Galapagos Islands Travel | Volunteer in Galapagos

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

For people who are looking for more than just the average boat/cruise trip and the idea of being “stuck” on a boat is not appealing to them.

Outdoor, wildlife and conservation enthusiasts are a great fit for this trip. Ideal for individuals, couples, families or groups.

Participants in this program do things like: Swim with sea lions, meet giant tortoises and sharks, volunteer in conservation work at local reserves, visit amazing beaches, island hop and much more; this trip is the True Galapagos Experience.

This is your chance to do something unique and to make a difference at the same time. A lot of people travel to the Galapagos when visiting Ecuador, but not everyone leaves having had an experience like this one. On this adventure you will be contributing to the conservation of one of the most beautiful and unique places on earth. Meet new people and help the environment while having the time of your life.

We run small groups and there is limited capacity.

Program Highlights and Benefits:

Unique itinerary that combines excursions and wildlife interaction with volunteering activities at different islands.
Get to know the “true” Galapagos like Darwin did.
Flexibility to take part of other amazing activities and excursions like diving with sharks, snorkeling with sea lions, and more.
Socially responsible, this program shares its revenues creating jobs within the local community as opposed to traditional cruise companies that keep most of their revenues abroad.
Environmentally responsible, this program has lower environmental impact that traditional cruise tourism. For more info on the damages that cruises create to the environment read this: www.tourism-watch.de/en/node/1439
Scientific briefing, during your orientation in Quito you will learn from a local scientist important and first hand information about the issues affecting the islands and how your involvement in this kind of trips is important for the future of Galapagos.
Great value, one week traditional cruise tourism in Galapagos costs around 2500USD and there is no comparison on the kind of experience and rewards you get by participating in this program.

How This Trip 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 other hand, 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!

Join us for the Experience of a Lifetime!

Galapagos Islands Travel | Volunteer in Galapagos | Galapagos Adventure Travel

ITINERARY: Three Week Summary

Week 1 - Santa Cruz Island highlights include:

• Conservation volunteer work
• Observe giant tortoises in their natural state at Primicias Range
• Visit the Charles Darwin Station
• Enjoy the pristine white sandy beaches of Tortuga Bay
• Tour Academy Bay by boat, including snorkeling at Loboria Island, & hike to Las Grietas for a swim in the crystal-clear water beneath lava rock cliffs.
• Free time for independent exploration and activities

Week 2 - San Cristobal Island options include:

• Speedboat to San Cristobal Island
• Volunteer project for five days with the San Cristobal Station.
• In your free time, you can visit the Interpretation Center in town to learn about both the geological and human history of the islands, conservation issues, and natural history. After viewing the exhibits, take a walk along winding paths leading from the Interpretation Center to Playa Punta Carola (about 35 minutes), a favorite spot for surfing, or on to Cerro Tijeretas where you can snorkel with sea lions, and on to Frigate Bird Hill, a nesting place for frigate birds. Along the way are plants, lava lizards, and other animals endemic to this area. (optional)
• Relax at Playa Mann beach where you can soak up sun near the sea lions or rent kayaks to explore along the shoreline
• Book a tour with a local operator for a day trip to the impressive Kicker Rock to snorkel or dive where you can see sea lions, turtles, hammerhead & galapagos sharks, etc (extra cost)

Week 3 - Isabela Island includes the following tours:

• Giant Tortoise Breeding Center
• Boat trip to Las Tintorera Islet to snorkel & hike, observing penguins, iguanas, reef sharks, sea lions and birds.
• Hike to Volcano craters of Sierra Negra & Volcan Chico to see the lava formations and unique landscape
• Snorkel in “Los Tuneles”

3 Weeks Itinerary

ITINERARY: Two Week Summary

Week 1 - San Cristobal Island highlights include:

• Snorkel in the Lobos Islands with Sea Lions
• Observe high-flying boobies and frigate birds from the the famous Leon Dormido (Kicker Rock)
• Volunteer with Conservation projects at the Biology Station
• Free time for independent exploration and activities

Week 2 - Isabela, Floreana and San Cruz Island highlights include:

