Note: To minimize your chances of experiencing altitude sickness while in Quito, try to get plenty of rest before you travel, stay hydrated, avoid alcohol and fatty foods, consume high carbohydrate foods, and avoid strenuous exercise at high elevations.

Arrive To: Arrive at Quito's international airport.

Proceed through Immigrations, Baggage Claim and Customs before exiting the secured area of the airport. The Road Scholar representative will be waiting outside the exit door with a Road Scholar sign (only applies to Road Scholar group flights).

Transfer to the hotel and check-in.

Please note that this is an international travel day; no meals or program activities are scheduled on this day.

Lodging: Sheraton Quito Hotel

Quito –
Colonial Quito, the First UNESCO World Heritage Site and the Equator

Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel.

Morning: Orientation to the program.

Explore Quito’s colonial center; the best preserved colonial and historic center in Latin America, starting with a panoramic view of the city at El Panecillo hill. Before the Spanish arrived, the hill known as El Panecillo (small bread roll) was used by the Inca for sun worshiping. In the early 1800s, the Spanish military took advantage of El Panecillo's strategic location and elevation (9,843 ft), and built a fortress to protect and monitor the city. In present times, the hill is the site of a city monument and lookout point where visitors can get 360° views of Quito. On clear days, it is even possible to spot Cotopaxi's snowy peak in the distance.

Afterwards continue to the colonial center. While walking through the narrow streets, you will learn about Quito’s rich history going from pre-Hispanic times, through the Colonial period, to the Republican era. Admire the wonderful architecture of its colonial buildings and the uniqueness of religious art pieces from the famous Quitenian School of art that combines the European Renaissance and Baroque styles with the indigenous and mestizo influences.



Lunch: Lunch at local restaurant including an introduction to Ecuadorian food products.

Afternoon: After lunch, continue to the famous Middle of the World and celebrate the ability to be in both hemispheres at the same time - a once in a lifetime experience. Learn important facts, myths and legends about the Geography of Earth while visiting the Equator as well as the history of the first group of scientists who had the hard mission to determined Earth’s shape in 1743. Visit the Ethnographic Museum where you will get a general vision about Ecuador’s demography, geography and economy.

Return to the hotel.

Lecture: Galapagos: A Natural Laboratory of Evolution and its Threats.



Dinner: Dinner at hotel.

Lodging: Sheraton Quito Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Galapagos -
Flight to San Cristobal Island/Board Yacht/Puerto Chino or Galapaguera.

Note: Please note; actual itinerary and islands visited are subject to change and are based on Galapagos National Park regulations. Itineraries are not guaranteed.

Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel.

Morning: Transfer to the airport.
Flight to San Cristobal, Galápagos (44 lb weight limit for checked luggage, please pack accordingly). Excess luggage can be stored at the hotel in Quito.

**Note: The Galápagos airline tickets are isued in Ecuador and held by the group leader for safekeeping. The airline tickets will be distributed to participants on-site.**

Lunch: Light lunch served on the flight.

Afternoon: Arrive to San Cristobal Island.

Upon arrival you will be met by your naturalist guide and transferred to the yacht.

San Cristobal Island hosts one of the two available airports in the Galapagos Islands. The other airport is located on Baltra Island.

Board the vessel and enjoy an orientation and a light snack.

Our first activity in the Galapagos will be a visit to the San Cristobal Interpretation Center.

The Interpretation Center located just outside Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, houses informative exhibits about the Galapagos Islands and their unique wildlife. The center was inaugurated in 1998 in an effort to educate visitors and locals about the islands' natural environments and to promote their conservation.

Return to the yacht.

*Please note: Actual cruise itinerary and islands visited are always subject to change by the Galapagos National Park. Itineraries are not guaranteed.


Dinner: Onboard the yacht.

Evening: Orientation to the next day's activities.


Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Onboard the yacht.


Morning: Dry landing on Santa Fe Island.

Santa Fe is located southeast of Santa Cruz and has some of the tallest stands of opuntia cacti in the Galapagos. Some have been reported to grow as high as 33 feet! A trail into the highlands of Santa Fe Island leads visitors to the only place in the archipelago where the illusive Santa Fe land iguana can be found.

Return to the yacht.


Lunch: Onboard the yacht.


Afternoon: Dry landing at South Plaza Island.

South Plaza is the larger of two islands located off the east coast of Santa Cruz. A dry landing on a jetty will lead us to a cactus forest where we will take a close look at land iguanas and their habitat before contiuing our hike in search of local sea lion colonies. Sea lions usually give birth from August - November and females begin mating within weeks of having their young.

