Ecuador
Galapagos and Andean Service Adventure
An unforgettable experience combining meaningful community service, cultural immersion, and outdoor exploration in the stunning Andes and Galapagos.
Trip Details
Departures and Availability
Session 1
June 27, 2025 July 13, 2025 LimitedFocus
Spanish Immersion, Wildlife & Environmental Sustainability
Grades
Entering 9th – Graduating 12th
Average Group Size
18 Students, 3 Staff
Days
17
Service Hours
30-40 Hours
Tuition
$5,995
Daily Activities at a Glance
Discover the exciting adventures and impactful moments awaiting each day on this itinerary!
- Group flight arrival to Quito
- Transfer via private bus to our Quito accommodation, selected specifically for its comfort and group-coherent space
- Safety briefing, snacks, and settle into bed
- Group orientation and language activities to kick things off
- Visit Plaza de Independencia, El Panecillo, and the Quito Teleferico for an epic gondola ride
- Shopping and bartering at the Quito crafts market
- Enjoy an interactive tour at the Mitad del Mundo site, Intinan
- Homestay Orientation! Review helpful vocabulary and cultural insight
- Travel to Lago Cuicocha for a hike at the spectacular crater lake – learn about the geological and cultural histories of the area
- Live with a local family, along with at least one other student
- Daily service projects with local schools, including an indigenous kindergarten. Past projects have included construction of the one-teacher schoolhouse and refurbishment of sports facilities
- Traditional Pambamesa (potluck) lunch in the community
- Workshops on leather and jewelry-making with a local women’s cooperative
- Visit the world-famous Otavalo Market – the largest indigenous market in the world!
- Papallacta Hot Springs visit on the way back to Quito
- Transfer back to Quito, then fly to Santa Cruz
- Partner with a local tortoise breeding program- past projects have included general maintenance of the breeding ground and repairing fences
- Learn about conservation efforts and see the development of coastal ecosystems; examine plant adaptations to different environments
- Explore the Sierra Negra Volcano, the world’s second largest volcanic crater
- Visit and learn the complex history behind the Wall of Tears.
- Explore Los Tuneles, an amazing snorkeling site where penguins, turtles, manta rays, sharks, and sea lions are almost always present in crystalline waters surrounding an intricate complex of lava tunnels
- Visit the Tintoreras islet for additional wildlife viewing
- Transfer to Isla Baltra and Isla Santa Cruz to learn about the coastal and marine ecosystem
- Boat tour to a non-populated island via boat tour
- Check out Tortuga Bay, so named for the black sea turtles that nest there
- Visit Lava Tunnels, Twin Craters, and the Giant Turtles Ranch – all world-famous Galapagos landmarks!
- Spend a morning at the Charles Darwin Research Station to receive an unforgettable lesson about the island’s history and significance among current environmental challenges
- Celebratory dinner on the island and program closure activity
- Flight back to Quito
- Fly back to Quito from Galapagos and celebrate our adventures with a last night dinner and reflection.
- Depart for home the next morning. We are sad to leave, but excited to share our stories with our family and friends. ¡Adios, Ecuador!
- When flights become available, please contact us for the latest airfare pricing or visit our Flight & Travel Arrangements page for more information about travel days. Note: Internal flights for this program will be an additional cost.
Highlights of the Trip
Historic Treasures & City Views
Explore Quito’s rich history at Plaza de Independencia and El Panecillo, with breathtaking city views and a chance to stand at the equator.
Live Like a Local
Stay with local families in Cotacachi, immersing yourself in community life, language, and culture, while making a positive impact through service.
Hike a Crater Lake
Hike around the spectacular Lago Cuicocha crater lake, learning about its geological history while enjoying stunning views.
A Living Laboratory
Embark on an unforgettable journey to the Galápagos Islands, a living laboratory of biodiversity. Observe and learn about with iconic wildlife, from giant tortoises and marine iguanas to playful sea lions and vibrant bird species.
Gallery
Accommodations
Quito
Our Quito accommodations are just outside the bustling Simon Bolivar neighborhood near Quito’s Centro Historico. The locally owned and operated hostel-style hotel was specifically selected for its comfort and group-coherent space. Students are in shared bunk-style rooms, and the hotel has hot water and home-cooked breakfasts.
Cotacachi Homestays
Global Works has longstanding relationships with the communities where we place students and complete our service projects. All homes where students are housed are within walking distance of one another and close to the project work site. Homes are humble in nature, typically constructed of concrete blocks; they are clean and inviting. Students will have a private room within the home and the room is shared between two Global Works students. All homes have bathrooms complete with a flush toilet and a shower. Meals are prepared by the homestay families and families are trained in proper food preparation and food handling.
Galapagos
As we bounce around the Archipelago and on to Isabella and Santa Cruz, we stay at locally owned and operated hotels. At the end of a long day snorkeling with sea lions, you’ll look forward to quiet and comfortable rooms for two to four students and a hot shower. (Note: While we take boats from island to island, we do not sleep on boats. Rather, each night is in a different hotel on land.)
Enroll in a Teen Summer Trip With Global Works Today
Through our service trips for students, we cultivate unique adventures and inspiring experiences that will stick with our travelers long after the summer is over.
