Galápagos · National Geographic Islander II · 7-night charter expedition
Galápagos: Volcanic Islands and Wildlife Encounters
Journey overview
- Travel dates
- 28 October–11 November 2027
- Duration
- 15 days / 12 nights: 7 nights on board, 4 nights in five-star hotels in Quito and 1 night in an airport hotel in Amsterdam; plus 2 overnight flights on the return journey.
- Ship
- National Geographic Islander II
- Embarkation / disembarkation
- Embark in Baltra at 13:30 on 30 October; disembark in Baltra at 08:00 on 6 November (local time).
- Group size
- Up to 48 people on board, with 26 suites. Please ask about available cabins and accompanying staff arrangements.
- Planned islands
- North Seymour, Santiago / Sombrero Chico, South Plaza, Santa Fé, Santa Cruz, San Cristóbal, Española and Floreana
- Journey
- Explore the Galápagos Islands with seven nights aboard National Geographic Islander II, following the planned route through North Seymour, Santiago, South Plaza, Santa Fé, Santa Cruz, San Cristóbal, Española and Floreana. The land itinerary includes Quito’s Equator Monument, a museum and the Old Town, plus a day in the Andean cloud forest. The full journey spans 15 days and 12 nights: seven nights on board, four nights in five-star hotels in Quito and one night in an airport hotel in Amsterdam. International and Ecuadorian domestic flights are included.
Journey imagery
Images illustrate the region; actual scenery and landings depend on the operating voyage.
28 October–11 November 2027. Explore the Galápagos Islands with seven nights aboard National Geographic Islander II, following the planned route through North Seymour, Santiago, South Plaza, Santa Fé, Santa Cruz, San Cristóbal, Española and Floreana. The land itinerary includes Quito’s Equator Monument, a museum and the Old Town, plus a day in the Andean cloud forest. The full journey spans 15 days and 12 nights: seven nights on board, four nights in five-star hotels in Quito and one night in an airport hotel in Amsterdam. International and Ecuadorian domestic flights are included.
Journey highlights
Over 50 years of island exploration
Lindblad brings over 50 years of exploration experience in the Galápagos. Naturalists and expedition leaders introduce island formation, animal behaviour and conservation, connecting each landing with talks on board.
Exploring the volcanic coast in different ways
Explore by Zodiac, kayak, paddleboard and glass-bottom Zodiac for different perspectives on the islands. Snorkelling and exploration equipment is provided. Activities depend on national park permits, weather, sea conditions and individual suitability.
Observe wildlife in its natural habitat
Observe sea lions, marine iguanas and seabirds along beaches and coastal trails. Island wildlife is often relatively unafraid of people, allowing unhurried observation. Follow your guide’s instructions, keep the required distance, and do not touch or feed animals.
Snorkelling: discover the underwater Galápagos
Look for sea lions, sea turtles and colourful fish in suitable areas of the Galápagos Marine Reserve. Undersea specialists and the expedition team help explain marine ecology. Snorkelling sites and operating conditions are determined on the day.
Giant tortoises in the Santa Cruz highlands
Beyond Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz has green highlands inhabited by giant tortoises. Explore the island’s interior through tortoise habitats and conservation. The voyage includes one lunch at a local highland restaurant; specific visits and timing are subject to confirmation by the cruise operator.
Young explorers learn through nature
The National Geographic Explorers-in-Training programme helps children and teenagers learn about the islands through observations of wildlife, from marine iguanas to giant tortoises. Confirm programme availability, suitable ages and service language when booking.
A seven-night home at sea for up to 48 guests
National Geographic Islander II has 26 suites and accommodates up to 48 guests. Photography guidance, natural history talks, wellness activities and exploration equipment complement continuous island-to-island travel, with time for observation and discussion.
Day-by-day itinerary
Open the tab alongside the daily itinerary.
Beijing / Shanghai → Amsterdam
Depart Beijing or Shanghai on a KLM flight to Amsterdam. Reference flights are KL898 from Beijing and KL896 from Shanghai. Stay overnight in an airport hotel in Amsterdam before continuing to Quito the next day. The plan is to stay within the airport’s international transit area without entering the Netherlands; the hotel is to be confirmed. Transit visa requirements must be checked against the final flight connections and each traveller’s documents.
Amsterdam → Quito
Take reference flight KL755 to Quito, the capital of Ecuador. On arrival, meet the airport representative, have a local dinner and check in to a five-star hotel in Quito. At approximately 2,850 metres above sea level, Quito calls for a restful arrival day to adjust to the altitude and time difference.
Quito → Baltra · Embark at 13:30 / North Seymour
After breakfast, connect with the recommended flight to the Galápagos. On arrival, transfer from the airport to National Geographic Islander II, with embarkation planned for 13:30. Today’s planned route covers Baltra and North Seymour, beginning the coastal and nature exploration. Activity timings are determined by the ship’s team.
