ECUADOR & GALÁPAGOS TREK

We have provided the following sample itinerary to give you a better sense of this experience. The actual program may vary, and an itinerary will be distributed no later than two weeks before the program begins. Even after the itinerary is sent, adjustments may still be made in coordination with tour guides and the tour operator—both leading up to and during the program—based on local conditions.

DAY 1 | DEPARTURE FLIGHT
Meet your staff and teens at the airport before traveling together to Ecuador. Once we land, your trip officially begins! We’ll break the ice with some fun and engaging activities so that you get to know everyone in the group. To learn more about how we organize travel to and from the program, click here.

DAY 2–4 | SANTA CRUZ ISLAND
Fly from Quito to Santa Cruz Island and begin your adventure with a visit to the Twin Craters and Scalesia Forest. After settling into your hotel, visit the Charles Darwin Station and relax on La Playa de la Estación. End the day with dinner and some downtime at your hotel’s swimming pool.

Start the next day volunteering at Rancho Primicias, where you’ll help with reforestation and trail maintenance in the giant tortoise habitat. In the afternoon, explore the fascinating underground lava tunnels and learn about the island’s unique geology. Dinner will be at a nearby restaurant, where you can sample various local dishes.

Kick off the next morning snorkeling at Las Grietas, a stunning volcanic fissure with clear emerald waters. After lunch at a local spot, head to Tortuga Bay Beach for kayaking alongside sea lions and other marine life. In the evening, explore the shops along the pier and relax at your hotel.

DAY 5–8 | SAN CRISTOBAL ISLAND
Take an early ferry to San Cristobal Island, where you’ll hike to Junco Volcano Lake and visit La Galapaguera, the Galapagos tortoise breeding center. After lunch, swim and snorkel at Puerto Chino Beach before meeting with a local coordinator to learn about beach conservation efforts.

Engage in a hands-on beach cleanup and reforestation activity at Hacienda Tranquila, contributing to the preservation of the Galápagos’ unique ecosystems. After a fulfilling day, enjoy Shabbat dinner and reflect on your experiences so far. Begin Saturday with BBYO programming, then spend the afternoon visiting La Loberia Beach or relaxing at Playa Mann to catch the sunset. Participate in a Havdalah ceremony and enjoy dinner in town.

On our last day, we'll embark on a day boat tour to Kicker Rock (Leon Dormido)—one of the most iconic snorkeling sites in the Galápagos—known for its incredible marine life. Onsite activities include visiting the Interpretation Center Tijeretas or enjoying free time to explore San Cristobal before our final dinner on the islands.

DAY 9–13 | QUITO
We'll transfer to San Cristobal Airport, fly back to Quito, and connect into our Stand UP Adventure Ecuador program. Our next adventure begins with a morning city tour of Old Town Quito, where you’ll explore colonial-era structures and the Basilica, and learn about Ecuador’s rich history. Visit the Monument to the Equator and tour the Intiñan Museum, which highlights Ecuador’s indigenous communities and cultural traditions.

Volunteer at Quintillano Sanchez School, where you'll help teach English and assist with subjects such as computers, art, and cooking over two days. Ride the Teleférico cable car to experience stunning panoramic views of Quito from a 13,000-foot peak. Celebrate Shabbat at a local synagogue and enjoy a relaxed Shabbat program with the local Jewish community, followed by a fun salsa dancing lesson after Havdalah.

On Sunday, we’ll hike through Cotopaxi National Park, a vast, forested area with volcanic landscapes. After lunch, we’ll explore the serene Lake Limpiopungo before returning to Quito for dinner and a special treat to cap off the evening. We’ll spend our final day in Quito with a trip to the Mindo Cloudforest, a stunning nature lover’s paradise, where we’ll enjoy hiking scenic trails, stopping under the canopies, and visiting the Mindo Butterfly Greenhouse.

DAY 14–16 | SAN CLEMENTE
Travel to the San Clemente community, a small Quichua Indigenous village in Ecuador’s Northern Highlands. On arrival, we’ll work alongside local families, feeding guinea pigs, chickens, and cows. Take part in volunteer activities to help with agricultural projects and learn about traditional medicinal plants from the community elders.

Work with the Quichua community on a variety of hands-on projects like caring for and shearing alpacas, gardening, and making wool. In the evenings, immerse yourself in traditional Quichua music, dance, and storytelling while learning to cook and create traditional crafts. On our final day, we’ll hike to the base of the Imbabura Volcano, a stunning sight, and participate in a community farewell program complete with dinner, dance, and music.

DAY 17–18 | OTAVALO
Drive to the magnificent Cuicocha Lake, a 3km-wide volcanic crater lake. We’ll hike around the lake and take a scenic boat ride. Next, explore the famous Otavalo Market, one of Latin America's most spectacular markets, where you’ll see the vibrant culture of the Otavaleños and admire the beautiful surroundings. After lunch, we’ll visit the Peguche Waterfall, the ceremonial center for a purification ritual, and stop at the House of Music Ñanda Mañachi, where we’ll learn about Andean music.

On Shabbat, enjoy a relaxing morning in Otavalo with BBYO programming and a visit to the Otavalo Market, which offers both cultural significance and outstanding shopping.

DAY 19–22 | SINCHI WARMI
Journey into the lush Amazon rainforest and arrive at Sinchi Warmi in Puerto Misahuallí, where you’ll immerse yourself in the beauty of this tropical ecosystem. Learn about the Kichwa community and their efforts to preserve indigenous traditions. Take a refreshing dip at the Papallacta Hot Springs before returning to Sinchi Warmi for dinner.

