Head to Galapagos to Find the ‘Lost’ Giant Tortoise

More than a century after it was last spotted – its last confirmed sighting was in 1906 – a female Fernandina Giant Tortoise was ‘rediscovered’ earlier this year on Fernandina, the youngest and third largest of the Galapagos Islands. Listed until recently by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as ‘possibly extinct’, the 100-year-old tortoise has been transferred to a breeding center on Santa Cruz Island.

The team behind the discovery is planning another expedition to Fernandina Island later in the year, but if you feel inspired to travel to the Galapagos and search for the ‘lost’ giant tortoise yourself, World Expeditions offers more than ten options to the far-flung archipelago, including the following three:

Galapagos in Comfort with Naturalist and Photographer Jaime Dominguez

An avid photographer and exceptional storyteller, Jaime Dominguez is the holder of the highest certification possible for a naturalist guide in the Galapagos. He will escort an exclusive journey to the Pacific archipelago aboard a brand new, first-class yacht. Offering ample space to rest and relax (including sundeck, outside bar and lounge areas), the sleek Solaris vessel accommodates only 16 passengers, allowing for a more personal and intimate experience. The new trip is timed when Galapagos wildlife is most active, and travelers can spot birds nesting on guided walks, snorkel with playful sea lions or witness marine iguanas transform into an array of colors with the start of their mating season.

Find more information about the 8-day adventure here.

Galapagos – Bike, Hike and Kayak

This is a trip in the Galapagos Islands with a twist, combining multiple activities such as hiking, cycling, kayaking and snorkeling. The more immersive experience includes many memorable close encounters with the islands’ extraordinary wildlife and adventure, from hiking to the second largest (and still active) volcanic crater in the world and exploring fragile environments to cycling through ever-changing vegetation and kayaking along peaceful, mangrove-laden bays. The itinerary is interspersed with numerous opportunities to snorkel in the Pacific’s crystal-clear waters and also gives visitors the chance to fish their own lunch.

Find more information about the 8-day adventure here.

Galapagos Explorer

The isolated Galapagos archipelago represents a spectacular and striking world of volcanic landscapes and fearless animals, and this short itinerary is ideal for anyone wanting to explore this wild sanctuary with limited time available. Aboard a comfortable, 16-guest catamaran that allows for a more intimate experience, accompanied by a specialist naturalist guide. Search for giant tortoises, encounter sea lions, watch flamingos and see iguanas basking in the sun.

Find more information about the 5-day adventure here.

All Galapagos itineraries can be booked as stand-alone trips or extended to include South American destinations such as mainland Ecuador and Peru.