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Spring at Sage: Galápagos

What can the Galápagos Islands teach us about evolution and adaptation?

May 22 to 30, 2027

Take a step off the HMS Beagle into the beautiful Galapagos Island chain. Off the coast of Ecuador, the Galápagos may be one of the most unique and recognizable habitats in the world.

Known for evolutionary changes through natural selection, see swimming iguanas, tropical penguins, blue-footed booby birds, and tortoises that look like they arrived from a land before time. Dive into this program with extensive time hiking the land and snorkeling the sea. Sustainability and community engagement are driving forces behind this program in paradise.

Itinerary at a Glance

Travel to Quito for an overnight stop before continuing to the islands.

Arrive on Santa Cruz Island and explore the Charles Darwin Research Station, including giant tortoise breeding and ecological restoration. A town walk introduces Puerto Ayora through its murals, waterfront, and community life.

Snorkel near Santa Fe Island alongside sea lions, turtles, and rays, then meet local youth leaders working to balance conservation and community needs.

Walk among giant tortoises at El Chato and enter a lava tunnel. Join local youth for conservation and photography activities, then meet a scientist to investigate microplastics and their global origins.

Hike to Tortuga Bay for a microplastics workshop, beach time, and optional kayaking. Transform collected ocean waste into art with Más Arte, Menos Basura.

Explore sustainable coffee and land use at Finca La Envidia, then rotate through cheese-making, bean-to-bar chocolate, Ecuavolley, and relaxed time in the highlands.

Snorkel near Pinzón Island and observe how marine species thrive within a protected ecosystem.

Complete a final reflection, enjoy a local chocolate demonstration, and browse community shops before returning to mainland Ecuador.

Complete the journey to Los Angeles, considering how island lessons can inspire action at home.

Please note: due to a variety of changing circumstances, itineraries are subject to change. Where originally planned activities cannot be delivered, every effort will be made to offer a similar alternative.

What’s included

  • Round trip flights
  • Local transportation
  • Accommodations
  • Meals and water
  • Program activities and experiences
  • Global facilitators
  • Local guides

Important Considerations

A swim test is required for all participants.

Expect strong sun, warmth, humidity, and potentially rough seas during boat travel.

Physical activity is high, with frequent walking on rocky, volcanic, and sandy terrain.

Strict National Park and biosafety rules protect wildlife and ecosystems.

All participants will need to pay a Galápagos National Park entrance fee upon arrival, currently $200 USD.

All participants will need to apply for a Transit Control Card before departure, currently $20 USD.

All participants will need to show a Biosafety Sworn Declaration upon arrival.

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