Galápagos Family Adventure
Enjoy a family cruise through the remote island chain and encounter unique wildlife up close, including playful sea lions, giant tortoises and blue footed boobies.
Overview
Unforgettable moments for the whole family
There is something truly inspiring about traveling with a multigenerational group. Ideas are shared, bonds are forged, and lifelong memories are made. Thirty years ago, we started these field seminars, and today they continue to provide an immersive academic experience for a group of undergraduate and alumni travelers.
Begin on Stanford campus with a three-day workshop on Darwin and evolution with Professor Bill Durham, ’71. Afterward, journey to Ecuador with Bill and the students to cruise the Galápagos Islands aboard the intimate La Pinta. Snorkel amid sea lions and sea turtles in the clear waters, sit face to face with giant tortoises and marine iguanas, and learn the dances of blue-footed boobies and waved albatrosses.
Dates
June 24–July 2, 2025Duration
9 daysPrice
From $11,295 per person
Trip size
43 participantsMinimum age
6 yearsFaculty leader
A different kind of classroom
With renowned Stanford faculty and scholars leading the way, every Travel/Study trip is a one-of-a-kind educational experience.
Bob Siegel
Stanford School of Medicine
A professor of microbiology and immunology, Dr. Bob teaches courses on a wide range of topics including virology, photography, Darwin, island biogeography and global health.
“Bob was very knowledgeable, friendly, and engaging. We loved hearing his lectures, and he was great with the kids.”
—Jennifer Von der Ahe, ’98
Share the joy of learning
Meet our Young Explorer leaders
These razor-sharp Stanford grads and former Stanford Sierra Camp counselors love interacting with families and are experts at adapting to the personalities and interests of each Young Explorer. They fuel creativity with thought-provoking discussions and mind-bending games that keep the kids entertained while adults attend lectures. In addition, Young Explorer leaders bring the whole family together for activities such as family Olympics, trivia night and disco bingo.
Itinerary
A modern-day voyage of the Beagle
Located off the coast of Ecuador, the Galápagos Islands are home to some of the most incredible wildlife on Earth. Marvel at numerous endemic species that are unconcerned by the presence of humans in this “living museum” during daily walking and snorkel excursions. Follow our four-night cruise aboard the intimate La Pinta with two nights at Finch Bay Hotel on Santa Cruz Island.
Quito, Ecuador
Arrive in Ecuador's capital city, Quito, and transfer to our sustainable hotel with spectacular views of Quito.
Accommodations:Go Quito Hotel
Quito, Ecuador
Walk the streets of colonial Quito, considered South America’s best-preserved historical center. Stop at Independence Plaza, the presidential palace, and the monastery of San Francisco, one of the most impressive religious buildings in Latin America. Stand with one foot on each side of the equator at Mitad del Mundo. Cap off the day with a welcome reception and dinner.
Accommodations:Go Quito Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinnerQuito / Baltra / South Plaza Island
Transfer to the airport after breakfast for our short flight to Baltra to embark on La Pinta. Our first stop is South Plaza Island, where we loop the entire island on foot, taking in carpets of scarlet succulents, often a meal for land iguanas. View colonies of sea lions and marine birds as we circle the coastline.
Accommodations:La Pinta
Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinnerSanta Fe Island / San Cristóbal Island
Disembark on Santa Fe Island this morning and walk among the towering Opuntia cacti with very soft thorns. Home to an endemic species of land iguana and Galápagos hawks, Santa Fe is the site of the longest-running research project on marine iguanas, begun in the 1970s. Explore marine life from their perspective as we swim with acrobatic sea lions and search for sea turtles. After lunch, we venture to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on San Cristóbal Island, close to where Darwin first stepped on the Galapagos Islands in 1835 and today the archipelago’s provincial capital. Visit the Gianni Arismendi Interpretation Center, where exhibits delve into the islands' human history and the volcanic origins that have shaped the unique wildlife found here. Continue to Cerro Tijeretas for breathtaking panoramic views and to observe the magnificent flight of frigatebirds.
Accommodations:La Pinta
Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinnerSan Cristóbal Island
Sea lions may greet us as we land on the beach at Punta Pitt, an eroded tuff cone. Punta Pitt is ideal for snorkeling and is also the only site in the Galápagos where its three species of boobies can be found together. Later, cruise to Cerro Brujo, during which we take in the immensity of the stunning cliffs of “Sorcerer’s Hill.” Relax on the beach with sea lions, snorkel from shore, or explore the area on a guided walk to a hidden lagoon to look for black-necked stilts, ruddy turnstones, whimbrels, and white-cheeked pintails.
Accommodations:La Pinta
Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinnerEspañola Island
Continue our adventure on Española Island, home to swallow-tailed gulls, Española mockingbirds, and Nazca boobies. Disembark and walk among the world’s only population of waved albatross at Punta Suarez. In the afternoon, sink our toes into the white coralline sand among several colonies of Galápagos sea lions at Gardner Bay. Here, we may have the opportunity to observe the endemic mockingbird of Española defending its territory. Spend time in the water snorkeling and searching for king angelfish, damselfish, parrotfish, rays, sea turtles, and reef sharks.
Accommodations:La Pinta
Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinnerSanta Cruz Island
Say goodbye to our friends on La Pinta as we disembark in Puerto Ayora. Travel into the highlands to observe giant tortoises roaming in their natural habitat at a local family farm. Marvel at the endemic Scalesia, members of the daisy family as tall as trees, and look for the emblematic Darwin’s finches as we stroll through the forest near the twin sinkholes known as Los Gemelos. Next, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to hear about the Rearing in Captivity program that is dedicated to giant tortoises and see the efforts and results of Galápagos biology fieldwork. Continue by water taxi to our beachfront hotel for an evening at leisure.
Accommodations:Finch Bay Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast and lunchSanta Cruz Island
Enjoy a biking excursion to Garrapatero Beach for a refreshing dip in the water. Check out the nearby brackish lagoon, home to stilts, plovers, pintails, and flamingos. Return to our hotel and toast our adventure at a festive farewell dinner this evening.
Accommodations:Finch Bay Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast and dinnerPuerto Ayora / Baltra / Guayaquil
Bid farewell to the Galápagos as we transfer to the airport for our return flight to Guayaquil. Check in to our hotel and connect with return flights, arriving back in the United States the next day.
Accommodations:Hilton Colon Guayaquil
Included meal: Breakfast
Trip details
Start preparing for the trip of a lifetime
From top to bottom, we’ve taken care of all the details, so you can enjoy a no-stress, worry-free travel experience.
“Beautiful, fun, stimulating, educational! It pulled together the best aspects of a family vacation with an educational opportunity in a unique environment with a chance to meet some very interesting people of all ages.”
—Deborah Holmes, ’68
Pricing
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The price of your trip covers a comprehensive educational program in addition to meals, accommodations, tours, and excursions. Continue reading for a full list of what’s included.
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