Ecuador Galápagos Expedition: 10 Days

Explore the Galapagos Islands on this 10 day unforgettable adventure. From exploring volcanic landscapes and spotting iconic species such as giant tortoises and marine iguanas to snorkelling alongside sea lions and turtles, this expedition offers an incredible insight into one of the most biodiverse places on Earth. 

  • Location Ecuador, South America
  • Duration 10 days
  • Expedition Type Galapagos

Work with local partners to support conservation initiatives and learn first-hand about the environmental challenges facing the Galápagos. As you explore the islands and encounter wildlife in its natural habitat, you’ll develop a deeper understanding of sustainability, global responsibility, and your role in protecting our planet. This is a journey that combines adventure, education, and meaningful impact. 

South America map showing Ecuador in green.

A fully supported expedition, from start to finish

Your expedition cost is comprehensive and covers the incredible activities you’ll be taking part in, as well as the extensive support you’ll receive in the lead up to, and during, your expedition.

Don’t forget you’ll also need your vaccinations, visas, kit and some spending money. You can find guidance on all of these on your personal Traveller Gateway once you sign up.

  • Expedition Leader
  • Comprehensive travel insurance
  • All meals
  • Unlimited drinking water
  • All accommodation mentioned in the itinerary
  • All activities mentioned in the itinerary
  • Entrance fees for all sights mentioned in the itinerary
  • All transfers mentioned are in private vehicles
  • Project costs and management
  • 24 hour support throughout expedition

This sample itinerary will give you an insight into what you’ll be getting up to. Please note, the exact projects, activities and camps may change closer to the time of your expedition.

Day

Activities

More details

Day 1 Arrival in Tababela On arrival to Quito airport you will be met by a member of our friendly Camps crew. We’ll transfer you to your accommodation in Tababela Town where you’ll spend your first night.
Day 2-3 Santa Cruz Today, you’ll fly from Quito to one of the world’s most extraordinary destinations, the Galápagos Islands, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On arrival, you’ll head towards Santa Cruz, stopping to visit Los Gemelos, the ‘crater twins’, before exploring the island’s lush highlands. Here, you’ll visit a tortoise reserve and venture through fascinating lava tunnels, while trying to spot incredible wildlife such as giant tortoises in their natural habitat, Darwin’s finches, Galápagos doves, and the vibrant vermilion flycatcher.
Day 4-8 San Cristóbal After breakfast, you’ll travel to San Cristóbal. Once settled into your accommodation, you’ll explore the town and get your first close encounters with local wildlife such as sea lions, pelicans, blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds, and marine iguanas. You’ll also have the chance to try out your snorkelling gear at Playa Mann. Over the following days, you’ll explore the incredible biodiversity of the island. Visit the Tortoise Rescue Centre to learn about conservation efforts, and head to Punta Pitt, home to the rare red-footed booby. Snorkelling in crystal-clear waters, you may swim alongside turtles, sea lions, marine iguanas, and rays. You’ll also visit the highlands and Junco Lake, spend time on a local coffee farm, and take part in a beach clean-up with the Galápagos National Park team, learning more about the impact of plastic pollution and how to protect these fragile environments.
Day 9 Tababela Return to the mainland and travel back to Tababela for your final evening. Enjoy a traditional Ecuadorian dinner as a team and take time to reflect on your experiences and everything you’ve achieved throughout your expedition.
Day 10 Departure Time to say goodbye to Ecuador and head home, taking with you unforgettable memories, new friendships, and a deeper understanding of this incredible part of the world.

How you’ll make a difference

You’ll work on a range of projects throughout your expedition, each aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and designed to make a significant and lasting impact on the region’s most critical issues.

Amazon Rainforest Regeneration

Ecuador – Amazon rainforest regeneration

As the communities in the Amazon develop, deforestation of this important rainforest is increasing at an alarming rate. You’ll work alongside local people to understand the complex relationship between the environment and community development and you’ll assist with important environmental projects, collecting saplings and replanting trees in the jungle.

There are also some community infrastructure projects building toilets and sanitation for local houses in the village and a community centre as well as keeping up the maintenance of the local school.

