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Travel/Study
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Journey to Darwin’s classroom

Galápagos Islands

Cruise in comfort through the diverse chain of volcanic islands, getting up close to wildlife found nowhere else.

Overview

A totally immersive experience

Five hundred miles off the coast of Ecuador, the Galápagos archipelago exists on its own terms. Volcanic, raw, and breathtakingly alive, these islands have been shaped by forces of nature so powerful and so isolated that the creatures who call them home evolved in ways found nowhere else on Earth.

Aboard the expedition ship La Pinta, we’ll island-hop among the central and southwestern islands, including two that were visited by Charles Darwin. Snorkel with green sea turtles, walk among marine iguanas, and swim alongside playful sea lions. Joining us on this voyage is Hidden Brain host and award-winning alum, Shankar Vedantam, MA ’93. Together, we’ll explore the connections between human behavior and Darwin’s ideas about natural selection.

Dates

July 28–August 6, 2027

Duration

10 days

Price

From approx. $14,495 per person

Trip size

45 participants

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Faculty 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.

Shankar Vedantam

Host of the Hidden Brain Podcast

Award-winning journalist and podcast host Shankar has explored human behavior for three decades. In the Galápagos, he explores how evolutionary forces shape modern psychology, decision-making, and social dynamics.

Learn more about Shankar

Itinerary

Chart your course of discovery

Fly from Guayaquil to Baltra to embark La Pinta for a voyage through the central and southwestern islands. Step ashore on Fernandina, one of the world’s most pristine island environments. We’ll walk the red beach of Rabida and look for land iguanas on Dragon Hill. On Santa Cruz, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and in Floreana’s Champion Islet enjoy incredible snorkeling.

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.

Activity level

Walking tours and hikes range from one to three miles on sand, dirt, or gravel paths and include some rocky or boulder-strewn terrain that may at times be slippery. Travelers should be able to climb into and out of Zodiacs, with crew assistance, and feel comfortable disembarking from Zodiacs into several inches of water on wet landings to get ashore. Anyone with lower mobility may participate in the trip from the ship and enjoy the view from the Sun Deck while the group is out hiking or snorkeling. There is no elevator on board, so the ability to navigate stairs is essential. All participants must be physically fit, active, and in good health.

About our ship

With an intimate ambience and maximum of 45 travelers on our program, La Pinta is the perfect vessel for exploring the Galápagos Islands. The modern ship features yacht-like amenities, including a large lounge, outdoor bar, hot tub, library, and relaxing sun deck for watching the passing scenery. Please note that La Pinta is not equipped for scuba diving.

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