Galapagos Aboard the Islander II

© David Vargas

Itinerary

Itinerary Map
  Interested in a longer voyage? Click here to check out Lindblad's 10-day Galapagos Aboard the Endeavor II

Lindblad Expeditions' 8-day Galapagos adventure aboard the National Geographic Islander II offers an active immersion in the archipelago's wonders. While exact itineraries are subject to determination by the Galapagos National Park Service, each voyage brings guests into intimate contact with the islands and their diverse wildlife via a suite of exploratory equipment and varied daily activities. Hiking and snorkeling opportunities are offered at different ability levels to suit everyone, and dedicated children's program staff lead enlightening adventures for young people.

Day-to-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Quito or Guayaquil, Ecuador
Guests have the choice to arrive into Quito, Ecuador's capital with its World Heritage-status colonial Old Town, or Guayaquil, a vibrant coastal city with a lively waterfront malecon along the Rio Guayas. Guests in Quito will have the choice of several hotels, while those arriving into Guayaquil will spend the night at the Hotel del Parque, an elegantly restored 19th-century boutique inn surrounded by tropical gardens, before flying to the islands tomorrow. In both cities, a selection of local tours is available.

Day 2: Quito or Guayaquil / Baltra, Galapagos / Embark Ship
Fly this morning to the Galapagos island of Baltra, and transfer to the pier on arrival to board the National Geographic Islander II. Once you're settled in, the ship sets sail straightaway for a week of adventure. Crossings between islands generally take place at night to maximize time for exploration during the day. Look forward to waking each morning to fresh vistas and daily discoveries.

Days 3–6: Cruising the Galapagos Islands
Each day a new island awaits, and with flexibility a hallmark of Lindblad's expedition style, opportunities for discovery abound. Below is a sampler of the islands we may visit. In each location, enjoy personal encounters with the fascinating animals of the Galapagos, which are perfectly comfortable with humans and won’t run away in fear. Choose among multiple modes of exploration each day: Take a guided hike with the ship's naturalists. Swim with tropical fish, sea turtles and penguins on daily snorkeling excursions—sometimes twice a day—that showcase the rich marine life of the Galapagos. Paddle a single or tandem kayak for water-level investigation of the scenic coastline. Step onto a stand-up paddleboard for meditative exploration of quiet bays. Hop onto a Zodiac to cruise along rocky shores dotted with blue-footed boobies, marine iguanas and bright orange Sally lightfoot crabs—an ideal excursion for photography, illuminated with a naturalist’s narration.

Your itinerary will include a selection of these islands:


North Seymour
Encounter plentiful sea lions, nesting frigatebirds, plus land and marine iguanas, and enjoy a striking views on a coastal walk.

Santa Cruz
Call at Puerto Ayora, the largest town and headquarters of both Galapagos National Park and Charles Darwin Research Station, which operate in partnership. At Darwin Station, learn about the efforts of scientists, guides, rangers and park managers to preserve the unique features of the UNESCO World Heritage Site that is the Galapagos Islands. At the tortoise-rearing facility, see tiny babies bred to help increase the depleted tortoise population, a central part of the station's conservation mission. To date, more than 5,000 tortoises have been returned to the wild in the Galapagos through the program. Santa Cruz is also home to wild Galapagos tortoises, the islands' namesake, which dwell in the misty Scalesia forests of the highlands.

Isabela
Isabela, largest of the Galapagos islands, was created when six volcanoes flowed together. Today, its shape resembles a seahorse. In addition to kayaking and deep-water snorkeling, a small black sand beach offers excellent swimming. Varied choices for walks and hikes ashore reveal Isabela's intriguing features, including an iguana colony and a chance to cross the equator at Ecuador Volcano, the northernmost of Isabela’s six great shield volcanoes. Keep an eye out for whales and dolphins as we ply these waters rich in marine life, which were once the haunt of whalers and pirates.

Fernandina
The youngest and most active volcano in the Galapagos, Fernandina is one of the most pristine tropical islands left on Earth. Hike over relatively recent lava flows among hundreds of placid marine iguanas (the largest in the Galapagos), flightless cormorants, and bright orange Sally Lightfoot crabs that speckle the black lava rocks. Galapagos hawks soar overhead while sea lions loll on the sun-baked lava.

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
Española is one of the most prolific wildlife sites in the Galapagos. Hike to Punta Suarez, the seasonal home of the world's only population of waved albatross. The island's endemic red-and-green marine iguanas are also found only here. Española is also home to Darwin’s finches, Galapagos mockingbirds, Galapagos hawks, Galapagos doves, Nazca boobies, and the famous blue-footed boobies. A huge colony of sea lions lazes on the beach at Gardner Bay, covering the long stretch of fine, powdery white sand. Snorkeling in the bay is generally excellent, too.