This small island is known as a great place to watch seabirds in flight. A walk along the cliff top provides perfect views of Red-billed Tropicbirds, frigatebirds, pelicans, Swallow-tailed Gulls, and other pelagic species.

Return to the yacht.


Dinner: Onboard the yacht.


Evening: Orientation of next day's activities.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Galapagos -
Santa Cruz Island (Charles Darwin Research Station and Los Gemelos).

Breakfast: Onboard the yacht.


Morning: Dry Landing on Santa Cruz Island for a visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station followed by a brief field trip to Los Gemelos ("The Twins") craters in the highlands of Santa Cruz.

Disembark early for a visit to the famous Charles Darwin Research Station (CDRS), a biological research station operated by the Charles Darwin Foundation. The objective of the CDRS is to conduct scientific research and environmental education for conservation. The Station has a team of over a hundred scientists, educators, volunteers, research students and support staff from all over the world. At the CDRS you will be able to observe giant tortoises at all stages of growth, from a few days to close to one hundred years old!

Return to the yacht.


Lunch: Onboard the yacht.


Afternoon: After lunch, enjoy a field trip into the highlands of Santa Cruz Island to view Los Gemelos ("The Twins") craters.

The twin craters found in the highlands of Santa Cruz Island are actually large sinkholes--not volcanic formations. They were created as a result of the collapse, or the sinking, of surface materials into cracks. The surrounding Scalesia forest is a great place to view vegetation that is unique to this island and search for land birds. Wild giant tortoises begin nesting from June to August. Their eggs begin to hatch with the arrival of the warmer season (December-April).

Return to the yacht.



Dinner: Onboard the yacht.


Evening: Orientation of next day's activities.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Galapagos -
Isabela Island (Wetlands, Wall of Tears, Tortoise Breeding Center "Arnalldo Tupiza," and Sierra Negra Volcano).

Breakfast: Onboard the yacht.


Morning: Dry landing on Isabela Island.

In the morning, explore the wetlands, a complex of trails that consist of numerous sites that form spectacular scenery. The trails travel through lava rock paths, tombs, a mangrove forest, volcanoes, and beaches and also offer great opportunities to observe local flora and fauna.

From the wetlands' trails, continue your visit with a stop at the infamous Muro de las Lagrimas ("Wall of Tears"). This wall was erected by convicts back in the days when the island housed a penal colony. Numerous prisioners died in the course of building the stone wall, leading many locals to give it the now famous name. According to local lore, it is possible to hear the convicts' cries emanating from the area from time to time.

Later in the morning, visit the Tortoise Breeding Center.

The Tortoise Breeding Center of Isabela contains 330 juvenile and adult tortoises that populate south Isabela. It houses many breeds in danger of extinction. The center also has beautiful gardens consisting of native plants.

During your land explorations, also be on the look-out for resident land iguanas. January marks the start of their breeding season. By April the eggs beging to hatch and visitors have the opportunity to view mature iguanas and their hatchlings.

Return to the yacht.



Lunch: Onboard the yacht.


Afternoon: Dry landing on Isabela. Afternoon excursion to the Sierra Negra Volcano.

The Sierra Negra volcano is believed to be the oldest volcano on Isabela. According to some geologists, the wider and shallower a caldera, the more ancient. This conclusion is based on research that indicates that the ongoing volcanic processes in calderas tend to file and break down their edges over thousands and millions of years.

Return to the yacht.


Dinner: Onboard the yacht.


Evening: Orientation of next day’s activities.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Onboard the yacht.


Morning: Dry landing at Moreno Bay on Isabela Island. A hike to tide pools and a dinghy ride along the island's rocky shores will highlight some of the island's diverse marine and bird life.

Optional swimming and snorkeling activities.

Return to the yacht.


Lunch: Onboard the yacht.


Afternoon: Wet landing at Urbina Bay on Isabela Island and walking field trip.

Urbina Bay is situated approximately two fifths of the way along Isabela's western coast. The flattened area of the bay exhibits signs of a coral reef on land; proof that the flat land we see today in that area was once uplifted from the sea. Cormorants, pelicans, marine iguanas, and Flightless Cormorants frequent this site in addition to marine turtles and rays which are sometimes seen swimming in the bay.

In February, the Galápagos Penguins that live most of the year on Bartolomé migrate to the cooler waters around Isabela and Fernandina. In July, whales and dolphin can often be spotted off Isabela's western coast.

