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Encounter Ecuador

Galapagos – Regenerative Farming & Fun
A life changing experience

DISCOVER THE  Adventure OF

ECUADOR

The necessity of organic agriculture is crucial in the Galapagos Islands, a National Park of indescribable value to our planet and humanity. On the island of San Cristobal, there are dozens of fincas, but only one is entirely organic. We urgently require volunteer assistance on this Finca of over 30HA in the island’s hills so that their founders can carry on with this essential ecological and regenerative agricultural project. You will receive a special chance to learn how-to live-in harmony with nature, as well as experience a much-needed digital detox since there is no cellular or WIFI signal on the Finca. Three volunteers are available to participate on each date. It is key to highlight that for volunteer opportunities, the project welcomes families with kids 10 years of age and older.

Do you have the courage to accept this challenge and contribute to improving the world?

I T I N E R A R Y

DAY  1

friday 

Arrival Quito. Transfer to Hostel Selina in Quito.

After landing in the city’s capital, you will be driven to the exciting and fun Selina Hostel in Quito (you won’t get bored here!), where you can check into your dorm and meet your fellow travelers. You will also have a meet and greet upon your arrival at the hotel.

Since you will be at a high altitude (2800 meters), take it slow on the first few days and cut back on drinking alcohol to avoid altitude sickness.

DAY  2

saturday 

Discover colonial Quito & La Carolina Park with a local guide. Selina Hostel

Today you will immerse yourself in historical antique buildings and sites, replete with (some of them spooky) ancient stories, aside from learning that Quito was the first city to ever be awarded a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Later, your guide will take you to La Carolina, Quito’s “Central Park,” where you may explore this lovely green metropolitan site and discover more about the local culture. During this entire tour, you will move around the city by public transport, accompanied by your tour guide.  You will then head back to Selina, where you can unwind and allow these recent memories to settle in.

 

 

 

 

DAY  3

sunday 

Flight to San Cristobal. Transfer from the airport to Hotel. Meet & greet local representatives and explore a walking tour in town with a local lunch at the beach closer to sea lions.

Prepare to be enchanted by the idyllic Galapagos islands!

You will be transported from the hostel to Quito airport in the morning to catch your flight to San Cristobal airport in the Galapagos.

Once you arrive in San Cristobal you will be brought to your lovely Hotel. Here, you will receive a warm meet and greet welcome from your local tour guide and enjoy a delicious welcome lunch. Later, you will experience a walking tour of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno to get to know the island a little bit closer.

DAY  4

monday 

Transfer to highlands for the start of a transformational adventure in the project Mandinga https://www.instagram.com/finca.mandinga/

Including meals, digital detox, transformational experience, and organic and regenerative farming.

Prepare to lose yourself in this life-changing adventure and forget about the busy outside world. You’ll have the chance to coexist peacefully with nature and the native Galapagos population while you live, work, and relax. The goal is to perform 100% organic and sustainable agriculture while living in peace with nature (permaculture).

You will be transferred from your hotel to the highlands of the island for the start of a transformational adventure at Mandinga project (20-30 minutes driving distance).

DAY  5

Tuesday 

Project

Your first day will be spent getting to know everyone at the project, including its most vital members: its nature. You will quickly become accustomed to your volunteer activities, which range from preparing the land, planting & maintaining crops, harvesting, preparing fertilizers, and making compost, building with local materials, working together with local children, maintaining trails, learning about the different types of plants and animals, taking care of coffee and cocoa plantations, cooking meals with products from the garden, carpentry, sharing experiences and learnings with the community. As you can see there is plenty to learn and share, we doubt that you’ll get bored J.

DAY  6

wednesday 

Project

Every day at 8:00 a.m., the volunteer activities begin, with a snack break at 11:00 a.m. At 2:30 pm, a vegan meal is provided. You are welcome to work in the afternoon as well as there is still much to accomplish at the finca. At around six o’clock, dinner is served. You will be expected to assist with meal preparation.
6.2
6.3

DAY  7

THURSday 

Every day at 8:00 a.m., the volunteer activities begin, with a snack break at 11:00 a.m. At 2:30 pm, a vegan meal is provided. You are welcome to work in the afternoon as well as there is still much to accomplish at the finca. At around six o’clock, dinner is served. You will be expected to assist with meal preparation.

DAY  8

friday 

AM project, after lunch a driver will pick you up and you will visit Galapaguera; a turtle breeding center. After this visit the driver will bring you to village Baquerizo Moreno. Hotel

You will continue your volunteer work in the morning before being driven to Baquerizo Moreno, where you will overnight at the Hotel once more.

