Darwin’s 200th

2009 is the 200th anniversary of Cambridge graduate Charles Darwin’s birth and also marks 150 years since the publication of his seminal work On the Origin of Species. In conjunction with the University’s Darwin Festival, we offer a special opportunity to follow in the gentleman naturalist’s footsteps to the zoological paradise of the Galapagos Islands, 600 miles off Ecuador’s Pacific coast, and experience first hand the astonishing ecology which contributed to his pivotal theory of evolution.

High in the Andes

The tour begins at Quito, high in the Andes, the northern extent of the Inca Empire. We visit Colonial Quito, with its many churches and protected buildings. Not without reason, Quito was the first city in the world to receive World Heritage status. Overlooked by snow-capped Cotopaxi, the tour also traces the Avenue of the Volcanoes, among stunning Andean scenery.

Luxury Galápagos Cruise

In the Galapagos, we have arranged a week-long private cruise exclusively for Cambridge Alumni. We shall be using the ISABELA II, one of the most luxurious yachts currently available in the region. She has a total of 20 air conditioned outside cabins, all with ensuite bathrooms and  three public decks offering a spacious bar-salon, dining room, library and sun deck with Jacuzzi.  We will visit all the key islands in the Galapagos, with excellent accompanying naturalists to explain the ecology of this remarkable area. The birdlife is astonishing, as are the iguanas and giant tortoises, and witnessing evolution in action on the islands is a truly once in a lifetime experience.

The Mighty Amazon

For those that have the time, we have included a pre-tour of the Ecuadorian Amazon. This is a journey to another world, a world of verdure, colourful bird life and ecological adventure

Accompaning scholar

Professor John Parker,  Professor of Plant Cytogenetics, Department of Plant Sciences, Cambridge and Director of the University Botanic Garden. John is a plant scientist specializing in the genetics of natural populations. He is on the Organizing Committee of the 2009 Cambridge Darwin Festival.

Tour Cost