in the world and which were the very first UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Wild and Wonderful Wildlife
Lindblad has introduced generations of visitors to these strange and wonderful islands, and the reason that travelers flock to them is truly because of the wildlife, so of course we want to start with an exploration of the wildlife you can expect to see when adventuring this beautiful region with Lindblad.
The wildlife of the Galápagos is particularly wonderful for visitors because the animals lack an instinctive fear of humans, making it a dream for anyone who wants to get a close look at these incredible creatures (photographers, prepare yourselves!). Sea lions laze on the beach right next to you. Birds land on your camera lenses and stand in the middle of trails, ignoring you as you carefully walk around them. And you can study or photograph giant tortoises to your heart’s content, as they graze on, totally undisturbed. Being able to be so close to such rare and wild creatures is a privilege, both enchanting and unforgettable.
Thanks to their position on the Equator, animals in the Galápagos are active all year-round, meaning no matter what time of year you choose to visit, there will always be plenty of wildlife on show. Bird lovers, rejoice! You’ll see migrating birds visiting or endemic birds courting, mating, and raising their young, depending on what time of year you visit. Giant tortoises move from the lowlands to the highlands, sea turtles bury their eggs on the beach or swim in the sea. Sea lions, who love to be the center of attention, and rare blue-footed boobies are often present and always delightful.
It is important to note how many of these animals are rare or even unique. The Galápagos is famous for its endemic wildlife, which means animals that have been separated from their main population and have adapted to their environment, eventually changing to become a totally new species. There are as many as 26 endemic species on the islands, including Darwin’s finches, the Galápagos giant tortoise, marine iguanas, and Galápagos penguins. This is the only place on earth that you can see these animals in their natural habitats, which is why it is on the bucket list of so many animal lovers!
While Lindblad have plenty of varied itineraries, we wanted to focus on our favorite comprehensive look at the Galápagos. There are plenty of others if this one doesn’t look like it’s for you, including expeditions that feature a trip to Machu Picchu and Cusco with a little less time in the Galápagos, should you want to see more of South America while you’re in the area. However, the below is a lovely look at all the Galápagos has to offer, especially in terms of the fabulous wildlife.
Galápagos Aboard National Geographic Endeavour II (Year-Round Departures)
10 days
Each week of exploring with Lindblad is expertly crafted to offer a panoramic experience of the archipelago. Within hours of traveling to the Galápagos Islands, you’ll be exposed to an abundance of wildlife. Each day will deliver new islands to explore and discover, and while flexibility is a hallmark of Lindblad’s expedition style, the following is a representative sample of the islands you may visit during your time onboard.
Day 1: Guayaquil, Ecuador
Upon arrival in Guayaquil, you will be transferred to the Hotel Oro Verde Guayaquil, where you can check-in and relax after your long flight. If you’d like, you can also book in extra nights to arrive early so that you can have some additional time in Guayaquil for exploration on land.
Day 2: Guayaquil/Galápagos/Embark
Board a 1.5-hour flight to the Galápagos and let the adventure begin. On arrival, you will immediately board your expedition ship.
Breakfast, lunch, & dinner included
Days 3-8: Galápagos Islands
The following is a representative sample of the islands you may visit during your week onboard, bearing in mind that the exact routing depends on the National Park Service.
Breakfast, lunch, & dinner are included daily
Bartolomé
This is a landscape where lava, mangroves, and golden sand converge to enchant and delight you. Great walks and views abound, with a chance to snorkel with Galápagos penguins.
Santiago
Santiago offers close encounters with Galápagos fur seals along with an opportunity to study the inhabitants of the island’s countless tide pools.
Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz is home to the Charles Darwin Research Station, where you can learn about the science done here and visit the neighboring captive breeding program for endangered species of Galápagos giant tortoises, run by their partners in conservation, the Galápagos National Park Service.
Isabela
A small black sand beach offers wonderful morning swims. Enjoy a more challenging hike over rugged shoreline and a shorter walk within an iguana colony. Kayaking and deep-water snorkeling opportunities are on offer.
Fernandina
This is the youngest island in the Galápagos and one of the most pristine tropical islands left on earth. Look forward to hikes over relatively recent lava flows, and spot marine iguanas, flightless cormorants, and Sally Lightfoot crabs.
Floreana
Snorkel among sea lions in the clear waters off Champion Islet. You may also find flamingos, pintail ducks, and various shorebirds. Hike to a pristine white-sand beach, a favorite nesting site for sea turtles.
Española
The exclusive home to waved albatross (seasonal) and particularly colorful marine iguanas, Española is also a paradise for Darwin’s finches, sea lions galore, and the famous blue-footed boobies. Snorkel and stroll along the island’s lovely beaches.
Day 9: Galápagos/Disembark/Guayaquil
Return this morning to Guayaquil, reluctant as you might be to leave the paradise that is the Galápagos. On arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel. Enjoy the late afternoon and evening at leisure to explore the city.
Breakfast is included
Day 10: Guayaquil/Home
Board your international flight home after an unforgettable and life-altering journey.
Breakfast is included
If we haven’t already painted a vivid enough picture to have you planning your journey to the Galápagos, we hope this sweet video featuring some of the incredible wildlife in the region might do just that. And while pictures and videos are fabulous, there is absolutely nothing like encountering these creatures face-to-face, marveling at their beauty, grace, and fearlessness, but you’ll have to venture to the Galápagos yourself to experience that wonder.
If you would like to go away to the Galápagos (or anywhere else in the world), simply contact us, and we will set you on your way.