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Galápagos Islands, Ecuador

Nature’s Laboratory: Wild Finds in the Galápagos With Your Family

Program No. 20873RJ
Alongside your family, explore volcanic landscapes, snorkel bright blue waters and learn about exotic animals (and maybe meet a few!) as you discover the Galápagos Islands together.
Participant Reviews
5
Based on 30 Reviews
SHOWING
Robert – Class of 2024 | Lincoln, NE
This program was an extraordinary family (grandparents, parents, grandchildren) adventure with the highest quality of family time together.
— Review left July 5, 2025
Loxley – Class of 2003 | Detroit Lakes, MN
Get a group of 14-16 of your favorite people (adults and children) and sign up for this program. It is TOP NOTCH. And the highlight is that you get to spend a week on the TIP TOP V. Our extended family had a SUPER time. We felt treated like royalty.
— Review left April 26, 2025
Marjorie – Class of 2019 | Oconomowoc, WI
This amazing trip exceeded my family's and my expectations. Every day was a new adventure. Our guide, Emma, was uniquely talented, dedicated and personable. She made the trip explode with excitement! They don't come better than her.
— Review left January 1, 2025
Richard – Class of 2024 | Oakland, CA
The Galapagos far exceeded my expectations. There was a good balance of hikes with explanations and discussions as well as snorkeling time and kayaking. The guides encouraged and solicited our observations and views from each hike, so we were active participants.
— Review left August 18, 2024
Jonathan – Class of 2024 | Albuquerque, NM
A great trip around the Galapagos! So much cool wildlife and different ways of experiencing them. Swimming with sea turtles, penguins, sea lions, and sharks was super cool! Bring medications if you get seasick! The seas can get rough sometimes.
— Review left August 13, 2024
Winfield – Class of 2019 | Jacksonville, FL
The grandparent trip to the Galapagos Islands was fantastic. My 11 year old granddaughter and I loved all the sea lions, blue footed boobies, frigate birds, penguins, iguanas, turtles, rays, volcanic islands, snorkeling, new friends, you name it. What a fabulous trip!
— Review left July 15, 2024
Cynthia – Class of 2011 | Bellevue, WA
This is a brilliant program! Our children and grandchildren all enjoyed it as much as we did. Not easy to pull off with 3 generations, but Road Scholar did it beautifully!
— Review left January 4, 2024
Louise – Class of 2023 | San Francisco, CA
Our trip to the Galapagos was the first organized tour for my husband, our 14 yer old grandson, and myself.While I had trepidations about that, the experience was beyond my expectations. The boat was simple, but perfectly comfortable. The Ecuadorian and international cuisine expertly prepared and served. The accommodations made for my grandson's food intolerances surpased our expectations.The boat staff was helpful and accommodating. But, perhaps most important, our guides- in Quito and on the boat- were friendly, helpful and incredibly knowledgeable. While we have traveled independently in Europe and Asia for the past 30 years, I can say that- to use a trite phrase - this was a trip of our lifetime.
— Review left August 10, 2023
Andre – Class of 2023 | Ottawa, Canada
This was a phenomenal trip - truly a once in a lifetime experience. It was superbly organized from start to finish and I took a great deal from it. The quality of the program leaders and the amazing crew of the ship made it all come together.
— Review left August 3, 2023
Amanda – Class of 2023 | Ottawa, Canada
Our trip to the Galápagos was a wonderful family experience with passionate, knowledgeable guides who were able to help us discover the history, flora & fauna of these amazing islands. An unforgettable experience.
— Review left August 2, 2023
Marilyn – Class of 2014 | Portland, OR
This program was well organized, exceptionally well-guided by Fernando in the Galapagos and Patricia in Quito, and I learned a lot, in spite of having been to these sites before. Children and seniors were equally respected and engaged. The activities were fun, fun, fun.The attention to detail and preparation each day was fabulous and helped the program flow in spite of a rigorous activity schedule. The Galapagos are an experience you will never forget, in the best of ways.
— Review left July 31, 2023
Barbara – Class of 2022 | Orinda, CA
This is a wonderful, high energy exploration of the Galapagos paradise - snorkeling, hiking, kayaking. Naturalist Fabian has extraordinary knowledge & communication skills. Incredible learning experience for us and our grandson, who loved the trip. Equator visits in Quito were fascinating, too!
— Review left July 25, 2023
Marilyn – Class of 2014 | Haddon Heights, NJ
The Road Scholar Trip (Grandparent/Grandchild) to the Galapagos Islands was "perfect" for both myself and my grandson. There were superb things to do on the Islands from hiking to kayaking to snorkeling. We had a fabulous group of people who were so easy to get along. Our Quito guide, Patricia, and Galapagos Island guide, Lourdes (Lulu), were so knowledgeable about their areas of expertise. This made our adventure so much better than expected. My grandson and I, in a discussion of the "best" part of the trip, couldn't narrow down any one part. The whole experience was as perfect as it could be!
