Located 600 miles west of Ecuador, the Galapagos Archipelago is made up of over 100 individual islands. They are among the most isolated islands in the world and the wildlife here is in a class of its own. Swimming with sea lions twisting and turning just inches away from your mask and crouching beside a blue-footed booby as it performs its distinctive courtship dance are just two of the incredible animal encounters waiting for you.

The AQ Galapagos Expedition centers on adventure travel with an environmental twist. Darwin is aligned with our community service program, Lifeworks, and offers both high-paced adventure plus 20 to 40 hours of community service. Beginning with a 10-day expedition in Ecuador, you will whitewater raft through spectacular gorges and canyons, experience conservation first-hand at an eco-lodge in the heart of Ecuador's Amazon Rainforest, and hike over the volcanic terrain of the Cotopaxi National Park.

In the Galapagos, you'll head to the water for a 4-day boat trip with a naturalist guide who will lead you over volcanic flows, snorkel with you around the rocky reefs, and show you wonders even Darwin never dreamed existed. Joining forces with the Galapagos National Parks for the remainder of the program, you will help to preserve this natural wonderland through service projects such as non-native species eradication and biodiversity studies. Heading back to Ecuador, there's one last chance to pick up a souvenir at the Otavalo market before heading for home.