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, paddle-boarding and snorkeling—you’ll be assured of the full Lindblad-National Geographic Galápagos experience. Each voyage is crafted to offer you a diverse experience of the archipelago.
- Experience all Galápagos offers in just one week.
- Pre and post-expedition hotel nights at the Hotel del Parque Guayaquil.
- 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 every day.
Encounter abundant wildlife.
Blue-footed boobies. Flightless cormorants. Darwin’s finches. Pink flamingos. Sea lions on beaches or gamboling underwater. Giant tortoises grazing in the highlands. The wildlife of Galápagos is legendary for its uniqueness and lack of fear, allowing you the rare experience of being treated as an equal in the wild world. Each island contains endemic species, and you’ll have the opportunity to see a panoply of Galápagos’ creatures in their native habitats—on land and in the sea.
Every day is active and engaging.
You’ll be able to snorkel nearly every day. 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. And each day you’ll have the option to walk, hike, kayak, or Zodiac cruise, and to join a different naturalist as you choose: there are no assigned groups. See more of what you’ll do.
Travel in excellent company.
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. Their knowledge and passion for the islands is the key to your once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Day 1: U.S. / Guayaquil, Ecuador
Day 2: Guayaquil / Galápagos / Embark
Day 3-6: Galápagos
North Seymour: Encounter nesting frigatebirds, plus land and marine iguanas, and enjoy a beautiful coastal walk.
Santa Cruz: Call at Puerto Ayora, the largest town and headquarters of both the Galápagos National Park and Charles Darwin Research Station. Head to the lush, green highlands to see 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 you ply these rich waters, once the haunt of whalers and pirates.
Fernandina: One of the most active oceanic volcanoes in the world, it’s the youngest and most pristine island in Galápagos—and home to the strange flightless cormorant and the largest marine iguanas.
San Cristobal: Search for red-footed boobies and the endemic mockingbird and lava lizard—found only on this easternmost island. Explore Baquerizo Moreno, where sea lions thrive in the middle of town.
Española: Home to swallow-tailed gulls, Española mockingbirds, Nazca boobies and seasonally, the world’s only population of waved albatross at Punta Suarez.
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 barrel at Post Office Bay.
Day 7: Disembark / Baltra / Guyaquil / Depart
Moderate
Faculty
Elizabeth Smith, the Paul M. Dauten Jr. Professor of Biological Sciences, has served as dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences since 2017. She leads Dartmouth’s largest academic unit, overseeing its educational policies, curriculum, and all matters relating to the effectiveness, development, and wellbeing of more than 600 faculty members. Smith was previously associate dean of the sciences and has also served as chair of the Department of Biological Sciences. An accomplished cell biologist, she has published papers in leading journals and received grant support from institutions including the American Cancer Society, the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, and the March of Dimes Foundation.