UN Sustainable Development Goals

4 Quality Education

Quality education

Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all

5 Gender Equality

Gender equality

Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

6 Clean water and santitation

Clean water and sanitation

Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all

13 Climate Action

Climate action

Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts

15 life on land

Life on land

Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss

Camp Kuri Kucho community road

Ecuador – Food security

In the rural highlands of Ecuador, food security is a key focus. One of the biggest sources of income for the community at Kuri Kucho is the sale of milk from their cows. During the dry season, the milk truck can get around collecting produce with ease, but in the rainy season some of the dirt roads become impassable and many people can’t sell their milk as a result. You’ll get involved in projects such as improving road infrastructure to connect communities, creating organic gardens to increase local food production and constructing wood ovens for the community.

UN Sustainable Development Goals

No Poverty Icon

No poverty

End poverty in all its forms everywhere

2 Zero Hunger Icon

Zero hunger

End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture

9 Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation

Experience the local way of life in our authentic camps

Our camps are the heart of our expeditions. Built and staffed by locals in the traditional style, and located within the heart of communities, they are the perfect place to relax after a day of project work. You’ll get to stay in a number of camps during your expedition, which could include those featured below.

Camp Kuri Kucho Outside

Camp Kuri Kuchu

Kuri Kucho is our highest altitude camp in Ecuador, sitting 3,300 metres above sea level. Its elevated hillside position offers you the most jaw-dropping views of the dramatic highland surroundings. The views across the valley to the glaciated Cayambe (5,790m) are not to be missed and on a clear day you may also catch a glimpse of Antisa.

The camp itself is situated in the heart of this widespread community and it’s not uncommon to see children passing by the camp on horseback on the way to school. Accommodation is made out of ecological materials where possible, making this a very unique and environmentally friendly camp full of rustic charm.

You are also only 40 minutes drive from Otavalo, Ecuador’s most famous indigenous market where you can grab all sorts of handicraft bargains.

  • Location: 75 km (2 hours drive) from Quito International Airport
  • Accommodation style: Eco houses
  • Bed type: comfy mattresses & sheets
  • Toilets: Flushing toilets
  • Showers: Hot water bucket showers & sinks
  • Power: Mains electricity only in social area. US standard plug
  • Social area: Camp fire, volleyball pitch, Otavalo visit
  • Signature dish: Cuy – guinea pig
Camp Dunbiki

Camp Donbiki

The incredible Camp Donbiki offers a unique jungle experience. Situated in the Ecuadorian rainforest, its located next to a wonderful river, so you can be lulled by its peaceful sound as you go to sleep.

You’ll be welcomed by the friendly community here as they teach you their local customs and knowledge of the rainforest, including the traditional use of medicinal plants. You’ll work alongside them to help protect and restore the indigenous trees and improve the community facilities.

  • Location: In the Arajuno area of the Pastaza province
  • Accommodation style: Jungle lodge
  • Bed type: Bunk beds
  • Power: American two pin plug sockets in the communal spaces
  • Social area: The end of each cabin has a chill out space with cushions and there is a small dining room. Lots of open space in camp to enjoy your jungle surroundings.
  • Signature dish: Maito de tilapia or Maito de pollo – Fish or chicken cooked inside a banana leaf with palmito (roots of a type of palm) and yuca (root veg) and rice.

My daughter has had an amazing experience with Camps International in Ecuador. She was one of the youngest on the trip at age 15 but this did not hold her back. She thoroughly enjoyed and learned so much from living in the community. From construction and conservation work to the incredible environment, it has been a life transforming trip for her.

Claire, Camp Ecuador 2023

Our local camp legends

Our camps are staffed by members of the community who will make you feel like a local in no time. These legends will make your expedition spectacular and will show you the very best of their home country.

Marisol Piloso

Ecuador is a country of spectacular natural diversity, from stunning coastlines to magnificent mountain ranges offering everyone who visits us a varied experience. In our village, we are very proud to work with Camps International and to have volunteers from all over the world work with us to make a difference in our community.

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