Name: Giant Tortoise & Sea Turtle Conservation in the Galápagos - 2 Weeks
Location: Puerto Ayora, Ecuador

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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 GalápagosVolunteers will be assigned to work with giant tortoises or sea turtle nest monitoring based on the active seasons, project availability and volunteer preferenceGain experience in wildlife careEthical wildlife volunteer tasks and interactionsVisit other nearby islands during free timeLocation of the Project: Galápagos Islands, EcuadorProject length: Min 2 weeks – Max 12 weeksArrival 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 – 60Number of volunteers: Up to 6 international volunteersImportant 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.

Puerto Ayora, Ecuador

Giant Tortoise & Sea Turtle Conservation in the Galápagos - 2 Weeks

Travel with a Cause

Private room in a volunteer house or homestay.

Accommodation

Two meals a day, unless you select to stay in a homestay, in which case you will have 3 meals per day.

Food

 Comprehensive and professional pre-departure travel guidance, 24/7 GoEco emergency hotline, experienced local field team.

Support

Flights

Insurance

Airport Transfers

Visa Costs

Personal items

Galapagos Park Fee

Baltra to Project - additional cost of approximately $200 each way

Island Hopper Plane 

2 Week Program

Join GoEco in the Galápagos and help care for ancient, giant tortoises and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.goeco.org/tags/sea-turtle-conservation-programs">sea turtle</a> nest conservation!Program Highlights:<ul>
<li>Directly impact wildlife conservation efforts in the Galápagos</li>
<li>Volunteers will be assigned to work with giant tortoises or sea turtle nest monitoring based on the active seasons, project availability and volunteer preference</li>
<li>Gain experience in wildlife care</li>
<li>Ethical wildlife volunteer tasks and interactions</li>
<li>Visit other nearby islands during free time</li>
</ul>Location of the Project: Galápagos Islands, EcuadorProject length: Min 2 weeks – Max 12 weeksArrival 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 – 60Number of volunteers: Up to 6 international volunteersImportant 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.

About this trip

This project has been instrumental in the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.goeco.org/tags/volunteer-for-conservation">conservation</a> of these ancient animals that were very close to extinction. At one time, a quarter million of these giants roamed these <a target="_blank" href="https://www.goeco.org/area/volunteer-in-south-america">South American</a> 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 <a target="_blank" href="https://www.goeco.org/tags/sea-turtle-conservation-programs">sea turtles,</a> 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:<ul>
<li>Feeding and caring for the tortoises</li>
<li>Cleaning and maintaining enclosures</li>
<li>Explaining the rules and regulations of the center to tourists.</li>
<li>Additional assignments as needed</li>
</ul> Sea turtle conservation tasks may include:<ul>
<li>Searching for sea turtle nests</li>
<li>Searching for sea turtle hatchlings</li>
</ul> 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.

Volunteer Work

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:<ul>
<li>CV</li>
<li>Basic level of Spanish</li>
<li>A genuine passion for <a target="_blank" href="https://www.goeco.org/tags/volunteer-for-wildlife">wildlife conservation</a></li>
<li>Volunteers must be flexible and interested in working either with the sea turtles or the tortoises depending on the season and placement availability.</li>
<li>Volunteers may be placed in a volunteer dorm or a local host family based on preference and availability.</li>
<li>An ability to openly communicate rules and regulations to tourists and follow instructions</li>
<li>Ability to work independently as well as in a team</li>
<li>Flexibility in work schedules and tasks to accommodate day-to-day needs of a local institution</li>
<li>Physical ability to work outdoors with potentially high allergens, sun and temperature exposure.</li>
<li>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.</li>
</ul>

Requirements

The Galápagos Islands are one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations for wildlife viewing. Made famous by the scientist Charles Darwin, these <a target="_blank" href="https://www.goeco.org/area/volunteer-in-south-america">South American</a> 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.

Experiences and Free Time

The Galápagos Islands is a volcanic archipelago in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of mainland <a target="_blank" href="https://www.goeco.org/area/volunteer-in-south-america/ecuador">Ecuador</a> 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.

Life on Base

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.

Sample Itinerary

Giant Tortoise & Sea Turtle Conservation in the Galápagos - 2 Weeks in Puerto Ayora, Ecuador

Giant Tortoise & Sea Turtle Conservation in the Galápagos - 2 Weeks

Giant Tortoise & Sea Turtle Conservation in the Galápagos - 2 Weeks

About this trip

Volunteer Work

Requirements

Experiences and Free Time

Life on Base

Sample Itinerary

What’s included

What’s not included

Available Packages

Your Organizer

Photo Gallery