Galapagos

Ultimate Galápagos Holiday Voyage

12 Days aboard National Geographic Islander II. Contact for pricing.
Details

Overview

Drawing from 50+ years of sharing the wild wonders of Galápagos with adventurous guests, this special action-packed holiday voyage allows for 10 days of exploration in the archipelago—our most in-depth Galápagos experience available. Step aboard our newest vessel, the National Geographic Islander II, with accommodations for just 48 guests, and see more islands, traveling from Santa Cruz south to Floreana, east to Española and San Cristóbal, and north across the Equator to Genovesa. Make the expedition as active as you choose with options to snorkel, hike, kayak, and paddleboard.

Itinerary Highlights

  • See more islands on this special extended voyage, enjoying 10 days to explore Galápagos
  • Walk among colonies of wildlife and seabirds unfazed by your presence
  • With National Geographic Global Explorers, our exclusive family program, kids and teens will learn about this fascinating part of the world—from “sneezing” iguanas to giant tortoises

Itinerary in Brief

  • Day 1: Guayaquil, Ecuador
  • Day 2: Guayaquil / Galápagos Islands / Embark Ship
  • Days 3-10: Galápagos Islands
  • Day 11: Galápagos Islands / Disembark Ship / Guayaquil
  • Day 12: Guayaquil

Travelling with Eclipse

Peace of Mind
  • Eclipse Travel is Australian owned and run, and an ATAS accredited travel agent.
  • 24/7 emergency numbers and local contacts provided for support while you’re abroad.
  • We provide all the information you need to organise your visas and vaccinations, making travel preparation stress-free.
  • No currency surcharges. Once your deposit is paid, your price is guaranteed.
Specialists
  • Our consultants are true destination experts, with firsthand experience and extensive travel in the regions we offer.
  • Expect quick, professional responses and dedicated service from our knowledgeable team.
  • We conduct regular checks on destinations, hotels, and services to ensure quality for every trip.
Authentic Travel
  • Tailor-made itineraries designed around your unique requirements.
  • Freedom to select your preferred style and standard of accommodation.
  • Unique itineraries that take you beyond the major highlights, immersing you in each location.
  • Committed to responsible travel: we reinvest in the environment and local communities across our destinations.

Day 1: Guayaquil, Ecuador

Upon arrival in Guayaquil transfer to the 44-room Hotel del Parque, a tranquil haven surrounded by lush gardens set in a lovingly restored 19th-century building. Choose to arrive early for an optional extra night to rest, relax, and prepare for your voyage. Or opt for the full-day excursion from Guayaquil to Hacienda La Danesa. Ask your expedition specialist about options.

Day 2: Guayaquil / Galápagos Islands / Embark Ship

Fly to Baltra in the center of Galápagos, a little world unto itself in the tropical Pacific. We are welcomed by our naturalist staff and embark National Geographic Islander II. Gather on deck for a welcome cocktail at sunset as the captain circumnavigates Daphne Island.

Days 3-10: Galápagos Islands

Listed below is a sample of islands we may visit during our expedition. All ship itineraries are subject to Galápagos National Park regulations.

Bartolomé: Climb the steps to the summit of this 300-foot volcanic wonderland for stunning views. Explore, swim and snorkel from the beach. You may even see Galápagos penguins, one of the world’s rarest.

Española: See swallow-tailed gulls, Española mockingbirds, Nazca boobies and, seasonally, the world’s only population of waved albatross at this birdy paradise, also home to vividly colored marine iguanas. Watch sea lions on the wide sand beach, and snorkel offshore, at Gardner Bay.

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.

Santa Cruz: Visit Puerto Ayora, the largest town and headquarters of both the Galápagos National Park and Charles Darwin Research Station. See the monument to Lonesome George, and tour the giant tortoise breeding corrals. See the giant tortoises roaming in the wild in the lush, green highlands.

South Plaza: Sea lions greet us at South Plaza, an uplifted block carpeted in salt-loving succulents and teeming with wildlife, including a noisy group of bachelor sea lions and a population of land iguanas. Admire diverse seabirds swooping along high sea cliffs.

Santa Fe: Snorkel and kayak in the secluded cove at Barrington Bay. On shore, a trail leads us through the largest cactus trees in Galápagos. The Santa Fe land iguana is found only on this island, where Galápagos hawks are also thriving once again.

Santiago: Hike over the smooth pahoehoe lava and admire spatter cones, little miniature hornitos, and the wild riot of black lava at Sullivan Bay, the result an eruption recorded by passing buccaneers in 1897. San Cristóbal: Land on a small, sparkling beach at Punta Pitt for a hike up to a plateau where blueand red-footed footed boobies nest and you may see endemic Cristóbal mockingbirds and lava lizards. On this easternmost island, explore the celebrated expanse of powdery white sand at Cerro Brujo in the afternoon. Circumnavigate iconic Kicker Rock.

Genovesa: Sail north across the Equator to the remote northern realm of the Galápagos, bathed in warmer tropical waters and home to the red-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, great frigate birds and other nesting seabirds. Paddle and kayak along the cliffs of this flooded caldera, where Galápagos fur seals and sea lions haul out to rest.

Day 11: Galápagos Islands / Disembark Ship / Guayaquil

Bid farewell to the ship this morning and fly back to Guayaquil, where we transfer to Hotel del Parque, with the late afternoon and evening are free to explore. Ask your expedition specialist about Quito and other post-voyage options.

Day 12: Guayaquil

Transfer to the airport for flights home. There are flights in the early morning hours, or relax and take a later flight today.

