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Walking amongst dozing Galapagos Sea Lions

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Watching the interactions among the bizarre Swallow-tailed Gulls

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Observing Galapagos Giant Tortoises foraging peacefully on Santa Cruz

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Discovering the unique Chocolate Chip Sea Stars clinging to the rocks while snorkelling

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Challenging ourselves to distinguish the “Darwin’s Finches” based on their bill shape and size!

Galapagos Islands: Darwin's Enchanted Isles

Mar 02-12, 2026

11 days | Ecuador | alumni UBC Travel Club

This departure is sold out. Please email Celeste to be placed on the waitlist.

Our Galapagos private yacht expedition remains one of our most highly rated natural history programs and is consistently our travellers’ “trip of a lifetime.” Our study leader and our Galapagos naturalist guide are on board to lead island walks as we set sail to discover these remarkable island ecosystems, skirting past nesting boobies, scouting the seas for breaching whales, and snorkeling among colourful fish. Desolate at first sight, these rough and rocky isles are home to wonderfully strange and abundant wildlife. As Charles Darwin did almost 200 years before us, we will marvel at the highly adapted creatures found nowhere else on Earth.

All of the reptiles, half the birds, 32% of the plants, and 25% of the fish are unique to this amazing archipelago. It is a living museum of evolutionary changes.

What is so special about the Galapagos experience is that these creatures act as though humans are nothing more than a passing interest, allowing us to observe them up close. Undisturbed by our nearness, they engage in intriguing courtship displays, groom one another, forage for food, and nurture their young. Giant Tortoises graze in the lush highlands and dinosaur-like Marine Iguanas sun themselves on black lava rocks along the shores. Tiny Galapagos Penguins and playful Galapagos Sea Lions dart through the waters like torpedoes, while frigatebirds patrol the skies.

Join fellow alumniUBC travellers for this intimate and exclusive experience of the Galapagos!

For travellers residing outside of Ontario, Manulife Travel Insurance is now available through alumni UBC. Please click here for more information and to protect your travel investment.

Tour Cost (per person):

US$7995 - 8295 depending on cabin, incl. taxes, gratuities

Group Size:

12 - 14 participants

What’s included: 3 nights at a hotel in Quito, in double occupancy (in hotel listed or similar); services and meals as listed in the itinerary; ground transportation as detailed in the itinerary; airfare from Quito to the Galapagos / Return to Quito; 7-night Galapagos cruise aboard the M/Y Beluga based on double occupancy; airport transfers if travelling with the group; porterage of one standard piece of baggage per person; services of bilingual naturalist guide on board, trained at the Charles Darwin Research Station; services of your alumni UBC Study Leader.

"The tour was amazing. I learned a lot about the birds, reptiles and landscape of both Galapagos and the rainforest." - Susan. W.

"I have snorkelled a lot and have never enjoyed it as much as our days in Galapagos. We were lucky to be on a smaller boat and to experience things up close." - Branca P.

"You could not have a better [local] guide than Juan based on his enthusiasm, caring attitude, knowledge, respect for the islands and its flora and fauna." - Meredith W.

Itinerary at a Glance

Day	Activity
1	Arrive in Quito, Ecuador
2	Quito City Tour
3	Flight to Baltra, Galapagos / Visit Santa Cruz
4	South Plaza and Santa Fe (Barrington)
5	San Cristóbal (Chatham)
6	Española (Hood)
7	Floreana (Charles)
8	Santa Cruz and Santiago (James)
9	Genovesa (Tower)
10	Turtle Cove / Baltra / Fly to Quito
11	Depart Quito

Ship Information

We charter the M/Y Beluga exclusively for our group. This steel-hulled motor yacht is 33.5 metres long, accommodating 14 passengers and 8 crew. She travels at a speed of 12 knots, allowing us to get to 8 islands comfortably during our 8-day expedition cruise. She is well-appointed with comfortable private cabins and ample lounge and observation deck space.

Your Tour Leader

A graduate of the University of Guelph, Patrick Moldowan is a devoted lifelong interpretive naturalist and field biologist with a special interest in herpetology and biogeography. Patrick works for the Charles Darwin Foundation in the Galapagos Islands, where he oversees a giant tortoise research program.

Tour Cost (per person):

US$7995 - 8295 depending on cabin, incl. taxes, gratuities

Group Size:

12 - 14 participants

What You'll See: