9 Night Cruise of the Galapagos Islands onboard National Geographic Endeavour II. Hotel stay pre and post cruise in Guayaquil.

Each week aboard National Geographic Endeavour is crafted to offer you a panoramic experience of the archipelago. Within hours of arriving in Galápagos, you’ll experience an abundance of wildlife. And each day will deliver a new island to discover and explore. And while flexibility is a hallmark of our expedition style, the following is a representative sample of the islands we may visit during your week on board.

DAY 1: Guayaquil, Ecuador
Arrive in Guayaquil; it’s a short drive to Hotel Hilton Colón, where we spend the night.

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)

DAY 3-8: Galápagos Islands

Galápagos Islands
The following is a representative sample of the islands we may visit during your week on board: (B,L,D)

Bartolome
This is an enchanting landscape where lava, mangroves and golden sand converge. 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
Home to the Charles Darwin Research station; 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 swimming. 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. We 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

(B,L,D daily)

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
(B)

Purpose built in 2005 for expedition cruising in the waters of Tierra del Fuego, the National Geographic Endeavour II underwent a major refit for Galápagos service in 2016 with an all new forward lounge, library, gym & spa along with new fixtures and furniture in cabins, new suites and other amenities throughout. Sophisticated and energy efficient lighting, air-conditioning, water-making and other technical features were also installed or replaced for year-round operation in equatorial waters. The ship, which previously carried 136 passengers, accommodates 96 guests in 52 thoughtfully appointed cabins. She is exceptionally nimble and maneuverable, with a shallow draft to get up close, great viewing from all public spaces, an expansive open-air observation deck, large windows in cabins and suites, and state-of-the-art tools for exploration.

Galápagos with the luxury of choice
Accommodating 96 guests in 52 cabins and suites, National Geographic Endeavour II caters to a sociable mix of families, friends, couples and solo travelers. The Galápagos cruise ship offers the choice of suites on two decks, double cabins with beds that can be configured as two twins or a queen, seven sets of connecting cabins for families and friends, triple cabins, and dedicated solo cabins, which are equal in size and amenities to the doubles. All have a large window or windows.

Her dining room easily accommodates our entire expedition community for a single seating, and unassigned table settings make for a gregarious experience for solo travelers and groups. The brand new forward lounge features a redesigned presentation space that offers all aboard chance to participate in evening Recaps or special guest events. Life aboard is casual in every respect. There is no need for formal clothing, although you are welcome to bring casually festive attire for the fun of it. And you’ll find shipboard services like laundry make packing and traveling more convenient.

Equipped for active exploration
Endeavour II is equipped with cool tools for exploration (snorkelling gear, wetsuits, zodiacs, kayaks, glass-bottomed zodiac, under-water camera & video microscope) that help you experience the full range of wildness on a Galápagos island trip.

For over 50 years, Lindblad Expeditions has been turning vacationers into informed and engaged explorers. Together with National Geographic we offer intimate small-ship expedition cruises that, unlike traditional cruises, are your opportunity to encounter the world’s most pristine and inspiring places up close with the seasoned experts who know them best.

Our expedition cruises provide the safest and most innovative ways to explore places already “discovered” and those that are still very, very wild. Whether you choose to go on a Galapagos cruise, an Alaska cruise, a cruise to Egypt, or any of our other cruise destinations, each expedition cruise features an unmatched combination of adventure travel technology as well as well-appointed cabins, regional and sustainable cuisine and friendly, personal service.

We believe the more closely our guests are able to connect with a destination, the more valuable an affect it will have on their lives and on the more they will come to care about and protect it for future exploration.