Join our volunteer program on the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador and take positive steps to conserve the Galapagos Islands' endangered unique species. The aim of this conservation project is to redress the harm done to the Galapagos by introduced plants. Volunteers will help to restore the indigenous flora which will allow indigenous fauna to return.
Just £1195 including internal flights!
Cheaper than all other UK companies.
When can I join you?
You can join us on San Cristobal every Monday and Wednesday
Where is it?
Galapagos Islands
1000km off the coast of Ecuador in the Pacific Ocean, sea-bed volcanoes break the surface of the water to form an archipelago of sixteen main islands: the world-renowned Galapagos Islands. A kind of Mecca to visiting biologists, the Galapagos is home to an incredible range of endemic wildlife, with 97% of the land designated a National Park, aimed at protecting species as diverse as the Galapagos tortoise, sea lion and the Galapagos shark. 27 species on the islands are found only in the Galapagos.
The Volunteer Project
Our conservation project is based on the island of San Cristobal, home to the capital of the Galapagos Islands Puerto Baquerizo Moreno.
This island hosts frigate birds, Galapagos sea lions, Galápagos tortoises, blue and red footed boobies, tropical birds, marine iguanas, dolphins, swallow-tailed seagulls. In the waters nearby are sharks, rays, and lobsters.
The largest fresh water lake in the archipelago, Laguna El Junco, is located in a crater in the highlands of San Cristóbal, in the southern half of the island. The lake harbors a large population of birdlife and nearby, La Galapaguera is a breeding station and sanctuary for giant tortoises. 
Getting stuck in
What will I be doing?
As a volunteer on the Galapagos Islands you will be required to participate in a wide range of tasks and no day will be the same.
One day you may be helping to restore the indigenous habitat of the islands, the next you may observing and monitoring the Galapagos Petrel (an endemic bird).
It will be your job to assist conservationists in tackling some of the islands' most serious threats. Believe it or not, one of the ways you'll be helping is by hacking away hostile plant-life with a giant machete! The carefully planned removal of artificially introduced plant-species allows fragile native flora a fighting chance. You may also be required to help build a new school building or clear footpaths. The concept of conservation is introduced at primary school level through essential activities such as labelling trees.
Be prepared to get your hands dirty: you may be working in remote bush conditions, with no facilities during the day - but look at your surroundings and the abundance of wildlife: worth any number of home comforts, we think you'll agree.
In addition, foundation staff will lead you on various hikes to a nearby lagoon, native forests, beaches, and local villages to explain the ecological and human dynamics of Galapagos.
A typical week
Day 1: Reforestation with native and endemic species in the reserve and in local farms (collecting seeds, classifying, nursery work, out planting within the reserve or nearby areas, help maintain reforestation lines, etc.)
Day 2: Environmental education with local people and schools
Day 3: Station maintenance (trail maintenance, sign elaboration for trails, basic construction activities, help clean fresh water supply, help in kitchen, etc.)
Day 4: Organic agricultural activities and vegetable production (help maintain and secure food production for the station)
Day 5: Guided hike throughout the reserve and/ or nearby related areas (learn about biodiversity themes, natural history and ecology)
What's included
Return flights from Quito to Galapagos Islands.
2 nights B&B accommodation in Quito.
Airport transfers x4
2 weeks accommodation (Basic rustic hut)
All meals included
Transit control card
Pre-departure helpdesk, Local in-country support and 24hr emergency support.
Susan Gardner recently volunteered with us for 2 weeks.
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Flying over San Cristobal Island in the Galapagos then landing on the tiny airstrip right by the sea and seeing unique plants and animals for the first time that I had only seen in books or in documentaries. This was the start of the holiday I had dreamed about for over forty years and I will never forget that feeling.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
1. You don't need to be super-fit but you do need to be fit. This is a working holiday and you are expected to be able to work.
2. Do not go to the Galapagos expecting to have the animals at your beck and call. Nature is not like that, even on Galapagos.
3. This holiday is to carry out land conservation, not to look after animals. There are no animals to look after.
4. Be prepared to deal with insect bites, humidity, cold showers, mud, mosquitoes and rain.
5. Take a hat, sunscreen and insect repellent, try and learn enough Spanish to get by and enough memory cards and batteries for your camera - trust me, you will be taking LOTS of photos! Also, take an open mind - you will meet lots of new friends from all over the world who will be your companions and colleagues and working partners during your stay.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Most definitely. This is the whole point of this holiday and these aims are certainly carried out with education in the forefront, both to the volunteers and the local community. EVERYTHING is recycled but of course the impact on the environment depends on your own attitude.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
I would highly recommend this holiday to anyone who wants to help make a difference. There is a lot of work to do to restore this inhabited Galapagos island to its former state and if you like nature, a bit of hard work, excellent, locally grown fresh food, meeting like-minded people of all ages and from all over the world and can put up with a few (natural) extremities as previously mentioned, I would suggest you stay here for as long as you can, like for a gap year. A stay of two weeks is acceptable but the time goes so fast and most definitely, if I could have, I personally would have much preferred to have been able to stay for at least 6 weeks.
If you have any questions on this unique project or would like to join us on these infamous isles then get in touch and we will respond within 24 hours. Contact us