Trip Finder
Ecuador + Galapagos
Information for Enrolled Students

Packing List

We’ve provided packing recommendations below; however, equivalent items work just fine. We also offer many items for sale on our online store. Keep in mind you will experience several different climates throughout the trip. Warm layers are very important as evening temperatures can dip down into the low 40s. Layering is essential, so be sure you have all of the required items on this list.

Daypack

20-30 Liters Daypack/Backpack to carry your rain jacket, water bottle, and snacks

Qty: 1
Patagonia Refugio Pack 26L, School Backpack

Duffel Bag

70 liters - no wheels, please!

Qty: 1
Patagonia Black Hole Duffel 70L

Sleeping Bag Liner

Highly recommended. Silk, cotton, or synthetic. Used as a “lightweight sheet” in warm climates in lieu of a sleeping bag. Used when staying in hotels/ hostels as a personal sheet.

Qty: 1
Sea to Summit Expander Travel Liner

Flip Flops/Crocs

Backless, comfortable shoes that can get wet

Qty: 1

River Shoes

These can be open-toed, but do need to have a back strap - no flip flops!

Qty: 1
Chaco, Teva, Keen - NO FLIP FLOPS

Socks - athletic

Regular, comfortable athletic socks, can be cotton

Qty: 5
Bombas, Footjoys, Champion

Trail/Tennis Shoes

A pair of comfortable, closed-toed, sturdy, lightweight shoes (able to get dirty)

Qty: 1
Brooks, Salomons

Bathing Suits

Boys: your quick dry shorts can double as a bathing suit

Qty: 1

Long Pants

Synthetic, loose, appropriate pants that can get dirty to be worn during community service. These pants must be loose to be culturally appropriate. Leggings are NOT acceptable, but looser joggers would suffice.

Qty: 1

Quick Dry Shorts

Synthetic, non-cotton shorts

Qty: 5
Patagonia Baggies, Lulu Lemon Speed Up Short, Nike Dryfit
Buy in our gear store

Rain Pants

100% Waterproof pants large enough to fit over regular pants

Qty: 1
Mountain Hardware, REI

Underwear

Synthetic, non-cotton are best (but a couple cotton pairs are permitted)

Qty: 8

Fleece Jacket

Synthetic, Non-cotton - This needs to be heavier than the Lightweight Top

Qty: 1
Patagonia Synchilla, Patagonia R2 Jacket, Patagonia Micro D Jacket, Marmot Rocklin Full Zip Jacket

Lightweight Warmer Top or Hoodie

Synthetic, non-cotton. This can be a fleece pullover, sweater or a full-zip jacket

Qty: 1
Patagonia R1 Fleece, Arc'teryx Covert Cardigan, Moondance Hoodie
Buy in our gear store

Long Underwear Top

Medium-weight long-sleeved (polypropylene or Capilene, NOT Cotton)

Qty: 1
Patagonia Capilene Midweight Crew or Zip Neck, North Face Wander Sun Hoodie, SmartWool Merino 150 Base Layer, Marmot Polartec (Baselayer Long-Sleeve Crew)

Rain Jacket with Hood

100% Waterproof Rain Jacket with Hood - NO ponchos!

Qty: 1
Marmot Precip, Patagonia Torrentshell

Sports Bras

For Girls

Qty: 4

Sun Hoodie

Lightweight sunshirt with hood to protect arms and neck from sun

Qty: 1
Patagonia Capilene Cool Daily Hoody, Patagonia Tropic Comfort Hoody

T-Shirts - cotton

For travel days

Qty: 2
Classic Shortsleeve Moondance tee
Buy in our gear store

T-Shirts - synthetic

Synthetic, quick-dry, non-cotton t-shirts

Qty: 3
Patagonia Capilene Cool Shirt, Marmot Windridge, TASC Performance Carrollton Performance Crew
Buy in our gear store

Bandana/Buff

For additional sun and wind protection. Buffs are tube-like and can be worn up to 12 different ways providing versatile sun protection. Can even be worn as a headband!

Qty: 1
Moondance Buff
Buy in our gear store

Baseball or Wide-Brimmed Hat

For sun protection

Qty: 1
Buy in our gear store

Warm Hat

Wool or fleece, non-cotton beanie

Qty: 1
Buy in our gear store

Work Gloves

An inexpensive pair of basic work or gardening gloves for the community service project

Qty: 1

Headlamp

With Fresh Batteries + 2 Sets of Spare Batteries; This is very important!

