Join our Conservation Project for 4 weeks or more and enjoy 5 FREE online Spanish classes before you even arrive in Galapagos.
Project details
Conservation volunteering with us in the Galapagos Islands allows you to have exclusive access to the Galapagos National Park: a unique opportunity to live surrounded by an amazing nature which is home to the largest number of animal species in the world. Join us and help with the protection of giant tortoises and sea lions.
Our conservation volunteering project in the Galapagos Islands is based on San Cristobal. Here, you live in harmony with nature, and you meet all kind of animals: giant tortoises (including newborns), marine iguanas, sea lions, a thousand species of tropical fish, pelicans, flamingos, and many other bird species.
In these volcanic islands it’s summer all year round, landscapes range from harsh lunar to the colorful and picturesque: white sandy beaches and a crystalline sea in all possible shadows of blue, lava rocks, and cacti, along with enchanting fishing villages.
Join our Galapagos conservation placement and live in a world-famous paradise! Help us to protect nature and animals in the famous Galapagos National Park.
Your Tasks
We work together with a local association, which is part of the Galapagos National Park organization. Activities include:
Giant tortoise protection
At the Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre, you will help out with:
At the Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre, you will help out with:
- Feeding the giant tortoises.
- Growing and cutting Otoy plants needed for the tortoises’ food.
- Maintaining the fences and the enclosures.
Wild animals monitoring
Together with expert conservationist you will:
Together with expert conservationist you will:
- Collect data for the national park on sea lions, marine iguanas and petrels.
Clean-up and education programs
- You will participate in environmental education and “activism” programs for local children and also help with beach clean up. You don’t need any specific qualifications or experience to volunteer on our conservation project. Our experienced staff will guide and teach you all you need. It’s going to be the perfect combination of theory and physical work!
Gallery
Where in the Galapagos will I work?
You will work in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the capital of the Galapagos, and other parts of San Cristobal Island, such as Puerto Chino and Loberia Beaches, around Lake Junco, in the Highlands and in the Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre and Nursery.
Food and accommodation
You will stay with a host family in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno or you will stay in our eco-reserve with other volunteers. Wherever you stay, you will be welcome, and local people will be willing to share their customs and talk about their culture. We believe this is the best way to immerse yourself in the Ecuadorian lifestyle and have a unique experience. Your room will be simple, but comfortable, clean, and safe. The cost of the program includes three meals a day.
Leisure
The Galapagos Islands area world-famous nature reserve full of amazing animals, including giant tortoises, and wonderful marine life and birds. They are also a vibrant part of the landscape and culture of Ecuador and South America. As well as contributing to worthwhile projects, travelling to the Galapagos Islands and Ecuador with us means you’ll be able to explore this fascinating place. Spend the afternoon walking along the Malecon, watching sea lions, and iguanas, and enjoying a coffee in one of the local cafes or restaurants, with its lively shops and iconic statue of Charles Darwin. You can go on boat trips to nearby beaches and islands and watch the wildlife that is unique to the Galapagos. You can snorkel or dive, and perhaps swim with sea lions, turtles, rays, and other ocean life. You can also walk on nature trails overlooking beaches or near Lake Junco in the Highlands. The Interpretation Centre has interesting exhibitions about the history of the islands and their people. Volunteers come here from many countries and lifelong friendships are often made with them and with local people.
What recent volunteers said about their Mondify experience
Spanish language lessons
Fluency in Spanish is not a prerequisite for participating in Mondify’s conservation programs in the Galapagos Islands. However, certain projects may have limitations for volunteers with limited language proficiency. Therefore, Mondify strongly recommends that volunteers take advantage of the affordable Spanish courses offered exclusively to program participants. Previous volunteers have found that these classes significantly enhance day-to-day volunteer work and facilitate communication with local communities. Taught by professional Spanish instructors and tailored to each individual’s specific needs, the classes vary in duration and intensity. For instance, the Dynamic Spanish Immersion Course includes 25 group classes per week, totaling 3 hours and 45 minutes daily, while the Rapid Language Mastery Program offers 37 group classes per week, with 5 hours and 30 minutes of daily instruction. These lessons are arranged with your Mondify Program Manager prior to your departure to Galapagos, Ecuador.
Pricing
| Duration | Reserve lodging option (Prices in USD) |
Host Family lodging option (Prices in USD) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 week | $1,800.00 | $1,900.00 |
| 2 weeks | $2,500.00 | $2,645.00 |
| 3 weeks | $3,200.00 | $3,300.00 |
| 4 weeks | $3,900.00 | $4,000.00 |
| 5 weeks | $4,600.00 | $4,705.00 |
| 6 weeks | $5,310.00 | $5,410.00 |
| 7 weeks | $6,012.00 | $6,112.00 |
| 8 weeks | $6,714.00 | $6,814.00 |
| 9 weeks | $7,416.00 | $7,516.00 |
| 10 weeks | $8,118.00 | $8,218.00 |
| 11 weeks | $8,820.00 | $8,920.00 |
| 12 weeks | $9,522.00 | $9,622.00 |
| 16 weeks | $12,330.00 | $12,430.00 |
| 20 weeks | $15,138.00 | $15,238.00 |
| 24 weeks | $17,946.00 | $18,046.00 |
Exclusive Access, Unique Advantage
As the only volunteer organization officially authorized to work with the Giant Tortoises inside the Galapagos National Park, our volunteers enjoy a rare privilege: you won’t need to pay the USD 200 entrance fee required of all other visitors. This exceptional opportunity not only saves you money but grants you insider access to one of the most iconic conservation sites in the world—something no other program offers.
How to get started
Pick a destination and project and apply
Meet your personal volunteer travel expert
Pay the Registration Fee to secure your place
Get ready to volunteer abroad, we’ll support you every step of the way!
Still have questions? Let’s talk!
We’re here to answer all your questions so you feel 100% confident and ready for an unforgettable experience.
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