In this 10-day adventure of a lifetime, we will explore the flora and fauna of the unique environment of the Galapagos Islands on a chartered yacht. PHOTOS BELOW. Click here to see the videos of us disembarking from a dinghy, seals frolicking, and a panoramic view of the Galapagos Islands.

The Galapagos Islands are Ecuadorian territory, and lie roughly 600 miles west of the Ecuadorian coastline, straddling the equator. The islands became Ecuador's first national park, and were declared a World Heritage site in 1978. The islands are home to the giant tortoise, marine iguanas, and dozens of unusual endemic species, including Darwin's finches, blue-footed boobies, and Galapagos penguins. Visited by the English naturalist Charles Darwin in 1835, his subsequent studies of local wildlife contributed to his famous theory of natural selection, and put these special islands on the map. Because the indigenous fauna live without natural predators, they are virtually fearless.

After arriving in Quito, the group will spend the night downtown, and then head to the airport early the next morning for the one and a half hour flight to the island of Baltra, which sits in the middle of the archipelago. From there, we will board our yacht and begin sailing around the islands, making frequent stops to hike along established trails and snorkel on numerous reefs. In doing so, students will be able to pass within inches of numerous species, including sea lions, sea turtles, marine iguanas, penguins, blue-footed boobies, land iguanas, and giant tortoises. In some areas, snorkelers may even see hammerhead sharks and white-tipped reef sharks.

The weather in the Galapagos in March is hot and sunny. Unlike Caribbean islands, the Galapagos are volcanic, extremely harsh, and unforgiving. Part of the majesty of visiting these islands is seeing how its rare animals have adapted to make them their homes. For more information, visit the webpages of the Galapagos Conservation Trust.

For most of our project our home away from home will be the Guantanamera, a tourist superior class boat with 6 double cabins with upper and lower beds and 2 double cabins with queen- sized beds. All cabins have private bathroom and shower, air conditioning and hot water. We will take all our meals on board.
       

After arriving in Quito, Ecuador on Saturday night (via Miami), we will have a late dinner and get a good night’s sleep at the Posada del Maple Bed & Breakfast in the beautiful Mariscal District. We go back to the airport bright and early on Sunday morning to fly on Aerogal (Galapagos airlines) to Baltra. We will go directly to our boat to begin our tour. Lunch on Sunday will be our first meal on the boat.

In broad strokes, here is our itinerary, beginning with our departure on Saturday, March 12, 2005:

DAY 1, Saturday—fly to Miami then Quito, Ecuador
DAY 2, Sunday—fly to Baltra, Bachas Beach
DAY 3, Monday--Plazas, Santa Fe
DAY 4, Tuesday--Española
DAY 5, Wednesday--Floreana
DAY 6, Thursday--Santa Cruz, Charles Darwin Research Station
DAY 7, Friday--Rabida, Bartolome
DAY 8, Saturday--Genovesa
DAY 9, Sunday--North Seymour, Baltra, fly to Quito, arriving in late afternoon
DAY 10, Monday—travel home!