The mission of the Charles Darwin Foundation and its Research Station is to provide knowledge and assistance through scientific research and complementary action to ensure the conservation of the environment and biodiversity in the Galápagos Archipelago.
On Lindblad Expeditions’ Galapagos Islands trips, children can watch extraordinary-looking birds, sea mammals, insects, and reptiles in their natural habitat.
What if your family vacation created more than just memories? What if it influenced the course of your child’s life? That is the wonderfully inspiring story
Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic has been introducing generations of guests to the magic of Galápagos for 50+ years and have developed deep roots in this remarkable region.
Today we visited the island of San Cristobal. We started our day with a hike at Punta Pitt, where we walked uphill along a beautiful landscape made from tuff. Here we observed the last of the three species of boobies that can be found in the Galapagos, the red-footed booby. In the afternoon, after a delicious lunch, we visited Cerro Brujo, one of the most beautiful beaches in the archipelago. This beach was a great place to relax on the last full day of our trip. We were able to spend more time walking among sea lions and a few sea birds that were feeding along the shore. We ended our day navigating around Kicker Rock, a tuff cone in the middle of the ocean a few miles off the coast of San Cristobal. It was a great way to say farewell.
A day trip in Phnom Penh, Cambodia takes us on a journey through the country's rich history and vibrant culture. We started our day at the Royal Palace, a stunning complex with shimmering golden spires and well-manicured gardens. We explored the Silver Pagoda, marveling at its floor made of silver tiles and the impressive collection of Buddha statues. Next, we visited the National Museum where we discovered a treasure trove of Khmer art and sculptures. The museum immerses us in Cambodia’s ancient history, showcasing artifacts from the Angkor period. After lunch, we took a somber turn with a visit to Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, once a high school, now transformed into the infamous S-21 prison. Here, we confront the harrowing tales of those who suffered, through haunting photographs and personal accounts. Next, we continued to the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek. This site, marked by mass graves and a commemorative stupa filled with skulls, reminds us of the atrocities committed by the Khmer Rouge regime. We finished our day with a traditional Cambodian dance performance. This day gave us a profound understanding of Cambodia's beauty and its poignant past.
We had a day full of wildlife encounters mixed with unique and fun cultural experiences on Santa Cruz Island. From the town of Puerto Ayora, we got on buses to visit El Trapiche Farm. It’s an interactive farm where our guests had the opportunity to learn about the process of sugarcane, cocoa, and coffee production. These activities are displayed by a local family that has followed these traditions for many generations. Our guests took part in these activities by helping to extract sugarcane juice, roasting coffee in an old-fashioned way, and distilling sugarcane liqueur. It was definitely a fun way for our guests to interact with the locals while learning how they make a living from farming. And as an extra bonus, we saw a barn owl sitting on a beam of the interior of the building’s roof. After visiting El Trapiche, our guests had a great time seeing the emblematic giant tortoises roaming freely by Manzanillo Ranch. We saw tortoises wandering around, some inside a mud pond, and even a mating couple. It was a spectacular way to end another day in the Galapagos.
A day at sea crossing to Antarctica is a unique blend of awe and anticipation. National Geographic Resolution cut through unbelievably calm waters, surrounded by a vast horizon. A calm Drake Passage presented itself with the sky a pale blue and the ocean shifting from deep navy to frosty white. As we approached the convergence, the fog came in and the air became chilly as we got closer and closer to Antarctica. The temperature dropped, the winds picked up, and the beauty of the pristine landscape ahead kept spirits high, offering a glimpse of the frozen wilderness to come. We had a few presentations throughout the day, and we learned about IAATO and the protection of Antarctica and were introduced to the outstating teams onboard. Our day ended with a warm welcome by Captain Martin and the senior officers of National Geographic Resolution .
This morning, we woke up early to get ready to travel by oxcart! Each oxcart could host two people, and we went for a ride in the countryside to visit the rice fields. We learned a lot about rice production and enjoyed the beautiful scenery. Everyone will remember these moments! After this experience, we went to visit the Green school where we had great fun singing and playing with the kids. They came up to practice their English with us and it was really rewarding. Back on board Jahan , the staff showed us the Cambodian traditional fashion for weddings and the thousand ways to use and tie a Kroma, the traditional piece of check fabric they all carry around. In the afternoon we went with three-benched tuk-tuks to visit a potter. It was incredible to see her shape a huge pot in no time just by hand. We also learned about palm sugar, one of the most famous local products which comes from the national tree of Cambodia, the palm tree. It was very impressive to see the height of the tree and the ease with which the farmer climbed it in no time. Last but not least, everywhere we went we were greeted by kids and adults with beautiful smiles.
