Giant Tortoise and Galapagos Conservation

The Galapagos Islands
The Galapagos Islands lie on the Equator, west of the Ecuadorian coast. The islands are the peaks of enormous volcanoes and consist of six main islands, 12 smaller islands and over 40 islets. Each island has its own flora, fauna and history, which make visiting the Galapagos a remarkably diverse experience.

The project work is based on the island of Isabella, the largest of the Galapagos Islands and more than 4 times the size of Santa Cruz, the second largest. It is approximately 80 miles (100 km) in length, and despite being one of the most beautiful islands; it attracts surprisingly few tourists. Isabela is home to the largest colony of Galapagos tortoises and the beaches are beautiful.

Weather
The climate can be divided into two seasons. The hot season is from December to May when the climate is more tropical with the possibility of daily showers. During this time the sea temperature is warmer and ideal for snorkelling and swimming. The cool season is from June to November and is known for its blue skies and light rainfall.

About the Island of Isabela
One of the youngest islands, Isabela is located on the western edge of the archipelago near the “Galapagos Hot Spot”. At approximately 1 million years old, the island was formed by the merger of 6 shield volcanoes - Alcedo, Cerro Azul, Darwin, Ecuador, Sierra Negra and Wolf. All of these volcanoes, with the sole exception of Ecuador, are still active making it one of the most volcanically active places on earth!

Isabela’s rich animal, bird, and marine life is beyond comparison and is home to more wild tortoises than all the other islands. Isabela’s size and notable topography created barriers for the slow moving tortoises; the creatures were unable to cross lava flows and other obstacles, causing several different sub-species of tortoise to develop. Today, tortoises roam free in the calderas of Alcedo, Wolf, Cerro Azul, Darwin and Sierra Negra, which you will have a chance to visit during your stay on the island.

About Puerto Villamil (Isabella Island)
The project is based in Puerto Villamil, located on the south-eastern coast of Isabela and is considered one of the most beautiful locations on the Galapagos Islands, with its palm fringed, white sand beaches. It is a small peaceful town with a laid back atmosphere which offers quite a different experience to the usual tourist areas on Santa Cruz and other islands. Please note that the town is relatively quiet with a friendly, laid back population of 1,000 people. Although there are several small bars on the island there are no nightclubs and nightlife is limited.

Getting There
You will need to arrange your international flight to arrive at Quito Airport, Ecuador, on the Sunday. On arrival, you will be met and taken into Quito for two night’s accommodation in a hostel, or at a volunteer apartment. On Tuesday, you will take an internal flight to Baltra airport in Santa Cruz in the Galapagos Islands. Here you will be met and taken to your accommodation for the project.

Free Time
During your free time you will be perfectly placed to make the most of exploring the islands. Just some of the activities available to you are:

• Explore the ocean and scuba or snorkel among tropical marine life, hammerhead sharks, and rays. There are dozens of hidden coves where you can snorkel the days away and some top dive schools on the island for beginners and advanced divers alike.
• Scuba dive, or snorkel at the beaches East of the Port, the main one is Concha Perla, where you will have the opportunity to observe sea lions, flamingos, and different species of birds and fish.
• Join an organised tour to the Sierra Negra volcano, located 1.3 miles from Puerto Villamil, the World’s second largest volcanic crater measuring 6 miles in diameter and 300 feet deep.
• Visit Las Grietas, an interesting site where you will be able to see the white-tipped sharks. Local fishermen will arrange a trip for around $10 US per boat but always try to bargain with them!
• Visit to the Flamingo lagoon, the largest coastal lagoon in Galapagos.
• Go to Islote Tintoreras, a large crevice with very clear, calm water in which white-tip sharks (tintoreras) rest daily on the bottom. You can also see Penguins, Sea Lions, marine Iguanas and snorkel with sharks and colourful tropical fish while enjoying the beaches of Isabela.

Please Note: Optional activities will be at an extra cost.