This 9-day educational program combines cultural exploration, field-based conservation, and experiential learning in two of Ecuador’s most iconic regions: the Andean capital city of Quito and the Galápagos Islands.
Designed for students and academic groups, the itinerary integrates history, geography, ecology, and conservation through guided visits, hands-on activities, and collaboration with Fundación Jocotoco staff, Galápagos National Park rangers, and certified naturalist guides.
Participants gain practical insight into biodiversity conservation, endangered species protection, invasive species management, and the challenges of preserving fragile island ecosystems.
Welcome to Ecuador! Transfer to your hotel in modern Quito.
Quito lies about 9,000 feet above sea level in the province of Pichincha and is home to an array of beautiful cathedrals, elegant old mansions, fascinating museums, squares, and parks. Full of street markets selling a wealth of Ecuadorian jewels and arts and crafts, Quito’s wonderful spring-like climate is dominated by mountains, with several snow-capped volcanoes standing majestically in the distance. In 1978, UNESCO declared the city one of the most important world cultural heritage sites in Latin America.
Enjoy a walking tour of colonial Quito to see the highlights, such as the Basilica Church, Independence Square, San Francisco Square, La Ronda Street, and the unique La Compañía de Jesús Church. You will learn about history, culture, and legends, including the impact of introduced plant and animal species, how the weather has changed over the centuries, and why nature and geography played an important role in establishing Quito as the capital of Ecuador.
Option 1: Cooking class
In the afternoon, we will meet our chef at a local market to shop for the ingredients for our cooking class. The menu will feature traditional dishes that you can replicate at home. We will share interesting facts and stories about Ecuadorian food and culture during the class.
Option 2: Equator
After lunch, you will experience the Equator, just 20 km (12 miles) north of Quito. Here, you can see the historical point where the French Geodesic Mission measured the Earth’s circumference in 1736 and found zero latitude. You will also visit the Inti Ñan Museum, which contains interesting explanations of natural facts applicable only at the Equator and a comprehensive display of Ecuador’s indigenous cultures.
The Chakana Reserve was established in 2011 to protect the paramo ecosystem on the outskirts of Quito, next to Antisana National Park. It spans nearly 5,000 hectares (12,355 acres) with an altitudinal range from 3,600 to 4,100 m.a.s.l. (11,800 to 13,400 feet), home to incredible wildlife. A 90-minute drive from Quito, you can see Antisana Volcano from the highway, passing through Pintag town–owing its name to the indigenous general that fought against the Inca conquest in the 15th century–and driving along the Chakana lava flow, now a quarry, you will reach the entrance to the reserve at the «Mirador del Isco» (viewpoint).
Explore the Chakana Reserve, the largest sanctuary in Ecuador for the Andean Condor, holding about 40% of the national population, where you can help Jocotoco’s park guards conduct a bird count. Search for the Andean Bear or Spectacled Bear, another magnificent animal that resides inside the reserve, where the foundation uses camera traps to monitor and identify the individuals. Mountain Tapir and Pumas also frequently appear in the cameras, which underscores the importance of protecting the Andean highlands or paramo. The wetland restoration project, conducted by external researchers, has yielded promising results, including carbon sequestration data. Our conservation team and park guards will share more information about our conservation activities and projects.
Transfer to the airport for your flight to the enchanted Galapagos Islands. Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on San Cristobal Island is the capital of the Galapagos province and one of four inhabited places on the archipelago. The Galapagos National Park covers 97% of the territory, making conservation a priority and the greatest challenge.
In the afternoon, visit the Interpretation Center to learn about the evolution of species, the migration of animals, and the human settlements within the Galapagos. Then, hike up to Frigate Hill along native vegetation like mangroves and Opuntia cacti. Watch the frigate birds fly over you, snorkel with sea lions at Darwin Bay, and relax at Punta Carola Beach.
Española is the oldest of the islands in the archipelago (300 million years). Its aridness and lack of freshwater sources make it practically uninhabitable for humans, though it is a paradise for seabirds. This island is the most southerly and is famous for its waved albatross (Phoebastria irrorata) community, which is one of the most incredible birds of the Galapagos. It can be seen from April to December. During this time, the albatross mate, lay their eggs and care for their young. Come January, they head out to sea in search of food. On the western part of the island, at Suárez Point, you will find a colony of marine iguanas, as well as colonies of blue-footed and Nazca boobies. On the island’s eastern side, Gardner Bay has rocks ideal for snorkeling and a beautiful beach where you can rest and watch the sea lions. White-tipped sharks, globefish, and colorful tropical fish fill the waters of Gardner Bay.
We depart early to the highland of San Cristobal, where the 110-hectare (270-acre) Los Petreles Reserve protects the endemic and critically endangered Galapagos Petrel. Conservation activities include the restoration of the endemic miconia forest, petrel nest monitoring, and invasive species control (rodents and blackberry). The reserve will be our base for two nights, equipped with cabin facilities.
We will divide into groups to conduct the petrel monitoring and reforest the reserve up to El Junco Lake. Another group will also assist in removing the invasive blackberry and monitor the bait stations for rodents. We will discuss the impact of invasive species in a fragile ecosystem like the islands and the key role that community collaboration plays in advancing conservation and protected area management.
In collaboration with the Galapagos National Park, we will visit the Galapaguera or tortoise center, where they breed the giant tortoise native to San Cristobal Island to recover its population. Depending on the week, we assist in monitoring the tortoises, weighing and measuring them, feeding them, and cleaning their corrals. The park guards will share their knowledge of the species, its conservation, and the challenges they face. At the nursery, the national park propagates native species to restore the El Junco Lake area, where we will also help with planting. Before returning to the reserve, we will enjoy the beach at Puerto Chino, swimming with sea lions and marine iguanas.
Transfer to the airport for your flight back to Quito. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel.
Transfer to the airport for your flight back to Quito. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel.
The rules of the Galapagos National Park are very strict. Unfortunately, human interaction and introduced species are two of the biggest threats to the islands, so please help us keep their impact minimal. The Galapagos National Park requires that a certified naturalist guide must accompany you. He or she will advise you on what is and is not allowed while visiting the islands.
Please follow their instructions. The most important rules are the following:
