2020 GeoEx Catalog

TUI DE ROY / MINDEN PICTURES

Exploring the Enchanted Islands CRUISING · KAYAKING · SNORKELING · DAY HIKING | 7–10 DAYS · GROUP

I t’s fitting that a world wonder like the Galápagos would reveal treasures both expected and surprising. We know that Las Islas Encantadas are an utterly unique natural masterpiece. That their animals, sweetly and almost mysteriously unafraid of humans, are diverse, colorful,

a Galápagos cruise is above all great fun —snorkeling with merrily circling sea lions, swimming and kayaking from exquisitely lonely beaches, enjoying good fellowship aboard ship and on land, reveling in tasty meals, and being endlessly amazed at the cheery, fearless Galápagos animals. One more bonus: after flying all the way to the islands and boarding a deluxe, hand-selected, small or mid-size ship, we take our first excursion shortly after setting off. And the moment we taste the clean air and sense the million-plus-years’ peace and solitude of these islands, we experience a soul-deep liberation. The Galápagos are monuments to the essential, joyous calm of the universe, to what Thoreau called “the tonic of wildness.” 10-DAY ITINERARY (WITH 7-NIGHT CRUISE) Day 1  arrive in Guayaquil ✦  2  fly to Galápagos, board ship ✦ 3–8  island-to-island cruising in the matchless archipelago ✦  9  disembark and fly to Guayaquil, overnight ✦  10  depart. SHORTER OPTIONS Trips of 7 days (with a 4-night cruise), 8 days (with a 5-night cruise), and 9 days (with a 6-night cruise) are also available. GALÁPAGOS FAMILY VOYAGE This trip follows the above itinerary but is tailored to families, with interconnecting cabin options, engaging activities, specially designed menus and mealtimes, and games for kids (a great way for youngsters on board to meet). Departures are timed with spring break, summer vacation, and the December holidays. departures year-round from $7825

and bewitching (flightless cormorants, boulder-like tortoises, playful sea lions, slowly skittering marine and land iguanas, and bright orange Sally Lightfoot crabs that look like they just snuck out of Tiffany’s window). We know that the Galápagos’ history is central to our understanding of

Interested in combining the Galápagos with Peru?

Give us a call at 888-212-0003 .

earthly life’s persistent drive toward change and its tena- cious richness. And we know that a visit to the islands is a shining moment in any traveler’s life. But even well-versed travelers may be surprised that the Galápagos’ 13 main islands, 6 smaller islands, and 107 rocks and islets have extraordinarily varied topographies and personalities, ranging from massive, forested shield volcanoes to tiny, brave patches of life-thronged land popping up in the middle of the Pacific. Another pleasant surprise: though much is to be learned, about ecology and evolution and all that, The Galápagos 82

ABOVE  A pair of giant tortoises near a volcano, Isabela Island. These serene beasts first appeared on earth a quarter of a billion years ago, and they look like they haven’t much bothered to change since then.