Environment & Culture in the Galápagos
Known as “that land of craters” to Darwin, the Galápagos surpass expectations on first sight.
The views you’ll get descending upon Baltra by plane offer a glimpse of our Earth at its geological extremes, with Pinnacle Rock cutting into the horizon. On the ground, this kaleidoscope of landscapes becomes real, and the black rock becomes your pathway to a new understanding of the world.
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Day 1: Fly to Ecuador
Meet your Field Director at the airportEnjoy dinner if arriving before 8pm
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Day 2: Quito
Take a walking tour of Quito
With your Field Director you will see:
- Independence Plaza, the central square of Quito
- Government Palace, Quito's presidential palace
Visit the Church of La Compañía, the façade of which is carved from volcanic stone
Take an excursion to the equatorial line and straddle two hemispheres at once
Visit the Intiñan Museum and learn about other places located along the equator
Enjoy dinner in Quito
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Day 3: Quito • Baltra • Santa Cruz Island
Fly to Baltra
Visit the Santa Cruz highlands to see Galapagos giant tortoises roaming freely in their natural habitat
See the Twin Craters, massive sinkholes surrounded by a Scalesia cloud forest
Enjoy lunch
Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station
Enjoy dinner in Santa Cruz
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Day 4: Santa Cruz Island
Visit Puerto Ayora
See the natural habitat of:
- Sea lions
- Finches
- Crabs
- Iguanas
Enjoy lunch
Visit La Grietas
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Day 5: Santa Cruz Island • San Cristóbal Island
Take a ferry to San Cristóbal Island
Hike Tijeretas Hill
Visit the San Cristóbal Interpretation Center
Enjoy lunch
Enjoy dinner in San Cristóbal
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Day 6: San Cristóbal Island
Enjoy snorkeling at La Loberia
Enjoy lunch
In the afternoon, choose between:
- A short walk to Punta Carola where you can see marine iguanas, sea lions, and blue-foot boobies
- Or time to shop
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Day 7: San Cristóbal Island • Quito
Fly to Quito
Enjoy dinner in Quito
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Day 8: Quito • Otavalo
Visit Otavalo Market
Visit Cotacachi waterfall
Enjoy lunch in Otavalo
Enjoy dinner in Quito
Board an overnight flight
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Day 9: Arrive home
Add more days
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Day 9: Quito • Riobamba
Travel to the Riobamba region, an Andean village with cultural activities and shopping opportunities
Enjoy lunch in Riobamba
Enjoy dinner in Riobamba
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Day 10: Riobamba • Guamote
Take an excursion to Guamote
Participate in cultural exchange activities with the local community
Enjoy lunch in Riobamba
Enjoy dinner in Riobamba
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Day 11: Riobamba • Guamote • Quito • Depart for home
Take an excursion to Guamote
Participate in cultural immersion activities and learn more about the community that lives here
- Meet children at their school
- Observe farming, handicrafts, cooking
- See an Ecuadorian chiva bus, a brightly decorated bus
Enjoy lunch in Riobamba
Enjoy dinner in Quito
Board an overnight flight
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Day 12: Arrive home
-
Day 1: Fly to Ecuador
Meet your Field Director at the airportEnjoy dinner if arriving before 8pm
-
Day 2: Quito
Take a walking tour of Quito
With your Field Director you will see:
- Independence Plaza, the central square of Quito
- Government Palace, Quito's presidential palace
Visit the Church of La Compañía, the façade of which is carved from volcanic stone
Take an excursion to the equatorial line and straddle two hemispheres at once
Visit the Intiñan Museum and learn about other places located along the equator
Enjoy dinner in Quito
-
Day 3: Quito • Baltra • Santa Cruz Island
Fly to Baltra
Visit the Santa Cruz highlands to see Galapagos giant tortoises roaming freely in their natural habitat
See the Twin Craters, massive sinkholes surrounded by a Scalesia cloud forest
Enjoy lunch
Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station
Enjoy dinner in Santa Cruz
-
Day 4: Santa Cruz Island
Visit Puerto Ayora
See the natural habitat of:
- Sea lions
- Finches
- Crabs
- Iguanas
Enjoy lunch
Visit La Grietas
-
Day 5: Santa Cruz Island • San Cristóbal Island
Take a ferry to San Cristóbal Island
Hike Tijeretas Hill
Visit the San Cristóbal Interpretation Center
Enjoy lunch
Enjoy dinner in San Cristóbal
-
Day 6: San Cristóbal Island
Enjoy snorkeling at La Loberia
Enjoy lunch
In the afternoon, choose between:
- A short walk to Punta Carola where you can see marine iguanas, sea lions, and blue-foot boobies
- Or time to shop
-
Day 7: San Cristóbal Island • Quito
Fly to Quito
Enjoy dinner in Quito
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Day 8: Quito • Otavalo
Visit Otavalo Market
Visit Cotacachi waterfall
Enjoy lunch in Otavalo
Enjoy dinner in Quito
Board an overnight flight
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Day 9: Arrive home
Add more days
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Day 9: Quito • Riobamba
Travel to the Riobamba region, an Andean village with cultural activities and shopping opportunities
Enjoy lunch in Riobamba
Enjoy dinner in Riobamba
-
Day 10: Riobamba • Guamote
Take an excursion to Guamote
Participate in cultural exchange activities with the local community
Enjoy lunch in Riobamba
Enjoy dinner in Riobamba
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Day 11: Riobamba • Guamote • Quito • Depart for home
Take an excursion to Guamote
Participate in cultural immersion activities and learn more about the community that lives here
- Meet children at their school
- Observe farming, handicrafts, cooking
- See an Ecuadorian chiva bus, a brightly decorated bus
Enjoy lunch in Riobamba
Enjoy dinner in Quito
Board an overnight flight
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Day 12: Arrive home
Confidence • Curiosity • Global perspective • Empathy • Adaptability • Relatability • Self-Awareness
What's Included
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Transportation
Various modes of transport are tailored to your program. While some transfers are included, others may come at additional cost.
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Accommodations
Safe, comfortable lodging will be waiting for you at your destination.
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Select meals
Enjoy a combination of included meals and the freedom to explore local cuisine on your own.
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End-to-end support
Your dedicated EF team helps secure administrative approval and academic credit, provides enrollment tools, and helps establish your program’s ongoing presence on campus.
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EF Global Learning Toolkit
We offer various tools to help educators facilitate student growth abroad and on campus, including academically enriched travel programs, industry engagement opportunities, global learning resources, and a Global Competencies Assessment tool.
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Guided exploration
Gain insider knowledge and cultural perspective from licensed local guides: natural historians who provide cultural insights to enhance learning moments throughout the program.
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Field Visits
Experience academics in action during engaging visits with relevant organizations, thought leaders, and partners.
