Galápagos Islands Exploration

Day 1

Your Joshua Expeditions guide will meet you upon arrival in Quito then transfer with your group to the hotel for dinner (depending on flight schedule) and a time of orientation and devotions.

Day 2

From Quito, you will fly out to Baltra Island, one of the Galápagos Islands, where your group will check into a hotel before heading out to spend the afternoon at the research station on Santa Cruz Island. In the evening, following dinner, the group will take some time for teaching and devotions before lights out.

Day 3

You will board a yacht* this morning and sail to spectacular Pinnacle Rock, where you can make an easy climb to the peak of Bartolomé Island for one of the most eye-popping scenic vistas of the islands. You will also have a chance for snorkeling around Pinnacle Rock. In the afternoon the group will visit Puerto Egas on Santiago Island where the remnants of a few buildings testify to a one-time salt mining operation. These days the beach is taken over by lounging sea lions, and in tidal coves you will also be able to see fur seals. Puerto Egas is especially picturesque due to the contrasting colors and forms of the black lava and the lighter brown ashy sediments. It is an experience you won’t soon forget!

*Group size is limited for this specialty science trip due to the size of the yachts.

Day 4

A morning visit to Rábida Island will impress you with the dark red sand of its beach where sea lions like to sun. A lagoon is likely to be inhabited by more sea lions, as well as flamingos and, in the nesting season, lots of brown pelicans. Your afternoon visit will include Cerro Dragón where you can expect to see land iguanas, a forest of Palo Santo, and many land birds, including species of Galápagos finches made famous by Darwin's studies.

Day 5

Today you will visit the Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz Island where you will see the results of the giant tortoise and land iguana captive breeding projects. There will also be time for a bit of souvenir shopping in town before the short flight back to Quito.

Day 6

Depart for home after an amazing educational journey through the Galápagos Islands!