2026 Alumni & Friends Travel Plans

Our 2026 Alumni and Friends group trip is Ecuador & Galapagos Islands Cruise. It is set for June 15-June 25, 2026. The 10-day trip begins in Quito, Ecuador and includes a cruise with six stops in the Galapagos Islands.

Ecuador puts new meaning behind the saying, “good things come in small packages.” In terms of flora, fauna, and opportunities for viewing unique local wildlife, this South American country runs the gamut. Journey to Quito for a taste of Ecuadorean culture and Spanish colonial history. Then, island hop through the Galápagos, where you’ll move from mangrove swamps to lava flows to sunny shorelines, encountering scores of exotic creatures along the way. End in the indigenous city of Otavalo, famous for its colorful market. The additional 5-day extension for this trip is to Lima, Peru (June 25-30) and the incredible Machu Picchu, one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World.

The base cost of the trip is approximately $6,500 per person for double occupancy (contact me for single occupancy rates). This price includes airfare from Birmingham (Go Ahead can book flights from a different airport), four nights in handpicked hotels, four nights aboard the M/V Galapagos Legend cruise ship, 8 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners with beer/wine, 10 sightseeing tours, expert tour director, and transportation by private deluxe motor coach, train, plane, and cruise ship. The optional extension to Peru and Machu Picchu is approximately $2,400 for double occupancy. To see a more detailed itinerary, go to https://www.grouptoursite.com/tours/trawickgalapagos

Due to the cruise portion of this trip and the room selection involved, the tour needs to be booked by phone with EF Go Ahead Tours at 800-438-7672. Space is limited to 32.

The itinerary for the trip includes:

Day 1: Flight to Quito, Ecuador and meet tour director.

Day 2: Sightseeing tour of Quito.

Day 3: Free day in Quito or add an excursion.

Day 4: Board ship for Galapagos Cruise.

Day 5: Stops on Santiago Island & Rabida Island.

Day 6: Stop on Isabela Island.

Day 7: Stops on Espinosa Point & Vicente Roca Point.

Day 8: Disembark ship and explore Santa Cruz Island before transfer to Otavalo.

Day 9: Otavalo market visit and departure for home.

Day 10: Arrive home.

If you choose to continue on the optional extension to Peru…

Day 10: Flight to Lima, Peru and free afternoon in Lima or add an excursion.

Day 11: Flight to Cuzco where you will get used to the high elevation.

Day 12: Sightseeing tour of Cuzco, the UNESCO-recognized ancient capital of the Inca Empire. Free afternoon in Cuzco or add an excursion.

Day 13: Travel to the Ollantaytambo ruins in the Sacred Valley and then board a train to Aguas Calientes, the gateway to Machu Picchu.

Day 14: Sightseeing tour of Machu Picchu & train back to Cuzco.

Day 15: Flight to Lima, tour, and departure for home.

Day 16: Arrive home.

Please feel free to contact me for questions about any of our upcoming trips…Holly Trawick - 205-310-3189 or htrawick@wcfdn.org.