About this trip
Join GoEco in the Galápagos and help care for ancient, giant tortoises and sea turtle nest conservation!
Program Highlights:
Directly impact wildlife conservation efforts in the Galápagos
Volunteers will be assigned to work with giant tortoises or sea turtle nest monitoring based on the active seasons, project availability and volunteer preference
Gain experience in wildlife care
Ethical wildlife volunteer tasks and interactions
Visit other nearby islands during free time
Location of the Project: Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
Project length: Min 2 weeks – Max 12 weeks
Arrival Airport: Baltra Airport (GPS)
Volunteer Work: Feeding and caring for tortoises and their enclosures. Sea turtle nest monitoring that encourages turtle and habitat conservation.
Age: 18 – 60
Group Size : 1 – 10
Number of volunteers: Up to 6 international volunteers
Important Note: Volunteers taking part during the months of January to May must choose to work at either the tortoise breeding center or with sea turtles. Volunteers should apply at least 4 weeks in advance to have enough time to apply for the visa.
A$1,800 Deposit: A$450
Giant Tortoise & Sea Turtle Conservation in the Galápagos - 2 Weeks
This project has been instrumental in the conservation of these ancient animals that were very close to extinction. At one time, a quarter million of these giants roamed these South American islands, but over time, that number diminished to around 3,000. Several factors were responsible for the decline, beginning with sailors and settlers hunting them for food.
As a volunteer on this project, you will work closely with the Galápagos National Park in their efforts to continue to conserve this indigenous species! During your time at the tortoise center, you will be a full-time member of the center’s staff, aiding in the conservation and care of these fascinating, ancient creatures. Volunteers taking part during the months from January to May will be assigned to work at either the tortoise breeding center (as described above) or with sea turtles, depending on the placement availability and the season. We will consider your preference when determining your placement, however, availability will be the deciding factor. Sea turtle nest monitoring tasks include walking the beach while looking for nests, turtles, and hatchlings. Actual sightings may be rare.
Tortoise center tasks may include:
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Feeding and caring for the tortoises
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Cleaning and maintaining enclosures
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Explaining the rules and regulations of the center to tourists.
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Additional assignments as needed
Sea turtle conservation tasks may include:
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Searching for sea turtle nests
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Searching for sea turtle hatchlings
A typical day: Your schedule is based on 20 hrs/week and can be extended to a regular 40 hr work week. You will work from Monday – Friday, from 7.30AM – 11.30AM. This may change depending on the tasks at hand.
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Most nationalities enter Ecuador visa-free as tourists for 90 days. After signup, our local team assists with obtaining the Galapagos volunteer visa, which is issued before arrival. Travelers from selected countries must secure an Ecuador tourist visa in advance, in addition to the Galapagos visa.Please note this project’s minimum requirements:
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CV
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Basic level of Spanish
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A genuine passion for wildlife conservation
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Volunteers must be flexible and interested in working either with the sea turtles or the tortoises depending on the season and placement availability.
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Volunteers may be placed in a volunteer dorm or a local host family based on preference and availability.
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An ability to openly communicate rules and regulations to tourists and follow instructions
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Ability to work independently as well as in a team
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Flexibility in work schedules and tasks to accommodate day-to-day needs of a local institution
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Physical ability to work outdoors with potentially high allergens, sun and temperature exposure.
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Disclose life-threatening allergies before applying for consideration because of the remote location, enabling us to assess the destination’s suitability and manage potential risks.
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The Galápagos Islands are one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations for wildlife viewing. Made famous by the scientist Charles Darwin, these South American islands are home to species that many people are familiar with, such as the blue-footed booby birds and giant tortoises. There is much to be seen on a trip to these islands, and a few suggestions are listed below.
Darwin Lake
Also on the island, Darwin Lake is a saltwater lagoon that has twice the amount of salt on the surrounding ocean.Tagus Cove
From the cliffs surrounding Darwin Lake, volunteers can take a panga ride to Tagus Cove where there is the opportunity to see, and even snorkel with, indigenous marine life such as Galapagos penguins!Tortuga Bay
For volunteers who wish to island hop, Isla Santa Cruz, to the right of the island, is an excellent choice. Tortuga Bay is one of the most popular and beautiful beach destinations in all the Galápagos Islands and is in southern Isla Santa Cruz. There are sharks, marine iguanas and occasionally flamingos in the Bay.The Galápagos Islands is a volcanic archipelago in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of mainland Ecuador and is one of the world’s leading locations for wildlife viewing. Its isolated landscape is home to a wide range of animal and plant species, many that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Charles Darwin visited the islands in 1835, and his observation of Galápagos’ species later inspired his theory of evolution.