 

DAY  9

saturday 

Kicker rock day tour. Hotel

Have a delicious breakfast before setting out on an exhilarating day trip to Kicker Rock. Additionally, you’ll get the chance to go underwater in a truly spectacular and once-in-a-lifetime setting.

DAY tour

kicker Rock 

You will take a small boat int the morning and set sail for the lava formation in the middle of the ocean called Kicker Rock (León Dormido which means “sleeping lion” in Spanish as they say it looks like). First, you will circle around the rock formation to observe the different bird species that use the rock formation as a resting or nesting place. Afterward, the boat will anchor and you will jump off the boat to snorkel the canal in between the rock formations. Beware that the currents can be strong and that you will be snorkeling in open waters without being able to see the bottom. Here you will be able to spot different shark species (sometimes even hammerheads!), turtles, rays, and more. In some seasons you might encounter jellyfish which can sting; however, a wetsuit will be provided when this could happen. After the snorkeling, you will continue to Manglecito or a similar beach and enjoy a lunch box on board. At Manglecito, you will have the chance to walk around a white coral beach, relax and swim in shallow waters before returning to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno.

Included: Bilingual Galapagos National Park guide, transportation, and light lunch.

What to bring: swimsuit and towel, comfortable hiking shoes, sun protection, (reusable) water bottle, and snacks

DAY  10

sunday 

Surf or Yoga classes.

Depending the waves and climate you will have today surf or yoga classes for 2 hours. The rest of the day free in this charming seaside town in paradise and take some time to unwind.

 

DAY  11

monday 

Transfer back to the project.  

Get ready to head back to the project and continue your activities where you left off.

DAY  12

tuesDAY

Every day at 8:00 a.m., the volunteer activities begin, with a snack break at 11:00 a.m. At 2:30 pm, a vegan meal is provided. You are welcome to work in the afternoon as well as there is still much to accomplish at the finca. At around six o’clock, dinner is served. You will be expected to assist with meal preparation.

DAY  13

wednesday 

Project

Every day at 8:00 a.m., the volunteer activities begin, with a snack break at 11:00 a.m. At 2:30 pm, a vegan meal is provided. You are welcome to work in the afternoon as well as there is still much to accomplish at the finca. At around six o’clock, dinner is served. You will be expected to assist with meal preparation.

 

DAY  14

ThURsDAY

Every day at 8:00 a.m., the volunteer activities begin, with a snack break at 11:00 a.m. At 2:30 pm, a vegan meal is provided. You are welcome to work in the afternoon as well as there is still much to accomplish at the finca. At around six o’clock, dinner is served. You will be expected to assist with meal preparation.

DAY  15

FRIDAY

Finish your volunteer tasks in the morning and say goodbye to this very special setting and project before being driven to Baquerizo Moreno after lunch, where you will check back in at the Hotel.

All wonderful things in life must, unfortunately, come to an end, but luckily some of them can be honored with a delicious farewell meal. Before you must leave this magnificent place, take advantage of your final free day in Baquerizo Moreno, and take in one final sunset in one of the most wonderful places on earth.

DAY  16

SATURDAY

End of program. Transfer from hotel to airport.

We really hope that you had an amazing and memorable time in Ecuador and will always remember the special moments you had there. We appreciate your participation in this event and the opportunity to introduce you to the delights of this heavenly sanctuary.

  • You can book 1 or more extra nights to enjoy a bit more the magic of the Galapagos Islands.

The start dates of this program in 2024 will be;

  • Saturday 02 March
  • Saturday 13 April
  • Saturday 11 May
  • Saturday 27 July
  • Saturday 21 September
  • Saturday 09 November

things  to consider

What is included?

    •  Private Transfer to Hostel Selina in Quito
    • Discover Quito tour with guide with public transportation
    • Private Transfer from Hostel Selina to airport
    • Transfer from airport to Hotel in San Cristobal 
    • Welcome lunch at hotel (1)
    • Standard room at hotel in San Cristobal (5 nights) Hotel Casita de la Isla or GPS Planet
    • Breakfast at hotel (5)
    • Transfers Hotel to Finca Mandinga 
    • Breakfast (8), lunch (8), and dinner (8) at Finca Mandinga
    • Shared accommodation at Finca Mandinga (8 nights)
    • Transfers from Finca Mandinga to Hotel 
    • Galapaguera; visit to the turtle breeding center 
    • Kicker Rock day tour with lunch included
    • Yoga or Surf lesson; 2 hours 

    What is NOT included?

    • Other meals not mentioned at the program.
    • Beverages
    • Tips
    • Other expensesAir ticket to and back Galapagos (San Cristobal Island) +/- $550,00 
    • Fee Galapagos National Park 100USD per person
    • Transit control card 20USD per person

     

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