Galapagos Islands

Environmental Leadership

Dates

May 11-19th 2026

Location

Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

Course

Environmental Leadership

Price

$3400

Have you ever wanted to snorkel pristine waters teeming with sea lions, sea turtles and marine iguanas? And witness the iconic wildlife that sparked Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection? Look no further than this once-in-a-lifetime voyage aboard the National Geographic Islander II in the Galápagos, an intimate and versatile expedition ship that will enable incredible daily adventures throughout the famous islands. With National Geographic Explorer Dr. Alizé Carrère as your professor, experience the Galápagos as few get to see it: on land and undersea.

DAY 1

  • Arrive in Quito, Ecuador
  • In Country Orientation
  • Historic Walking Tour
  • Welcome Dinner

DAY 2

  • Meet National Geographic / Lindblad Team
  • Depart for local flight to Galápagos Islands
  • Arrive on Island of Baltra
  • Onboard the Islander II

Day 3

  • Santa Fe: Snorkel and kayak in the secluded cove at Barrington Bay. On shore, a trail leads you through the largest cactus trees in Galápagos. The Santa Fe land iguana is found only on this island, where Galápagos hawks are also thriving once again.

Day 4

  • Plaza Sur: Sea lions greet you at South Plaza, an uplifted block carpeted in salt-loving succulents and teeming with wildlife, including a noisy group of bachelor sea lions and a population of land iguanas.

Day 5

  • Santiago: Hike over the smooth pahoehoe lava and admire spatter cones, little miniature hornitos and the wild riot of black lava at Sullivan Bay, the result of an eruption recorded by passing buccaneers in 1897. Snorkel and explore by kayak and Zodiac the crystalline water surrounding Sombrero Chino. Keep a keen eye for the Galápagos penguin, sometimes spotted along the coast.

Day 6

  • Genovesa: Sail north across the Equator to the remote northern realm of the Galápagos, bathed in warmer tropical waters and home to the red-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, great frigate birds and other nesting seabirds. Paddle and kayak along the cliffs of this flooded caldera, where Galápagos fur seals and sea lions haul out to rest.

Day 7

  • Santa Cruz: Journey to the lush, green highlands, where you’ll see giant Galápagos tortoises roaming wild at a local ranch. Continue to Baltra for a flight back to the mainland.

Day 8

  • Continue to Baltra for a flight back to the mainland.
  • Closing dinner in Quito

Day 9

  • After breakfast, transfer to the airport and board flights back to the US

Included

  • Accommodations
  • All meals
  • In Country Transportation
  • All necessary gear for activities
  • Course Materials

Not Included

  • Airfare
  • Airline baggage fees
  • Travel Insurance
  • Unit Fees ($660)
  • Cabin Booking on National Geographic Islander II ($8653-$11,245)

Alizé Carrère

Professor

Alizé Carrère is a National Geographic Explorer, filmmaker, and PhD researcher examining the myriad ways people adapt to environmental change. In 2013, Alizé received support from National Geographic to conduct research in Madagascar, where she spent several months uncovering an unlikely agricultural adaptation in response to severe deforestation. This work evolved into a broader educational film project that has taken her around the world, documenting stories about people and climate change in India, Bangladesh, Vanuatu, Norway and the United States. Prior to starting her PhD, Alizé worked for Lindblad Expeditions for four years, designing and leading voyages aboard the 102-passenger National Geographic Orion. As an expedition leader, both on board the National Geographic ships as well as in her scientific research, her field experiences have afforded her unique insights about what true environmental leadership looks like on the ground. This expertise continues to guide her research and teaching as she supports the next generation of environmental stewards. Alizé received both her B.A. and M.Sc. from McGill University, and completed her PhD at the University of Miami in Ecosystem Science & Policy.

Course Objectives:

  1. Recognize global and regional/local environmental problems and propose solutions to these problems using interdisciplinary thinking and approaches;
  2.   Acquire a balanced understanding of the knowledge, skills, and ways of thinking of the natural sciences as well as the social sciences;
  3.   Refine the ability in the field to make judgements, take action, and work in partnerships to resolve real-world environmental problems;
  4.   Develop the communication and leadership skills necessary to raise topics for discussion and to negotiate issues at the community level;
  5.  Hone their ability to use visual communication methods and various media platforms for broader engagement and awareness.

Topics:

  1.   An Introduction to Environmental Leadership
  2.  Human Impact, Conservation, and Environmental Protection
  3.   Examining Regional Environmental Issues and Solutions
  4.   Science in the Field
  5.   Communicating and Effecting Change
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