The Galápagos’s Most Famous Resident

It was the world-renowned Galápagos giant tortoise that gave the islands their name, and it continues to enchant nature lovers across the globe. Their leisurely existence—grazing, sunbathing, and resting for 16 hours a day—belies a sad history of hunting, deforestation, and near extinction. As a result, it’s a joy to watch them thrive in their natural habitat. Resourceful and adaptable, the Galápagos giant tortoise grows to up to six feet long and famously can live to be over a century old. As a protected species, its only predator is now the Galápagos hawk, which preys solely on eggs and baby tortoises. Fortunately, the Charles Darwin Foundation—which you will visit on your expedition—is working hard to protect all 12 species on the islands through research and breeding programs.

On your trip to the Galápagos, the number one draw is watching the wildlife. There’s so much to see your head will be spinning, but your Expedition Team knows all the best places to make your experience nothing short of extraordinary. You’ll join them on nature walks across wild islands where the trails are shared with land iguanas and lava lizards, and you’ll trek along volcanic beaches where Sally Lightfoot crabs scuttle over jagged black rocks while pelicans flap languidly overhead.

In small expedition boats, we’ll head into hidden coves packed with sea lions and marine iguanas, and we’ll cruise close to rock stacks where birds such as Nazca boobies, Galápagos penguins, and swallow-tailed gulls nest. In the waters around the boat, petrels seem to walk on the sea while blue-footed boobies arrow themselves into waters with uncanny precision to catch fish.

Under the waves, you’ll witness myriad tropical fish shimmering in the watery sunlight, and perhaps you’ll see the sleek and streamlined shape of a reef or hammerhead shark casually swimming by. Curious sea lions move sinuously like acrobats here, and turtles swim up for a closer look at you.

In the Galápagos, you don’t just watch the wildlife—encounters can be so close you almost become a part of it. Rest assured, we always follow a strict code of conduct about maintaining the correct distance so that we do not disturb the inhabitants of these remote and unspoiled isles. We are, after all, guests in their home.

Lead by Experts

Your friendly and knowledgeable Expedition Team is comprised of local Galápagos experts. They come with extensive experience, sharing their love of their home islands with travelers from all over the world, and they’re always delighted to experience the wonder of discovery with you. They’re walking treasure troves of fascinating facts and local stories, with a passion for travel, a love of our planet, and a desire to share their knowledge.

Your team will be your guides as you explore this world-renowned ecological hotspot, leading you on shore landings and nature walks across the islands and bringing you to the best places to observe the wildlife. As experts in the islands and their conservation, they’ll explain the efforts that are being made to preserve this precious place. Expedition groups are small, with a maximum of 11 guests per guide, allowing them to tailor your experience to you and offer as much information, assistance, and genial company as you’d like.

Browse our upcoming departures with the last remaining cabins to the Galápagos Islands, Antarctica, and beyond. Availability is limited.

It may seem like getting to these remote islands is an expedition in itself; however, many carriers fly to Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO) in Quito or José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport (GYE) in Guayaquil. The cost of your voyage includes return flights in economy class between key gateways and depends entirely upon the expedition you choose. Be sure to check the “What's Included” section of the voyage to see what applies to you; flights include:

Please note: The baggage allowance is up to 50 lbs for checked bags and 17 lbs for carry-on bags. These limits can vary between long-haul flights and the included short-haul flights run by LATAM to/from Lima (for the Machu Picchu program) or Quito/Guayaquil (for the Galápagos Islands). Additional baggage can only be booked as a paid service at the check-in counter.

Regardless of what time of year you visit, a pair of sturdy walking shoes or boots is recommended for the hikes, as trails can be over sharp volcanic terrain as well as slippery beach rocks.

In these warm climes, we recommend packing shorts and cool, loosely-fitting tops. If you’re traveling during the wet season between January and May, be sure to pack a light rain jacket or poncho. During the cooler months of June to December, we suggest packing a light sweater or windbreaker. All expedition equipment is provided, including wetsuits, masks, and goggles. Life on board is casual, so there’s no need to pack evening wear or special clothes for dinner—unless you want to!

We also recommend packing the following:

- Insect repellent

- Polarized sunglasses and sunscreen

- Sandals or shoes that you don’t mind getting wet

- Wide-brimmed sun hat with a chin strap

- Swimsuit

- Pair of comfortable sneakers for onboard use

- Rainproof jacket

- Prescription snorkeling mask (if needed)

- A splashproof case for your cell phone if you’ll be using it to take pictures

On board, you’ll receive a complimentary refillable waterproof bottle and a small backpack to carry it in, which are yours to keep at the end of the voyage.