Floreana
One of the few Galapagos islands inhabited by humans, Floreana has a rich cultural history filled with intrigue, including tales of pirates who once hid out here. A post office established by British whalers in 1793 is still a means for travelers to leave mail in the barrel for personal delivery via visitors passing through. Snorkel among sea lions and schools of tropical fish in the clear waters off Champion Islet, where we may also find flamingos, pintail ducks and various shorebirds. Hike to a pristine white sand beach, a favorite nesting site for sea turtles.

Day 7: Galapagos Islands—Disembark / Guayaquil or Quito
Our ship has returned to our disembarkation port overnight, and we depart after breakfast this morning, heading to the airport for our flight back to the mainland. You may choose to overnight in Guayaquil, where a transfer is included to the Hotel del Parque, or in Quito, where a choice of hotels is available. The afternoon and evening are at your leisure. Depending on flight schedules, you may be able to take advantage of an overnight flight home.

Day 8: Guayaquil or Quito / Depart
You are free to depart at any time today. A transfer to the airport is included. Fly homeward, or stay on for an optional extension in the Ecuadorian Andes. 


Learn more about the seasonal variations of Galapagos weather and wildlife viewing.


Physical Rating: Easy to Moderate

Questions?
We've Got Answers!
Talk with an Adventure Specialist
Call Our Boulder Office at 800-543-8917 or contact your travel advisor.
We're Proud of the Reputation We’ve Earned
Voted "World's Best Travel Company" by Outside Magazine
Travel & Leisure logo
Voted "Top Tour Operator" in Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards
Newsweek logo
Voted "Best Adventure Travel Company" in Newsweek Reader's Choice Awards
VIEW MORE AWARDS
Physical Requirements
WWF Logo

Learn More

Customize Your African Safari

Let our in-house safari experts create your perfect African adventure. Whether you'd like to travel as a private group on this safari or you'd like to create an itinerary all your own, simply fill out the form to the right or give us a call at 800-543-8917.

Please note that on this Make It Private departure we have a minimum group size of ${minGroupSize}.

Natural Habitat Adventures Logo WWF Logo
Learn More
Text Messaging Policy Message and data rates may apply. You can unsubscribe from SMS at any time by texting STOP. Reply HELP for help. 2-4 promotional msgs/month. Informational msg frequency varies.
Thank you for your interest!
We'll be in touch soon to help with your custom African safari!

Learn More

Customize Your Trip

Let our in-house trip experts create your perfect adventure. Whether you'd like to travel as a private group on our ${tripName} or you'd like to create an itinerary all your own, simply fill out the form to the right or give us a call at 800-543-8917.

Please note that on this Make It Private departure we have a minimum group size of ${minGroupSize}.

Natural Habitat Adventures Logo WWF Logo
Galapagos Aboard the Islander II
Learn More
Text Messaging Policy Message and data rates may apply. You can unsubscribe from SMS at any time by texting STOP. Reply HELP for help. 2-4 promotional msgs/month. Informational msg frequency varies.
Thank you for your interest!
We'll be in touch soon to help with your private trip!

Download Trip Details

Discover the World's Best

Nature Travel Experiences

Get our downloadable trip details in PDF format, a handy resource for your travel planning. Inside, you'll find all the info from our website—highlights of the trip, itinerary, accommodations, and full details on dates, prices and logistics—plus a few extras!

Natural Habitat Adventures Logo WWF Logo
Download Trip Details
Text Messaging Policy Message and data rates may apply. You can unsubscribe from SMS at any time by texting STOP. Reply HELP for help. 2-4 promotional msgs/month. Informational msg frequency varies.
Your download awaits…

Thank you for your request! Click here to see your trip details PDF now. You’ll also receive it by email momentarily.

Ask a Question

Ask a Question

Fill out our form to receive additional information about our ${tripName}, or give us a call at 800-543-8917.

Natural Habitat Adventures Logo WWF Logo
Galapagos Aboard the Islander II
Ask a Question
Text Messaging Policy Message and data rates may apply. You can unsubscribe from SMS at any time by texting STOP. Reply HELP for help. 2-4 promotional msgs/month. Informational msg frequency varies.
Thank you for your note!

We’ll be in touch soon with more details.

Send Me Travel Emails

Get the Inside Scoop on the

World of Nature Travel

Our weekly eNewsletters highlights new adventures, exclusive offers, webinars, nature news, travel ideas, photography tips and more. Sign up today!

Natural Habitat Adventures Logo WWF Logo
Send Me Travel Emails
Text Messaging Policy Message and data rates may apply. You can unsubscribe from SMS at any time by texting STOP. Reply HELP for help. 2-4 promotional msgs/month. Informational msg frequency varies.
Privacy Policy
Thank you for joining our email list

Look for a special welcome message in your inbox, arriving shortly! Be sure to add naturalhabitat@nathab.com to your email contacts so you don’t miss out on future emails.

Request Your 2025/2026 Catalog

Discover the World's Best

Nature Travel Experiences

Nathab 2024 Catalog

Together, Natural Habitat Adventures and World Wildlife Fund have teamed up to arrange nearly 100 nature travel experiences around the planet, while helping to protect the magnificent places we visit and their wild inhabitants.

