2019 Middle School Galapagos Islands Conservation Expedition

Dear Families, Friends, and Travelers – Welcome to the 2019 Middle School Galapagos Islands Conservation Expedition! We have created two webpages dedicated to this once in a lifetime experience so that travelers are as informed as possible throughout the process. The first page, Pre-Enrollment, is meant to share exciting details, highlights, and pertinent info, that participants will want to know before enrolling. Once enrolled, the Post-Enrollment page is intended to prepare travelers for participation on the adventure ahead. Please be sure to review the information on the appropriate page thoroughly and get excited!
Travel Dates: March 17, 2019 - March 23, 2019
Group Organizer(s):
WTT Contact:

Galapagos Conservation Expedition

Dense Amazonian rainforest, snow-capped Andean peaks, volcanic islands and raging rivers. Ecuador is a place of terrifically varied wonders, but for many the most magical are the Galapagos Islands.

From Quito, you’ll fly to the islands and begin to explore this remarkable archipelago full of different landscapes and wildlife including sea turtles, marine iguanas, blue footed boobies, giant tortoises, albatrosses, frigate birds and more. Participants will have the opportunity to practice Spanish, learn from local conservation organizations, snorkel with abundant marine life, and hike active volcanoes, all the while learning about what makes these islands so special.

Conservation Expeditions

Conservation Expeditions

Conservation Expeditions bring travelers to the heart of the modern-day conservation movement. Whether building nurseries for sea turtle hatchlings in Costa Rica, snorkeling alongside sea lions in the Galapagos or teaching local school children in Thailand about the importance of wild elephants to their ecosystem, these trips make the wonders of our world, and our responsibility to protect them, abundantly apparent.

Program Highlights


Check out some of the featured experiences of your program!

Volunteer with local scientists to assist in critical conservation efforts

Hike an active volcano

Enjoy full-day snorkeling expeditions

The Itinerary


We do everything possible to run safe, engaging, and immersive programs for our travelers and given the unpredictable nature of international travel we must remain flexible in our planning. Changes to a schedule are uncommon but, we reserve the right to adjust programming in the best interest of the group. 

DateLocationActivityAccommodations
March 17Florida - Quito, EcuadorTravel from Florida to Quito, Ecuador. Upon arrival, we will head to our hotel in Quito this evening and have a brief orientation meeting before our morning departure to the islands. Hosteria Airport Garden
March 18Quito - Galapagos (Santa Cruz Island)Today we fly 600 miles over the Pacific Ocean to reach the Galapagos Islands. After landing in Baltra, we will take a ferry across the Itabaca Channel and experience a variety of ecosystems as we drive to the highlands of Santar Cruz Island where giant tortoises roam in the mist. In the afternoon, we will go sea kayaking in nearby grottoes in search of sea lions, blue footed boobies, marine iguanas, and more! At night, we'll retreat to our tents and fall asleep under the stars.Cerro Mesa Camp
March 19Santa CruzToday, we drive down to Puerto Ayora and visit to the famous Darwin Research Station. Upon arrival, we'll dive into our volunteer work with local authorities. We'll receive an expert lecture, then get into the field to lend a hand on a research project or conservation effort. Projects can range from tracking wild giant tortoises, to biodiversity surveys, to working on a restorative ecology project for endemic plant species. More details on your project will be laid out in the weeks prior to your departure.Hotel Palmeras
March 20Santa Cruz - Isabela IslandWe'll take a "speedboat" over to Isabela Island. Today is our most challenging adventure yet. We'll hike up to the rim of Sierra Negra, the second largest caldera in the world and an active volcano. We'll see firsthand the geological processes that shaped these islands, and spot wildlife on the way. We'll retreat to a locally-run camp in the highlands where we'll meet a man who raises and cares for giant tortoises.Campo Duro
March 21IsabelaAfter an early breakfast we go on a 45 minute boat ride to a world famous site where we will snorkel through lava tunnels and amongst a stunning array of marine life. Our local guide will explain the significance of the Galapagos as an oasis for marine species, and we'll see the evidence firsthand. It's not uncommon to see blue-footed boobies, green sea turtles, and sharks as we glide over beds of anemones and corals.La Gran Tortuga Hotel
March 22Isabela - Santa Cruz - QuitoToday we'll make our return from the islands to Quito. Upon arrival in the capital, we will have dinner in the historic center and celebrate our great adventure.Hosteria Airport Garden
March 23Quito - FlordidaToday we will wake early and begin our return to Tampa Bay. Your own bed!

