This winter, book three full-paying guests and bring a fourth person free on select departures! Offer expires February 28, 2022.
Pack a ton of adventure into one action-packed week aboard the 48-guest National Geographic Islander. 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.
Experience all Galápagos offers in just one week, with departures on Saturday and Thursday
Add a two-night post-expedition extension in Quito, Ecuador
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
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Duration
7 Days
Price
From $6,020 per person
(does not include flight)
Dates
Year Round
Special offers
COMBINING OFFERS
BRINGING THE KIDS
BACK-TO-BACK SAVINGS
GET THE GROUP ON BOARD! SAVE 10%
EARLY BOOKING SAVINGS
TRAVELING AS A GROUP
FREE AIRFARE ON SELECT DATES
4TH GUEST TRAVELS FREE
Galápagos, Wild Escapes
Embark
Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
Disembark
Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
Special Offers
1/19/2022
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National Geographic Islander
This morning, National Geographic Islander anchored in Urbina Bay at the foot of Alcedo Volcano on the west coast of Isabela Island. After a wet landing, we took a trail inland to see Galapagos land iguanas and giant tortoises. We spotted quite a variety of endemic land birds, among them finches and mockingbirds. We also had the opportunity to see the coral reef exposed due to the uplifting of this area in 1854. After the hike, we went to the beach to enjoy the refreshing waters found west of the archipelago. In the afternoon, we enjoyed kayaking and paddleboarding in Tagus Cove. Very calm conditions allowed us to get close to the wildlife. We also went snorkeling. The water was mostly clear and full of activity. The main attractions were the reefs, sea turtles and schools of different species of fish. After this, we went for a hike to see Darwin’s Lake and the beautiful landscape of the north profile of Isabela Island. Some of us went for a Zodiac ride along the coast and spotted many Galapagos penguins and flightless cormorants. The various geological features were amazing.
11/14/2021
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National Geographic Islander
Today we woke up at Post Office Bay in Floreana Island. Here we disembarked for a pre-breakfast outing to visit the post office barrel, where we had a unique moment talking about the human history during the time when whalers came to these islands. This visit was followed by a Zodiac ride and kayaking along the bay where guests had close encounters with playful sea lions and sea turtles. We ended the morning with a snorkel outing along the shore of Champion Islet, right in front of Floreana Island. In the afternoon, after a delicious lunch, we went to visit a special place, Cormorant Point. Here we were surprised by a few juvenile blue-footed boobies and could even see the moment when a mother arrived with food to feed a chick. This place was special also for plant lovers, since we found a few of the most iconic endemic plants found in Floreana, including the endemic genus, Lecocarpus sp ., and the endemic version of Lantana sp . We walked all the way across Cormorant Point to a beach where we found many holes that belong to sea turtle nests. And even though it is quite unexpected to have nesting green sea turtles this early, we were blessed to find baby sea turtles hatching during the day. This was probably one of the most special moment of this afternoon, or even of this whole day of exploration in Floreana Island.
11/13/2021
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National Geographic Islander
Early wake-up to climb to the top of the Island of Bartholomew, which is an open book of geology to understand the formation and colonization of the islands by plants and animals. In addition, it has a spectacular landscape. About 400 steps protect the island from erosion and facilitates the people reach the top of it in an easier way. Later after breakfast, we get suited up to explore the water and its fantastic life composed of all kinds of singular creatures, some of them found only here. A world of fish, stingray and many more underwater species make this area truly enjoyable and fascinating. We then later navigate to reach the north of Santa Cruz where we visit Dragon Hill, one of the areas with the prehistoric-looking land iguanas. Right at landing, we meet several sea birds flying around and diving for fish. Marine iguanas basking in the sun before or after going in the sea for algae. The interior trail goes through a palo santo forest that then opens to a small ash-made hill mostly occupied by land Iguanas. In fact, they are here to show their beauty and grace but also to share a story of resilience. This combination of colored landscape and special wildlife area gives us another day of joy in the Galapagos. The exploration continues on the next day for visiting Floreana.
11/9/2021
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National Geographic Islander
Today we woke to the announcement from our expedition leader, Paula, letting us know that a group of striped dolphins was swimming beside the ship. After a delicious breakfast, we went for a Zodiac ride along Volcano Ecuador, a collapsed volcano in the far north part of Isabela Island. Here we also had a snorkel outing, where we saw plenty of Pacific green sea turtles, Galapagos penguins and marine iguanas feeding on the rocky outcrops. In the afternoon, we visited one of the most outstanding areas to see marine iguanas: Punta Espinoza in Fernandina Island. Here we also found a few Galapagos hawks, the top predator in these islands. We finished the day with an amazing sunset and a barbeque dinner on the sky deck onboard National Geographic Islander .
11/8/2021
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National Geographic Islander
Our first full day in the Galapagos starts well with high energy and optimism. After breakfast we are in the Zodiacs, heading out to the island’s landing to be welcomed by several species of birds, crabs and sea lions. In the interior of the loop trail, the nesting sea birds are abundant. Frigates are nesting, and for that the males inflate their red gular sacs to the size of soccer balls that are then displayed to females for mating. Some sit on the eggs and are already raising young. A few blue-footed boobies also are nesting. Most have young mature enough to learn to fly and dive for fish. The interactions among all of the inhabitants here are quite interesting and sometimes even unpredictable. Sea lions here find areas with sand or vegetation to rest. Land iguanas draw water and eat from succulents like the local prickly pear cactus. Marine iguanas sunbathe, gathering heat before they enter the water for algae foraging. Later after a couple of hours of navigation, we anchor at Rábida Island, unique for the abundance of iron in its rocks, giving the appearance of rust. Here we snorkel to enjoy the other equally beautiful and sublime world of the Galapagos, its underwater life. Fish of all varieties, shapes and colors. Sea lions, rays and sharks abound. The land shows a magical beauty, the beauty of its noble occupants. Sea lions are the stars of the show along with greater flamingos that we see in flight over the sea to land on a brackish water lagoon in search of shrimp – their main food and what gives them their pink coloration. With plenty of photos and memories gathered, we end the day with the sun falling behind the volcanoes of large Isabela: our next destination.
With Free Air