Natural Habitat Adventures and World Wildlife Logos
Request Your 2025/26 Catalog
Text Messaging Policy Message and data rates may apply. You can unsubscribe from SMS at any time by texting STOP. Reply HELP for help. 2-4 promotional msgs/month. Informational msg frequency varies.
Continued - Page 2 of 2
To help us customize your catalog request, please tell us more about your travel needs:
Referrers receive rewards if you book!
Thank you for requesting a catalog
We’ve received your request. If you have any questions about our trips, please feel free to contact an Adventure Specialist today by calling 800-543-8917.

Get Weekly Updatess

Discover the World's Best

Nature Travel Experiences

Our weekly eNewsletter highlights new adventures, exclusive offers, webinars, nature news, travel ideas, photography tips and more. Sign up today!

Natural Habitat Adventures Logo WWF Logo
Send Me Travel Emails
Text Messaging Policy Message and data rates may apply. You can unsubscribe from SMS at any time by texting STOP. Reply HELP for help. 2-4 promotional msgs/month. Informational msg frequency varies.
Privacy Policy
Thank you for joining our email list!

Look for a special welcome message in your inbox, arriving shortly! Be sure to add naturalhabitat@nathab.com to your email contacts so you don’t miss out on future emails.

Send Us a Message

Send Us a Message

Have a question or comment? Use the form to the right to get in touch with us.

Natural Habitat Adventures Logo WWF Logo
Send Us a Message
Text Messaging Policy Message and data rates may apply. You can unsubscribe from SMS at any time by texting STOP. Reply HELP for help. 2-4 promotional msgs/month. Informational msg frequency varies.
Text Messaging Policy Message and data rates may apply. You can unsubscribe from SMS at any time by texting STOP. Reply HELP for help. 2-4 promotional msgs/month. Informational msg frequency varies.
Thank you for your message

We’ll be in touch soon with a response.

Refer a Friend

Refer a Friend,
Get $250 Off
Earn rewards for referring your friends! We'd like to thank our loyal travelers for spreading the word. Share your friend's address so we can send a catalog, and if your friend takes a trip as a first-time Nat Hab traveler, you'll receive a $250 Nat Hab credit you can use toward a future trip or the purchase of Nat Hab gear. To refer a friend, just complete the form below or call us at 800-543-8917. It's that easy! See rules and fine print here.
Natural Habitat Adventures Logo WWF Logo
Refer a Friend

Earn rewards for referring your friends! We'd like to thank our loyal travelers for spreading the word. Share your friend's address so we can send a catalog, and if your friend takes a trip as a first-time Nat Hab traveler, you'll receive a $250 Nat Hab credit you can use toward a future trip or the purchase of Nat Hab gear. To refer a friend, just complete the form below or call us at 800-543-8917. It's that easy! See rules and fine print here.

Text Messaging Policy Message and data rates may apply. You can unsubscribe from SMS at any time by texting STOP. Reply HELP for help. 2-4 promotional msgs/month. Informational msg frequency varies.
Thank you for the referral!

We've received your friend's information.

View Our 2025/2026 Digital Catalog

View Our 2025/2026

Digital Catalog

Help us save paper! We offer a digital version of The World's Greatest Nature Journeys. If you'd prefer a mailed copy, please provide your contact details here. To view our digital catalog, please enter your info in the form to the right.
Natural Habitat Adventures Logo WWF Logo
View Digital Catalog
Text Messaging Policy Message and data rates may apply. You can unsubscribe from SMS at any time by texting STOP. Reply HELP for help. 2-4 promotional msgs/month. Informational msg frequency varies.
Happy browsing!

Thanks for requesting access to our digital catalog. Click here to view it now. You’ll also receive it by email momentarily.

Our Trips

Polar Bear Tours

Polar Bear Tours

African Safaris

African Safaris

Galapagos Tours

Galapagos Tours

Alaska Adventures

Alaska Adventures

U.S. National Parks Tours

U.S. National Parks Tours

Canada & the North

Canada & the North

Europe Adventures

Europe Adventures

Mexico & Central America Tours

Mexico & Central America Tours

South America Adventures

South America Adventures

Asia & Pacific Adventures

Asia & Pacific Adventures

Antarctica & Arctic Journeys

Antarctica & Arctic Journeys

Photo Expeditions

Photo Expeditions

Adventure Cruises

Adventure Cruises

Women's Adventures

Women's Adventures

Family Adventures

Family Adventures

New Adventures

New Adventures

Questions? Call 800-543-8917

Contact Us

Have a question or comment?
Click any of the buttons below to get in touch with us.

Hours
Mountain Time

  • 8 am to 5 pm, Monday - Friday
  • 8 am to 3 pm on Saturday
  • Closed on Sunday
Call 800-543-8917
Questions? Click to Chat
Questions? Click to Chat
/adventure-cruises/galapagos-wildlife-cruise/itinerary/