Endemic
Endemic was also conceived with modern sustainability principles: it is a certified carbon‑neutral vessel, offsetting all onboard emissions through verified reforestation projects. Since entering service, it has become one of the archipelago’s most refined small ships, known for its spacious design, near one‑to‑one crew ratio and flexible itineraries.
Location
Routes typically include the lush highlands of San Cristóbal, where you visit El Junco – one of the archipelago’s only freshwater lagoons – and the wildlife‑rich shores of North Seymour, home to blue‑footed boobies, swallow‑tailed gulls and thriving frigatebird colonies. Further west, Isabela Island delivers superb snorkelling with turtles, rays and penguins, and frequent whale and dolphin sightings.
Accommodation
Meals are delicious and varied: breakfast and lunch are usually served buffet‑style, while dinner becomes an al fresco occasion on the sky deck when weather allows. With its exceptional cabin size, refined social spaces and the inherent stability of a twin‑hulled design, Endemic offers a remarkably smooth and luxurious way to experience the Galápagos.
Experiences
- Join twice‑daily excursions in small groups, benefiting from close attention and deep insight from the vessel’s highly experienced naturalist guide.
- Hike volcanic highlands and crater lagoons, exploring coastlines, cacti forests and Palo Santo groves shaped by centuries of evolution.
- Encounter iconic wildlife up close, from blue‑footed boobies and frigatebirds to Sally Lightfoot crabs and land iguanas.
- Snorkel vibrant marine sites, watching green turtles, reef fish, rays and white‑tip sharks glide through clear waters.
- Paddle transparent kayaks along rocky shores, spotting sea lions, marine iguanas and underwater life directly beneath you.
- Explore hidden coves by panga, drifting quietly into areas rich with birds, coastal species and dramatic volcanic scenery.
- Unwind under the night sky, enjoying stargazing from the deck where the Galápagos’ remote location reveals astonishing clarity and constellations.
Why We Include MC Endemic in Our Journeys
Talk to us about designing your journey >
From the Team
“For a once‑in‑a‑lifetime Galápagos journey, you want a vessel that genuinely elevates the experience. MC Endemic does exactly that: small in passenger numbers, generous in space, and exceptionally attentive in service. It enhances every moment of the voyage.”
Why Plan with Journeysmiths
Every journey we design begins with listening. Whether you’re travelling as a family, a couple, or across generations, we take time to understand how you want to feel – not just where you want to go. From there, we carefully weave together exceptional places, trusted guides, and seamless logistics to create journeys that flow naturally and feel entirely your own.Every journey we design begins with listening. Whether you’re travelling as a family, a couple, or across generations, we take time to understand how you want to feel – not just where you want to go. From there, we carefully weave together exceptional places, trusted guides, and seamless logistics to create journeys that flow naturally and feel entirely your own.
Positive Impact
We prioritise working with properties that address location-specific needs from education to conservation and environmental sustainability. We assess our partners to ensure the people we work with share our values of ensuring our trips continue to act as a force for good. Here we share some of the positive impacts your stay here contributes to.We prioritise working with properties that address location-specific needs from education to conservation and environmental sustainability. We assess our partners to ensure the people we work with share our values of ensuring our trips continue to act as a force for good. Here we share some of the positive impacts your stay here contributes to.
Great Places to Combine with MC Endemic
MC Endemic works beautifully as part of a wider journey in Latin America. We often pair it with contrasting environments to create a sense of flow and variety.MC Endemic works beautifully as part of a wider journey in Latin America. We often pair it with contrasting environments to create a sense of flow and variety.
In the highlands of Santa Cruz, Pikaia Lodge offers sleek eco luxury for land based exploration of the Galápagos, blending contemporary comfort with close up encounters among tortoises, volcanic craters and the islands’ remarkable wildlife.
Step aboard Aqua Nera for a new standard of Amazon exploration: striking design, spacious suites, superb guiding and a level of comfort rarely found this far upriver. It’s the Amazon at its most indulgent and immersive.
Lima’s liveliest district is the cliff-edge location of stylish Miraflores Park. It’s an ideal base for nearby museums, historic landmarks and the seafront park, with the hotel offering contemporary comfort and sparkling Pacific views.
You won’t regret staying at the restored 17th century palace and convent of Belmond Palacio Nazarenas; its elegant cloistered courtyards seamlessly blend with modern luxuries such as Cusco’s first outdoor heated swimming pool.
Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo is in Aguas Calientes, the departure point for most trips to Machu Picchu.
Originally dating from the 18th century, Casa Gangotena was rebuilt in the 1920s following a fire and therefore has a distinctly Art Deco feel. An aristocratic and elegant place that feels intimate and personal, it's the ideal base for exploring Quito.
Another Wonderful Holiday Booked Through Journeysmiths
“…decided to use them again for this year’s 32-day holiday to Peru, Ecuador & the Galápagos Islands…
Joanna’s expert knowledge & enthusiasm for these countries, together with really knowing all the places we visited and stayed, ensured we had the most memorable and magical experience which we will not forget for a long time!
We have total confidence in Joanna and Journeysmiths…”
Treat your family to an extraordinary wildlife adventure holiday in the Galapagos and Ecuador. It’s a place you’ll likely visit just once so be sure to do it well. We have access to the finest yachts, lodges and expert guides. This way your family can visit remote islands in comfort and privacy encountering amazing wildlife.
If you’re looking for a place where you can embrace adventure, learn more about our planet’s incredible wildlife and truly connect to nature, Ecuador has it all.
We’ve created an enticing list of the most memorable things to do in Ecuador.
We’ve created an exciting list of the most memorable things to do in the Galapagos Islands.
Is the Galápagos archipelago only discoverable by boat? Not at all. While liveaboards remain iconic, an immersive, lodge‑based stay can be every bit as rewarding. The real question is which style of experience suits you best, and whether the two should be combined. Here’s our advice.