Faculty-led Program on the Galapagos Islands

“…by far the most remarkable feature in the natural history of this archipelago…is that the different islands to a considerable extent are inhabited by a different set of beings…I never dreamed that islands, about fifty or sixty miles apart, and most of them in sight of each other, formed of precisely the same rocks, placed under a quite similar climate, rising to a nearly equal height, would have been differently tenanted.”

---Charles Darwin, The Voyage of the Beagle

Through this program you will have the opportunity to literally walk in Darwin’s footsteps, experiencing and observing the flora and fauna of these unique islands. Hike with giant tortoises in their native habitat, see blue-footed boobies courting their mates, bask with marine iguanas on the rocky shores and snorkel with the great diversity of tropical fishes.

I would 100% suggest this [program] to others. It is an amazing once in a lifetime opportunity. - 2022 participant

I wouldn't change anything on the trip as it had good pacing and a good variety of scheduled vs non scheduled activities. The academic project was also great because we got to make it our own with the topics that interested us. - 2023 participant

Dates & Deadlines

App Deadline: December 15, 2023
Program Dates: Monday, June 3 to Saturday, June 15, 2024

The study abroad center is no longer accepting applications for this program at this time. If you are interested in this program, please fill out the waitlist form below:

Faculty-Led Program Waitlist

Location

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Academics

BIOL 1059: Biological Diversity and Conservation (3 credit hours)

Talk to your academic advisor about how this course would work for you!

This course can fulfill a variety of credit options, such as UNIFI elective credit.

Charles Darwin’s voyage on the Beagle, including his time in the Galapagos Islands, was the inspiration for his theory of descent with modification or evolution by natural selection which serves as the basis for the field of biology. The Galapagos Islands represent one of the richest and most unique ecosystems on the planet. However, human activities including the recent, massive increase in ecotourism has greatly impacted the islands and threatens the biodiversity. Through this program you will have the opportunity to literally walk in Darwin’s footsteps, experiencing and observing the flora and fauna of these unique islands. We will hike with giant tortoises in their native habitat, see blue-footed boobies courting their mates, bask with marine iguanas on the rocky shores and snorkel with the great diversity of tropical fishes. We will also observe the impacts humans have had on the islands and the current efforts being made to preserve this unique and important ecosystem.

Participation in this program requires several class meetings throughout the spring semester, although the course is scheduled for the summer. Please contact the program's course leader for more information on academic requirements.

The Study Abroad Center will enroll participants in their study abroad course.

The program will require participants to walk several miles a day at a leisurely pace over uneven surfaces, along with a few cases of steep steps. All participants must follow instructions from naturalist guides at all times while in the Galapagos.

NOTES:

Students planning to participate in the spring commencement ceremony in May can enroll in this summer term program, however, their degree will not be conferred until the end of the summer term and is contingent on the successful completion of the program and all required coursework.
Students attending colleges and universities other than UNI are welcome to participate in this program. If you are not currently a UNI student, but would like to participate in this program, please contact the UNI Study Abroad Center prior to starting your program application.

Itinerary

Tentative Program Dates: Monday, June 3 (depart) - Saturday, June 15 (return), 2024

Sample itinerary is subject to change.

Day 1: Arrive in Quito, Ecuador

Day 2: Excursions Near Quito

Visit the Equator, the "line" that marks the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, then explore the Pululahua Crater, one of the world's largest volcanic craters and part of the Incan Empire. We'll finish the day with a tour of Quito.

Day 3: Excursions Near Quito

Today, we will travel to the “Plaza de los Ponchos” (indigenous market), Cotacachi “the leather town,” and Cuicocha Lake. In the afternoon, we will return to Quito.

Day 4: Flight to Galapagos and travel to Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island

In the morning we will fly to the island of Baltra in the Galapagos and transfer to the town of Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island. Puerto Ayora is the largest community in the Galapagos. After settling in the hotel and lunch, we will tour the Charles Darwin Research Station with a focus on its conservation efforts and observe the wildlife around the area.

Day 5: Excursion to Bartolome Island

We will take a boat to Bartolome Island, which is an extinct volcano famous for its variety of red, orange, green, black soils and brilliant volcanic formations. We will hike to the top of the island and observe some of the first plant and animal colonizers of new volcanic islands. Afterwards we’ll snorkel around Pinnacle Rock and observe the incredible marine diversity including penguins (at the equator!), sea lions, batfish, sharks, and rays.

