Itinerary
Actionquest, the global adventure travel arm of our organization, and Lifeworks collectively offer two 21-day programs in the Galapagos Islands and Ecuador. The nature and feel of the programs is fairly different, so it's best to consider them separately.
 Session 1, otherwise known as the Darwin voyage, students earn 40 hours of community service with increased touring and adventure activities split between mainland Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. Students tour all the best this country has to offer, from the Amazon basin to the high Andes to the capital Quito and the Galapagos Islands. Adventure activities include a 5-day motor yacht tour, white-water rafting, horseback riding, and hiking. |
 Session 2 students earn 100 hours of community service and the President's Volunteer Service Award with time spent in the Galapagos, Amazon and Andes. With this increase in community service time, students leave having greater immersed themselves into the culture and ecology of the Galapagos, and with a deeper understanding of some of the complex issues this amazing part of the world faces. Session 2 students work hard, but also play hard with afternoons and weekends spent snorkeling with sealions, playing soccer with local children, and touring some of the most famous sites in Ecuador and the Galapagos. |
Below we have included sample itineraries for both programs. As our community service work changes year to year with the needs of our partnering organizations, please take the tables below as an example only. As always, feel free to give us a call at 800.808.2115 or +1.941.924.2115 for the most up-to-date information.
Session 1 Itinerary
| Day | Session 1 - Description |
| 1 | Fly Day! - Students fly together from Miami to Quito with the help of Lifeworks' professional staff. Afternoon and evening activities include getting settled into a beautiful downtown hotel, Lifeworks' orientation, and check-in. Students enjoy their first of many fantastic Ecuadorian meals, and try to get some sleep after months of anticipation come to an end! |
| 2 | Orientation and City Tour - Morning Ecuadorian culture and safety briefing. At a local park, students participate in group building games and initiatives. Afternoon Quito city tour of historic plazas, cathedrals, and markets. |
| 3 | Rafting Day! - Class 2, 3, and 4 rapids is unavoidably fun for all! Students have an action packed day full of fun and beautiful scenery through the tropical rainforests of the Rio Toachi. |
| 4 | Great Greetings to the Galapagos! - Students fly from Quito to Baltra in the Galapagos Islands. First impressions last forever in this natural wonderland - "magical" sums it up best for most! Transport to the Darwin Research Station to see the endangered Galapagos tortoises and the famed "Lonesome George." Evening embarkation on the Galapagos motor yacht tour. |
| 5 - 8 | Galapagos Yacht Tour - Aboard the floating home, students explore the "jewel" islands of the Galapagos, including Plazas, Santa Fe, Espanola, Lobos, and San Cristobal. Students have unforgettable experiences with the wildlife, including close encounters with blue-footed boobies and albatrosses as they perform their intricate mating dances, and snorkeling with sea lions, hammerhead sharks, penguins, and much more. |
| 9 - 10 | Now Let's Clean Up This Place! - After undoubtedly developing a love of the islands, students lend a hand on conservation service projects with the Galapagos National Park Service. Projects can include removing invasive species, planting native trees, testing water quality, and educational initiatives for the children of the Galapagos. |
| 11 | Return To The Mainland - Morning community service project. Students fly Baltra to Quito for a lively evening salsa lesson in downtown Quito. No experience necessary! |
| 12 - 15 | The Amazon Awaits! -Students fly Quito to Coca and begin their journey into the famed Amazon rainforest. Over their stay, students tour the wonders of the Amazon ecological system. Cameras do not stop clicking with the sighting of monkeys, caimans, sloths, parrots, macaws, frogs, snakes, iguanas, insects of all shapes and colors, and much more. Activities includes fishing for piranhas, visiting indigenous communities and markets, exploring markets, and 2 days of community service work with the indigenous project of Sumak Allpa. The closing evening program is a night to remember! |
| 16 | Amazon Retreat - Students have their last jungle morning. Afternoon flight back to Quito for a Lifeworks Forum and some well-earned rest. |
| 17 | Scenic Mountain Drive and Soccer Extravaganza - Students leave Quito for the high Andes. Afternoon stop at the Zumbahua Market for a "taste of the authentic." Arrival at a beautiful Andean eco-lodge, for some evening soccer games with the local children. |
