Location
  • Ecuador
    • Galapagos
Length
1 - 2 weeks
Need-based funding
Health & Safety

Program Details

Program Type
Direct Enrollment
Timeframe
Summer
Housing
Lodge
Language
English
Age Min.
14
Age Max
18

Pricing

Starting Price
5699
What's Included
Accommodation Activities Domestic Airfare Airport Transfers Meals Transportation
What's Included (Extra)

Tuition includes a domestic round trip group flight from Quito to the Islands

What's Not Included
Airfare
Oct 24, 2023
Nov 21, 2023
16 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

When it comes to incredible natural environments, Ecuador's Galapagos Islands just can't be beat. Known for their biological diversity, the islands were made famous by Charles Darwin and continue to be an important research and preservation site today. Spend two weeks this summer working alongside local organizations to help maintain these unique island ecosystems and get up close and personal with the unique creatures that call them home. Explore Ecuador's historical capital city before setting off for the islands, where you will learn more about the challenges that both wildlife and human communities face.

Program Theme: Animal & Wildlife Conservation
Service Hours: 26

Video and Photos

Program Highlights

  • Visit several of the Galapagos' diverse islands, as well mainland Ecuador
  • Swim and snorkel in waters full of undersea life
  • Spot blue footed boobies, giant tortoises, sea lions and marine iguanas
  • Volunteer on projects supporting wildlife and the local community
  • Visit the Equator line in the colonial city of Quito

Scholarships

GLA IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access) Scholarship

The goal of our scholarship is to provide inclusion, diversity, equity and access to GLA programs.

Program Reviews

4.84 Rating
based on 25 reviews
  • 5 rating 88%
  • 4 rating 8%
  • 3 rating 4%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Growth 4.8
  • Support 4.9
  • Fun 4.8
  • Housing 4.75
  • Safety 4.95
  • Program Selection 5
  • Pre-departure Help 4.35
  • In-program Support 5
  • Impact on Student 4.35
  • Value 5
Showing 9 - 16 of 25 reviews
Default avatar
Maggie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Truly the Experience of a Lifetime

I was fortunate enough to travel to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands though Global Leadership Adventures on the "Preserving Natures Wonders" trip during the summer of 2016. This program was honestly one of the greatest experiences of my life. It was unique in that I was able to surround myself in one of the worlds most special ecosystems as I snorkeled with sea lions, sea turtles and many tropical fish, saw countless crabs and iguanas, and was able to meet the Galapagos tortoises up close. What made these experiences with the animals and nature of the Galapagos even more impactful, was the fact that I was able to volunteer and help the land I was visiting. On this program everyone was very kind and I am still friends with many of the other kids that I met to this day. Our mentors were very helpful and made sure that everyone felt and was kept safe throughout the trip. Post program, I was impacted mostly by the friendships I had made and the knowledge that I now had regarding conservation and the importance of it. Some useful tips that I have are to bring snacks along if you have any dietary restrictions. I am vegan and the program was very accommodating so I didn't miss out on many of the delicious foods that they served, but bringing along snacks was very helpful. Another tip is to bring a camera along and to keep a journal because there are so many memories that will be made on a trip like this, and since many activities are packed into one day, it is easy to lose some of them. I took many pictures and journaled every day so now I have something to look back on.

What would you improve about this program?
I honestly cannot think of many things that I would change about this program. It really was a good experience for me, traveling went smoothly, my group was great, and we all had tons of fun in our two weeks.
44 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Patti
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Parent Review

I sent my two daughters on Global Leadership Adventure's "Preserving Nature's Wonders" trip last summer, and I could not have had a better experience with them. I was a little nervous about the idea of sending my two young girls out of the country without either parent, but GLA eased all my worries. From the very start, we had helpful staff keeping us updated on the necessary preparations for our trip. GLA made the entire process really easy and helped me feel better about the trip. My girls were safe the whole time, and they had incredible mentors with them on the trip. They both came home with a new outlook on the world, and I know GLA has truly changed their lives. I highly recommend this program to any parent and teenager looking to volunteer abroad.