Embark on a jungle hike to discover the many uses of local plants for medicinal, culinary, and cultural purposes. Participate in an artisanal chocolate-making experience, where you’ll collect cacao, learn the traditional methods of chocolate production, and indulge in a chocolate facial. Spend the following days exploring the Latas Waterfall, competing in a raft-building challenge, and taking in the wonders of the Napo River, the lifeline of the Ecuadorian Amazon. Each night, enjoy community dinners and live indigenous music.

DAY 23–25 | BAÑOS
Leave the Amazon behind and head to Baños, a small town surrounded by volcanoes, rivers, and waterfalls. We’ll visit the Yanacocha Animal Rescue Center to learn about local wildlife rehabilitation efforts. Continue to Rio Verde for a visit to the famous Pailon del Diablo Waterfall, followed by a thrilling cable car ride over the river at Agoyan Waterfall.

The next day, take a trip to Manto de la Novia Waterfall, whose stunning white waters resemble a bridal veil. After lunch with a rafting team on the Río Verde, soar over canyons at the exhilarating Swing at the End of the World, a unique experience that offers stunning views of the lush landscape. Celebrate Shabbat with dinner in town before spending a relaxed Shabbat morning with BBYO programming, free time, and an optional hike to the Luna Runtun Viewpoint. Before heading home, enjoy free time in Baños for last-minute exploration. Stop at the Salasacas Indigenous Market on the way back to Quito for lunch, then prepare for our farewell dinner in Cumbaya.

DAY 26 | RETURN FLIGHT
It’s never goodbye, just see you later. Head to the airport for a flight back to the U.S. Give your friends one last hug and part ways once your flight arrives at the airport. While your summer trip with us is over, the memories you’ve made will last a lifetime!

Our most frequently asked questions about this program are answered below. Additional program-wide FAQs are also available. Still need something? We’re here to help! Contact us.

How will my teen travel to the program?
BBYO requires all North American participants to fly on the group supervised flight for this program. Flight costs are not included in the program’s land cost. BBYO will purchase a ticket for each traveler and charge the family directly. The flight cost for programs with supervised flight options will be announced, along with the flight details for all programs, in the spring. Learn more about flying to the program.

Where will my teen be sleeping?
The group stays in 3-star hotels, lodges, and guest houses in both Ecuador and the Galapagos. When booking our accommodations, we ensure that each teen has their own sleeping space within a shared room arrangement.

How is the program staffed?
Each group is accompanied by a team of madrichim (counselors), a local tour leader, and a bus driver. Staff names are sent out approximately 2–3 weeks prior to your departure as part of the pre-trip preparation emails. Staff are asked to make welcome calls to teens before departure. Feel free to ask them any remaining questions you may have. Learn more about our staff team.

What’s the summer weather like?
Ecuador and the Galapagos offer diverse climates. In Ecuador's highlands, like Quito, expect daytime temperatures in the 70s and cooler evenings in the 50s, so pack a heavier sweater or light jacket. The Amazon Basin features warm, tropical, and humid weather, so shorts and a rain jacket are recommended for afternoon showers. In the Galapagos, temperatures range from the 60s to 80s, with dry conditions and cooler evenings. You’ll experience warm, sunny days ideal for outdoor activities and wildlife exploration.

How do you approach security?
The safety of the teens under our care is our guiding consideration. Learn more about our organization’s approach to safety & security.

What’s the typical group size?
Although it varies from year to year, our average group size for trips is 25–30 teens. Some teens choose to sign up together with a friend or two and most teens choose to come on their own. Either way, our participants will have the opportunity to meet a diverse group of peers from various locations across North America which makes exploring a new place together even more exciting. On some programs, we might have multiple parties from the same area register together. In this case, we are unable to inform families when this occurs and though we are always willing to share the group dynamics of the current registrations, we typically have a good idea of the general group make up after our cancellation deadline.

What’s the food like?
In Ecuador, you'll try local delicacies like llapingacho, empanada de viento, plantains, and chocolate, while in the Galápagos, seafood and fresh local produce are highlights. When traveling, your teen may encounter new foods that will not be to their liking, so we ask teens to be flexible and have snacks and other alternatives on hand just in case.

As a travel-based program, our meals take a variety of forms and may include hotel buffets, restaurants, catered meals, and allowance funds for participants to purchase a meal on their own. When a meal is served in a public buffet format (e.g. hotel breakfast), we will always ensure that there are vegetarian, pescatarian, or dairy options available and we will not restrict teens from eating the food of their choice.

Some meals may be provided via a cash allowance where teens will be given money to purchase the food of their choice, called a pizur meal. Such meals are typically arranged in an area where there are multiple restaurant options and teens can choose the food of their liking. When time is limited for meal choice, staff may choose to facilitate meal orders on behalf of teens using their allowance funds.

Participants with special dietary needs (i.e. lactose intolerance, gluten-free, kosher, etc.) should review our dietary restrictions commitment document and contact us in advance to be sure we can accommodate your needs during the program.

Will I need a visa?
If you travel with an American, Canadian, or EU passport, good news! You don’t need a visa to enter Ecuador or the Galápagos. If you travel with a passport from another country, you may need a visa.

What are the payment and cancellation terms?
All of these details are available here, Registration Terms.

For more information, check out our general FAQs.

Looking to combine two experiences for an extended summer of adventure, learning, and self-discovery? BBYO makes it easy! Check out these other trips that connect with the Galápagos:

• Costa Rica & Galápagos Trek

Learn more about our trip connections.