Galápagos Islands Cruise

Locations: Quito, Ecuador; the Galápagos Islands
Trip Lecturers: Dr. Scott Eckert (C'79) and Chris Young
Trip Dates: August 2-9, 2022 
Trip Cost: Starting at $5,899 per person for a double occupancy (shared) room
Trip Capacity: 36
Registration Deadline: June 15, 2022
Final Payment Deadline: June 15, 2022
Vaccination Requirement: Yes

Optional Pre-Tour to Mashpi Lodge: July 30 - August 2, 2022
$1,695 pp double; $2,395 pp single

Optional Post-Tour to Machu Picchu: August 9-14, 2022
$3,999 pp double; $5,599 pp single; + $740 pp internal airfare

Trip Overview

Step into the extraordinary archipelago Charles Darwin called “a little world within itself,” and surround yourself with swimming-basking-flying examples of perfect adaptation. Feel the thrill of encountering flora and fauna that famously inspired Darwin—and generations of nature lovers after him. Undiscovered by Europeans until the 16th century, the Galápagos Islands are central to modern scientific and evolutionary history. In a place where human presence is relatively minimal, you can observe and photograph remarkable species up close, including boobies, turtles, and sea lions.

Here are a few highlights:

• A full-day tour of Quito, including visits to the gold-leaf interior of the Jesuit Church of La Compañía and to a curated collection of Pre-Columbian art
• Remarkable proximity to the diversity of species endemic to the Galápagos, such as Nazca boobies and red- and blue-footed boobies, giant tortoises, marine iguanas, and Darwin’s finches
• A myriad of aquatic wildlife in the clear waters of the world’s second largest marine reserve
• Snorkeling with sea lions, colorful tropical fish, and sea turtles—or observing them through a glass-bottom boat
• The services of an expert expedition leader with extensive local knowledge and experience as a cultural, historic, and naturalist interpreter
• Exploring secluded inlets and white sand beaches where sea lions lounge and Española mockingbirds sing
• Visits to the lush highlands of Santa Cruz Island, the perfect place to see and walk amongst the Galápagos giant tortoise

The trip includes the following:

• Four nights aboard the Isabella II, with exploration of the area on a panga or glass-bottom boat, naturalist-led hikes and excursions, and evening lectures
• Two nights at the 5-star Casa Gangotena hotel in Quito
• One night at the Wyndham Quito Hotel (or similar) after disembarkation
• A welcome reception in Quito, seven breakfasts, six lunches, and four dinners, including a farewell dinner
• Complimentary use of kayaks, shorty wetsuits, and snorkeling equipment
• Galápagos National Park entrance fee and transit card
• Internal air travel (from Quito to the islands on Day 3 and from the islands and return to Quito on Day 7)
• Airport transfers for guests arriving and departing during the suggested times
• Gratuities for guides and drivers on airport transfers and excursions and for hotel porters

The following are not included:

• Trip cancellation insurance and passenger travel protection plan*
• Airfares except as indicated in program inclusions
• Transfer and luggage handling fees except in connection with scheduled group flights
• Costs associated with obtaining passports or entry visas
• Excess baggage charges
• Gratuities for the Expedition Leader and Ship Crew onboard the Isabella II
• Meals and beverages other than those specified on the itinerary
• Personal expenses such as laundry, communication charges, and optional activities
• Costs associated with any required COVID-19 testing

*Professional Travel Services (PTS) can provide travel insurance upon request. PTS can be reached at 855.828.0776. Orbridge, our travel partner, strongly recommends that you purchase travel and cancellation insurance to protect your investment in the event of unexpected or unforeseen circumstances. In addition, we recommend that you consider obtaining a policy that will cover some or all losses associated with damage or loss of luggage or personal effects. If you do not have travel and cancellation insurance and are interested in purchasing it, please contact PTS immediately after signing up for the trip.

Meet Your Trip Lecturers

Dr. Scott Eckert (C'79) has been active for nearly three decades in the field of pelagic marine vertebrate research and conservation, focusing largely on sea turtles. He is world-renowned for his expertise on leatherback turtles and the important role these wide-ranging oceanic reptiles play in the marine environment. Scott pioneered the use of microelectronics on sea turtles, was the first to successfully use satellite telemetry to study the long-term movements and behaviors of leatherbacks and whale sharks, and was also the first to connect the collapse of major sea turtle nesting aggregations to distant commercial fishing activity. His current research focuses on the oceanic behavior and ecology of the leatherback sea turtle from numerous field sites in the U.S. and the Caribbean. Scott joined the Principia College faculty in 2010.

Chris Young is an assistant professor of philosophy at Principia College. His areas of specialty include ancient Greek, contemporary European philosophy, and epistemology. He joined the Principia College faculty in 2005. While at Principia, Chris has led successful abroad programs to India, Nepal, Greece, Turkey, Italy, and Ecuador.

Photo by Meg Andersen (US'13, C'17)