The Enchanted Archipelago

Explore one of the most sought-after destinations for scientists and nature lovers. Students visiting the Galapagos enjoy hands-on experiences with some of the world’s most spectacular wild animal species. Activities include helping with tortoise restoration, reforestation, investigation into micro-plastic pollution, activities in the Charles Darwin Research Centre and island day trips.​

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Location: The Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
Duration: 5+ days
Number of participants: 6+
Cost: From $699 p/p (price doesn't include international flights)
Language: Spanish or English
Subjects: Environmental Science, STEM, Biology, Geology, Geography, Spanish
Carbon emissions: 317kg of CO2e p/p - we offset 100% of these emissions plus your journey here! See below for more details.
SDG's covered: 

Flexible bookings

Book now, pay later. Due to changing circumstances we make it easy for you to reserve your educational trip without paying a deposit upfront! This means:

• Free date changes and cancellations up to 60 days before departure on faculty-led educational trips.​ 
• Covid protection: If your trip is cancelled due to Covid choose from free date changes, account credit, or a full immediate refund.​
• No upfront deposit: Make your booking now with the deposit only required 90 days before the trip.

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Activities we offer

• Participation in a giant tortoise restoration project 
• Reforestation project on Island San Cristobal
• Clearing invasive species on San Cristobal island
• Microplastic beach clear up
• Visit to the Charles Darwin Research Centre - interviews and activities with local scientists and biologists
• Organic cooking challenge
• Snorkelling with hammerhead sharks, turtles, sea lions
• Swimming in a lava cave
• Day trips to a variety of islands and beaches

Example itinerary

Day 1: Arrivals
Private airport transfer from Quito’s Aeropuerto Internacional Mariscal Sucre. Walking tour of the historical centre. Introduction to the program. 

Day 2: San Cristobal, the Galapagos
Tour around the interpretation centre, Snorkel with sea lions on a nearby beach before heading to our private hacienda. Meet the farm workers and enjoy a typical dinner under the stars.

Day 3: Giant tortoise protection program
Take part in a giant Galapagos tortoise protection program, learning how to feed these majestic animals and discovering the importance of their survival. Tour the island with our local guides and enjoy dinner in the town centre. 

Day 4: Plastic pollution problems & solutions
Witness first-hand the environmental dangers of disposing waste incorrectly. Students take part in a beach-clean up on a secluded bay. Evening cooking class, using locally-sourced ingredients to make a delicious dinner.

Day 5: Eradicating invasive species
Learn how to eradicate invasive species. Join with conservation experts to identify and destroy species that cause an imbalance to the fragile ecosystem and threaten biodiversity.  Take part in a reforestation project, discovering essential techniques using GPS.

Day 6: Tailored day trip
Students choose from a variety of day trips including a visit to Kicker Rock to swim and snorkel with sharks, turtles and sea lions. Or explore smaller beach islands to discover blue-footed boobies and marine iguanas.

Day 7: Santa Cruz Island
Head to Santa Cruz Island via speedboat. Enjoy a local lunch in Puerto Ayora before enjoying some free time in this busy port that brims with restaurants, shops, and an array of sea lions and pelicans. 

Day 8: Charles Darwin Research Centre
Private tour around the Charles Darwin Research Centre. Explore the centre is working to preserve the animal species on the island and of course discover the story of lonesome george. 

Day 9: Recycling program & Tortuga Bay 
Students join an organization making their own jewellery out of recycled materials. Visit Tortuga Bay, choosing from a variety of activities like kayaking, snorkeling, swimming or just snapping local blue-footed boobies. 

Day 10: Departures
Kagumu staff will accompany students in private transport to their airport in plenty of time to catch their flight home. 

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What is included

• All meals
• Transport once in the Galapagos 
• Kagumu guides
• Free professor place for every 15 students that sign up
• Accommodation (rooms are shared but privates are available on request and at an extra cost) 
• All scheduled excursions and activities
• Local guides and translators
• Safety documents - risk assessment, safety protocols, liability cover
• Health Insurance
• One Kagumu guide for every 15 students​

Carbon emissions

We have worked out this trip generates an average of 317kg of CO2e per person. This includes all the carbon equivalent emissions (CO2e) from your trip including accommodation, food, transport, guides, and staff operations.

Extra potential CO2e emissions from your journey to and from Santa Marta.
Miami - Quito; Quito - Miami  586kg (round trip)
Bogota - Quito; Quito - Galapagos  394kg (round trip)
Panama - Quito; Quito - Galapagos 438kg (round trip)
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You can read more about how we measure our carbon emissions by reading our climate action policy here. 

Climate Declaration

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Like the look of this trip? Would you like to tailor the itinerary to your students' study focus? Get in touch with Kagumu's planning team today. 

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Facts about the Galapagos Islands

• The islands inspired naturalist Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution and his famous book: On the Origin of the Species.
• There are 13 main islands in this archipelago, the largest being Isabela Island. 
• The first of the islands began to form around 3-4 million years ago. 
• Indeed, these volcanic islands continue to evolve and form and there have been 13 volcanic eruptions in 100 years.
• Around 25,000 people live on the islands with the majority living on Santa Cruz. 
• The first settlers came here in 1535 as the islands were used as a a hideout or to stash loot.
• The Islands’ endemic marine iguana is the only known lizard that can swim and holds the key to evolutionary patterns.
• Giant tortoises can live up to 150 years old