Galapagos Educational Tours & Trips
Galapagos Trips: Magical wildlife encounters
The Galapagos Islands are quite simply a Mecca for extraordinary wildlife and biodiversity. They continue to fascinate scientists, explorers, and travelers from all over the globe.
This unique archipelago, lying off the coast of Ecuador, boasts dreamlike volcanic islands of deserted beaches, cream cashmere sand, and transparent waters.
However, the real box-office draw is the animals. There’s nowhere on Earth where you can get up close and personal with marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies, and the iconic Galapagos tortoise.
High School & K–12 School Trips
Custom, curriculum-aligned school trips backed by 24/7 on-the-ground support, 1 free chaperone per 10 students, certified local Galapagos National Park naturalist guides, and full risk management and safety documentation.
Educational tour
Environmental Science
STEM in Galapagos
University & Higher Education Study Abroad
Customized Educational Tours
Partner with Kagumu Adventures to design faculty-led or study abroad programs in the Galapagos. Our tailored programs align with undergraduate and graduate curricula and meet the highest safety standards.
Academic Disciplines & Syllabus Alignment
- STEM & Biology: Study adaptive radiation, island biogeography, and endemic species alongside researchers at the Charles Darwin Research Station and local field ecologists.
- Environmental Studies & Conservation: Analyze the delicate balance between eco-tourism, invasive species management, marine protection zones, and renewable energy transitions on inhabited islands.
- Spanish & Intercultural Learning: Develop Spanish language skills through immersive interactions with island residents, local coffee farmers in the highlands, fishermen, and grassroots conservationists.
Galapagos information for educators
Things educators need to know about the Galapagos
Electric Voltage: 110V / 60Hz (Standard US plug types A & B – no adapter needed for US travelers).
Currency: US Dollar (USD). Cash is essential on the islands, as credit card processing can be limited and local ATMs frequently run out of bills.
Language: Spanish.
Telephone: +593 (Ecuador country code).
Hygiene & Water: Tap water is not potable on the islands. Kagumu provides purified water refills throughout the trip – students must bring a reusable water bottle.
Toilets: Modern plumbing on the islands cannot handle paper waste. Always dispose of toilet paper in the provided wastebaskets.
ATMs: Available on Santa Cruz and San Cristóbal, but fees apply and outage risk is high. Bring sufficient cash in small bills ($1, $5, $10, $20) for incidental expenses.
National Park Entry Fee: $200 per adult ($100 for children under 12) paid in cash upon arrival at passport control in the Galapagos.
Transit Control Card (TCT): A mandatory $20 card purchased at the airport in Quito or Guayaquil prior to departure for the islands.
National park rules educators need to know
When visiting the national park, visitors are expected to treat the flora and fauna with respect, act responsibly, and follow some basic rules:
- Always keep a distance of six feet from wildlife – including your cameras
- Don’t touch or feed the animals
- Do not introduce or remove external elements to and from the ecosystem
- Do not smoke or make campfires
- Walk on marked trails only
- Do not take pictures with flash
- Only use authorized sport fishing boats
- Motorized water-crafts, submarines, and air tourism are prohibited
Getting there for an educational trip
The best way to visit the Galapagos is by flying into one of the two main airports: Seymour or San Cristobal. All flights leave from either Quito or Guayaquil on mainland Ecuador.
Areas of study
Evolutionary Biology & Adaptive Radiation
Analyze morphological adaptations across finch populations, tortoise shell structures, and marine iguana feeding behaviors in relation to specific micro-environments.
Marine Biology & Oceanography
Explore the convergence of three major ocean currents (Cromwell, Humboldt, and Panama) and study pelagic megafauna – including hammerhead sharks, sea turtles, rays, and Galápagos sea lions.
Earth Sciences & Volcanology
Examine hotspot volcanic formation, shield volcano calderas, pahoehoe lava flows, and basaltic geological features across young western islands (Isabela and Fernandina).
Galapagos Islands animals your students will see
The Galapagos is home to some of the world’s most extraordinary animals. You’ll come face to face with marine iguanas, penguins, sea lions, blue-footed boobies, the Galapagos tortoise, sea turtles, frigate birds, sharks and many more.
TCT Transit card
You’ll need to buy a mandatory TCT (transit control card) on arrival at Quito or Guayaquil airport before transferring to the Galapagos. This card will act as your temporary ID card while on the archipelago so that the authorities can monitor and manage the flow of tourists. It costs $20 and you’ll pay at the INGALA counter in the departures lounge. It’s highly advisable to complete a pre-registration form to speed things up. You can find the link here.
Want to learn more?
Frequently asked questions
Is a land-based island-hopping tour better than a cruise for a high school group?
Yes. Land-based programs (based out of Santa Cruz, San Cristóbal, or Isabela) are significantly more cost-effective,allow students to interact with local human communities, provide access to land-based sports facilities, and eliminate the risk of severe seasickness compared to live-aboard vessels.
What mandatory entry fees do we need to budget for students?
Each traveler requires a $20 TCT Transit Control Card (paid at Quito/Guayaquil mainland airports) and a $200 Galápagos National Park Fee (paid in cash upon arrival at Baltra or San Cristóbal airports). These fees support park conservation and biosecurity monitoring. Read our full guide to Galápagos entry requirements here.
What is the best month to go to the Galapagos?
From December to May, you’ll enjoy higher temperatures, sunny days, and calmer seas for water activities. Between June and November, it will be cooler, divers will enjoy better visibility, and you’ll see lots of unique wildlife behavior, such as the courtship displays of blue-footed boobies.
For more information on when to visit the islands, contact our team.
What are the must-do student activities when visiting the Galapagos?
Diving or snorkeling: a treasure trove of marine life awaits those keen to explore under the water – you’re likely to spot hammerhead sharks and manta rays as well as some of the island’s endemic species such as sea lions and Galapagos penguins.
Wildlife watching: there are few more fascinating places on Earth to get to know the flora and fauna – and a trip to the Charles Darwin Research Center is a must.
Watersports: kayaking and paddleboarding are great activities that allow you to see the local wildlife from the water.
Exploring the islands: taking a day cruise is a fantastic way to explore some of the lesser-known islands in the Galapagos.
Hiking: the archipelago is full of dramatic volcanic landscapes that are perfect for visiting on foot.
How far in advance should we plan a Galápagos high school trip?
Due to strict flight seat allocations and national park visitor quotas, we recommend beginning the planning process 10 to 12 months in advance. As always, the earlier the better!
Can Kagumu arrange access to Charles Darwin Research Station researchers or local conservation experts?
Yes. We organize academic lectures, roundtable discussions, and site visits with researchers at the Charles Darwin Research Station, Galápagos National Park Service officers, and local marine conservation NGOs aligned with your syllabus outcomes.
What rules must student groups follow inside Galápagos National Park?
All groups must be accompanied by a licensed GNPS naturalist guide at all times, maintain a strict 6-foot (2-meter) distance from all wildlife, stay on marked trails, refrain from touching or feeding animals, and adhere strictly to zero-litter policies.
What documentation do you provide university risk management offices?
Kagumu provides complete risk assessment files, emergency medical response and air-evacuation protocols,boat safety inspection records, general liability insurance alignment, and 24/7 field director support.