Living with Nature, Galápagos Pre-voyage Extension

Day 1 - Guayaquil or Quito, Ecuador

Arrive in Guayaquil, where you are met for the short ride to the Hotel del Parque, a 44-room Relais & Châteaux hotel set along the river in lush tropical gardens. 

Day 2 - Quito or Guayaquil / Galápagos Islands / Santa Cruz

Fly to Baltra in the center of Galápagos, a little world unto itself in the Tropical Pacific. We are welcomed by our local naturalist upon arrival, and we travel together over the island of Santa Cruz, crossing through several ecological zones, to Puerto Ayora, where we check in to our hotel.  We will have our first introduction to the highlands and sample local food at a highlands farm.  (B,L,D)

Day 3 - Santa Cruz, Galápagos

We have the full day today to meet with local friends working in a variety of fields, with your schedule depending on your guide for what and who is available today. We will have an in-depth visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station, whose work is supported by the National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions Fund. Lunch and dinner out in the town, featuring products from our local providers and friends. Option for scuba diving with a local partner (at additional expense and by prior reservation). (B,L,D)

Day 4 - Santa Cruz, Galápagos / Embark Ship

Rest and relax, and explore this morning, choosing from many options. Later head up to the highlands, and continue to the pier, where a Zodiac awaits us to bring us to the ship for lunch, and the many adventures ahead aboard National Geographic Islander II. (B)

* If you are an experienced scuba diver, ask about the dive packet and information about reserving day trips to nearby intermediate and advanced diving sites with our local partner. Dive trips are from about 8:00-12:00 and you would later rejoin the group. Reservations made directly with our local provider are pending approval of your application with experience (intermediate or advanced) and at additional cost.

Cost Includes:

Accommodations, meals as indicated, guided sightseeing tours and entrance fees, gratuities, transfers in conjunction with services.  

Not included:

Personal Items, international or other airfare, scuba, and other individual activities