| 18 | Hike Day! - Transport up to Quilotoa Lake, a stunning volcanic crater with emerald waters spanning 2 kilometers. Hike back through the spectacular scenery to the welcoming warmth of an Andean eco-lodge. |
| 19 | Horseback Riding Day! - Explore the beautiful Andes and lower elevation cloud forests on horseback from the Andean eco-lodge to a historic cheese factory and back. |
| 20 | Farewell To The Andes & Closing Program - Scenic bus transport from Andean eco-lodge back to Quito. Students have a grand feast on their final night, and, perhaps, shed a few tears during our slide show and closing program. |
| 21 | So Hard To Say Goodbye - Students say goodbye to their new friends at Lifeworks. Without fail there is a mix of emotions - there is excitement to return home; there is sadness to leave. Students fly together Quito to Miami with the help of Lifeworks' professional staff and continue on to their respective homes and families. |
Session 2 Itinerary
| Day | Session 2 - Description |
| 1 | Fly Day! - Students fly together from Miami to Quito with the help of Lifeworks' professional staff. Afternoon and evening activities include getting settled into a beautiful downtown hotel, Lifeworks' orientation, and check-in. Students enjoy their first of many fantastic Ecuadorian meals, and try to get some sleep after months of anticipation come to an end! |
| 2 | Orientation and City Tour - Morning Ecuadorian culture and safety briefing. At a local park, students participate in group building games and initiatives, amidst the majestic backdrop of the Andes mountains. Students have an afternoon Quito city tour of historic plazas, cathedrals, and markets. |
| 3 | Great Greetings to the Galapagos! - Students fly from Quito to San Cristobal in the Galapagos Islands. First impressions last forever in this natural wonderland - "magical" sums it up best for most! Students have an afternoon town tour, a brief swim, and an introduction to Galapagos issues - and settle into their warm and welcoming Galapagos hotel. |
| 4 | Floreana Play Day - Students embark on an unforgettable tour to Floreana Island, one of the most photographed and famous islands. A favorite day for all, students swim with the resident penguins, sea lions, marine turtles, reef sharks, tropical fish, and climb to the heights for breathtaking panoramas of the archipelago. |
| 5 - 8 | Now Let's Clean Up This Place! - After undoubtedly developing a love of the islands, students lend a hand on conservation service projects with the Galapagos National Park Service and local schools. Projects in the past have included... • Removing invasive species • Planting native trees • Testing water quality • Beach cleanups • Recycling and compost initiatives • Educational mural painting • School maintenance projects • Playground construction Students also spend their time playing games and activities of all kinds with the children of the Galapagos, swimming at some of the most pristine beaches in the world, exploring local towns and fisherman's markets, and much, much more. |
| 9 | Kicker Rock - Students have a leisurely day exploring the famous Kicker Rock and Isla Lobos...with some relaxing beach time, hiking, and, of course, more snorkeling! |
| 10 | Return To The Mainland - Students pack their bags and head to the San Cristobal airport. Students fly to Quito for a lively evening salsa lesson in downtown Quito. No experience necessary! |
| 11 - 15 | The Amazon Awaits! - Students fly Quito to Coca and begin their journey into the famed Amazon rainforest. Over their stay, students tour the wonders of the Amazon ecological system. Cameras do not stop clicking with the sighting of monkeys, caimans, sloths, parrots, macaws, frogs, snakes, iguanas, insects of all shapes and colors, and much more. Activities includes fishing for piranhas, visiting indigenous communities, exploring markets, and several days of community service work with the indigenous project of Sumak Allpa. The closing evening program is a night to remember! |
| 16 - 19 | Amazing Andes - Students leave Quito for the high Andes. Student's explore authentic Andean markets, beautiful volcanic craters, and participate in eco-tourism initiatives and construction projects at a breathtaking Andean eco-lodge. |
| 20 | Farewell To The Andes & Closing Program - Scenic bus transport from Andean eco-lodge back to Quito. Students have a grand feast on their final night, and, perhaps, shed a few tears during our slide show and closing program. |
| 21 | So Hard To Say Goodbye - Students say goodbye to their new friends at Lifeworks. Without fail there is a mix of emotions - there is excitement to return home; there is sadness to leave. Students fly together Quito to Miami with the help of Lifeworks' professional staff and continue on to their respective homes and families. |
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