Santiago · Sullivan Bay / Sombrero Chico
Visit Sullivan Bay and Sombrero Chico as planned, exploring volcanic landscapes and coastal habitats. Naturalists explain island formation and biological adaptation. The expedition team will arrange a combination of walking, cruising or water activities according to permits and sea conditions.
South Plaza / Santa Fé
Explore South Plaza and Santa Fé as planned, observing cactus vegetation and island wildlife habitats along the coast. Join naturalists for shore observations and discover the different island environments. Landings and water activities are arranged by the expedition team according to conditions on the day.
Santa Cruz · Puerto Ayora
The planned port of call is Puerto Ayora. Visits are expected to focus on tortoise conservation and the Santa Cruz highlands, introducing conservation work and tortoise habitats. One lunch at a local highland restaurant is included and is provisionally planned for today. Specific farms, research stations and visits await confirmation by the cruise operator.
San Cristóbal · Cerro Brujo / Punta Pitt
Visit Cerro Brujo and Punta Pitt as planned. Explore coastal and seabird habitats through nature observations and suitable shore activities. Red-footed boobies are among the species to look for, but sightings are not guaranteed.
Española · Gardner Bay / Punta Suarez
At Gardner Bay and Punta Suarez, discover different beach, rocky-shore and seabird habitats. Look for sea lions, marine iguanas, Nazca boobies and seasonal waved albatrosses. Snorkelling in the bay may be offered when permitted and conditions allow. All wildlife sightings depend on conditions at the time.
Floreana · Post Office Bay / Champion Islet / Punta Cormorant
Visit the three planned sites. Post Office Bay introduces the history of the traditional mail barrel. Zodiac cruising or snorkelling may be arranged around Champion Islet when permitted, while the lagoon area offers opportunities to observe wading birds and coastal ecology. Flamingos may be present, but sightings are not guaranteed.
Baltra · Disembark at 08:00 → Quito
After breakfast on board, disembark as planned at 08:00 and transfer to the airport for the flight back to Quito. Lunch at the airport is at your own expense. On arrival in Quito, enjoy a Chinese dinner and check in to a five-star hotel.
Quito · Equator Monument, museum and Old Town
After breakfast, visit the Equator Monument and a museum to learn about the equator and geographic measurement, with time for photographs at the boundary between the hemispheres. Enjoy a local lunch. In the afternoon, explore Quito’s Old Town, walking through streets and squares lined with Spanish colonial architecture. Inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1978, the Old Town has churches and historic buildings spread across its hilly highland streets. Return to the hotel after dinner.
Quito → cloud forest → Quito
After breakfast, travel to the Andean cloud forest. Orchids and bromeliads grow in the humid woodland, with streams winding through habitats frequented by hummingbirds. With a professional guide, use a special nectar feeder in accordance with local rules, waiting quietly for hummingbirds to approach and observing their hovering, feeding and rapid wingbeats. Sightings depend on conditions on the day. Enjoy a local lunch, return to Quito after the visit and have a Chinese dinner.
Quito → Amsterdam
Transfer to the airport according to the flight schedule. Depart Quito on reference flight KL751, returning to Beijing or Shanghai via Amsterdam.
Amsterdam → Beijing / Shanghai
Connect in Amsterdam with the flight back to China. Reference flights are KL897 for Beijing and KL895 for Shanghai, with arrival planned for the following day.
Arrive in Beijing / Shanghai
Arrive in Beijing or Shanghai, ending the 15-day / 12-night Galápagos and mainland Ecuador journey.
International flights are provisional and are expected to be confirmed in mid-November 2026, after which the itinerary and price may be adjusted. Departure is planned for 28 October 2027, with arrival back in China on 11 November; flight times are subject to final confirmation. All itinerary dates are local. The sequence and timing of daily visits, landings and water activities depend on national park permits, weather, sea conditions and the captain’s decisions. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.
Ship and cabins
National Geographic Islander II
With capacity for 48 guests and 26 suites, National Geographic Islander II provides a home at sea for seven nights of Galápagos exploration. Naturalists, undersea specialists and photography guides join the voyage, while the suites, dining and shared spaces make travel between islands part of the experience.
- Maximum capacity
- 48 people, including accompanying staff
- Total suites
- 26
- Suite allocation for this group
- 18 Suites, 4 Islander Suites and 4 Solo Suites
- Region
- Galápagos Islands
Public spaces
- Patio Café, Yacht Club Restaurant and The Cove lounge
- Library, chart room and Science Hub
- Gym, yoga space, sauna and spa (treatments charged separately)
- 4 Zodiacs plus 1 glass-bottom Zodiac; 6 double and 5 single kayaks; 4 paddleboards
- Snorkelling equipment, including wetsuits, masks and fins
- On-board medical professional, photography guidance, natural history talks and wellness activities
Suite
18 suites · published reference area approx. 26 m²
Large windows, sofa, desk and private bathroom. Bed configurations, suite numbers and layout are subject to allocation confirmation.
