PHOTO: © INTREPID TRAVEL

From blue-footed boobies and lizards that swim to playful, curious sea lions and one of the world’s smallest, most adorable penguins, the Galapágos Islands boast incredibly unique wildlife – a visit literally offers a live study in evolution. What’s more, the geographic and topographic diversity differs wildly from island to island, above and below the water. It’s no surprise this archipelago off the coast of Ecuador perches as high on many a bucket list as the nest of the Galápagos hawk. And the best way to truly immerse in this remote, unspoiled destination is to explore by boat.

Intrepid Travel, the small-group adventure travel company committed to social and environmental responsibility, offers five guided itineraries to the Galápagos Islands, ranging from eight to 17 days. Its two custom- made yachts, each accommodating a maximum of 16 passengers and a crew of eight, assure a personalized experience.

The 10-day Classic Galapagos voyage sails on Grand Queen Beatriz, an expedition boat launched in 2018. It starts with a flight to Quito, Ecuador, after which you’ll meet up with your tour guide and the rest of the group to discuss logistics before a 3.5-hour flight the next day, stopping in Guayaquil before arriving on flat and rocky Isla Baltra, known as the Gateway to the Galápagos. After a short bus and ferry ride, you’ll hop on a dinghy and head out to embark on your floating home for the next eight nights.

PHOTO: © INTREPID TRAVEL

All cabins on Grand Queen Beatriz feature en suite bathrooms and outward-facing windows (some with private balconies), and there’s a Jacuzzi on the sundeck, an indoor lounge on the upper deck, and indoor and outdoor dining spaces. While not considered luxurious, the yacht is well-appointed, with friendly, helpful staff and food often served buffet-style.

During the voyage you’ll spend your days island-hopping like never before. But instead of lying on the sand or sipping mai tais at a beach bar, you’ll hike, snorkel and get schooled on the islands’ flora and fauna, thanks to your knowledgeable Intrepid guide. There’s an appealing daily cadence to exploring this region via the water: Each day the boat navigates to your next morning adventure, after which you return for lunch (and if you’re smart, a nap), followed by an afternoon excursion. No WiFi on the boat provides the perfect excuse to stay unplugged and spend evenings reading, listening to music, playing games and getting to know your yacht- mates. Intrepid voyagers prove a curious, intelligent, well-traveled bunch; you might be on board with a family with teenagers, an adventure-seeking honeymooning couple or solo travelers.

PHOTO: © INTREPID TRAVEL

The trip brims with photo-worthy highlights to capture on a smartphone or high-end camera. Since the Galápagos’ only indigenous land mammal is a vegetarian rat, native inhabitants have no natural predators and aren’t shy about cozying up to you. Guides caution visitors to maintain a safe 6-foot distance, but it’s not uncommon for a finch to land on your shoulder or fuzzy booby chicks and their mamas to stay put as you walk past their ground nests. If you’re lucky, you may witness the mating dance of the albatross, during which the pair playfully (yet forcefully) engage in a swordfight with their beaks.

Each landing — either wet or dry, depending on the shoreline — requires a ride on a Zodiac. But during snorkeling opportunities, you’ll find some of the most remarkable wildlife below the surface. You can spot angelfish, clown fish, parrot fish, hawksbill turtles and surgeonfish with their scalpel-like snouts; the starfish here have up to 25 arms. Then there are the sea lions, seemingly everywhere: sunbathing on the beach, napping on the dock, and gliding playfully through the water and unabashedly stopping right in front of your snorkel mask. Keep an eye out for the hundreds of bright red Sally Lightfoot crabs and marine iguanas lingering on the black rocks along the coastline; the latter evolved to swim to get the algae they need in their diets. The itinerary takes you to see pink flamingos wading in the lagoon on Isla Floreana and five species of giant tortoise meandering a breeding center on Isla Isabela.

All too soon it’s time to fly back to the mainland. If time permits, consider staying a night or two in Quito, at 9,350 feet above sea level the world’s second-highest altitude capital city and one of the most beautiful in South America, filled with churches and museums. (La Compania de Jesus is considered the most beautiful and ornate church in the Americas.) The tasting menu at Somos is peppered with indigenous ingredients including larvae, ceviche, pork belly, grilled prawns and paiche wrapped in banana leaves. An Uber to Middle of the World City, where a statue and yellow line indicate the equator, makes a fun side trip to cap off an enviable journey to this unparalleled part of the globe.

INFO TO GO
Direct flights arrive at Mariscal Sucre International Airport in Quito from Atlanta (ATL), Houston (IAH), Miami (MIA) and New York (JFK) on American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, LATAM and United Airlines. JetBlue and Spirit fly from Fort Lauderdale (FLL), and Avianca and Copa Airlines offer indirect flights via cities including Bogotá (BOG), Panamá City (PTY) and San Salvador (SAL). Intrepid Travel transports you to your hotel for the night and helps book your airport transport for departure.