Ecotrackers volunteers and students program in Galapagos

ECOTRACKERS IN THE GALAPAGOS

To view pictures, click here: http://picasaweb.google.es/margaretnovak/Galapagos

To read about our experiences in the Galapagos, click here: http://ecotrackers-galapagos.blogspot.com/

Santa Cruz

-Volunteer Work: (may volunteer for short or long periods of time)

• Working on the Lava Tunnel Information and Interpretation Center

  • Creating photo posters

  • Creating signs leading to the tunnels

  • Creating informational posters- formation of lava tunnels, island history, ecological issues facing the Galapagos, Ecuador, and the rest of the world, the nature/culture/development of the Galapagos (globalization, global warming, natural equilibriums), information about Ecotrackers

  • Creating art projects- models of tunnels, dioramas

  • Organizing artifacts

  • Working on the 4^th tunnel

-Costs:

• $405.00- plane ticket to Baltra (approximate)

• $50.00- Ecotrackers registration fee

• $10.00/day- ($8.00/day to the Bellavista Community, which includes room & board/food and $2.00/day for the Ecotrackers Foundation)

• $0.80- ferry ride to Santa Cruz

• $1.80- bus ride from dock to Puerto Ayora

• $3.00- taxi ride from Puerto Ayora to Bellavista (or a one hour walk)

• $1.80- bus ride back to Baltra

• $0.80- ferry back to Baltra

• Optional/Additional Prices:

  • $30.00 to visit the island of San Cristobol or Isabela

  • $10.00 to rent snorkeling gear/fins

-How to get there:

• Take the plane from Quito to Baltra

• From the Baltra Airport, take the bus to the dock and then take the boat taxi to Santa Cruz

• Take the bus from the dock into Puerto Ayora

• Take a taxi from Puerto Ayora to Bellavista, tell them you want to go to Las Cuevas, and that is where you will find the center and the home of Sra. Soila and Don Jose. The apartments (there are 4 nice bedrooms) are just behind the center.

-Cool things to do on Santa Cruz:

• Charles Darwin Research Center- This is where they breed the giant Galapagos turtles and land iguanas. It is an awesome place!!

• Charles Darwin Beach- This beach is just beyond the Charles Darwin Research Center, and is a good place to see cool birds and marine iguanas.

• Tortuga Bay- This is a gorgeous bay that is a great place to snorkel and bird watch. Be sure to take the trail that goes along the beach, as it is home to blue-footed boobies and tons of awesome marine iguanas!!

• Las Grietas- To get here, you have to take a small water taxi across the marina, but it only costs $0.50 per person. Then, you hike along salt flats and across a beach until you get to a huge crevice where salt water meets fresh water. This is an awesome place to snorkel!

• And, of course- the lava tubes, where you will be working!! There are three different tubes that you can trek through, all of different lengths.

• There is lots more to do on the island, including visits to the highlands (which may cost more due to expensive taxi rides); for more information, visit the Tourist Information Center in downtown Puerto Ayora!

-Contact Information:

• Sra. Soila and Don Jose- #085224644

San Cristobol

-Volunteer Work: (may volunteer only for extended periods of time)

• Teaching English in various schools

-Costs:

• $405.00- plane ticket to Baltra (approximate)

• $50.00- Ecotrackers registration fee

• $10.00/day- ($8.00/day to the community and/or hostel, which includes room & board and $2.00/day for the Ecotrackers Foundation)

• $30.00- ferry ride to San Cristobol

• $30.00 ferry ride back to Baltra- bus ride back to Baltra

• Optional/Additional Prices:

  • $40.00 to visit the island of Leon Dormida to snorkel with sharks and sea turtles

  • $10.00 to just rent snorkeling gear/fins

-How to get there:

• Take the plane from Quito to Baltra

• From the Baltra Airport, purchase a boat ride to San Cristobol; take the bus to the dock and then take the boat to San Cristobol

• Albatross (the hostel) is directly in front of the dock when you get off the boat

-Cool things to do on San Cristobol:

• Leon Dormida- It costs $40.00, but it is well worth it!! You can purchase a trip from any of the local companies, and then they will take you out for the day to snorkel with sharks, sea turtles, and baby sea lions!

• Various beaches- all of the beaches on San Cristobol have an abundance of sea lions that are fun to swim around with!

• The Interpretation Center- This center is a great source of information and contains lots of interesting facts about the Galapagos.

• There are many other excursions including bike rides form the highlands, which you can get more information about from any of the local tour companies.

Contact Information:

• Sra. Anita de Playa- #2520264