GALAPAGOS
PRESERVING NATURE'S WONDERS
Encounter exotic species of island and marine life found nowhere else in one of the most iconic ecosystems in the world.
Program Overview
On this program, you’ll experience one of the world’s most pristine natural environments, where Charles Darwin developed the Theory of Evolution. Join conservationists in preserving this UNESCO World Heritage site and its unique ecosystem. Explore the Galapagos archipelago, witness exclusive habitats and geological formations, snorkel with sea lions, and encounter the iconic Galapagos tortoises. A favorite among Global Leadership Adventures alumni, this Animal & Wildlife Conservation program is perfect for adventure seekers, animal lovers, and teens passionate about protecting the natural world.
This Animal & Wildlife Conservation program is a favorite of Global Leadership Adventures alumni and is a perfect choice for adventure seekers, animal lovers and teens who are passionate about preserving the natural world.
On GLA’s Galapagos: Preserving Nature’s Wonders™ program you will:
- Help restore the natural habitat of native Galápagos tortoises
- Explore the natural wonders of two stunning Pacific islands
- Snorkel with sea lions and spot iguanas, sea turtles and blue-footed boobies
- Stand at the equator, where the Northern and Southern Hemispheres meet
Program Menu
Overview Video
Check out this exhilarating video as you prepare to journey through one of the planet’s most untouched paradises, the very birthplace of Charles Darwin’s groundbreaking Theory of Evolution. Join forces with dedicated conservationists to safeguard this UNESCO-designated treasure and its unparalleled ecosystem. Traverse the diverse landscapes of the Galapagos archipelago, each island boasting its own unique habitats and geological wonders found nowhere else on the globe. Dive into thrilling adventures as you explore two distinct islands, frolic with playful sea lions underwater, and encounter the legendary Galapagos tortoises up close. This Animal & Wildlife Conservation odyssey is a cherished favorite among Global Leadership Adventures alumni and new travelers alike, tailored for intrepid souls, wildlife enthusiasts, and young champions of nature preservation.
GALAPAGOS
PRESERVING NATURE'S WONDERS
Sample Itinerary
Let’s take a sneak peek at what your program experience might look like this summer! Please note that the order of activities may differ for each program session. The details provided here represent a general outline of what you can anticipate, though community service projects and activities are subject to change based on the needs of our local community partners, cultural celebrations and traditions, weather conditions and the specific requirements of the student group.
Days 1-2: Arrival & Getting Oriented
Fly into Quito, Ecuador’s capital, where GLA staff will greet you! We’ll drive to a hotel near the airport for our first two nights, preparing for the Galapagos with leadership activities and team-building. Time permitting, we may visit Mitad del Mundo, a monument marking the Equator line.
Day 3: Journey To The Galápagos
We’ll fly to the Galápagos and head to Santa Cruz, the archipelago’s second-largest island. After settling in at our Home Base, we’ll walk to the Charles Darwin Research and Breeding Centers to learn about the islands’ unique ecosystem, preparing us for our upcoming service work.
Day 4: Service Orientation
Today, we’ll get oriented at a tortoise reserve in Santa Cruz’s highlands. We’ll help restore the landscape, a vital habitat for giant Galápagos tortoises. It’s hard, messy work, but essential for preserving the islands’ unique ecosystem.
Days 5-7: Service & Adventure
Over the next three days, we’ll continue removing invasive species in the mornings and explore the Galápagos in the afternoons. Highlights include Las Grietas, Los Gemelos craters, a lava tunnel, and Tortuga Bay, where we’ll relax, spot wildlife, and do leadership activities on the beach.
Day 8: Journey To San Cristóbal
Today, we travel to San Cristóbal, one of the oldest Galápagos islands. After settling into our Home Base and enjoying lunch, we’ll hike to Mann Beach to relax, enjoy ice cream, and snorkel if conditions allow.
Day 9: Conservation, History, Hiking & Snorkeling
After breakfast, we’ll hike to the Cristóbal information center to learn about conservation, then snorkel at Tijeretas Beach. In the afternoon, we’ll meet a local woman leading recycling efforts, learning about her work and joining a hands-on recycling workshop.
Day 10: Service & Snorkeling
Start the day with a walk to La Loberia Beach for snorkeling, possibly with sea lions and turtles. After lunch at a local restaurant, help at a school with painting or refurbishing projects. End the day on the beach, watching the sunset and reflecting with peers.
