
Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
The Galápagos: Natural and Cultural History
Program No. 6043RJ
Gain a comprehensive understanding of the Galápagos as you learn about iconic wildlife, delicate ecosystems, volcanic activity and the science-altering legacy of Charles Darwin.
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11 days
10 nights
27 meals
10B 8L 9D
3
Baltra Island, Board Boat, Mosquera Islet
Galápagos Islands
4
Sullivan Bay, Rabida
Galápagos Islands
5
Punta Espinoza, Elizabeth Bay
Galápagos Islands
6
Urbina Bay, Tagus Cove
Galápagos Islands
7
Puerto Egas, Bartolome
Galápagos Islands
8
Sombrero Chino, Dragon Hill
Galápagos Islands
9
Santa Cruz Highlands, Wild Tortoises, Charles Darwin Station
Galápagos Islands
At a Glance
Study unique animal and plant species on this small ship voyage in one of the world’s most extraordinary settings — the Galápagos Islands. Encounter the fascinating wildlife that inspired Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution.
Activity Level
Let's Go!
Daily walks on sharp volcanic stones and loose rocks. Potentially rough water transferring from yacht into a Zodiac. Wet and dry Zodiac landings onshore. Almost daily snorkeling; from beach or deep sea. Quito, Ecuador has an elevation of 9,350 feet. Some participants fly in a day early to acclimate.
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Best of all, you’ll…
- Encounter exotic animals that made the Galápagos famous including Blue-footed Boobies, Darwin finches, iguanas and Giant Tortoises.
- Navigate inlets, swim with sea lions and snorkel off remote beaches in search of tropical marine life.
- Learn about the unique and hardy vegetation of the Galápagos including lava cacti, Scalesia trees, lichens, mangroves and Opuntia cacti.
General Notes
Actual cruise itinerary and islands visited are assigned by the Galapágos National Park and can be changed without prior notice. Please refer to the date-specific detailed itinerary on the Road Scholar website to check on the vessel and visitor sites included in your program. The expedition-style Galápagos vessels offered on this program can hold 16 passengers in comfortable cabins with en suite facilities.
Featured Expert
All trip experts

Eduardo Borja
Although he is a native of Quito, Eduardo Borja lived in the U.S.A. for a time as a child, then perfected his English at the American School of Quito after returning to Ecuador. Following high school, he rediscovered his passion for Ecuador’s wonders and his enjoyment of sharing them. He returned to the U.S.A. to earn a bachelor’s degree in hotel and restaurant management. Today, Eduardo lives in Quito and enjoys both the city’s cultural offerings and the natural beauty of Ecuador’s countryside.
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Eduardo Borja
View biography
Although he is a native of Quito, Eduardo Borja lived in the U.S.A. for a time as a child, then perfected his English at the American School of Quito after returning to Ecuador. Following high school, he rediscovered his passion for Ecuador’s wonders and his enjoyment of sharing them. He returned to the U.S.A. to earn a bachelor’s degree in hotel and restaurant management. Today, Eduardo lives in Quito and enjoys both the city’s cultural offerings and the natural beauty of Ecuador’s countryside.
Ana Lucia Huerta
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While in high school, Ana Lucia Huerta had the chance to travel a few times within Ecuador. Those experiences awakened a love of travel that only grew stronger over the years. She holds a bachelor's degree in ecotourism and is an advocate of mindful tourism; believing that every person has a part to play in making the world a better place. When she's not leading educational groups or exploring new destinations, she enjoys spending time outdoors birding. Other personal favorites include painting, reading and practicing her slackline skills.
Jorge Carrera
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Jorge "George" Carrera is an accomplished Ecuadorian group leader and a veteran with decades of field experience. He recalls as a child, being drawn to studies focused on history, geography and politics. Later, while studying for a degree in the travel industry, he also developed a passion for art, archaeology, ethnic studies and cultural anthropology. Jorge has traveled extensively throughout Ecuador and spent time in some stunningly beautiful locations, ranging from Andean landscapes to lowland forests and coastal beaches.
Lourdes Pesantes
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Lourdes "Lulu" Pesantes' love of the Galapagos Islands began while growing up on Santa Cruz, where she attended school and volunteered at the Charles Darwin Research Station and the Galapagos National Park. She attended college in Quito then returned to work at the Galapagos National Park. She saw the fulfillment of a lifelong dream when she qualified as a Galapagos naturalist leader and began leading field trips and teaching about local plants, animals and geology. Lourdes' favorite pastimes include snorkeling, wildlife observation and photography.
Fernando Gil
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Fernando Gil is a certified Galápagos Islands National Park naturalist. He enjoys traveling and learning about other cultures including their music, language, and food. Not content to be fluent in just English and Spanish, Fernando is also working on learning French, German, and Portuguese.
Patricia Alvarez
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Patricia Alvarez hails from Quito, Ecuador's vibrant Andean capital. She studied hotel administration and tourism at the Instituto Técnico Particular (INSTUR) and has been a certified expedition leader since 1990. As a child, Patricia found herself drawn to art, culture, and archaeology. Her interest in Ecuador’s cultural heritage grew stronger in this city steeped in history, dating back to the Quitu and Inca civilizations. Patricia has a special interest in gastronomy and is an avid collector of masks and folkloric artefacts from around the world.
