Welcome to Ecuador! A World Expeditions Schools representative will welcome you at the airport. We get transferred to our hotel for the night. When all have found their rooms, we meet up for dinner. Before bedtime, we have a welcome and safety orientation to get ready for the upcoming trip in Ecuador and the Galapagos islands! Overnight Quito.

Meals:  D

After breakfast, we get ready for a walking tour downtown. We begin by visiting the Old Town Quito and discovering some of the city's most historic buildings as well as the local food culture. We will explore the historic center of Quito, home to some of the best-preserved colonial architecture in the Americas. Quito was one of the first World Cultural Heritage Sites declared by UNESCO in 1978. During the tour of this city, we will visit and learn about historical churches and buildings of this beautiful capital city. We will tour the Monastery of San Francisco and learn about its impressive history from our expert guide. Admire the Independence Monument, Archbishop's Palace and Government Palace while at Independence Plaza. Enjoy a taste of Ecuadorian cuisine during lunch and discover how traditional sweets are prepared. In the afternoon we will visit the middle of the world monument and a local museum. Here we will learn about the historic visit of the French Geodesic Mission in the 18th century. In the Intiñan museum, we will learn about the unique physical phenomena that happens in the Equator, as well as the solar clock. In the late afternoon, we get back to our hostel and freshen up before its time for dinner. We have a debrief and get ready for the next day before it's time for bed. Overnight Quito.

Meals:  B,L,D

After breakfast, we leave our hostel and get transported to the airport. We will catch a flight to San Cristobal on Island Galapagos. Upon arrival to these spectacular islands, we will visit the Interpretation Center, where you will learn about the islands’ unique natural history and critical importance to conservation. We then have a short hike to Frigate bird hill, which will give us an amazing view over Kicker Rock (León Dormido), Cerro Brujo beach, and Tijeretas Hill. The next stop is Darwin Bay, for those who want, you can snorkel or just enjoy a nice time at the beach. We get settled into our new accommodation and then have dinner in a local beachfront restaurant. It’s been a long day, but before bedtime, we have a debriefing and get ready for tomorrow’s adventure. Overnight San Cristobal.

Meals:  B,L,D

After breakfast, you will board a bus to visit the Galapaguera tortoise breeding center, here, you will learn about the efforts to repopulate the islands with endemic tortoises. With a lifespan in the wild of over 100 years, it is one of the longest-lived vertebrates. We break for lunch, and on our way back to the hostel, we will visit El Junco Lagoon where you can get great views of the ocean and the Island. In the late afternoon, we get back to our hostel and freshen up before it's time for dinner. We have a debrief and get ready for the next day before it's time for bed. Overnight San Cristobal.

Meals:  B,L,D

The following four days will include hands-on service-learning work. Each morning after breakfast, we will jump on the bus to get transported to a ranch on the island's highlands. The mission of this volunteer project is to improve the environmental and social conditions of the Galapagos. We will be divided into small working groups and rotate various working stations. We will take breaks during the day for snacks and lunch. This is a great opportunity also to learn more about the local culture and the day-to-day life at a ranch. Our guide and the locals will assist us in the work and how to safely use tools and other equipment needed. Depending on what needs to be done, we will take part in activities like; · Native tree nursery maintenance and seed germination. · Habitat restoration: chop down invasive guayaba trees, clear mora bushes, and dig up other invasive plants. · Tree planting and reforestation with endemic plant species. · Ranch work: maintain the organic garden, pick fruits, milk cows. · Help in the process of growing, drying, and roasting coffee (between November and February). When we return to our hostel in the afternoons, we reflect on what we have accomplished and what needs to be done the following day. We freshen up after a hard day of work and meet up for dinner and reflection before it's time for bed. Overnight San Cristobal.

Meals:  B,L,D

After breakfast, we will take a boat to Santa Cruz, named after the Holy Cross. The island hosts the largest human population in the archipelago and is a volcanic island. After lunch, you will visit the highlands of Santa Cruz Island, where you will see giant Galapagos tortoises. The Galápagos tortoises are native to seven of the Galápagos Islands and the size and shape of the shells vary between subspecies and populations. You will also explore dry lava tunnels and learn about the unique geological history of the archipelago. When are all settled into our rooms in the late afternoon we will head out for dinner. Before bedtime, we debrief and get ready for the next day. Overnight Santa Cruz.

Meals:  B,L,D

After breakfast, we will head to the Puerto Ayora dock to start today’s adventure. After an hour boat ride, we will be able to enjoy the northern cliffs of Santa Fe Island and discover the Blue Footed Booby. It got its name due to its very distinctive bright blue feet. We will be able to enjoy the unique Galapagos wildlife while snorkeling; this is a great place to get close to playful sea lions as they swim around you. Lunch is served on the boat. On our way back to Santa Cruz Island, we stop at Hidden Beach to observe marine iguanas, sally light foot crabs, and the bird life. During snorkeling, we will see rays, golden rays, sea turtles, and if we are lucky some white-tipped sharks. After the snorkeling, you can enjoy some downtime at this beautiful beach accessible only by boat. We then start our boat journey back to Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island. We get back to our hostel and freshen up before it's time for dinner. In the evening, we gather to share our highlights from today’s adventure before it's time for bed. Overnight Santa Cruz.

Meals:  B,L,D

After breakfast, we will visit the Charles Darwin Station where we will learn about natural history and wildlife conservation in the Galapagos. The station has conducted scientific research and provided environmental education since 1959, and the center remains best known for its breeding program for giant tortoises. Visitors can view baby tortoises in incubators, which are raised here until age four and then released into the wild. Explanations in both English and Spanish shed light on the center's projects and the global goals of conservation efforts. After the visit, we get transported to the airport to catch the flight back to Quito. En route, we make a quick stop at the twin craters. After everyone is settled into their rooms it’s time for our farewell dinner. Before bedtime, we share our highlights from the trip and the memories we will share. Overnight Quito.

Meals:  B,L,D

If time allows after breakfast, we will visit the handicraft market in Quito for some last-minute shopping. Then it’s time to get transferred to the airport.

Meals:  B