This October, just 39 guests will have the rare opportunity to explore the Galapagos aboard Isabela II alongside world-renowned evolutionary biologists Drs Peter and Rosemary Grant, whose decades of research on Darwin's finches transformed our understanding of evolution. Joined by ecologist and author Thalia Grant, naturalist Greg Estes and Dr Rakan Zahawi, Executive Director of the Charles Darwin Foundation, guests will enjoy exclusive access to the Charles Darwin Research Station and a programme of expert talks exploring the research that began in the very islands that inspired Charles Darwin.
Departing on 30 October 2026, the seven-day charity charter includes landings on San Cristobal and Espanola, plus a circumnavigation of Daphne Major, where the Grants conducted more than five decades of pioneering research. The voyage will raise funds for the Endowed Chair in Evolutionary Biology at the Charles Darwin Research Station, supporting the next generation of research in the Galapagos.
New nine-day itineraries:
New for 2026, nine-day expeditions aboard La Pinta offer a deeper exploration of the archipelago, visiting up to 10 islands, including Bartolome, Santiago, Genovesa and South Plaza. The longer itineraries reflect growing demand for extended cruising, with CLIA reporting average cruise durations have increased from 7.1 days in 2019 to 9.7 days in 2026.
With 64% of cruise passengers extending their holiday with a land stay, according to the same report, Finch Bay Hotel's Evolution Suites provide one of the Galapagos' most luxurious bases beyond the expedition. Located on Santa Cruz Island, guests can pair their cruise with time in Puerto Ayora, snorkelling at Las Grietas, guided wildlife experiences and the hotel's spa, where treatments inspired by the islands' native botanicals offer the perfect way to unwind.
