Galápagos and Ecuador: Biodiversity and Evolution

Join us for an unforgettable journey from the high Andes of mainland Ecuador to the remarkable Galápagos Islands, where some of the world’s most extraordinary biodiversity provides a living laboratory for studying ecology and evolution. Explore historic Quito, stand at the equator at Mitad del Mundo, and venture into an Andean cloud forest alive with hummingbirds and hundreds of species of birds.

Then travel to the Galápagos and experience the landscapes and wildlife that helped transform our understanding of life on Earth. Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, encounter giant tortoises in the Santa Cruz highlands, explore cactus forests and coastal ecosystems at Tortuga Bay, and hike the volcanic landscape of Sierra Negra. Snorkel the waters of Los Túneles, La Lobería, Cerro Tijeretas, and Kicker Rock while experiencing the remarkable connections between the islands’ terrestrial and marine ecosystems.

As we travel from mainland Ecuador to Santa Cruz, Isabela, and San Cristóbal, we will examine how geology, geography, isolation, and adaptation shape biodiversity. Students will compare continental and island ecosystems, explore the processes that generate unique species and communities, and consider the challenges of conserving these remarkable places. Come experience biodiversity and evolution in one of the world’s most extraordinary natural laboratories.

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