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From Discovery and CruisingTo Advanced Mountaineering Expedition
Imagine stepping onto the pristine shores of the Galápagos Islands, where the wonders of nature unfold at every turn. Envision a place where your classroom extends beyond four walls, and learning comes alive through direct encounters with unique wildlife and vibrant ecosystems. We invite you to embark on a outstanding educational journey exploring the Galapagos, a multi-day soft adventure trip designed for young minds and hearts, passionate about conservation, exploration, and meaningful connections.
Countries:
Start and Finishing Point:
Quito
Activities:
Grading:Introductory
Addressing:
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Day 1
Arrival in Quito
Upon arriving at Quito Airport, your group will be transferred to the hotel to check in. Depending on the time of arrival, we will arrange a welcome briefing by your group guide to provide useful information for the days ahead. Overnight in Selina Hotel or similar
Meals: D
Day 2
Quito City tour and Equator Line Experience
Get ready to explore Quito's old town! We'll kick off at Plaza de la Independencia, surrounded by historic buildings like the Presidential Palace and the Metropolitan Cathedral. Next, we’ll check out La Compañía, arguably the most stunning church in Latin America, and San Francisco Church, famous for its gorgeous plaza and Spanish architecture. Then, we drive up to the Panecillo for epic views of Quito and the 'Virgen de Quito' statue. Afterward, we head north to the Equatorial City Complex, where you can stand on the actual equator at the Intiñan Museum. Here, you can try balancing an egg on a nail and experience the Coriolis effect. The museum also displays interesting ethnographic and cultural features. Overnight in Selina Hotel or similar
Meals: B,L,D
Day 3
Fly to the Galapagos and transfer to Hacienda Tranquila
Catch a morning flight to the beautiful coastal town of Puerto Baquerizo in the Galapagos. Upon arrival, we’ll head to Hacienda Tranquila, nestled in the highlands and the hub of our volunteer project and first overnight stay. We'll spend Days 3 and 4 working at Hacienda Tranquila, a charitable organization dedicated to tackling environmental, social, and community issues in the Galapagos. This organization believes in innovative solutions that incorporate both human and environmental welfare to ensure a sustainable future for the islands. We will explore Hacienda Tranquila with the local family who administers the ranch. Engage in place-based educational activities that are adaptable to all ages and interests. Upon arriving at the farmhouse, our local hosts will present a map of the Hacienda, introduce the sustainable ranching model, and give a brief tour. Around noon, we’ll return to the farmhouse for a sustainable lunch, sourced mostly from the farm and the island. After a short rest, we’ll put on our hiking shoes and head out on a hike to Petrel Hill, where we’ll learn about research at the Galapagos Science Center. We'll search for aquatic insects and check on petrel nests. Overnight at Hacienda Tranquila or similar. Hiking distance: 1.5 km (1 mile)
Day 4
Hacienda Tranquila
On our second day at Hacienda Tranquila a local creative artist/environmental educator will join us. Together, we'll head to the parish soccer field and park to pick up litter. We'll analyze our findings and identify materials for upcycled art. With the guidance of the local artist, we'll create a handicraft to take home and set goals to help our community back home. Lunch will be at a picturesque lookout point, where we can reflect on our experiences. Later, we’ll engage in group exercises to appreciate the peacefulness of the place. Having learned about the ranch and place-based education activities, you’ll share your knowledge with a local family. We’ll read stories about endangered species preservation and help plant endangered plants in the Hacienda’s private reserve. We'll explore the endemic Scalesia forest and set conservation goals for our hometowns. Overnight at Hacienda Tranquila or similar.
Day 5
Wildlife and Snorkeling Along the Northern Coast
Time for an underwater adventure! We’ll snorkel at Kicker Rock, where you'll spot sea turtles, sea lions, and a rainbow of fish. Kicker Rock consists of two breathtaking rock massifs (tuff cones) that jut out from the ocean. Keep your eyes peeled for rays and even hammerhead sharks if you’re lucky. After a full day of ocean exploration, we’ll head back for a local dinner and some well-deserved rest. Overnight at Hotel Los Algarrobos or similar.
