THE GALAPAGOS EXPERIENCE

Island Hop, Galapagos Volunteer and Travel! All in One Experience!

Participants in this program will spend their first week on Santa Cruz Island doing conservation work and visiting local attractions. During their second week, participants will be in San Cristobal Island volunteering on key community, conservation and social projects. You will end your program with a fascinating and relaxing week at Isabella Island where you can relax and visit the Giant Tortoise Breeding Center as well as Las Tintorera Islet (seeing white-tip sharks) and more!

QUICK FACTS:

Program Duration:	3 week. Extensions available on each island. 2 week-programs upon request
Price:	3 weeks $1,590 2 weeks $1,290
Dates:	Program is open year round. Starts every Monday.
Ideal for:	Individuals, couples, groups, families.
More info:	Contact us for a complete Program Description

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS:
* Get to know the ¨Real¨ Galapagos by spending quality time at 3 unique islands.
* This program is more environmentally and socially responsible than traditional cruise options. It's a better value for your money as well.
* Learn from local scientists about the current social and environmental issues affecting the islands!

WHY THIS VOLUNTEER PROGRAM MAKES A DIFFERENCE?
There are many environmental and social issues affecting these world-famous Islands. Traditional cruise companies and tours are growing in demand, affecting not only local ecosystems but also social interactions between the animals. The Galapagos are populated islands that must generate local income in order to keep its inhabitants away from depleting the natural resources.
Cruise companies do not use local providers for their packages (not to mention the fuel consumption and pollution issues they create). Therefore the Galapagos' residents do not receive the benefits from cruise-based tourism.
On the contrary, LEAD Adventures’ travel volunteer program leave most of its proceeds with the local community, which helps the locals stay away from depleting the islands natural resources and instead take care of their natural environment!

ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES (OPTIONAL)
* If you are a diving fan, The Galapagos is a unique, world-class diving location. This underwater world is still private, pristine, and relatively unexplored. It is not the coral reefs that are the main attraction, but rather the unique mixture of marine animals and their fearlessness of intruders into their watery world. You will be diving next to sea turtles, manta rays, penguins, sea lions, dolphins, and numerous species of shark, including hammerheads and whale sharks. There are also hundreds of species of tropical reef fish, many of which are distinct to this fantastic underwater sanctuary.
* Visit the Charles Darwin Foundation in Sta. Cruz. This is an international non-profit research organization dedicated to providing scientific research, technical assistance and detailed information to ensure conservation success in the islands.

* Island Hop! Start at Espanola Island and enjoy natural wonder after natural wonder. Here you can experience many wonders, from the immense blowhole, to the thousands of nesting blue-footed boobies, to the world's largest waved albatross colony. Continue on to Floreana Island and see flamingos! Enjoy Black Tortuga Bay on Sta. Cruz and witness a mangrove maze chock full of sharks, rays and sea turtles.

Click here to read the full Itinerary

SANTA CRUZ (WEEK 1)

The volunteer project is located on Santa Cruz, the second largest island after Isabela. Its capital is Puerto Ayora, the most populated urban centre of the islands. On Santa Cruz there are some small villages such as Santa Rosa where the reserve is located. Santa Rosa is a rural area whose inhabitants work in agriculture and cattle raising. This island is a large dormant volcano. It is estimated that the last eruptions occurred around a million and a half years ago.

The activities that participants will be performing include the following:

Production of native and endemic species

Reforestation

Removal of foreign plant species

Organic farming

Production of compost and organic fertilizers

Care of domestic animals

Monitoring Giant Tortoises - depends on the season of the year (3 months per year and depending on the foundation planning). There is no guarantee that volunteers will work in this subproject.

On your free time in Santa Cruz:

Scubadiving: if you are PADI certificated.

Puerto Ayora is perfect to join activities such as biking, hiking, snorkeling or boating toother Islands or Islets in the Area.

Visit theCharles Darwin Station, follow the Biological Developments and visit LonesomeGeorge.

Walk to Tortuga Bay, only a 45 minute walk from thePort, you will find one of the most pristine beaches in the Archipelago.

