HPA - EPI Galapagos Islands Ecology Spring Break 2026

 We started off on our trip from Santa Cruz to Isabela with an early start, waking up at an early 4:45 am. We grabbed our stuff and loaded into a a farm truck and rode up to our bus. We got to the loading dock and waited in lines watching the water and getting to see cool animals such as birds, sea lions, and black tip reef sharks.🦭🦜🦈  We got on a taxi bus that then took us to our boat, the wolf, that we would then be on for a bumpy two hours. Most of us slept but those of us who weren’t as lucky (me) watched out the window at the passing islands. After arriving at Isabela Island we went straight to the Tero Real hostel where we ate a yummy breakfast of eggs and crossaints. Then we all headed down to the beach and had a few hours of swimming. Lunch consisted of chicken, rice, fish, beans, and more. After lunch we headed out and went to a bird pond watching flamingos frolic. Then we loaded up on an open bus and drove to the mangroves where we went on a mile walk through the ...

“Yesterday we were informed that our tour group the ecos foundation heard our pleas to go to the beach and we were able to go this morning. At the beach we went snorkeling and saw many cool fish like the yellowtail damselfish and many different types of parrrotfish. We then learned about how the ecosystem is all connected through all of us. We went snorkeling again which featured lots of different animals like sting rays. As we were trying to exit the ocean after snorkeling a sea lion blocked the path to the beach, and crawled up right next to us. There were many marine iguanas on the beach which is cool because I learned today that Godzilla was modeled after them. After the beach we went to the Darwin Foundation Museum where we saw fascinating preserved corals and many tortoise shells of different species. We also got some ice cream there. We headed back to highland view/camp for a delicious lunch and some downtime. Afterwards, we gave back to the land that has been hosting us at high...

Today the 14th of March we started our day with a fun game boosting our energy! After that we had a short hike on our farm to a volcano crater. On our way to the crater we met some of our favorite animals (oikoik🐷) and collected animal manure to make bokashi (compost) at the end of our hike with the things we collected on our way. During our adventure we stopped at several locations such as the sugarcane juicer, where we learned how to make our own juice, or at a small exhibition where we learned about the farms history.  It was an amazing day in the rainforest with super fun experiences and activities. - Elias, Dominik

 This is Oreo! She is the most wonderful camp cuddle buddy. She loves to help by eating the hitchhiker Seels of our pants. She gets her hair everywhere though. (For Wrenna: HAPPY BIRTHDAY SISSY I LOVE YOU!!)  

 Today’s blog is filled with photos mostly taken by Finn and Philipp! Today’s activities included games, analysis of seeds present in giant tortoise feces collected yesterday, hike into a lava tube where petrels nest, and presentations on different topics surrounding the galapagos. We began research projects today! Enjoy the photos! Hab euch ganz ganz dolle lieb Familie😘

  ALOHA, Today was SO much fun!!!!! The main highlight of today was seeing and doing research on HUGE tortoises, we saw baby ones but also 200+kg ones. Some of us even got to carry the babies that only weighed 1 kg! We also ate AMAZING food like a traditional dish from Ecuador which was popcorn with soup, it was so good. It has been very humid and hot, so we are trying to stay hydrated with water and electrolytes.  It’s been so much fun and we can’t wait for the next few days! MAHALO- Alison and Elen😃🐢🦭🐠✈️

 Students will be updating with information about today’s events but here are a few photos in advance!