Day 6: First day of a three-night stay on Isabela Island

In the morning we will take a boat to the town of Puerto Villamil. Isabela, the largest island, was formed by the joining of six volcanoes. We will settle in at the hotel, and in the afternoon, we will visit the Tortoise Breeding Center, where giant Galapagos tortoises are bred for conservation efforts on all the islands. We will hike through Las Tintoreras where we will see marine iguanas, resting reef sharks, sea turtles, penguins, blue footed boobies and much more. Finally, we will see flamingos in Poza de Flamingos.

Day 7: Excursion on Isabela Island

We will travel to the lava tubes to explore unique lava formations and geology. Depending on water conditions, we might go snorkeling. After lunch, we’ll hike to the Wall of Tears, a historical site that was constructed between the years of 1945 and 1959 by prisoners in the penal colony on the island.

Day 8: Conservation work day

Today, we will participate in beach cleaning for the nesting sites of marine iguanas.

Day 9: Excursion on Isabela Island and Return to Santa Cruz Island

We will visit Sierra Negra Volcano, which is the second largest volcanic caldera in the world and one of the most active volcanoes in the Galapagos, and Chico Volcano, which has a moon-like landscape (itinerary subject to change depending on current conditions). We will then snorkel at Concha y Perla Bay and observe wildlife in the lagoons. In the late afternoon we will take a boat back to Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island.

Day 10: Excursions on Santa Cruz and North Seymour Islands

We’ll boat to North Seymour Island for a half-day walk exploring volcanic craters. Later, we will have time for snorkeling in Mosquera Islet.

Day 11: Visit to the highlands, where we will visit Rancho Primicias to view giant tortoises in their natural habitat and walk through a lava tube. We will also hike around Los Gemelos, two large pit craters that were created by the collapse of empty magma chambers. Hike to Tortuga Bay where abundant wildlife is visible. Time spent on the beach!

Day 12: Flight to Quito, Ecuador

Upon arrival in Quito, group will depart for Iowa, most likely on an evening flight and arriving in Iowa the next day.

Day 13: Arrive in Iowa

*The program will require participants to walk several miles a day at a leisurely pace over uneven surfaces, along with a few cases of steep steps. All participants must follow instructions from naturalist guides at all times while in the Galapagos.

Participant Info

Important information to review:

Review the roles of the Advisee and the Advisor under the main menu Get Started

Entry and Exit Requirements

Review and follow the travel recommendations of the U.S. State Department for travel to Ecuador

Housing & Meals

Students will stay in hotels arranged by the Study Abroad Center and paid for before departure. Many meals will be paid for by students out-of-pocket while abroad. Breakfast while abroad as well as lunches while on the Galapagos islands are built into the cost of the program. Students are encouraged to try the local foods.

Program Costs

Estimated Program Cost: $6,174*

*estimated total cost of participation, actual amount depends on type of housing accommodation selected, actual airfare purchase price, personal spending habits, and other factors

Estimated Total Program Cost	$6,174
Estimated U-bill Charges	$4,156
Estimated Out-of-Pocket Costs	$2,018

Galapagos Islands Summer 2024 Cost Estimate (PDF)

Cost of Studying On Campus at UNI*

*per semester, estimated, will vary per person

Tuition & Fees	$4,864
Room & Board	$4,824
Books	$400
Personal Expenses	$887
Transportation	$350
Total	$11,325

Source: https://admissions.uni.edu/cost-aid

‌Eligibility Requirements to Study Abroad

The Study Abroad Center reserves the right to determine participants' eligibility to study abroad. Students must have a completed study abroad application, including supportive recommendation form(s). Additionally, students must meet all of the following in order to be eligible to study abroad:

‌Have a cumulative 2.5 GPA or higher at the time of application and maintain this cumulative GPA prior to departure and throughout the study abroad process
If your cumulative GPA is lower than 2.5, submit the following to the Study Abroad Center (103 East Bartlett):
- Letters of reference from two academic contacts (e.g. academic advisor and former or current professor) supporting your pursuit of study abroad. If you are attending a faculty-led study abroad program, one of the letters must be from a course leader. However, if the program has two course leaders, only one of the letters can be from one of the course leaders.

Must be over the age of 18 years old
Must meet the course prerequisites (participation in the program is dependent upon meeting these)
‌Must be in good standing with the university
UNI's partner institutions may require additional eligibility requirements to be met, these vary from institution to institution. Please consult with the Study Abroad Center staff to discuss these additional requirements, if applicable.
Applicants traveling to a region of a country or a country with an overall Travel Advisory Level 3 (Reconsider Travel) or 4 (Do Not Travel) will not be eligible.