SAN CRISTOBAL (WEEK 2)

The Biological Station is located in the highlands of San Cristobal island, 45 minutes by truck from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. It is located on a 200 hectares site, where there is still native vegetation. The native vegetation consists of Miconias, ferns and other native floral species. The reserve is mainly an organic agricultural and habitat restoration project.

The activities that participants will be performing are the following:

Reforestation of native and endemic species in the reserve and in local farms (collecting seeds, classifying seeds, nursery work, planting within the reserve or nearby reserve, helping maintain reforestation lines, etc.)

Environmental education with local people and schools.

Station maintenance (trail maintenance, sign clarification for trails, basic construction activities, help clean the fresh water supply, help in kitchen, etc.)

Organic agricultural activities and vegetable production (help maintain and secure food production for the station).

Guided hike throughout reserve and/or nearby related areas (learn about biodiversity themes, natural history, & ecology).

On your free time in Cristobal:

Take a trip to Leon Dormido or Kicker Rock is a very interesting place to visit, placed inthe middle of the sea, and shaped like a sleeping Lion, ideal to go snorkeling or scuba diving ( if PADI certificated)

Go to Puerto Grande; relax in the sandy beach while you observe seabirds, or to Punta Pill to spot the three species of Galapagos boobies nesting

Even Surfing is available at Playa cabo del horno, or take a walk along the port, go snorkeling on your own, and take one of many tours with local guides.

ISABELLA (WEEK 3)

Isabella is home to more wild tortoises than any other island on the archipelago. Isabela's rich animal, bird, and marine diversity is beyond comparison. Isabela's large size and distinct topography have created natural barriers for the slow moving tortoises. Apparently the creatures were unable to cross lava flows and other obstacles over time, causing several different sub-species of tortoise to develop. Today tortoises roam free in the calderas of Alcedo, Wolf, Cerro Azul, Darwin and Sierra Negra. Puerto Villamil is a small port village located on the southeastern edge of the island. On the southwestern edge of town there is a park with a boardwalk. It leads through mangrove habitats and saltwater lagoons filled with flamingos and other animals that come here to sweep the mud in search of brine.

The activities that participants will be performing are the following:

Guided visit to the Isabella Giant Tortoise Breeding Center and Wall of Tears

Tintoreras Islet Tour: From the Wharf you will board a speedboat that will take you for a ride around the bay or the small island of Las Tintoreras (white-fin sharks). From here you will be able to see penguins, sharks, blue-legged piqueros, pelicans, iguanas, and sea lions. There will be some time to snorkel (snorkel gear included) and you will be able to get a great view of the different variety of fish in the area.

Volcano tour: In this tour participants can admire the beautiful landscape and the different lava formations produced by the most recent eruptions. (box lunch is included)

On your free day enjoy the Island! Snorkel with sea lions at Concha Perla, lay on the beach, watch flamingos and much more!

More activities during your free time:

Scuba diving,snorkeling, Trekking, or bike in the wetlands

Wake up early in the mornings, Go to Las Salinas and take beautiful shots of Flamingos to start your day.

Relax on thebeach of the most beautiful Island in Galapagos, take a swim with Sea Lions orgo snorkeling on your own to Concha Perla, right next to the Main Port.

Go to las Tintoreras and be amazed by the Penguins.

The great part about Isabella is that you can explore the surroundings planning your owntime.

ACCOMMODATION:

Santa Cruz
The first two nights, participants will spend the night in a local Hostel, located on the main street of Puerto Ayora. Ir is nearby the main port, tour operators, internet cafes and restaurants. Participants will share rooms with other volunteers. The house has a dining room, seperate bathrooms for men and women, cold water only for showers, a fully equipped kitchen, computer area, reading area, laundry room and a medium size sport field.

San Cristobal
The station is composed of two houses created from a mix construction, native bamboo and cement. Each house contains 11 rooms each and areas for resting. Separate from the houses are the dining and the kitchen rooms. The accommodations are rustic, with room for groups of up to 45 people. Researchers can obtain necessary permits with assistance from the foundation. The reserve has electricity, but there is no Internet or telephone access.
Friday and Saturday participants will stay at a nice local Hostel in town, in shared rooms with other volunteers. The hostel is very central to tour operators and wonderful beaches.

