Galapagos Student Tour

After breakfast tour Quito with your Course Leader and see its top attractions.

The Church was built in 1605 by the Jesuits, it is one of the most significant baroque structures of South America.

The most important natural viewpoint in Quito.

The center of the city showcasing art, history, and landscaping as well as a monument for those who called for independence from the Spanish Empire.

A 16th-century Roman Catholic church, the largest historical architectural structure of colonial Latin America.

After lunch visit Mitad del Mundo, the middle of the world! Stand on the equator at zero degrees latitude. Experience interactive exhibits and learn about the unique scientific considerations at this location.

Consider the geologic origins of the islands and why they are scientifically significant before participating in an evolution activity.

Santa Cruz is the second largest island of the Galapagos.

Explore a pair of volcanic sinkholes call Los Gemelos. Their formation was caused by a large collapse of land rather than a volcanic eruption.

Travel into mist-covered forests and see many different ecological communities. Stop at a ranch and observe giant tortoises in their natural habitat.

Tour Lava Tunnels and engage with an activity on volcanic landforms and tectonic plates

Founded in 1959, this educational research center works with the National Park Service on conservation and sustainability in the Galapagos Islands. Examine and learn about the climate, geography, and ecology of the area.

Spend your morning touring the wetlands and investigating estuaries and endemic mangroves.

See flamingos eating at a local lake. Learn about Darwin’s finches and participate in an adaptation activity.

Created to protect these amazing animals throughout their life cycle. Study species differentiation and complete a ecological relationships activity.

Visit one of the most important historical sites on the Galapagos Islands. Hand-built by the prisoners sent to the island back in the 1940’s. Thousands of inmates were injured or lost their lives while being forced to build the structure.

Walk through mangroves to a shallow bay perfect for snorkeling, packed full fish, playful sea lions, and the Galapagos penguin.

Full day guided excursion through the Sierra Negra Volcano area. Hike the rim of the six-mile wide crater, then trek across the lava fields and fumaroles. Along the way, consider the unique ecological landscape and learn how to correctly identify the different types of volcanic rock.

After a full day of exploring, enjoy a friendly soccer game with locals.

Take a guided excusion of Las Tintoreras and come face to face with some of the Galapagos more interesting residents: marine iguanas, Galapagos penguins, sally lightfoot crabs, green sea turtles, resting white tip reef sharks, and more.

Take a snorkeling adventure in the clear blue waters of the Galapagos. Learn how to identify the many varieties of fish and study their marine habitats. Consider the threat of climate change to these important ecosystems.

Explore Otavalo while participating in a fun scavenger hunt. Farewell dinner in Otavalo with a Andean Musician show

Witness a wide range of colorful weavings, jewelry, clothes, wood & stone carvings, and more produced by the Otavalenos, an indigenous group of Latin America.

Hike to this waterfall, considered a ceremonial site where locals carry out traditional rituals prior to the sun and harvest celebrations.

Learn about traditional, hand-crafted Andean instruments and listen to the authentic music.

Take part in a Pachamanca ceremony, an ancestral Andean cuisine preparation where food is cooked underground for 2-3 hours.

Created by volcanic dome, this crystal clear water has depths up to 200-meters.