Trip Finder
Ecuador + Galapagos
Information for Enrolled Students

Packing List

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.

Long Underwear / Base Layer Top

Synthetic, non-cotton, medium-weight long sleeve top

Qty: 1
Patagonia Capilene Crew or Patagonia Tropic Comfort Hoody

Sun Hoodie

Qty: 1
Patagonia Capilene® Cool Daily Hoody

T-shirts

Minimum of 2 synthetic, non-cotton t-shirts, other shirts may be cotton

Qty: 5
Patagonia Capilene T-shirt or Marmot Windridge

Lightweight Top

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

Qty: 1
Patagonia R1 Fleece

Fleece Jacket

Synthetic, non-cotton. This needs to be heavier than the lightweight top

Qty: 1
Patagonia Synchilla or R2 Jacket

Rain Jacket with Hood

100% waterproof rain jacket with a hood - no ponchos!

Qty: 1
Patagonia Torrentshell or Marmot Precip

Sports Bras

For girls

Qty: 5

Required Clothing Items

Quick-dry Shorts

Synthetic, non-cotton shorts

Qty: 4
Patagonia Baggies

Bathing Suits

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

Qty: 2

Long Pants

Minimum 1 pair of synthetic, non-cotton hiking pants, but the other pair may be cotton

Qty: 2

Rain Pants

100% Waterproof pants large enough to fit over regular pants

Qty: 1

Yoga Pants

For girls, if you prefer to wear them

Qty: 1-2
Women's Performance Jogger
Buy in our gear store

Underwear

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

Qty: 8

Required Clothing Items

Warm Hat

Wool or fleece, non-cotton beanie

Qty: 1
Buy in our gear store

Baseball Hat

A baseball hat or wide-brimmed hat for sun protection

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

You can expect to get your clothes dirty during your community service section, so keep that in mind when choosing specific clothing and footwear items.

Trail Shoes/Hiking Boots

Low or high top, light-weight or Gore-Tex hiking shoes

Qty: 1
Saloman or Gore-Tex

Trail/Tennis Shoes

Trail/Tennis Shoes

Qty: 1

River Shoes

These can be open-toed, but do need to have a back strap

Qty: 1
Chaco, Teva, Keen

Flip-Flops/Crocs

Backless, comfortable shoes that can get wet

Qty: 1

Socks

Non-cotton, lightweight hiking socks

Qty: 6 Pair
Smartwool or Darn Tough

Required Shoes

Duffel Bag

70-liter duffel

Qty: 1
Patagonia Black Hole Duffel 70 L or North Face Base Camp M duffel 71L

Day Pack

20 – 30 liter daypack /school backpack to carry your rain jacket, water bottle and snacks

Qty: 1
Patagonia Refugio Pack 26 L or Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Day Pack
Buy in our gear store

Mesh Stuff Sack

Extra nylon stuff sack (sleeping bag size) for dirty clothes storage

Qty: 1
Sea to Summit Mesh Sack
Buy in our gear store

For holding your gear

Personal + Travel Medications

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

Qty: As needed

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

Leaders will collect all medications, except inhalers and epi-pens. Other medications should be in a pillbox or PillPack.

Dopp Kit

Contains: toothbrush, toothpaste, prescription medication, travel shampoo & soap, deodorant

Qty: 1
Patagonia Black Hole Cube 6L – M

First Aid Kit

Contains: Insect repellent, , reef safe waterproof sunscreen (Kokua, Thinksport, Stream2Sea), Band-aids, Moleskin, Chapstick w/ sun prevention, Wet Ones wipes, Dramamine (if prone to motion sickness), personal hand sanitizer

Qty: 1

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 Pair

Sunscreen

Travel size

Qty: 1

Bug Spray

Travel size

Qty: 1

Required Hygiene Items. *Please keep all toiletries in your checked luggage, with the exception of your toothbrush and any personal/prescription medication

Digital Camera

With charger & international adapter or batteries, and a 32-64 GB memory card

Qty: 1
Canon Powershot G9X

GoPro

With charger and 32-64 GB memory card

Qty: 1
Buy in our gear store

A Good Book

Paperback books are less bulky

Qty: 1

Notebook with Pen

For journaling

Qty: 1

Binoculars

1

Qty: For wildlife viewing in the Galapagos

Spending Money

$150 of spending money

Not required by highly recommended *Since we don’t allow cell phones during our trips, you may not use your phone as a camera. Leaders will take photos that will be shared at the end of the summer.

Water Bottles

Minimum 32oz water bottles

Qty: 2
Nalgene 1L wide mouth

Headlamp

With fresh batteries + 2 sets of spare batteries

Qty: 1
Black Diamond Spot, Black Diamond Sport, Petzl

Sunglasses

100% UV protection

Qty: 1
Goodr

Sunglasses holders

Qty: 1
Croakies, Chums

Additional

Wallet

Personal wallet with $150 spending money and valid identification

Qty: 1

Passport + Copies

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

Qty: 1 + 2 Copies

COVID-19 Vaccination Card + Copies

Valid COVID-19 vaccination card + 2 additional photocopies of your vaccination card

Qty: 2

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: 2
Moondance Buff
Buy in our gear store

Pack Towel

Absorbent & quick to dry, large or extra-large is ideal

Qty: 1
Sea to Summit Drylite Towel
Buy in our gear store

Beach Towel

Regular Beach Towel

Qty: 1

Additional Required Items

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!

Shop Our Gear Store

Lodging

Sleeping

During your trip you will stay in a variety of community stays, hotels, and hostels (all single gender rooms).

Eating

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.

Immunizations

Routine Vaccinations

Moondance adheres 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.

Routine vaccinations related to travel may include the following:

  • COVID-19
  • Chickenpox (Varicella)
  • Hepatitis A
  • Hepatitis B
  • Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)
  • Influenza
  • Measles, mumps, Rubella
  • Meningococcal
  • Pneumococcal
  • Polio
  • Rotavirus
  • Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis
  • Shingles (Zoster)

Malaria

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.

Rabies

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.

Yellow Fever

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.

Typhoid

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

Flights

Ecuador + Galapagos 1, June 7 - June 20, 2024, Option 1

Ecuador and Galapagos 1, June 7 - June 20, 2024, Option 2

Ecuador + Galapagos 2, June 22 - July 5, 2024, Option 1

Ecuador and Galapagos 2, June 22 - July 5, 2024, Option 2

Ecuador + Galapagos 3, July 7 - July 20, 2024, Option 1

Ecuador and Galapagos 3, July 7 - July 20, 2024, Option 2



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, Exito. 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.
  • Please keep in mind the group flights will begin and end at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport or Houston. It is imperative that every student arrives to their gateway city in a timely fashion. If one individual does not arrive in on time to make the group flights, it can delay the entire trip. Leaders are not guaranteed to be on the flight.
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