Isabella
In Isabella the accommodation is at a family hostel with double and triple rooms. The hostel has hot water for showers, a dining room, electricity and common areas to share with the family and other volunteers.

MEALS:

Santa Cruz

Three meals included at the hotel and in the project

San Cristobal

Three meals included. Meals are not included on Friday, Saturday or Sunday (when participants travel to Isabella)

Isabella

Two meals included (breakfast and dinner).

Pricing: Ideal Premium

3-Week Placement: ~~1990 USD~~ 1,590 USD 2,390 USD

2-Week Placement (Santa Cruz + Isabella Isaland): ~~1690 USD~~ 1,290 USD 1,890 USD

Additional Weeks San Cristobal and Isabela Island: 240 USD

Click here to see what is included and what is not.

* If you are travelling on a tight budget perhaps you want to check our independent traveler pass to the islands. We call it GALAPASS!

Additional Costs:

Round-trip flight to Galapagos from Quito: 435 USD

National Park Entrance Fee: 115 USD

What is the Premium Option?
4-5 star hotel accommodation at most locations. (Ask for more information to your Trip Advisor). The Ideal option uses good quality 3 stars accommodations. Accommodations at projects are the same for all participants.

Read more about Upgrades options

WHY THIS PROGRAM MAKES A DIFFERENCE?

Cruise companies do not use local providers for their packages (not to mention the fuel consumption and pollution issues they create). Therefore the Galapagos' residents do not receive the benefits from cruise-based tourism.
On the contrary, LEAD Adventures’ travel volunteer program leave most of its proceeds with the local community, which helps the locals stay away from depleting the islands natural resources and instead take care of their natural environment!

Cost Structure:

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To learn more about our Pricing Policy and Insurance Servicies please refer to the About Us section in the main menu of this site.

Triona Browne

United Kingdom

December 2009

In the Galapagos program I was involved with, there was a very clear schedule of activities that was followed. This made the program run very smoothly. In the office, the staff was very helpful and had excellent English. They helped me to change some of my itinerary and accommodations rather easily.

John Wealthall

United Kingdom

January 2010

All in all, it was a great experience. I saw so much wildlife and met some very interesting people as well as getting a full understanding of Ecuador and the Galapagos. Thank you very much for the great time.

Cathy Klinesteker

United States

February 2010

I chose LEAD Adventures because it had a base in Ecuador and I wanted to give back to the local economy. I really liked the idea of seeing the Galapagos through two lenses: as a volunteer and as a tourist.

Moira Wood.

United Kingdom

February 2010

The Staff at LEAD Adventures was always welcoming and ready to help me in anyway necessary. They were very understanding about storing luggage and changing rooms if we needed it. We were ready to work very hard for our program, but once we arrived we were happy to find out that there was free time off too to explore the surroundings.

Catherine Oliver

United Kingdom

February 2010

The hostels provided in the program were good clean accommodations. They were very comfortable and enjoyable. The staff at LEAD was always available to listen, very helpful and friendly. Perhaps a small guide booklet with suggested tourist sites for visitors in Quito could be available at the hostel to explore the city. Many, many thanks.

Rachel Shingaki-Wells

Australia

March 2010

I would recommend this to friends, I had a great time and was comfortable. Many thanks to lead staff for being very flexible in my travel arrangements. Isabella was great, Volcan Chico was very fun, las tintoreras tour was excellent.

Yvonne Gregory

United Kingdom

March 2010

Enjoyed the whole Ecuador and Galapagos Experience. Tours in Galapagos excellent. While in Quito, Lead-Adventures staff very helpful in all inquiries, and a lovely host family. Very good i-to-i Spanish lessons.

GALAPAGOS EXPERIENCES BRIEFING VIDEOS

1. The benefits of a responsible travel with LEAD Adventures

2. Why to choose LEAD Adventures

3. More info about the formation of the Galapagos

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THE GALAPAGOS EXPERIENCE

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