Combining the natural history of the Galapagos Islands with the rich culture and history of the Andes, this exhilarating itinerary covers two very different aspects of Ecuador.

Our adventure begins in Guayaquil with an extraordinary city tour of notable archeological, art, zoological, and recreational sites. We'll then fly to Baltra Island and settle into our comfortable accommodations on board Santa Cruz II.

We'll explore and snorkel on Isabella Island, home to cormorants, penguins, fur seals, and boobies. We'll visit Fernandina Island, with its marine iguanas, sea lions, and flightless cormorants; Puerto Ayora and its Charles Darwin Research Station; Santa Cruz Island and its tortoise reserve; and Champion Islet, with its extraordinary assemblage of birds and sea turtles. Wonderful for adults and families, this Galapagos tour is replete with extraordinary creatures and chances to swim and snorkel, sometimes among them.

After disembarking, we'll fly to the highlands, where we'll stay at a spectacular seventeenth-century restored hacienda and resort, perfect for hiking and relaxing. At journey's end, we'll return to Quito for a tour of the remarkable Rose Plantation. Deepening our understanding of Galapagos's role in inspiring Darwin's theory of evolution is faculty leader Scott Taylor—an exceptional evolutionary biologist, expert on birds (particularly sea birds), and lively travel companion.

This program is part of Cornell Adult University’s (CAU), which offers acclaimed education vacations designed and led by Cornell faculty. Programs include off-campus travel adventures and week-long on-campus summer courses open to all, including Cornell alumni, families, and friends.

For more information and to register, visit cau.cornell.edu, e-mail cauinfo@cornell.edu, or call 607.255.6260.