Galápagos wildlife
Snorkeling adventures
A Galápagos sunset
August 10–17, 2024
Join fellow alumni and Willard George Halstead Zoology Professor of Biology Nina Karnovsky on on a week-long exploration of the Galápagos Islands aboard the beautiful new National Geographic Islander II.
A Message from Prof. Nina Karnovsky
Dear Claremont Travelers,
My name is Nina Karnovsky and for twenty years I have taught Ecology and Evolutionary Biology courses at Pomona College in the Department of Biology. The Galápagos birds, reptiles and fish provide important examples in all of my classes. In fact, it was a family trip to the Galápagos Islands in my college years that made me realize that I wanted to be a scientist studying marine fauna on and around islands.
I’m writing to warmly invite you to join me and other members of the Claremont community on a week-long exploration of the Galápagos Islands aboard the beautiful new National Geographic Islander II in August 2024.
Darwin’s voyage to the Galápagos on the HMS Beagle set sail from Plymouth Sound in December 1831 and lasted almost five years. Those five formative years shaped Darwin’s development of the theory of evolution, one of the most profoundly impactful and important contributions to science and our understanding of life on Earth.
In our week together, we’ll visit several of the islands that Darwin himself explored and have up-close encounters with the unique and extraordinary flora and fauna that he observed. We’ll be accompanied by first-rate naturalists from Lindblad Expeditions who will provide us with insights that will undoubtedly provide all of us with new perspectives of life on our beautiful planet.
I hope to see you and your family on board in 2024! For information, email the Office of Alumni & Family Engagement or call (888) SAGEHEN (724-3436). You may also email our travel agent or call (949) 930-9288.
Your Ship: The Key to a Great Experience
Itinerary
Day 1: Guayaquil, Ecuador
Arrive in Guayaquil and transfer to the 44-room Hotel del Parque (or similar), a tranquil haven set in a restored 19th-century building. Call for additional nights at the hotel.
Day 2: Guayaquil/Galápagos/Embark
Fly to Baltra, a little world unto itself in the tropical Pacific Ocean. You are welcomed by the naturalist staff and start exploring the islands.
Days 3-6: Galápagos
Listed is a sample of islands we may visit during our expedition. Our expedition sets sail in Baltra round-trip, and includes visits to a careful selection of diverse islands. Our itinerary offers an optimal balance of wildlife, landscapes and experiences. All itineraries are subject to Galápagos National Park regulations.
NORTH SEYMOUR: Encounter nesting frigatebirds, plus land and marine iguanas, and enjoy a beautiful coastal walk.
RABIDA: Snorkel along the rocky coastline among schools of tropical fish and curious sea lions before landing on a brilliant red beach to look for both land and sea birds.
ISABELA: Toast crossing the Equator at Volcán Ecuador, northernmost of Isabela’s six great shield volcanoes. Keep an eye open for whales and dolphins as you ply these rich waters, once the haunt of whalers and pirates.
FERNANDINA: One of the most active oceanic volcanoes in the world, it’s the youngest and most pristine island in Galápagos—and home to the strange flightless cormorant and the largest marine iguanas.
SANTIAGO: Explore tide pools and search for fur seals in quiet grottos on this island, where lava walks, a coastal forest, and kayaking along lava flows are high points.
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 corral. Observe the giant tortoises roaming in the wild in the lush, green highlands.
Day 7: Disembark/Baltra/Guayaquil
Disembark in Baltra and return by air to Guayaquil, where you may be able to take advantage of overnight flights.
Day 8: Guayaquil
Stay and relax or take an early flight home today.
The new National Geographic Islander II offers a 100% exploratory Galápagos experience. Begin and end each day in the welcoming atmosphere of your home at sea. Accommodating just 48 passengers in 26 staterooms and suites, it’s as close to a private yacht experience as you can get, with the luxury of spacious accommodations and all the amenities you might expect on your own yacht. Spend time with your fellow travelers over a locally-sourced and sustainable gourmet dinner in the elegant Yacht Club Restaurant, dine al fresco in the Patio Café, delve deeper into the fascinating ecosystems around you in the Science Hub, take a restorative yoga class with a wellness specialist, or cool off with a relaxing dip in the plunge pool on the open-air observation deck. With the freedom to explore at your own pace, you can spend as much time as you please enjoying all the National Geographic Islander II has to offer.
Guest Exclusive: Hotel Del Parque
Set in a lovingly restored 19th-century building along the banks of the Río Daule, Hotel del Parque is a serene, tropical refuge. Enjoy exclusive after-hours access to the cobble streets, exhibits, and lush gardens of Guayaquil’s Parque Histórico. Intimate and welcoming with a gracious, golden-age aura, this elegant hotel, with 44 beautifully appointed rooms, makes a fitting bookend to your expedition aboard the National Geographic Islander II.
Inclusive Pricing
Aboard Ship
- All meals—from breakfast, lunch, and dinner, to hors d’oeuvres and snacks during Recap, tea time cookies, and all-day fruit
- All alcoholic (excluding certain premium brands) and nonalcoholic beverages including coffees and sodas
- Complimentary refillable water bottle
- Daily stretching class with wellness specialist
- Fitness center with elliptical, treadmill, stationary bicycle, free weights, bands, and more
- Mac computers for downloading your photos
- Access to the Bridge to learn about navigation
- Services of the ship’s physician and our expedition staff
Ashore
- Two nights hotel accommodations in Guayaquil
- Meals as indicated in itinerary
- Special access permits, park fees, port taxes
- Transfers to and from group flights
Activities
- All the daily activities—from Zodiac explorations to
kayaking, paddleboarding, hiking, and snorkeling
(ship carries complete snorkeling gear) - Lectures, presentations, daily Recaps and briefings by
our knowledgeable expedition staff in the lounge - Photo instruction from a certified photo instructor
Trip Exclusions
- Cost of obtaining a passport and/or visa
- Communications costs, such as phone calls, emails, and faxes
- Any items of a personal nature
- Any items not included in inclusions
- International air reservations
Cost Per Person
$10,090 per person based on two people sharing a 280 sq. ft. room.
$14,200 per person based on two people sharing a 515 sq. ft. room.
$15,030 per person based on a solo 280 sq. ft. room.
We reserve the right to cancel this trip if a minimum number of participants is not reached.
To confirm your place, an advance payment of 15% of the cabin fare per person is required at the time of reservation and is payable by Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover or check. Final payment is due 120 days prior to departure. Lindblad Expeditions reserves the right to cancel your reservation if payment has not been received by final payment due date.
Should you cancel your trip for any reason 120 days before the expedition, there is no penalty. Advance Payment will be credited toward your next expedition. If you cancel 119-90 days prior to the expedition, a fee equal to 50% of the tour cost is charged. No refund can be paid if canceled 89-0 days prior to the expedition.
Airline tickets have separate charges and cancellation fees depending on the fare paid and date of change or cancellation. TRAVEL INSURANCE IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED.
Reservations and Additional Information
To make an advance reservation or for more information please email Karen Goodrich with Travelstore VIP or call (949) 930-9288.
Email the Office of Alumni and Family Engagement for a copy of the digital brochure.