Galapagos Islands with U of A Alumni

Oct 13-23, 2025

11 days | Ecuador | University of Alberta Alumni Tours

Study Leader Dan Riskin is hosting a webinar, "The Galapagos Islands: In the Footsteps of Darwin's Ghost" on Tuesday, November 26 at 2:00 PM ET | Register here.

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 U of A Alumni Travel Program travellers and friends for this intimate and exclusive experience of the Galapagos!

Tour Cost (per person):

US$7895 - US$8095 depending on cabin

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; equipment for snorkelling excursions on each full day in the Galapagos;
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 Study Leader Dan Riskin

FEATURED ON THE BLOG

Snorkelling in the Galapagos

By: Justin Peter

"Dan was delightful - knowledgeable, inclusive, friendly, funny, and fun to spend time with. I would love to do another trip with him in the future." - Laura T.

"The snorkelling experience is other worldly! You would be very hard pressed to match it anywhere else on this planet." - Zane

"The crew on-board was amazing, prepared, organized, helpful, most pleasant." - Judith F.

"A good variety of dishes were provided on the ship, and most were excellent, especially the soups." - Paula B.

Itinerary at a Glance

Day	Activity
1	Arrive in Quito, Ecuador
2	Quito City Tour
3	Flight to Baltra, Galapagos, and visit Santa Cruz
4 - 9	Exploring the Galapagos Islands including Santa Fe, South Plaza, San Cristóbal, Española, Floreana, Santa Cruz, Santiago, and Genovesa
10	Turtle Cove / Baltra / Fly to Quito
11	Depart Quito

Download Itinerary

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

Dan Riskin, PhD, is a television personality, scientist, and author. He is best known in Canada as the co-host of Discovery's flagship science program, Daily Planet, and elsewhere as the host of Animal Planet's hugely successful show about parasites, Monsters Inside Me. He is passionate about wildlife, especially the underappreciated creatures that he thinks deserve a closer look.

Book now

Tour Cost (per person):

US$7895 - US$8095 depending on cabin

Group Size:

12 - 14 participants

What You'll See:

What You'll Taste:

Where You'll Stay:

FEATURED ON THE BLOG

Snorkelling in the Galapagos

By: Justin Peter

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University of Alberta Alumni Tours

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Galapagos Islands with U of A Alumni

Oct 13-23, 2025