Ecuador + Galapagos
Information for Enrolled Students
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.
20-30 Liters Daypack/Backpack to carry your rain jacket, water bottle, and snacks
70 liters - no wheels, please!
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.
Backless, comfortable shoes that can get wet
These can be open-toed, but do need to have a back strap - no flip flops!
Regular, comfortable athletic socks, can be cotton
A pair of comfortable, closed-toed, sturdy, lightweight shoes (able to get dirty)
Boys: your quick dry shorts can double as a bathing suit
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.
Synthetic, non-cotton shorts
100% Waterproof pants large enough to fit over regular pants
Synthetic, non-cotton are best (but a couple cotton pairs are permitted)
Synthetic, Non-cotton - This needs to be heavier than the Lightweight Top
Synthetic, non-cotton. This can be a fleece pullover, sweater or a full-zip jacket
Medium-weight long-sleeved (polypropylene or Capilene, NOT Cotton)
100% Waterproof Rain Jacket with Hood - NO ponchos!
For Girls
Lightweight sunshirt with hood to protect arms and neck from sun
Synthetic, quick-dry, non-cotton t-shirts
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!
An inexpensive pair of basic work or gardening gloves for the community service project
With Fresh Batteries + 2 Sets of Spare Batteries; This is very important!
With 100% UV Protection
Nylon or mesh stuff sack (sleeping bag size) for dirty clothes, etc.
Contains: toothbrush, toothpaste, travel shampoo & soap, deodorant, sunscreen
Travel size, recommend 50-95% DEET
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.
Contains: Insect repellent, waterproof sunscreen, Band-aids, Moleskin, Chapstick w/ sun prevention, Wet Ones wipes, Dramamine (if prone to motion sickness), personal hand sanitizer.
The best way to send medication is with PillPacks by Amazon or a Pill Box.
Please bring any personal medications and travel medications as advised by your Physician.
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)
Regular beach towel for any beach time and to have during water-based activities
Non-plastic
Original signed and notarized international travel authorization form
Absorbent & quick to dry, large or extra-large works best
Passport (valid for 6 months after the last day of your trip) + 2 additional photocopies of your passport
Personal wallet with $150 spending money; be mindful of international exchange and certain credit card restrictions
Small, pea-less plastic will do; most backpacks/daypacks have whistles on their sternum strap which would suffice!
If you do not pay online in advance for baggage fees, make sure your student has enough money to cover checking their bag (varies by airline)
Paperback books are less bulky
Compact and lightweight for wildlife viewing; HIGHLY recommended
With charger, extra battery, and 32-64 GB memory card
Portable charger/power bank to charge camera and GoPro
With charger, extra battery, and 32-64 GB memory card
Country-specific power adapter for charging cameras
For journaling
We encourage parents and students to check the local weather the weeks and days leading up to departure for their trip. For some locations, weather can vary significantly between early June and late July, and students going on a later session of a trip may not need an extra layer.
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:
These items are already included in the packing list – they are not additional items!
During your trip you will stay in a variety of community stays, hotels, and hostels (all single gender rooms).
Eating utensils (plates and cutlery) will be provided throughout the trip.
If you have any special dietary restrictions/ considerations, please contact the Moondance office for further information.
Required; must be within 10 years of the trip
Moondance adheres to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations. They state that routine vaccines are those recommended for everyone in the United States, depending on age and vaccine history. Please consult with a physician for specific recommendations based on your health history and continuously check the CDC website for updates.
Routine vaccinations related to travel may include the following:
CDC recommends that travelers going to certain areas of Ecuador take prescription medicine to prevent malaria. Depending on the medicine you take, you will need to start taking this medicine multiple days before your trip, as well as during and after your trip. Talk to your doctor about which malaria medication you should take.
The Centers for Disease Control recommends a pre-exposure rabies vaccination before your trip because rabid dogs are commonly found in this country. There may be limited or no rabies treatment available. We will encounter dogs and wildlife especially as we travel to rural areas.
Required if traveling from a country with risk of YF virus transmission and ≥1 year of age, including transit >12 hours in an airport located in a country with risk of YF virus transmission.
Recommended for most travelers, especially those staying with friends or relatives or visiting smaller cities or rural areas.
Check the map tab on this page to view the map of where Moondance groups will be travelling throughout Ecuador + Galapagos. Provide this information to your physician of choice (primary care physician, travel clinic, etc.) in order to get the most accurate suggestions for immunizations and vaccines.
Click here to see what the CDC recommends for travelers in Ecuador + Galapagos
| Date | Flight | Departure City | Departure Time | Arrival City | Arrival Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, June 6, 2025 | Delta 633 | ATL (Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport) | 2:40 PM | UIO (Quito) | 6:56 pm (6/06) |
| Date | Flight | Departure City | Departure Time | Arrival City | Arrival Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday, June 18, 2025 | Delta 632 | UIO (Quito) | 11:20 PM | ATL (Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport) | 5:37 am (6/19) |
| Date | Flight | Departure City | Departure Time | Arrival City | Arrival Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday, June 21, 2025 | Delta 633 | ATL (Hartfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport) | 2:40 PM | UIO (Quito, Ecuador) | 7:01 pm (6/21) |
| Date | Flight | Departure City | Departure Time | Arrival City | Arrival Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday, July 3, 2025 | Delta 632 | UIO (Quito, Ecuador) | 11:20 PM | ATL (Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport) | 5:37 am (6/04) |
| Date | Flight | Departure City | Departure Time | Arrival City | Arrival Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday, July 6, 2025 | Delta 633 | ATL (Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport) | 2:40 PM | UIO (Quito) | 7:01 pm (7/06) |
| Date | Flight | Departure City | Departure Time | Arrival City | Arrival Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, July 18, 2025 | Delta 632 | UIO (Quito) | 11:20 PM | ATL (Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport) | 5:37 am (7/19) |
This trip has a flight during the session as part of their itinerary. Moondance books and pays for this internal flight.
| Link to Airline Policies | Required for Ages | Available for Ages | Notes about Unaccompanied Minor Service |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska Airlines UM | Ages 5-12 | Ages 13-17 |
|
| American Airlines UM | Ages 5-14 | Ages 15-17 |
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| Delta Airlines UM | Ages 5-14 | Ages 15-17 |
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| JetBlue UM | Ages 5-13 | Ages 14-17 |
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| Southwest UM | Ages 5-11 | Not Offered |
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| United Airlines UM | Ages 5-14 | Ages 15-17 |
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What are the benefits of booking on the group flight?
What are the drawbacks of not booking on the group flight?
Important Travel Notes:
We recommend you book with our partner travel agency (Corporate Traveler) for this trip. Please complete this form, and they will be in touch in 3-5 days via email with flight options.
Phone: 617.720.3050
Email: christianna.hoffman@corporatetraveler.us
800.832.5229
615.610.5900
9am-5pm M-F CST
info@moondanceadventures.com
MAILING ADDRESS
PO Box 23350
Nashville, TN 37202
PHYSICAL ADDRESS
209 Tenth Avenue South
Suite 322
Nashville, TN 37203
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There are spaces available for both genders for the upcoming season.
We are full for girls, but we have select spots for a boy.
We are full for boys, but we have select spots for a girl.
This trip is currently full and we are accepting students on a waitlist through enrollment request submissions. You may be enrolled in a trip and on another trip’s waitlist. There is no financial obligation to be placed on a waitlist, and you can be on as many waitlists as you would like.
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