Day 6
Sea Kayaking in Punta Estrada and Hike to Tortuga Bay in Santa Cruz
Start the day with a boat ride to Santa Cruz Island, followed by a kayaking trip around Divine Bay and Punta Estrada. We paddle through calm turquoise waters winding through high-walled lava channels. Within the channels, white-tipped sharks and rays swim beneath the clear water, while colonies of blue-footed boobies, tropic birds, herons, crabs, and marine iguanas perch along the jagged cliffs. In the afternoon, hike to Tortuga Bay, where you’ll find a stunning white sand beach and marine turtle nesting site. The trail is made up of dry forest lava habitat, home to hundreds of iguanas. End the day exploring Puerto Ayora at your leisure. Overnight at Hotel Lobo de Mar or similar. Hiking distance: 5.5 km (3.5 miles)
Day 7
Hike with Giant Tortoises at El Chato Reserve and Explore Los Gemelos
After breakfast, we will visit the Charles Darwin Research Station. Witness the tireless efforts of researchers and conservationists and learn about how they are helping to repopulate the island with different species of tortoises. Although you will see many different types of tortoises at the station’s breeding center, our second stop of the day will take us up to the ‘El Chato’ reserve in the highlands for an up-close and personal experience to see them in their natural habitat. Explore the lava tunnels that dot the property while watching the gentle giants lounge around in the mud. These are truly impressive creatures! Our day ends by returning to town where you can enjoy the evening taking a stroll through Puerto Ayora. We recommend heading down to the boat docks at night as sharks and rays can be spotted playing in the lights below. Overnight at Hotel Lobo de Mar or similar.
Day 8
Return Flight to Mainland
In the morning we will be transferred back to Baltra for our return flights to Quito. Average time back to the city is 2-3 hours depending on if your flight is direct or with a stop in Guayaquil.
Day 9
Departure
Transfer to the airport and for your return flight home
Meals: B
Quality Education: Obtaining a quality education is the foundation to improving people’s lives and sustainable development.
Affordable And Clean Energy: Energy is central to nearly every major challenge and opportunity.
Responsible Production and Consumption: Responsible Production and Consumption
Climate Action: Climate change is a global challenge that affects everyone, everywhere.
Life Below Water: Careful management of this essential global resource is a key feature of a sustainable future.
Life On Land: Sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, halt biodiversity loss
World Expeditions Schools journeys are designed to encourage positive personal development and the learning of life skills, while leaving the communities and environments we travel to, in a better condition than when we arrived.The programs are designed to:• Build strong friendships and bonds with their peers, their teachers, and the local people they meet. • Increase the confidence to engage with new people, and collaboratively make informed decisions.• Discover the benefits of working cooperatively together as a cohesive team, to achieve a common objective.• Increase the ability to face, and cope with, mental and physical challenges and therefore increase resilience.• Give students a chance to appreciate and care for the natural world. The environments we travel through are beautiful and often pristine, invariably the students will gain a deeper appreciation and understanding about how their individual actions impact on the environment.• Learn personal skills i.e., time management, personal hygiene, responsibility for personal gear, patience, tolerance, and public speaking.We help encourage students to learn what it means to be a true global citizen.
What's included
What's not included
Per Person, Twin Share
We can fully customise a School Travel Program to suit your students' learning objectives and budget. Whether you require a Service Learning program, physical challenge, cultural immersion or certain curriculum targets - talk to one of our educational travel experts about the elements you need in your itinerary. We pride ourselves on developing unique itineraries to meet the learning requirements for schools.
World Expeditions Schools is a division of one of the world's leading adventure travel companies, World Expeditions. We can develop itineraries in any destination that is offered by World Expeditions, which is to every continent on earth.
Use our simple Expedition Design Form to contact us with your requirements and an educational travel expert will be in touch to assist.
Since the 1980's, we have helped students from around the globe to experience the world's most exciting destinations, allowing them to travel, give, grow.
Together with students, we have completed over 400 Service Learning programs in developing countries. We will always continue to support causes including social justice, animal welfare, the environment and more.
Want to include service learning, your school curriculum and a physical challenge, or any of the above? Contact us and we can design a program fully catered for your students and budget.
Every school receives a detailed risk management plan that is guided by government advisories and the local partners we work with. We never compromise on the safety of your students to reduce the price of the program.
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Our educational travel experts are ready to help you tailor an itinerary or service learning project to suit your school’s needs and budget. Contact us today to receive a free consultation.