Qty: 1
Black Diamond Spot, Black Diamond Storm, Black Diamond Astro

Sunglasses

With 100% UV Protection

Qty: 1
Goodr, Smith, Oakley, Sunski

Sunglasses Holder

Qty: 1
Croakies or Chums

Water Bottles

32oz Water Bottles

Qty: 2
Nalgene 32oz Wide Mouth Water Bottle
Buy in our gear store

Stuff Sack

Nylon or mesh stuff sack (sleeping bag size) for dirty clothes, etc.

Qty: 1
Sea to Summit Stuff Sack, Sea to Summit Mesh Sack

Dopp Kit

Contains: toothbrush, toothpaste, travel shampoo & soap, deodorant, sunscreen

Qty: 1
Patagonia Black Hole Cube 6L-M

Insect Repellent

Travel size, recommend 50-95% DEET

Qty: 2

Prescription Glasses + Contacts

If your child wears glasses and/or contacts, please bring at least one spare pair of glasses/ lenses. Contact lens wearers should bring a pair of glasses as backup in addition to contacts.

Qty: 2

Small First Aid Kit

Contains: Insect repellent, waterproof sunscreen, Band-aids, Moleskin, Chapstick w/ sun prevention, Wet Ones wipes, Dramamine (if prone to motion sickness), personal hand sanitizer.

Qty: 1

Blister Pill Pack or PillBox

The best way to send medication is with PillPacks by Amazon or a Pill Box.

Qty: As needed
Consider https://pharmacy.amazon.com/pillpack

Personal + Travel Medications

Please bring any personal medications and travel medications as advised by your Physician.

Qty: As needed

Unaccompanied Minor Fees

If you do not pay online in advance for the return flight's UM Fees, make sure your student has enough money to cover it (varies by airline)

Beach Towel

Regular beach towel for any beach time and to have during water-based activities

Qty: 1

Carabiner

Non-plastic

Qty: 1
Sea to Summit Large Accessory Carabiners

International Travel Authorization

Original signed and notarized international travel authorization form

Qty: 1

Pack Towel

Absorbent & quick to dry, large or extra-large works best

Qty: 1
Sea to Summit Drylite Towel

Passport + Copies

Passport (valid for 6 months after the last day of your trip) + 2 additional photocopies of your passport

Qty: 1 + 2 copies

Wallet

Personal wallet with $150 spending money; be mindful of international exchange and certain credit card restrictions

Whistle

Small, pea-less plastic will do; most backpacks/daypacks have whistles on their sternum strap which would suffice!

Qty: 1

A Good Book

Paperback books are less bulky

Binoculars

Compact and lightweight for wildlife viewing; HIGHLY recommended

Qty: 1

Camera

With charger, extra battery, and 32-64 GB memory card

Qty: 1
Canon Powershot G9 X

External Charger

Portable charger/power bank to charge camera and GoPro

Qty: 1

GoPro

With charger, extra battery, and 32-64 GB memory card

Qty: 1

International Adapter

Country-specific power adapter for charging cameras

Qty: 1

Notebook with Pen

For journaling

Packing Tips

In the event that your luggage is delayed or lost in transit, we want you to be prepared. Therefore, wear tennis or hiking shoes on the plane. Plus, pack the following items from this packing list in your daypack / school backpack carry-on:

  • A change of clothes (underwear + t-shirt + shorts or pants)
  • Your rain jacket
  • Prescription medications & toothbrush
  • Passport, ID, money
  • Completed International Travel Authorization form

These items are already included in the packing list – they are not additional items!

Flights

Ecuador + Galapagos 1, June 6 - June 19, 2025

Ecuador + Galapagos 2, June 21 - July 4, 2025

Ecuador + Galapagos 3, July 6 - July 19, 2025



Important Travel Notes:

  • We highly recommend that all students fly on the designated flights above. If you have any questions OR if you are considering another flight path please contact the Moondance Adventures HQ BEFORE purchasing your airfare.
  • We also highly recommend making your flight reservation through our partnered travel agency, Corporate Traveler. They are familiar with all Moondance flights. Please follow this link to start the booking process.
  • Remember when booking your child’s flight to allow at least a 3-hour layover in any connecting airport to avoid missed connections or baggage delays.
  • It is imperative that every student arrives in their gateway city in a timely fashion. If one individual does not arrive on time to make the group flights, it can delay the entire trip.
  • Leaders are not guaranteed to be on the flight.
  • For more information, check out the travel portal here!
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