Voluntary Work
Your responsibilities as a volunteer includes helping to maintain the Giant Tortoise’s habitat, scrutinising the ecology and displacement of tortoises, as well as feeding the tortoises at a breeding centre. Whilst you are on the island you will also have time to explore the volcanoes, beautiful beaches and bounteous marine life that inhabit these magical isles.
This volunteer project is not only extremely important it is also entirely unique. The loss of this beautiful species would be a huge loss for the planet and for science. At the moment there are species exclusive to the Galapagos, for example ‘Lonesome George’, that are on the very edge of extinction.
The role you will be playing in the conservation effort is a vital one, as you will be involved in feeding baby and adult tortoises, cleaning out enclosures, caring for the unhatched eggs, making sure they are in the best condition when they hatch, collecting tortoise data – mainly on the tortoises growth rates and diet. Here are a few examples of your volunteer responsibilities:
- Maintaining Giant Tortoise habitats
- Helping to investigate tortoise ecology
- Measuring and tagging hatchlings
- Feeding the tortoise population at the breeding centre
- Doing a bit of gardening in the organic plot, seed collecting and planting etc.
Volunteers will also spend 2 days per week being involved in a research programme which will overhaul the Islands entire recycling system. Imaginative volunteers will be able to assist with this to help ensure that Isabela Island remains an attractive tourist destination for many years to come.
What’s Included in the Programme
- Boat transfer to Isabela from Santa Cruz
- Shared volunteer accommodation on Santa Cruz (one day on arrival)
- Accommodation in a hostel on Isabela Island
- Food - three meals a day for the duration of programme
- Visits to areas of the National Park that are open to the public and based on the co-ordinator's choice
- Direct co-ordination with the researcher/nature guide
What’s Not Included in the Programme
- International flights
- Return flight to the Galapagos Islands (can be booked at an extra cost
- Return transfers from the Islands back to the hostel in Quito
- Personal travel insurance
- Airfare, or taxes, and National Parks entrance fee ($110) to enter the Galapagos
- All items of a personal nature
- Soft drinks, beer, wine, spirits
- Tours to other protected islands, including fishing
- Any activities over and above your planned itinerary
Please Note: You will need to budget $110 to pay the park entrance fee as you pass through customs. This is required by all visitors to the islands and cannot be included in the programme cost. You will also need to budget around $30 for return transport from Isabela to Santa Cruz.
Prices & Durations
Galapagos Giant Tortoise Conservation - 2 weeks £939
Galapagos Giant Tortoise Conservation - 3 weeks £1,099
Galapagos Giant Tortoise Conservation - 4 weeks £1,319
Galapagos Giant Tortoise Conservation - 5 weeks £1,489
Galapagos Giant Tortoise Conservation - 6 weeks £1,649