Optional swimming and snorkeling.

Return to the yacht.



Dinner: Onboard the yacht.


Evening: Orientation of next day's activities and lecture.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Galapagos -
Fernandina Island (Punta Espinoza) and Isabela Island (Punta Vicente Roca).

Breakfast: Onboard the yacht.


Morning: Dry landing at Punta Espinoza on Fernandina Island.

Field trip to Punta Espinoza to see the biggest marine iguanas mingling with Sally lightfoot crabs, Galapagos Penguins (starting in February), Galapagos Hawks, sea lions and Flightless Cormorants. In January and February look for brightly colored marine iguanas as they go through courtship rituals. Nesting begins in March. Travelers visiting the island around July might catch a glimpse of Flightless Cormorants exhibiting courtship and nesting behaviour.

During land explorations among the flora and volcanic formations, look for brachycereus cactus, pa-hoe-hoe lava and AA lava formations.

Return to the yacht.



Lunch: Onboard the yacht.


Afternoon: Navigate to the coves at Punta Vicente Roca, Isabela Island.

Take a dinghy ride to the marine site of Punta Vicente Roca to observe sea lions, marine iguanas, Blue-footed and Masked Boobies, and Flightless Cormorants.

Optional swimming and snorkeling.

Return to the yacht.



Dinner: Onboard the yacht.


Evening: Orientation of next day's activities.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Galapagos -
Santiago Island (Playa Espumilla) and Bartolome Island.

Breakfast: Onboard the yacht.


Morning: Wet landing on Espumilla Beach.

Playa Espumilla is located on the northwestern coast of Santiago Island in James Bay. During the last presence of the El Nino phenomenon, one of the two lagoons at this site underwent a process of sedimentation, which led to the disappearance of a resident colony of flamingos. The main attractions here are a palo santo forest, beach and the landscape. In January, under cover of night, green sea turtles cautiously make their way ashore to nest. The eggs begin to hatch aorund April and May and infant turtles begin their perilous journey from nest to sea.

Optional swimming and snorkeling activities.

Return to the yacht.



Lunch: Onboard the yacht.


Afternoon: Dry or wet landing on Bartolome Island for a hiking field trip up a dormant volcano.

Bartolome Island is home to Pinnacle Rock, the "Guardian of the Isles" which rises sharply from the coast. The lunar-like landscape is home to one of the islands' most endearing residents: the Galapagos Penguin. During part of the year, they leave the island in search of cooler waters found around Fernandina and Isabela. Once the penguins return to Bartolome in August, they waste no time in getting ready for romance. By September they can be observed going through courtship rituals.

On Bartolome Island we will be able to view volcanic formations such as lava bombs, spatter, and cinder cones. Hike to the summit (375 wooden steps) to enjoy a great view of the surrounding islands, including Pinnacle Rock's eroded tuff cone. On the way to the summit, watch for colonies of marine iguanas, lava lizards, tiquilla and various cacti.

Optional swimming and snorkeling activities.

Return to the yacht.



Dinner: Onboard the yacht.


Evening: Orientation of next day's activities.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Galapagos and Quito-
Daphne Island and Baltra Island/Flight to Quito.

Breakfast: Onboard the yacht.


Morning: Wet or dry landing (dependent on the tide) on Daphne Island, located off the coast of Santa Cruz.

The Daphne Islands can be found north of Santa Cruz Island and west of Seymour and Baltra. The larger of the two, Daphne Major, has retained its distinctive volcanic shape (tuff cone). It has a visitor landing site and a steep trail that leads to the top of the cone where Blue-footed Boobies and Masked Boobies like to nest. Red-billed Tropicbirds can be seen nesting in the rocky island walls.

Return to the yacht for a farewell snack.

Sail to Baltra Island and transfer to the airport to catch a flight to Quito.


Lunch: Light snack served on the flight.

Afternoon: Late afternoon arrival in Quito.
Transfer to the hotel.

Time at leisure to finish packing or relax before joining the rest of the group for dinner.


Dinner: Farewell dinner at a local restaurant, with scenic views of the city.

Lodging: Sheraton Quito Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Depart From: Transfer to the international airport for flight to the U.S.

Note: Participants with independent travel arrangements and/or scheduled on later flights can keep their hotel rooms until check-out time on this day. Except for breakfast, all other meals are on your own on this day.

Breakfast: Early morning breakfast at the hotel restaurant (dependent on flight times).

Meals Included: Breakfast