Students on our high school Service Ecuador & the Galápagos program share highlights from their adventures, from hiking Cotopaxi to exploring the incredible Galápagos Islands.
¡Hola a todos!
The past few days have been packed with adventure!
We started with a hike to Refugio José Rivas in Cotopaxi National Park, which sits at 15,953 feet (4,864 meters). It was definitely a challenge, with wind and a little rain along the way, but our guides led us up a zigzag trail that made the climb much easier. Reaching the refugio felt like a huge accomplishment, and we celebrated with hot chocolate and a well-earned break. The hike down was even more exciting—we took a steeper trail and ran most of the way back, making it down in just 20 minutes!
Before leaving the park, we stopped by a nearby lake to spot birds and ducks, then visited the interpretation center to learn more about Cotopaxi and Ecuador’s other national parks. We wrapped up our journey with a packed lunch and, of course, a little shopping.
That afternoon, we arrived at Zaysant, where we spent the evening playing fútbol and volleyball, jumping on the trampoline, and exploring the beautiful gardens. After a delicious dinner of chicken and fried potatoes, we celebrated CJ’s birthday with cake before heading to bed early. We had an early flight the next morning, and everyone was excited for our next destination: the Galápagos!
When we arrived in the Galápagos, our local guides welcomed us and took us to visit a giant tortoise reserve, where we also enjoyed lunch. We explored lava tunnels formed by ancient volcanic eruptions (don’t worry—they aren’t active anymore!) before checking into our hotel. That evening, we wandered through town, had dinner together, relaxed by the pool, and finished the day with our nightly meeting.
Today started bright and early with a visit to Tortuga Bay. Although the beach is too dangerous for swimming because of the strong surf, the views were incredible. Luckily, another beach was just a short walk away, and we didn’t waste any time jumping into the water. It was hot and humid, so the swim was the perfect way to cool off. Some of us even had the chance to go kayaking.
After lunch, we took a boat to San Cristóbal Island, where we’ll be spending the rest of our time in the Galápagos. Once we checked into our hotel, we explored town, watched sea lions relaxing along the waterfront, and picked up a few more keepsakes for our friends and families.
Thanks for reading!
¡Adiós!
Leaders Pili y Blake
To learn more about our high school Service Ecuador & the Galápagos program, click here!