Cabin Details

Guest Suite - Bridge Deck (SU)

#301, 302, 306, 308, 310-312, 316: 280 sq. ft. with two panoramic windows, twin/king convertible beds, seating area with sofa, lounge chair, and marble double-sink bathrooms with rain shower. #312 & #316 are triple occupancy with sofa made up as third bed. Third person rates are one-half the double occupancy rate. Connecting Suites: #301/303, 302/306

Guest Suite - Bridge Deck (SU)
Guest Suite - Bridge Deck (SU)
Solo Suite - Bridge Deck (SO)

#315, 318: 280 sq. ft. with two panoramic windows, twin/king convertible beds, seating area with sofa, lounge chair, and marble double-sink bathrooms with rain shower; dedicated solo but otherwise identical to SU category.

Solo Suite - Bridge Deck (SO)
Solo Suite - Bridge Deck (SO)
Islander Suite - Bridge Deck (IS)

#303, 309: These 515 sq. ft. Islander Suites feature four panoramic windows, twin beds that can convert to a king, separate living area with sofa, table and chairs, two lounge chairs, espresso maker, and larger bathroom with rain shower and soaking tub. Suite 303 can be reserved with connecting Stateroom 301 to create a family suite. Both suites are available for triple occupancy with the sofa converted into a bed. Guests receive a welcome amenity, complimentary laundry, and priority access to one spa appointment per departure.

Islander Suite - Bridge Deck (IS)
Islander Suite - Bridge Deck (IS)
Islander Suite - Main Deck (IS)

#209, 218: These 515 sq. ft. Islander Suites feature four panoramic windows, twin beds that can convert to a king, separate living area with sofa, table and chairs, two lounge chairs, espresso maker, and larger bathroom with rain shower and soaking tub. Both suites are available for triple occupancy with the sofa converted into a bed. Guests receive a welcome amenity, complimentary laundry, and priority access to one spa appointment per departure.

Islander Suite - Main Deck (IS)
Islander Suite - Main Deck (IS)
Solo Suite - Main Deck (SO)

#217, 222: 280 sq. ft. with two panoramic windows, twin/king convertible beds, seating area with sofa, lounge chair, and marble double-sink bathrooms with rain shower; dedicated solo but otherwise identical to SU category.

Solo Suite - Main Deck (SO)
Solo Suite - Main Deck (SO)
Guest Suite - Main Deck (SU)

#203, 205-208, 210-212, 215, 220: 280 sq. ft. with two panoramic windows, twin/king convertible beds, seating area with sofa, lounge chair, and marble double-sink bathrooms with rain shower. Connecting Suites: #205/207

Guest Suite - Main Deck (SU)
Guest Suite - Main Deck (SU)

National Geographic Islander II Deckplan

deck plan

Specifications

  • 280 feet long
  • 46 feet wide
  • 18 staterooms
  • 4 solo staterooms
  • 4 Islander Suites
  • 48 guests
  • Convertible king/twin beds with 600-thread count bedding, ample closets, sofa, and marble double-sink bathrooms with a rain shower featuring a collection of organic amenities
  • Stocked mini-bar can be customized to guests’ preferences, and there’s in-room coffee and tea, Wi-Fi, and a flat-screen TV

Whats included?

  • Excursions, hotels, and airport transfers, as indicated in itinerary
  • Kayaks, Zodiac cruises, stand-up paddleboards, full complement of snorkeling gear, glass-bottom boat rides, where relevant
  • Guidance and expertise of expedition staff
  • All meals as indicated in itinerary
  • Beer, wine, non-alcoholic beverages, hors d’oeuvres, and snacks
  • Cocktails and spirits on select ships
  • Park and site entrance fees, special access permits, and port taxes
  • 24-hour access to shared spaces, such as the lounges and fitness centers

What’s not included?

  • Airfare (except flights when indicated as included), expedition extensions, additional hotel nights, and private transfers
  • Travel protection plan, passport, visa, and immigration fees
  • Laundry, spa treatments, scuba diving, Wi-Fi and phone services (except when indicated as included)
  • Galápagos National Park fee: US$200 per person
  • Transit control card: US$20 per person

Price Assurance

At Eclipse Travel, our expert destination knowledge and decades of travel planning experience come at no extra cost to you. While many think booking through a tour operator is more expensive than planning a trip independently, that’s not the case. We’re paid by our travel partners—such as hotels, activity operators, and cruise providers—via commissions, not by our clients.

Our team negotiates the best rates for you and ensures you receive unbiased advice, with no preference for any particular supplier. In fact, where we secure higher commissions, we often pass the savings on to you, giving us a competitive price edge.

Additionally, we lock in exchange rates at the time of your deposit, ensuring no surprise costs when it’s time for final payment. You can rest easy knowing we’ll handle the details with our suppliers. The only exceptions are national park fee increases or fuel surcharges imposed after your booking, though these are rare.

Take advantage of our team’s expertise and let us help you plan the perfect holiday—hassle-free!

Destination: Galapagos

This once in a lifetime destination is a nature lovers dream. Watch the famous Galapagos tortoises and blue footed boobies in the morning and snorkel with sea lions in the afternoon, then relax on your cruise to the next destination tomorrow!

Downloadable travel guide

Planning your next adventure has never been easier with our free downloadable travel guides. Get in-depth insights into local attractions, dining options, and hidden gems, all curated by our team of travel specialists with decades of experience.

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Ultimate Galápagos Holiday Voyage

12 Days aboard National Geographic Islander II. Contact for pricing.