• Go on a trekking tour to Sierra Negra Volcano, one of the most beautiful volcanoes in the world.
• Snorkel in "Los Tuneles"
• Explore the lava-made caves once used by pirates.
• Visit the Giant Tortoise Breeding Center.
• Observe white tip sharks resting on “Islote Tintoreras.”
• Observe the Giant Turtles in the Primicias Ranch.
• Enjoy a guided walk through the dark lava tunnels as our guide explains the origin of this island.
• Visit the Charles Darwin Station.
• Tour through the Academy Bay, where you can observe the diversity of the underwater world and you can opt to explore Tortuga Bay Beach, one of the most pristine white-sanded beaches in Galapagos.

2 Weeks Itinerary

ITINERARY: Ten Days Summary

Week 1 - San Cristobal Island highlights include:

• Snorkel in the Lobos Islands with Sea Lions
• Observe high-flying boobies and frigate birds from the the famous Leon Dormido (Kicker Rock)
• Visit the Breeding center, home to tortoises and iguanas in the Charles Darwin Station

Week 2 - Isabela and San Cruz Island highlights include:

• Go on a trekking tour to Sierra Negra Volcano, one of the most beautiful volcanoes in the world.
• Observe white tip sharks resting on “Islote Tintoreras.”
• Explore Tortuga Bay Beach, one of the most pristine white-sanded beaches in Galapagos.
• Volunteer in restoration projects.

10 days Itinerary

Santa Cruz Hotel

The newly renovated hotel has 19 rooms with wireless Internet, flat screen TVs in select rooms, hot water, and air conditioning. Also, enjoy the new swimming pool, the common dining area, and the spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean and Santa Cruz’s Fishers Market from the terrace.

The dedicated staff takes pride in offering personalized service to every guest. Each morning, a continental breakfast is served in the dining area near the pool. The quality service provided and amenities offered allow for a truly relaxing escape to one of the last natural paradises on earth.

San Cristobal Project Housing

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.

San Cristobal Hotel

Friday night, Saturday, and Sunday 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 Hostal

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. It is located step away from the Purto Villamil Beach. It offers a family environment with modern infrastructure and green areas to help make your stay more enjoyable.

Meals

Lisa Teo (25)

CANADIAN

The volunteering at foundation reserve is the most memorable as we get to contribute back to the Galapagos National Park as well as making new friends and understanding the objectives/ problems of conserving the Islands. You will need too have an open mind to try new activities such as planting, counting slugs for research program etc and be flexible about schedule at times. Simply unforgettable. I had the best time doing new things while making new friends.

Andrew Dainty (32)

AUSTRALIAN

Santa Cruz volunteering, a very good placement great food, great people. Great experience. I will remember this experience for the rest of my life.

Thank you

Jacquie Grocott (56)

FRANCE

Have thoroughly enjoyed the whole trip. Thank you so much for organising it so well. Every plan went well with being met and bookings and everything.

Alison Chopping (18)

USA

I have thoroughly enjoyed my second visit to Galapagos. Thank you for the smoothness of the overall organization. I would be happy to recommend Lead Adventures to my friends at home

Amira Abdus-Salaam (48)

United Kingdom

From the moment we landed in Quito the adventure began. The people there were wonderful, the hotel we stayed in was amazing and I enjoyed the weather. After spending sometime in Quito, we headed to Santa Cruz, San Cristobal, then Isabella which happened to be my favourite island. I really enjoyed helping out in the different conservation projects on the islands and seeing how the climate, animals and the vegetation changed from Island to Island. I met some amazing people during my time there and wish I could do it all over again. Every second moment spent there was one to remember. I am really glad I was able to be apart of this adventure and wish more people would follow in our footsteps.

Triona Browne (23)

United Kingdom

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 (34)

United Kingdom

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 (18)
United States

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 (26)

United Kingdom

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 (19)
United Kingdom

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 (35)

Australia

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 (34)

United Kingdom

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.

1. The Galapagos Experiences Preview!!!

2. Galapagos Testimonials!!!

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