42 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Carolyn
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Galapagos trip for teens

Two of my daughters went on the Global Leadership Adventure's Galapagos trip last summer. I'm beyond grateful for this program, my kids were completely safe and they enjoyed every minute of it. The stories they came back with still manage to amaze me! The staff made the process easy and stress free. I definitely recommend GLA to any parent who wants to send their child on an eventful volunteer trip abroad.

41 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Serena
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Galapagos 2016

My experience with Global Leadership Adventures has been one I'll remember forever. The program that I was a part of (Galapagos) was very well structured. We got to kayak, snorkel, climb volcanoes, and more. We were always busy and had a great itinerary full of service and adventures. There was never a moment when we were bored. We cleared out invasive species, talked to the locals and the children, and played a ton of soccer which I made a fool of myself doing so, but it was all part of the fun!
The food was amazing and the housing conditions were rustic but an adventure. The staff was great - they were all so fun and relatable but were able to be great role models as well.
My parents were very reluctant to let me go on this trip when I proposed the idea. They had never sent one of their kids to a foreign country alone before. However, they became much more comfortable with the idea after talking to the welcoming and assuring staff who were more than happy to explain everything about the trip, from safety to fun.
I still miss this trip- one of the best experiences ever of my life. Would definitely recommend!! GLA offers such a friendly environment.

28 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Thomas
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Galapagos 2016

Our daughter went on the GLA trip to Galapagos in July 2016. It was truly a remarkable fun-filled adventure that enriched her leadership and social skills and provided an acute awareness of our fragile environment. Snorkeling amongst the sea lions, turtles, climbing volcanoes and learning about exotic species such as the giant tortoise were just some of the highlights. The program attracts outstanding, intellectual students from around the globe whom our daughter still stays in touch with.

As a parent, I was particularly impressed with GLA's organization and caliper of their trip leaders. We felt safe and secure on trip arrangements and it was comforting to receive daily briefings and photos from the students.

The GLA program is second to none on their organization, adventure and mentorship.

What would you improve about this program?
Shorten overland travel between sites or increase the length of the trip.
27 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Rebecca
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Life Changing Experience!

Last summer I spent two incredible weeks in Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands on Global Leadership Adventure's "Preserving Nature's Wonders" trip. I went on this trip along with my sister and we both had a wonderful time. Before the trip, GLA staff helped what could've been a very stressful process run smoothly. The connected me with a program to book my flights with ease, and I had all the information I needed to prepare for my trip. Once I was in Ecuador, my mentors were both friendly and knowledgeable about the islands. I never once felt unsafe. I got the opportunity to get involved in very rewarding service all while exploring one of the most unique places on earth. I worked alongside giant tortoises and snorkeled next to sea lions and sea turtles. This is an experience unlike any other, and if you are a student who is interested in sustainability, preservation, or animals, this is the trip for you!

31 people found this review helpful.
Response from Global Leadership Adventures (GLA)

Thank you for sharing your takeaways from your volunteering experience in Ecuador and the Galapagos. We're so glad you and your sister had an amazing time and made lifetime friends and memories with GLA.

Default avatar
Sarah
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best experience ever!

Last summer I went on GLA's Galapagos 2-week summer program. It was an amazing life-changing experience! I met many new friends and learned so much about the environment and what it takes to conserve our fragile earth. Through this experience, I have become more conscious about my environmental impact and how I can make a difference. I highly recommend this program to any student who is willing to go out of their comfort zone in order to expand their horizons about the world and how you can make a difference!

29 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Oriana
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing Experience

Traveling to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands with Global Leadership Adventures was a truly awesome experience. The stories and memories I have from this trip are ones I will appreciate forever. I would absolutely recommend it to anyone considering volunteering abroad. I met so many great people and I learned a lot about myself. I'm so glad I had the opportunity to volunteer with GLA because it helped me learn what it is like to travel overseas and abroad for a couple of weeks, and I always felt safe.

What would you improve about this program?
The only way this program could be better was if it was longer.
32 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers