The Biology of The Galápagos
Questions?
Contact Sehoya Cotner, Randy Moore or visit the Learning Abroad Center.
2008 brochure 
(1.6 MB)
BIOL 4950 | May Session 2009
Dates to be determined
Trip cost (flights, meals, transfers, boat, guide, health insurance, Learning abroad fees) in 2008 totaled around $3900. Everything included except the postcards and t-shirts! Applications accepted Fall 2008.
Why go anywhere else?
- ancient turtles
- finches
- marine iguanas
- giant land iguanas
- sea lions
- magnificent frigatebirds
- penguins
- blue-footed, red-footed, and masked boobies
Tentative itinerary for Ecuador portion of BIOL 4950
DAY 1: Upon arrival in Quito you will be met and escorted to the Sheraton Four Points Hotel.
DAY 2: After breakfast this morning enjoy a city tour of Quito including a visit to Middle of the World Monument.
DAY 3: This morning you will be escorted to the airport for your flight to the Galápagos Islands. Upon arrival you will be met by your naturalist guide, you will board and set sail. Visit North Seymour, a low and flat island located slightly to the north of Baltra which was formed as a result of the uplift of a submarine lava formation. The largest colony of magnificent frigate birds is found here, as well as a large population of blue-footed boobies.
DAY 4: Today visit Dragon Hill and Venice at Santa Cruz. You will hike to a hypersalinic lagoon behind the beach, occasionally visited by pink flamingos. Continue your day with a dinghy ride around the islet along the coast of Santa Cruz, where you will have a chance to see more land iguanas and marine animals like spotted eagle rays and golden rays, mullets, white tipped reef sharks and Pacific green sea turtles.
DAY 5: Visit the important Charles Darwin Research Station to learn about the conservation of the islands. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Visit the highlands of Santa Cruz in search of the giant tortoises who roam the wild here. Also visit Los Gemelos, the twin lava tunnels during your visit. Visit a local school and meet with the students.
DAY 6: Visit the Devil’s Crown, a sunken crater where red-billed tropicbirds and blue-footed boobies brood. Next visit Cormorant Bay where a dense mangrove-belt behind the beach distinguishes the quiet lagoon. Here expect to see flamingos, Bahama pintail ducks, black-necked still and whimbrels.
DAY 7: This morning begin your exploration of Española Island. Here you will have the opportunity to hike along the white sand beach littered with sea lions. You’ll notice the curious Galápagos mockingbirds here as well as brown pelicans. The bay is an excellent choice for swimming or snorkeling in the clear turquoise waters. This afternoon visit Punta Suarez, famous for its varied colonies of sea birds including large colonies of blue-footed boobies, masked boobies, waved albatrosses, and swallow tailed gulls. Also catch a glimpse of the famous blowhole found here along the jagged cliffs.
DAY 8: This morning enjoy an excursion to Isla Lobos, San Cristóbal. Isla Lobos is located north of Chatham, 1 hour across a small channel. Isla Lobos means Sea Lion Island, and the name is certainly appropriate because they frolic, leap and make a racket here. It is also a nesting place for blue-footed boobies and a good place for snorkeling. In the afternoon visit the interpretation center. Opened to the public in 1998, the Galápagos National Park Visitor Centre in San Cristóbal presents a complete and documented history of the Galápagos, its ecosystems, flora and fauna. It is also the place where different cultural activities take place like theatre, exhibitions and workshops (dance, painting, etc.).
DAY 9: This morning enjoy an excursion to Santa Fe Island, which has one of the best locations for swimming with sea lions and is also a great place to catch a glimpse of the Galápagos white-tipped shark and sea turtles. Afternoon visit Plazas Island, which has one of the largest populations of land iguanas in the Galápagos and also a large colony of sea lions.
DAY 10: This morning enjoy a visit to Caleta Tortuga Negra, or Black Turtle Cove, in Spanish, where you will likely observe the Galápagos green sea turtles. Afterwards disembark on Baltra Island and transfer to the airport for your flight to Guayaquil. Enjoy lunch during your flight. This afternoon enjoy guided tour of the Malecón and Santa Ana Hill. Afterwards enjoy farewell dinner at the hotel.
DAY 11: Transfer to airport for your departure flight back home.
