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The
trip will take 11 days: One full day of travel on each end, a full day
in Quito, Ecuador's capital in the Andes, and a 7-night cruise in the
islands.
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Old Quito is known for its beautiful colonial architecture and
its magnificent cathedrals, such as La Companina. Built by the
Jesuits, this chuch was begun in 1605 and completed 163 years
later. We will also visit the government palace and the Plaza
del Independencia.
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Following
our tour of old Quito, we will travel about 45 minutes north
of the city to spend an afternoon at the equator. The equator
is marked by a large monument, inside of which is an ethnographic
museum. The equator line itself is clearly marked on the ground
and presents lots of interesting photographic possibilities.
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In the
Galapagos, we will cruise among the islands on a chartered boat.
Each day will include a morning and afternoon excursion, during
which we will walk along trails through colonies of nesting sea
birds and experience first-hand the islands' unique wild-life.
Animals
in the Galápagos have evolved in the absence of man and it
is a very typical experience to walk up to exotic birds and reptiles
that are completely unafraid. We will see land and marine iguanas
and visit with the legendary giant tortoises. At the Charles Darwin
Research Station we will find out about the on-going threats to the
islands' ecology and the conservation attempts being made. There will
also be ample opportunity for snorkeling with Galapagos sea-lions,
beautiful fish, sea turtles, and penguins.
The Galapagos
comprise a fairly simple ecosystem that can be easily understood in
a week-long visit. It is also possible to see much of the geologic evidence
for the formation of the islands and to appreciate the role of continental
drift in shaping the physical and biological world. For the biology
student, the trip is an opportunity to go back to the roots of biology
- to observe living organisms in their natural environment, going about
their lives. For the non-biologist it is an opportunity to experience
the natural world in an intimate and personal way. The Galapagos is
one of those special places on the earth where one can truly come into
harmony with the natural world. It is also a place where the spectre
of ecological disaster is real and tangible. Pre-trip
activities include a weekly meeting during the spring quarter and a
snorkeling lesson in the RIT pool. The trip can be taken for RIT course
credit. To find out more, follow the Course Description link below.
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