Continent number 5! 
Traveling to Equador in South America with Scales Mound High School students will be the 5th continent that I have visited. (The two left are Australia and Antartica.) Adding Galapagos to this trip is another adventure checked off my bucket list.
Day one – June 20, 2026
Today is a travel day. We will fly from Chicago O’Hare International Airport to Mariscal Sucre International Airport in Quito, Ecuador. Our tour director will meet us at the airport and take us to the hotel.
Buernas tardas Quito, Ecuador!
Day two – June 21, 2026
Travel to Mindo, Equador
Chocolate Makers Factory tour. Yum!
Hummingbird garden visit
Canopy zipline tour (birding, hiking waterfalls)
Mitad del Mundo visit – this is where northern and southern hemispheres meet
Day three – June 22. 2026
Ofelia Farmers Market
Guided tour of Quito, Equador – visiting sites from the Spanish colonization period
Rose Farm tour at Cayamber area
Day four – June 23, 2026
Fly to Baltra – a small island located in the center of Galapagos Archipelago, contains the Seymour Airport built by the Army Air Core (now the United States Air Force) during World War II.
Travel to Isla Santa Cruz where we will stay while we visit the other Galapagos islands
Highland excursion, view lava tunnels, visit Primicias Ranch
Day five – June 24, 2026
Darwin Research Station, Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island – learn about local conservation, habitats, and the tortoise breeding center
Day six – June 25, 2026
Transfer to San Cristobal Island by boat
La Galapaguera visit – giant tortoise breeding and conservation center
Hike to El Junco Lake
La Loberia Beach – snorkeling, sea lions, marine iguana, blue-footed boobies & lava lizards. Oh my!
Day seven – June 26, 2025
Kicker Rock – full day snorkeling excursion at Kicker Rock, a remnant of a vertical tuff cone formation that rises almost 500 feet from the ocean, sea turtles, marine iguana, rays, Galapagos sharks, and tropical fish. Oh my! Oh my!
Day eight – June 27, 2026
island excursion for wildlife viewing, sea lions, marine & land iguanas, blue- and red-footed boobies, and Galapagos tortoises. Oh my! Oh my! Oh my!
Day nine – June 28, 2026
Hasta luego Galapagos!
Fly back to Quito
La Mariscal artisanal craft market – souvenirs, crafts and handmade items from all around the country, blankets, paintings, hats, jewelry, bags, chocolate! Shop! Shop! Shop!
Papallacta volcanic hot springs – pools rich in minerals and sulfates, from cool to hot, and health and beauty benefits
Day ten – June 29, 2026
flight home
Chao Quito, Ecuador
Roaming the World with Mrs. Kelly 