Galápagos Photo Expedition
- 10 days
- Travel with a National Geographic photographer and capture images of the archipelago's unique wild inhabitants
- Expedition Details
- Expedition Team
- Ship/Deck Plan
- Photo Gallery
- Related National Geographic Features
- Field Dispatch: National Geographic Magazine Editor Visits the Galápagos
- Need More Info?
Expedition Details
The Galápagos Archipelago, Darwin's living laboratory, is home to an abundance of wildlife. Isolated from the mainland for millions of years, it is one of the rare wildernesses where animals have no instinctive fear of humans, making for incredible photographic opportunities. Join a National Geographic photographer aboard the National Geographic Endeavour and learn tips and techniques as you capture images of flightless cormorants, marine iguanas, giant tortoises, and the remarkable scenery of the islands.
Trip Highlights
- Hone your skills while capturing images of wildlife in a variety of landscapes, from black lava fields to white-sand beaches, and from rocky cliffs to lush highland forests.
- Photograph colonies of iguanas, frigate, sea lions, and birds unfazed by your presence.
- See rare giant tortoises at the Charles Darwin Research Station.
- Explore the waters of the Galápagos by kayak, glass-bottom boat, snorkel, or Zodiac.
Itinerary - 10 Days
Day 1 — U.S./Guayaquil, Ecuador
Depart for Guayaquil and upon arrival, transfer to our hotel.
Day 2 — Guayaquil/Galápagos
This morning, fly to the Galápagos Islands and board our comfortable expedition ship. During lunch,we begin our exploration of the islands.
(B,L,D)
Days 3 through 8 — Exploring Galápagos
In keeping with the nature of an expedition, our itinerary is flexible, allowing you to take advantage of this extraordinary wildlife sanctuary. You will have the opportunity to go on nature walks with local naturalists; swim; snorkel; or explore the waters by kayak, glass-bottom boat (Endeavour only), or Zodiac.
(B, L, D daily)
Listed below are some of the islands we may visit during our expeditions:*
Isla Bartolomé
Walk to the top of Bartolomé's volcanic cone for a stunning view of Pinnacle Rock and the surrounding white sand beaches. You may also have the opportunity to swim with Galápagos penguins.
Isla Santiago
Follow a path along a series of tide pools and underwater caverns in search of Galápagos
fur seals, marine iguanas, sea lions, and Sally
Lightfoot crabs.
Isla Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz is home to the Charles Darwin Research Station, a breeding station for endangered native species. Learn about the Darwin Foundation and their giant Galápagos tortoise breeding program. Later, travel into the highlands where wild tortoises forage.
Isla Isabela
Spend the early morning on the lookout for dolphins, whales, sea turtles, and the unusual ocean sunfish, the Mola mola. Explore caves and hidden lagoons by Zodiac, and snorkel among sea turtles.
Isla Floreana
At Champion Islet, snorkel among sea lions, or
peer into an underwater world in a glass-bottom
boat (Endeavour only) while keeping an eye out
for the endangered Floreana Mockingbird. Those
interested can visit Post Office Bay—if you see a
letter addressed to someone who lives near you,
the tradition is to deliver it by hand.
Isla Fernandina
Discover the marine iguana haven of Punta Espinoza as we hike over lava flows. Galapagos hawks and sea lion nurseries are also found as we explore this island.
Isla Española
See Darwin's finches, boobies, and waved albatross on this birder's paradise. Walk among vivid green and red marine iguanas, and observe sea lions up close on a pristine white-sand beach.
Day 9 — Galápagos/Guayaquil
After breakfast, disembark the ship and fly to Guayaquil. The evening is at your leisure.
Day 10 — Guayaquil/U.S.
Depart Guayaquil this morning, arriving home the same day.
Related Trips
Expedition Team
Accompanying each expedition is a diverse team of experts — from naturalists to regional specialists — who will share their knowledge and insights on the wildlife, landscapes, and local culture. See one of the members of our extraordinary team below.
Annie Griffiths
One of the first female photographers to work for National Geographic, Annie Griffiths has taken photographs in more than 100 countries during her illustrious career. She has worked on dozens of magazine and book projects for the Society, including stories on Lawrence of Arabia, Baja California, Galilee, Petra, Sydney, New Zealand, and Jerusalem. She lectures and teaches photography workshops regularly and was a visiting professor of photography at Ohio University. Annie’s work has also appeared in LIFE, Geo, Smithsonian, Fortune, Merian, Stern, and many other publications. Annie has received awards from the National Press Photographers Association, the Associated Press, the National Organization of Women, the University of Minnesota, and the White House News Photographers Association. She brought her children along on many of her far-flung assignments, and chronicles the story in the book A Camera, Two Kids, and a Camel.
Annie will join the following departure:
Jun 20 - 29, 2014
This trip is offered in association with Lindblad Expeditions.
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Give the Gift of a National Geographic Expedition Aboard the National Geographic Fleet
Dates
* Please note: Itineraries will vary slightly from week to week subject to the Galápagos National Park regulations. Each itinerary will include Isla Santa Cruz and a selection of the other stops listed in the itinerary.
Expedition Cost
Airfare is not included in the expedition cost. Round-trip economy airfare between Miami and Guayaquil is from $660, and between Guayaquil and Galápagos is $450 (subject to change).