Internet: Wi-Fi is available.
Laundry: Laundry facilities are available.
Accommodations: You will stay in a private room, either in a shared volunteer house or nearby host family. This will be assigned based first on availability and then on your preference and sometimes, it could be both. Both accommodations have western – style flush toilets and shared common areas, including a kitchen and dining room. Volunteers can also choose to stay with a host family. At your homestay, you will also stay in a private room with western – style flush toilets.
Food: At the volunteer house: Lunch and dinner is provided at your choice of various restaurants in town. Breakfast is not included, but you have the use of an equipped kitchen for cooking. Homestay: You will have breakfast and dinner with your host family. Lunch is provided at your choice of various restaurants in town.
Your Schedule at a Glance (Minimum two-week commitment):
Arrival Day, Monday: Arrive at Baltra Airport (GPS) no later than 10:30 AM in order to catch the ferry to the island. The local team will meet you upon arrival and transfer you to your accommodations, where you can settle in and meet fellow volunteers.
Days 1-4, Tuesday-Friday: The typical workday is from 08:00 – 12:00. Depending on the workload and interest, there is a possibility to increase the working hours. Specific hours may vary depending on the tasks at hand. Volunteers will choose between either working with giant tortoises or for sea turtle nest conservation (during the season, best for the volunteers to discuss this with on-site staff to see if this is a possibility). You can view specific tasks for each placement under the “Volunteer Work” section of this page.
Days 5-6, Saturday-Sunday: Weekends are free for volunteers to relax, or explore the island and other islands.
Remaining Weeks: The remaining weeks will follow the schedule of volunteering Monday-Friday and having weekends free to spend how you wish (check out “Travel Highlights” below for suggestions!) Departures are on Sundays.
Accommodation Private room in a volunteer house or homestay. Food Two meals a day, unless you select to stay in a homestay, in which case you will have 3 meals per day. Support Comprehensive and professional pre-departure travel guidance, 24/7 GoEco emergency hotline, experienced local field team. Flights Insurance Medical and Travel Airport Transfers
Visa Costs
Personal items Toiletries etc... Galapagos Park Fee $15 USD fee at entry to the islands Island Hopper Plane Baltra to Project - additional cost of approximately $200 each way Planning your next adventure is thrilling! While we hope for smooth travels, preparing for the unexpected is always smart. We highly recommend getting travel insurance when you book. Whether it's a medical emergency, a flight cancellation, a delayed suitcase, or an unforeseen event, ensure you're covered. For more info and advice, please visit: Travel Insurance or talk to your TWAC travel consultant.
Although you should read all of the terms and conditions, the following is a summary of the most important:
- Our travel package is non-refundable, however you will receive a travel credit to be applied to our travel services.
- You, as our client, agree to check all documentation immediately for errors. Travel With A Cause (TWAC) does not take responsibility for incorrect dates or names supplied.
- Prices, including, in some cases, of confirmed bookings, may be subject to change.
- Some confirmed bookings are non-refundable if cancelled by you and it is your responsibility to check if this applies.
- We will be entitled to retain our service fees even if a booking is cancelled or does not proceed for any reason which is not our fault.
- It is your responsibility to make yourself aware of all information relevant to your travel plans, including but not limited to visa requirements and health precautions.
- There may be some additional fees or other incentives from Suppliers.
- We are not liable for the recent updates of any published Supplier content including websites and brochures.
Covid-19 Booking Cancellation Policy
TWAC Tour packages are non-refundable. If your Tour package is affected by Covid-19-related travel restrictions and you are unable to travel, you will receive either a free date change (credit that is specific to your original package and purchase value) or an open credit less any non-recoverable supplier fees to the value of your original purchase for use on any other package available via the TWAC website.
Please note: Date change credits are subject to availability and not guaranteed until confirmed by TWAC, not the tour operator you are due to stay with.The standard cancellation policy will apply if you cannot travel because you have tested positive for Covid-19.
Please note: All additional charges are payable direct to your Travel Consultant in AUD (unless otherwise stated).For further information about our T & C, please visit our webpage: Travel & Conditions