Diego Barahona
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Diego Barahona is a certified Galápagos Islands National Park naturalist and a chemist. He is a native Galápageño with a passion for science and travel. Diego studied abroad on scholarships and completed his B.S. in chemistry and M.S. in fundamental and applied chemistry at the Peoples' Friendship University of Russia. After working for Petroamazonas and Ecuador’s food and drug administration, he gave in to the pull of his beloved islands and became a naturalist in 2017. Diego enjoys scuba diving, snorkeling, hiking, and playing soccer.
Xavier Salvador
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Xavier Salvador is an Ecuadorian expedition leader and Galapagos naturalist. He studied tourism and hotel management at the Universidad San Francisco de Quito and in 2009 obtained his license as a national expedition leader. Xavier worked as a travel agent and manager for many years before returning to his alma mater to qualify as a Galapagos naturalist. He led his first group in the islands in 2018, and since then has worked as an onboard naturalist on a variety of expedition yachts.
Suggested Reading List
(21 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
The Galápagos: Natural and Cultural History
Program Number: 6043
Charles Darwin
A new addition to DK's acclaimed Biography series, this is a detailed and accessible chronicle of Darwin's life, sure to grab the interest of younger readers. With more than 100 full-color photographs and illustrations.
Galapagos Islands Explorer Map
A detailed map of the Galapagos archipelago for the traveler at a scale of 1:400,000, including illustrated biographies of famous visitors, a brief wildlife guide with color photographs, a map of Darwin's route.
The Tree of Life: Charles Darwin
Sis illuminates Darwin's grand life: his travels, ideas and impact, using watercolor and pen-and-ink illustrations. The richly embellished pages feature a gorgeous gatefold spread as well as diary pages, maps and charts.
Insight Guide Ecuador and Galapagos
Presenting the natural history, politics, culture, wildlife and attractions of Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands with style and authority.
Understanding Galapagos: What You'll See and What it Means
An excellent introduction to the flora and fauna of the Galapagos and a stellar overview of evolutionary biography on the islands. Accessible for readers from all backgrounds.
Evolution's Workshop
A vivid history of the Galapagos and the role of the islands as a crucible of evolutionary ideas, written by a Pulitzer Prize winner. Larson covers Darwin and the discovery of the islands, the visits of Hancock and Beebe, the influence of the United States during WWII and the establishment of the national park.
Galapagos Wildlife
This fold-up, laminated card includes color drawings and short descriptions.
Darwin and Evolution for Kids, His Life and Ideas with 21 Activities
An interactive, illustrated biography of Darwin for kids ten and up (and their families). The book, which includes hands-on activities, covers Darwin's career from his youth to his mind-expanding voyage aboard the Beagle to the development of the theory of evolution through natural selection.
Voyage of the Beagle
The wide-eyed tale of a young man on a five-year voyage that changed his life -- and our way of thinking about the world. First published in 1839, this book is still essential reading. Darwin's South American chapters are an excellent introduction to the Galapagos, Beagle Channel, Chile, Tierra del Fuego, the Chilean fjords and the Brazilian coast. With maps and appendices.
Galapagos, Islands Born of Fire
A stunning celebration of the landscapes, wildlife and habitats of the Galapagos by a photographer who was raised in the archipelago. Tenth anniversary edition.
The Boy on the Back of the Turtle
Humorist, novelist and family man on a quest, Quarrington offers an entertain-ing account of a Galapagos voyage in the company of his seven-year-old daugh-ter and seventy-year-old father.
Birds, Mammals and Reptiles of the Galapagos Islands
This strikingly compact, comprehensive field guide features 500 color photo-graphs, distribution maps and information on status, habitat and behavior.
Galapagos, A Natural History
This comprehensive guide to the natural history of the Galapagos is practically mandatory reading -- the single best introduction to the geology and climate, habitats, plants, birds, animals, ecology and evolution.
Galapagos: The Enchanted Islands, Through Writer's Eyes
Hickman weaves original accounts by Galapagos whalers, gentleman pirates, fitful castaways, settlers and scientists, including Ambrose Crowley, Herman Melville, Charles Darwin and William Beebe, in these tales of the colorful human history of the archipelago.
Boobies, Iguanas and Other Critters
This beautifully illustrated book provides an overview of the Galapagos for ages 10 to 14. Clear, detailed and accurate, it explains the volcanic formation of the islands, ecology, wildlife and scientific research.
Galapagos Wildlife, A Visitor's Guide
With chapters on visitor sites, history, conservation and habitats, this compact photographic guide introduces birds, reptiles, marine and other life of the archipelago.
The History of Ecuador
this compact book includes chapters on Ecuador today, Ecuador's indigenous and colonial past, the oil boom and other events.
Galapagos, The Islands That Changed the World
Also available on Blu-Ray, this stunning three-part BBC documentary captures the rugged beauty, allure, wildlife and history of the archipelago like never before.
Inside the Beagle with Charles Darwin
MacDonald gives detailed accounts of daily life aboard the Beagle, animals and places encountered, as well as excellent illustrations and a balanced discussion of Darwin's ground-breaking scientific theories. Ages 8 and up.
Galapagos, World's End
A wry, wonderfully evocative account of a 1924 scientific expedition, including an excellent chapter on the human history of the Galapagos by Ruth Rose. A contemporary reviewer wrote, "Galapagos is a glorious book. It is high romance, exact science and wild adventure." Originally published in 1924, it includes several color plates and maps.
The Galapagos, A Natural History
Editor of the Galapagos Conservation Trust magazine and author of Lonesome George, Henry Nicholls charts the human and natural history of the archipelago from its fiery origins through famous visitors and current conservation challenges.