Islander Suite
4 suites · published reference area approx. 47.8 m²
Separate living space, larger windows and a walk-in wardrobe. Suite numbers and layout are subject to final confirmation.
Solo Suite
4 suites · published reference area approx. 26 m²
An option for solo travellers. The cruise operator uses this photograph for both Suite and Solo Suite accommodation; suite numbers and bed configurations are subject to final confirmation.
Fares and inclusions
Cabin fares
| Cabin | Details | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Suite | 18 suites; suite numbers and bed configurations are subject to allocation confirmation | Please ask your travel advisor |
| Islander Suite | 4 suites; suite numbers and bed configurations are subject to allocation confirmation | Please ask your travel advisor |
| Solo Suite | 4 suites; an option for solo travellers | Please ask your travel advisor |
Included
- 7 nights aboard National Geographic Islander II, 4 nights in five-star hotels in Quito and 1 night in an airport hotel in Amsterdam. Hotel names and room types are to be confirmed.
- Meals listed in the itinerary, excluding those marked as payable independently. The voyage includes one lunch at a local restaurant in the Santa Cruz highlands; arrangements are subject to confirmation by the cruise operator.
- The listed round-trip international flights (Beijing / Shanghai to Quito via Amsterdam), plus domestic flights between Quito and the Galápagos. Reference flights are provisional; the itinerary and price may be adjusted after flight confirmation.
- The Equator Monument, museum and Old Town visits in Quito on 7 November, and the cloud forest day trip on 8 November.
- Quito airport arrival assistance, return airport–hotel transfers and hotel hospitality desk services for recommended arrival and departure times; return transfers between the Galápagos airport and the ship.
- Porterage for two pieces of luggage per person in Quito and the Galápagos; access to the VIP lounge at Baltra Airport.
- 24-hour snacks, premium coffee, tea, non-alcoholic drinks and filtered water; standard beer, wine, cocktails and spirits on board.
- Shore excursions, snorkelling and water exploration equipment, expedition leaders, naturalists and professional guides, undersea specialists, photography guidance and talks on board.
- Services of an on-board medical professional, morning stretching sessions and 24-hour gym access. Specific charges for consultations, medication and evacuation are subject to the actual services required.
- National park entrance fees, transit control cards, special permits, admission fees and port taxes; gratuities for local guides and drivers in Quito.
- Gratuities for the crew and on-board staff are included; no additional standard gratuity payment is required.
- Complimentary basic Starlink internet and pre-voyage coordination services.
Not included
- Extensions and extra accommodation outside this itinerary, and meals marked as payable independently or not listed as included.
- Travel insurance / protection plans; passport, visa and immigration-related charges.
- Laundry, spa treatments, upgraded internet, telephone services, premium wines and spirits, and personal expenses.
- New government taxes and other additional charges confirmed in writing.
Booking terms and travel notes
Route and activities
Routes, landing sites and activities may change due to national park regulations, weather, sea conditions and the captain’s decisions. The expedition team determines the frequency and location of Zodiac, glass-bottom boat, snorkelling, kayaking and paddleboarding activities, subject to national park rules and individual physical suitability.
Quito, flights and transit accommodation
Quito is approximately 2,850 metres above sea level; the arrival day is intended for rest and acclimatisation. International flights are provisional and are expected to be confirmed in mid-November 2026, after which the itinerary and price may be adjusted. Departure is planned for 28 October 2027 and arrival back in China for 11 November; flight times are subject to final confirmation. Amsterdam accommodation is planned within the airport’s international transit area without entering the Netherlands. Transit visa requirements must be checked against final flight connections and each traveller’s documents.
Health and wildlife observation
Boarding small boats and walking ashore require suitable fitness and balance. Follow your guides’ instructions, keep the required distance from wildlife, and do not touch, feed or pursue animals. Assess activities in light of your health and consider travel insurance covering medical care and emergency evacuation.
Booking, availability and service languages
Prices, suite numbers, bed configurations, solo-traveller policies, payment and cancellation terms are subject to written confirmation by your travel advisor and the traveller contract. The on-board capacity includes accompanying staff. Please confirm Chinese-speaking tour leaders, Chinese-language commentary, and the language and age requirements of children’s programmes in advance.
Drinks, internet and personal expenses
Standard on-board alcoholic drinks and basic Starlink internet are included; premium drinks, internet upgrades and spa treatments cost extra. Internet quality depends on conditions in the sailing area. On-board purchases are settled in US dollars. Unused included services are non-refundable.
Images and itinerary references
Wildlife sightings depend on natural conditions and are not guaranteed. Ship and cabin photographs, and images bearing photographer credits, come from the cruise operator’s official materials. Journey highlights draw on Lindblad’s Exploring Galápagos; the departure dates, ship and planned route are those specified for this product.