Galápagos: Exploration in Nature, History, and Service

Students traveling to the Galápagos Islands will embark on an unforgettable journey that combines adventure, learning, and meaningful service. Participants will engage in hands-on service projects that support local communities and conservation efforts, gaining a deeper understanding of the delicate balance between humans and nature. They will explore the islands’ unique ecosystems, observe iconic species such as giant tortoises, and learn about the groundbreaking work of Charles Darwin and the history that shaped these islands. Along the way, students will deepen their knowledge of biology, ecology, and environmental stewardship while immersing themselves in the rich culture and history of the Galápagos.

This trip offers a rare opportunity to connect with the natural world, make a tangible impact, and return home with a new perspective on science, history, and global responsibility. Students will also have the chance to swim and snorkel in open water from a boat, discovering the vibrant marine life that makes the Galápagos so extraordinary.

Day 1

We landed in Panama City at 5 am and enjoyed our layover by exploring the airport and attempting to sleep. After a 2 hour flight, we landed in Ecuador and met our guides, Rebecca and Fabri! We drove to Quito and walked around the neo-gothic Basilica and Cathedral before walking around historic Quito to get to our chocolate tasting tour. We enjoyed the local chocolates and learned the difference between costal and Amazonian chocolate (the flavor that’s absorbed from surrounding plants). After the chocolate tour, we drove back to Quito and checked into our hotel by the airport. We had a great dinner and went over goals for the trip before going to bed early to prepare for tomorrow.

Day 2

We took a plane from Quito to the Galápagos Islands and felt the humidity instantly. After a bus ride, a boat ride and quick look at some sharks and crabs, we took another bus to a family owned restaurant. On our way to lunch we stopped at a beautiful site where the island had a sink hole! Following our late lunch we took a walk around the farm and saw some tortoises! We then made our way over to a lava tunnel. The lava tunnel was huge with layers on the side showing where the lava used to run, and towards the end there was a part when the tunnel narrowed down to the point we had to crawl. Finally after the hotel and dinner we went to a pier and got to see sharks, sea lions and stingrays!

Day 3

Hi! Today, we woke up at 5:30 AM! A tough wake up, but 100% worth it. We took a 2.5 hr speedboat from Santa Cruz Island to Isabela Island. We rested on the boat and arrived in Isabela excited to head to the beach for the first time. We enjoyed the waves and the sunshine. We headed for a delicious local lunch and geared up to go hike to the Wall of Tears. We hiked an 8km round trip, while viewing many different types of animals such as, tortoises, iguanas, crabs, and pelicans. When we arrived at the Wall of Tears, we were educated by our guide about the island’s past use as an Ecuadorian prison and an American military base during WWII. The Wall of Tears was built by the Ecuadorian prisoners and is now a memorial to them. After that, we headed out into the town for some sweet treats and to watch the sunset. Lastly, we ended our night with dinner at the hotel and some much needed sleep.

Hasta luego,

Emily

Day 4

Yesterday we finally slept in (7:30am)! We went upstairs and had a breakfast buffet to start off the day. At 10am we made it to the boat for some island walking and snorkeling! We saw iguanas, blue footed boobies, penguins and sea lions, and learned all about them from our amazing tour guide! Right after the island walk we threw on our flippers and got to exploring. Seeing parrot fish, sharks, sea turtles, starfish and an octopus! After our swimming expedition we went to lunch at a farm. The food was DELICIOUS, mouth watering, juicy chicken with potatoes and salad. It then started raining but was still had a volcano to hike. While half of us stayed and chatted the others hiked one mile of the volcano to one of the biggest craters in the world! It was pouring and everyone was soaked but it was so worth it. Finally after a wet bus ride back we finally made it back and had a relaxing evening.

Day 5

Yikes our day started at 4:30am as we had to catch the 6am ferry back to Santa Cruz. Just when we thought the ride was coming to an end … well the boat broke down in the middle of the ocean. Kudos to our captain and the crew for trying to fix the engine, but when they realized they couldn’t fix it, they called for rescue. A new boat arrived shortly and we were back on our way - while we bobbed in the open sea a few members of our group got seasick which was a bummer. We rallied back in town and we sampled amazing fresh pastries and swam in the hotel pool, then lunch and then we went to the Charles Darwin Center. It was amazing to see to baby tortoises, and the efforts they make to keep the tortoises thriving on the Galapagos. It was also cool to see George, the last tortoise of his species that died in 2012 and has been preserved. We shopped for souvenirs, got ice cream, rested, played Marco Polo in the pool, shopped some more before dinner and had a cool group meeting before bed. Day 6 will be another early morning as we board the Yacht quite early.

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