School Trip to Ecuador and Galapagos Islands

Ecuador is the second-smallest country in South America, but its range of offerings is no less than astounding.  The diversity ranges from the Amazon Basin across glaciated Andean volcanoes, down through tropical cloud forest, to the unforgettable Galápagos Islands.  For the ecologist, Ecuador is a dream with exotic orchids and birds, bizarre jungle plants, strange insects, windswept páramo (Andean grasslands), dripping tropical forests, and the fearless animals that hop, wobble, and swim.

Galapagos Islands Journey - Earth's "living laboratory"

This tour allows students to explore the islands as a naturalist, gain a deeper understanding of Darwin's research and come to understand the theories of beginnings.  Students will explore the geology, ecology, and marine environments around the islands.  We will analyze the flora and fauna in both terrestrial and marine environments via guided hikes, mountain bikes, boat, kayaks, scuba diving, and snorkeling.

Abandoned Children Project

The socio-economic realities of Ecuador are, for many, as grave as they have ever been. Regrettably, 74.9% of the Ecuadorian population remains unemployed or sub-employed while well over half of the nation lives under the poverty line.  Due to these hardships many of the children from these families are put in orphanages or left to fend for themselves in the streets.  At Appleseed Expeditions we are attempting to bring awareness and aid to the orphanages who are struggling to provide for these children by getting students involved in serving these centers.

Sample School Tour to the Galapagos Islands

Day 1 Start Tour

Meet your Tour Director at the airport and check into hotel

Day 2 Quito Landmarks and Volunteer with the Children's Project

Independence Plaza, Government Palace, San Francisco Church
Volunteer to mentor Quichua indigenous children

Day 3 Quito to the Galapagos

Fly to San Cristobal Island
La Loberia Beach excursion
See sea lions, marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies & lava lizards
Dinner at a Local Beachfront Restaurant

Day 4 Kicker Rock Excursion and Kayaking Tour

Kicker Rock and Lobos Island full-day guided kayak tour
See sea lions, Kicker Rock, blue-footed boobies & frigate birds
Snorkeling Adventure
See rays, seals, green sea turtles, friendly Galapagos sharks, & multicolored fish 
Playa Mann beach time
Barbeque Dinner with Local Farmers

Days 5 - 7 Volunteer on San Cristobal Island

Volunteer at a conservation project to restore vital habitat
Mentor local school children
Build an organic garden that feed the poor in the region

Day 8 Transfer to Santa Cruz

See Giant Galapagos tortoises
View lava tunnels
Darwin Research Center guided visit
Transfer to Isabela Island via boat

Day 9 Boat Trip to Outer Islands

Travel to North Seymor island via boat, Lava tunnel walk
See marine iguanas, Galapagos penguins & Sally Lightfoot crabs
Snorkeling Tour with marine biologist
See green sea turtles, white tip reef sharks, rays & multicolored fish

Day 10 Head Back to Quito: Volunteer with Children's Project

Fly out of Baltra Island
Volunteer at abandoned children's project

Day 11 Hike the Volcano Cotopaxi

Hike one of the tallest Volcanoes in the Andes with a ceiling of 19,500 feet

Day 12 End Tour

Fly back home

This school tour to the Galapagos Islands can be customized to meet the needs of your school.  All our student trips to Ecuador and Galapagos are designed with school curriculum and a service learning emphasis in mind.