Day 11: Service & Reflection
Today we will wrap up our final day of service and say goodbye to the community members we have connected with along the way. We will spend the evening wrapping up our time on the islands, discussing how this once-in-a-lifetime experience has impacted us.
Day 12: Salsa & Shopping In Town
On our final day, we’ll enjoy a salsa lesson, explore Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, and relax with our GLA community. After dinner, we’ll reflect on leadership, local challenges, and conservation, followed by deeper discussions in Mentor groups.
Day 13: Travel to Quito Airport
Today, we will catch our flight back to Quito. Take a final look at the stunning Galapagos islands from above as we lift off over the Pacific.
Day 14: Departure
After an early breakfast and final goodbyes, we’ll head to the airport. The GLA team will help you check in and see you off on your return flight home! ¡Adiós Ecuador!
Program Map
GALAPAGOS
PRESERVING NATURE'S WONDERS
Program Details
Dates & Tuition
2027 Session Dates
June 19 – July 02, 2027
July 05 – July 18, 2027
July 22 – August 04, 2027
What's Included in Tuition
In-country transportation
Lodging
3 meals per day
Professional full-time staff and experts
24/7 parent support hotline during program
Secondary medical and evacuation insurance
Cultural activities, lectures and excursions
Pre-departure materials and support
Educational materials
to hold your spot on-program.
Program at a Glance
Program Location: Ecuador (Galapagos)
Program Type(s): Service Learning, Outdoor Adventure, Exploratory Travel
Every GLA Program is Backed by our 5-Point Safety System™
GLA HOME BASE:
SAFE & SECURE LODGING
CARING SUPERVISION &
EXPERT LOCAL KNOWLEDGE
SAFE
TRANSPORTATION
HEALTHY FOOD
& PURE WATER
24/7 SUPPORT &
EMERGENCY RESPONSE
Recommended by Students and Parents
Caitlin | 2023 Alumni Student
“Galapagos most certainly pushed my far outside my comfort zone, but that was why I was there. As a Canadian who had never traveled internationally, volunteering abroad with people I’ve never met was intimidating. But in no time the Galapagos Islands felt like home. On the islands we volunteered pulling invasive species that were choking out the land tortoises’ natural food. It was hard work, but being able to look back over the wilderness we helped clear was a rewarding feeling.”
The Program Experience
Service Learning
Join the effort to protect the Galápagos’s native wildlife from invasive species. Get hands-on experience at a tortoise refuge center on Santa Cruz Island by removing invasive plants that threaten the islands’ habitats. Restore ecosystems with native plants and preserve this unique environment for future generations of wildlife. We’ll also support the local community by spending an afternoon helping improve the infrastructure of a school on San Cristobal Island.
Outdoor Adventure
Navigate the Galápagos archipelago by boat, immersing yourself in vibrant marine life as you snorkel alongside curious sea lions and sea turtles. Spot blue-footed boobies and marine iguanas in their natural habitats and swim in the emerald-green waters of Las Grietas, a dramatic earth fracture formed by ancient volcanic activity. From island-hopping across clear waters to hiking over volcanic terrain, every excursion pairs active outdoor thrills with unforgettable encounters in nature.
Exploratory Travel
The islands serve as a living classroom where you’ll explore the challenges of balancing human needs with biological preservation. Delve into the complex relationship between humans and wildlife, discussing development pressures from local residents and tourism while encountering the diverse species that inspired Darwin’s theory of natural selection. Explore a tortoise breeding center to observe baby Galápagos tortoises and stand at the Mitad del Mundo monument on the mainland to straddle the equatorial line feeling the excitement of being in both hemispheres at once.
Country Spotlight
Experience the extraordinary biodiversity and unique culture of Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands across multiple island bases.
Lodging: Home Base changes throughout the program as you travel between locations. In Quito, the gateway to the Galápagos, stay at a comfortable airport hotel. On Santa Cruz and San Cristobal islands, stay in simple, well-maintained accommodations featuring shared, gender-segregated rooms and inviting common areas.
Meals: Enjoy healthy, locally sourced meals served at Home Base, featuring meats, beans, rice, fresh vegetables and delicious local fruits.
GALAPAGOS
PRESERVING NATURE'S WONDERS
Photo Gallery
GALAPAGOS
PRESERVING NATURE'S WONDERS
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