— Review left July 23, 2023
Carl – Class of 2016 | Newtown Square, PA
Our family of 10, including 5 grandchildren ages 12 to 17, just returned from Nature's Laboratory: Wild Finds in the Galapagos including 7 nights onboard Tip Top V. It was a truly amazing experience and many rated it as the best trip ever. We highly recommend this program. Carl & Kathleen K.
— Review left July 17, 2023
Corinne – Class of 2022 | Nashville, TN
Our Galapagos adventure with guide Fabrizio and the crew of the Tip Top II was highly enjoyable and educational from start to finish. We, a three generation family of six, two of whom were on a similar trip 30 years prior, believe that the adjective "life-changing" is not too strong a description for our experience.
— Review left January 13, 2023
Lucinda – Class of 2023 | Denver, CO
This was an amazing experience start to finish. I went with my granddaughter and she already wants to go back. It was fun and educational. It is not a relaxing vacation, but for those who love activity and animals, it is the best! I came home exhausted but so happy and fulfilled.
— Review left January 10, 2023
Robert – Class of 2022 | Eden Prairie, MN
We are forever changed by participating in this progoram.
— Review left January 8, 2023
Suzanne – Class of 2022 | San Francisco, CA
The Galapagos Island trip is magical and Road Scholar helps ensure that the magic is present every day. thank you.
— Review left January 4, 2023
Maryann – Class of 2015 | Manhasset, NY
This trip, which I shared with my teenage grandson, was our fifth and was a dream come true! I loved everything about it...the adventure, learning, participants, accomodations and food. Thank you Road Scholar!!!
— Review left August 17, 2022
Nell – Class of 2016 | Champaign, IL
The trip to the Galapagos was amazing. My son thought it was so much fun - learning about all the animals and meeting new people. It was the trip of a lifetime.
— Review left August 14, 2022
David – Class of 2020 | Tempe, AZ
What an amazing group of islands, the Galapagos. You know the history and significance of the islands and wildlife, but you need to visit to really experience the reptiles, birds, mammals, and plant life. And Road Scholar made our visit the trip of a lifetime. Guides, itinerary, transportation, and activities were top notch every minute of every day. Galapagos, Ecuador, and Road Scholar: the perfect combination.
— Review left August 8, 2022
William – Class of 2018 | Walnut Creek, CA
A great eco learning trip in one of the world's most unique environments.
— Review left July 31, 2022
Kirsten – Class of 2018 | Kansas City, MO
I have traveled widely, including several trips with Road Scholar, and I can definitely state that this was absolutely an unforgettable experience made all the more special by the grandparent-family nature of the program. To have experienced this unique part of the world with my 13-year-old, nature-loving grandson was truly a gift.
— Review left July 21, 2022
Richard – Class of 2022 | State College, PA
The grandparent/grandchild trip to the Galapagos was outstanding, creating memories that our granddaughter will have for a lifetime. Accommodations on the ship which took us around the islands was extremely clean, with a crew that bent over backwards to ensure everything was perfect. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable about all aspects of the island and and could not have been more helpful. The only negative part of our experience was the travel agency arranging our flights. I would highly recommend making your own flight arrangements.
— Review left July 4, 2022
Kathryn – Class of 2009 | Lafayette, IN
The Galapagos is a truly special place. Come with open eyes and hearts - and a walking stick - and unique experiences will be yours.
— Review left July 3, 2022
Nancy – Class of 2018 | Halifax, Canada
This was an exotic, fascinating, fun and educational trip. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Loved every minute of the experience.
— Review left January 13, 2022
Nicholas – Class of 2022 | Cincinnati, OH
If you do not end up on Tip Top V w/ Lulu as your naturalist I feel sorry for you. That crew might be the best in the world.
— Review left January 9, 2022
Linnea – Class of 2020 | Allison Park, PA
This trip is amazing! A once in a lifetime experience. But do make certain you're ready for lots of activities. This is not a relaxing vacation. This is an adventure!
— Review left January 22, 2020
Joanna – Class of 2008 | Pomona, CA
Our family trip to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands introduced our 2 daughters and 4 grandchildren to the joys and challenges of traveling in a foreign country with grandma and grandpa! But what a memorable trip with amazing food, extremely helpful and strong!, staff to make it all a wonderful adventure for our mixed levels of abilities. It was an opportunity to bond as a family and as a larger family of Road Scholar travelers sharing your boat and interests. The islands are very unique: lots of lava and amazing wildlife and very cold water. I will never forget the look on one of our young "family" members upon returning from his first snorkel...pure amazement:"It's beautiful down there!" My own 15 year old granddaughter, a veteran Road Scholar traveler, exclaimed "This is a trip of a life time!" And she's absolutely right. There's no arguing with a fifteen year old.
— Review left August 29, 2019
Michael – Class of 2018 | Stevensville, MI
I recently went to the Galapagos Islands with Road Scholar. The trip was fantastic, with lots of wonderful experiences. Every detail was well-planned. I really enjoyed the group of people we traveled with. Our naturalist was well-informed and fun to be around. Every member of the boat crew was great, and the food was excellent. I will not hesitate to travel with Road Scholar again.
— Review left January 6, 2019