Accommodations


In order to provide a safe and memorable experience, we follow strict guidelines when choosing program accommodations. Walking Tree partners with hotels and guest houses which are centrally located, clean and safe.  We vet and inspect the accommodations to ensure they uphold the ethos of our programs, are great values for our travelers and nice places to rest after enriching days of travel.  

Below are the accommodations we anticipate using on your trip, subject to availability. 
Hosteria Airport Garden

Hosteria Airport Garden is 3-star hotel  located a short drive from the international airport in Quito. Accommodations are clean, comfortable and modern, and there’s a pool!

Hotel Palm Garden Galapagos

The Hotel Palm Garden Galapagos offers clean, comfortable and spacious rooms for guests. Each room can house 2-3 students per room. Some of the amenities include a pool on site, free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, hot water and group sitting areas around the property. Students will be grouped in their rooms according to gender and availability.

Campo Duro

Campo Duro is a camping area near the Sierra Negra Volcano. This camp site offers a unique take on adventure and accommodations. Tents and bathrooms are separated by gender.  Campo Duro practices ecological tourism with solar panels to heat their water.

 

 

La Gran Tortuga Hotel

La Gran Tortuga Hotel is located on Isabella Island and is a small, locally run hotel on the island. This three star hotel prides itself on operating in an eco-friendly manner and hosts conservationists who travel from around the world to visit the island. Students will be roomed based on their genders and separated from adults. Wifi is available and breakfast will be provided in the hotel.

Reserva Cerro Mesa Galapagos

Located on Santa Cruz Island, Reserva Cerro Mesa provides students a unique chance to camp on the edge of a now extinct volcanic crater. Students will sleep in tents with sleeping bags and pads which are grouped together. Adults and students will be “tented” separately. Bathrooms and electricity are available within walking distance of the campsite.

Safety and Support


 EASY FUNDRAISING & PAYMENT
EASY FUNDRAISING & PAYMENT
24/7 GLOBAL EMERGENCY LINE
24/7 GLOBAL EMERGENCY LINE
HIGHLY VETTED PARTNERS
HIGHLY VETTED PARTNERS
EXPERT LEADERSHIP
EXPERT LEADERSHIP
PRIVATE GROUP GUARANTEE
PRIVATE GROUP GUARANTEE
COMPREHENSIVE CURRICULUM SUPPORT
COMPREHENSIVE CURRICULUM SUPPORT
DEDICATION TO CULTURAL ENGAGEMENT
DEDICATION TO CULTURAL ENGAGEMENT
ALL-INCLUSIVE PRICING
ALL-INCLUSIVE PRICING

During our trip in Costa Rica I loved that our trip leader took the students’ ideas and incorporated side adventures just for them. This small piece made the trip more than we could have ever asked for.

Carri
Alumni Group Organizer to Belize and Costa Rica

Your Adventure Includes

Program Tuition Excludes: Travel insurance, baggage fees, passport/visa fees, laundry, souvenirs, and activities not listed on the itinerary.

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Resource center

Resource Center

Why should high school students travel abroad? What happens if a participant gets sick? How quickly do we need to enroll? We’re sure you have plenty of questions and we’ve got you covered! Visit our Resource Center to discover the answers to your most pressing questions and contact us anytime with additional questions.

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