NEW TRIP
Journey through Darwin’s Islands aboard the Coral II, large enough to host 20 guests but we limit it to just 16 (with space for up to six solo travelers on each departure—and no single supplement on board!). Our superb Coral II adventure first explores across the northern Galápagos, from Genovesa (Tower) Island in the east, home to the planet’s largest colony of red-footed boobies, to the highlands of Santa Cruz Island, where we’ll mingle with giant tortoises. We then head out to the remote western islands to call at pristine Fernandina, with its dramatic volcanic landscape, and Isabela, famed for its flightless cormorants and endemic Galápagos penguins.
Arrive: Quito, Ecuador
Depart: Quito, Ecuador
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
The daily hikes are not long (up to 3 miles) but often involve uneven ground, either on dry lava, which can be quite sharp, on rocky trails with uneven surfaces, or on sandy beaches.
Trips ashore are by Zodiac. Boarding the Zodiac involves walking down a gang-plank set of stairs and stepping onto the Zodiac while both the yacht and Zodiac are moving with the roll of the seas. A crew member on the Zodiac will reach for your hand to help steady you, but it can often feel tricky, depending on the amount of ocean swell. Passengers are required to wear life jackets when traveling in the Zodiacs.
Shore landings are either "dry" (you step out of the Zodiac on to large rocks or a wooden pier) or "wet" (stepping out of the Zodiac into a foot or so of surf and wading to shore). A dry landing is occasionally tricky, especially on days when the seas are active and the rocks you step onto may be slippery. For a wet landing, you may be stepping from the Zodiac into surf that may be up to your knees or higher, so it is important that you have the agility for this. Of course, our boat staff will be on hand to assist with landings.
Our Area Specialists know every detail about our tours. They will be happy to answer any questions and help you choose the journey that’s right for you. Contact us to learn more or book your trip today!
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With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult.