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Galapagos Giant Tortoise Conservation
Read our participant's experience of the Giant Tortoise Conservation
Sarah's travel diary
Take the opportunity to spend some time on the extraordinary Galapagos archipelago and work alongside some of the world’s most endangered and unique species.
Your responsibilities as a volunteer includes helping to maintain the Giant Tortoise’s habitat, scrutinizing 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.
Voluntary WorkThis 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.
Location
The first part of this programme is located on the Galapagos island of Santa Cruz and the project work itself is on the Galapagos island of Isabela in the town of Puerto Villamil.
Accommodation and MealsYour first two nights in Quito (Sunday and Monday) will be spent in a city hostel. You will be spending one night on Santa Cruz before hopping over to Isabela. You also get two meals a day whilst you are on Santa Cruz.
On Isabela you will be in a volunteer house. The house has two double rooms, two single rooms each one with a private bathroom. On Isabela you will be provided with three meals per day.
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Programme Overview
Duration and Price:
2 weeks £899, 4 weeks £1199
2 weeks language followed by 4 weeks volunteering £1499
4 weeks language followed by 4 weeks volunteering £1799
How to book & pay:
£195 deposit to secure place and balance due 12 wks before departure.
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What is included?
Baltra airport transfers
Accommodation
Most meals
Orientation
Visits to National Park
1 day tour of Santa Cruz
1 way boat trip to Isabella Island |
What is not included?
International flight
Travel insurance
Some meals
National Parks entrance fee
Personal items
Soft drinks, beer, wine, spirits
Additional tours and activities
Return boat trip to Santa Cruz
Quito to Baltra return flight (£229) | Summary:
Volunteers are needed to play a key role in the Giant Tortoise breeding programmes to help the survival of this magnificent endangered species.
Other voluntary work in Galapagos
Programme dates:
Starts 1st Monday of every month (aim to arrive on the Sunday) |
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Ask us a question
If there's anything you'd like to know, call on 01892 701 881
or complete the form below and we'll be able to help.
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