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ECUADOR EXPERIENCE
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| Duration: Four weeks are included in the program. Volunteers can stay longer to travel independently. The project closes for holidays: Christmas New Years.
This program focuses on giving the participant a taste of the Ecuadorian culture, its people and its regions! Join our Spanish Lessons, spend time at a beautiful beach and get to experience the Amazon Jungle! The program is composed of 4 weeks of traveling around the country and volunteering! During your fantastic time as a volunteer in Ecuador you will not only visit the Old Historic Town in Quito where colonial churches and plazas are found but also experience breathtaking landscapes from the Amazon to the Andes. Ecuador offers different adventures, cultural experiences and opportunities to work with nature which are not to be missed. The country maintains a unique contact with its ancestral indigenous cultures and is one of the most biologically diverse countries in the world.
WEEK LOCATION ACTIVITIES
Week 1. Participants will be learning Spanish and touring Quito- no volunteer work takes place. Andes Highlands: The majestic snow-capped mountains and active volcanoes surrounding hot springs are fantastic places to visit. See the humid cloud forests and fertile valleys, colorful Indian markets, lovely colonial towns, ancient haciendas and historic cities which make this area a unique paradise. Coast: One of the best known areas of the Coast is Machalilla National Park. This park has an abundance of exotic wildlife, exquisite unspoiled beaches and a rich historical past. Within the National Park, Isla de la Plata offers fantastic opportunities especially for bird lovers. On the island you can see blue-footed and masked boobies, frigate birds, pelicans, and giant albatross.
Amazon Jungle: There are innumerable varieties of flora, including many of Ecuador's 4,500 species of orchids, and many plants with medicinal value. Wildlife such as butterflies, bats, monkeys, sloths, parrots, macaws, river dolphins and caimans are easy to see here.
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Week One – Introduction to
Ecuador
An introduction to the Ecuadorian culture, the spanish language, and to your fellow participants. You will be based in the heart of Ecuador’s capital city Quito, within touching distance of markets, bars, museums and salsa clubs.
On day 1: Participant’s arrival
On day 2: Participants will receive and Orientation and then a guide will accompany the group to a city Tour to the old town of Quito.
Participants will have day 3, 4, 5 and 6 full with Spanish lessons in the morning in our Spanish school. Here they can also learn how to cook Ecuadorian food and also how to dance Salsa and Merengue (if available at the school),
On day 7: Participants will go visit the Quilotoa Volcano and Lagoon, where they can overlook a marvelous lagoon inside its crater. Also they can hike down to the bottom and ride a boat or a kayak on the lagoon. Authentic Andes mules will be waiting for them to ride back, up the crater.
On day 8: Participants will go to the Cotopaxi Volcano and National Park. The Cotopaxi is the highest active volcano in the world. Participants will get the chance to hike to the first refuge of the volcano to get an amazing view of the Andes Highlands. They can have some hot tea to overcome the altitude and on the way down they can mountain bike, hike, or just ride the car back. They will also enjoy some healthy lunch while sitting along a beautiful Lagoon inside the Park. (entrance to the Cotopaxi national park is not included $10)
Accommodation:
Participants will be assigned to stay at host families. Host families are located in good residential neighborhoods in Quito. Home stays have been selected after an application process to make sure they have everything participants need.
Meals:
Breakfast and dinner is included at the family. On the tour days (day 7 and 8): only lunch is included.
| Week Two –
Quito Social Work
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Week 3 - Amazon Rainforest Discovery
Participants will be heading to the Amazon Rainforest to the Cuyabeno natural reserve.
The Amazon Rainforest encompasses not only the largest forest in the world, but it is perhaps the least known natural wonder on earth. Participants will ramble through its waterways and primary jungle teaming with life. They will navigate with hand-carved canoes, (as natural to the animal’s eye as a floating log), guaranteeing an intimate contact with all aspects of this astonishing environment.
On Day 16: Participants will travel to Cuyabeno. (overnight bus)
On Day 17, Upon arrival at the Cuyabeno bridge, your guide will meet you and transport you by motorized canoe to your camp, the Cuyabeno Lodge. Lunch will be followed with an initial jungle walk, dinner and rest.
On Day 18: After breakfast at 7:30 am, you will visit the Cuyabeno lake system by motorized canoe. During this excursion you will observe the exotic flora and faunae (monkeys, dolphins, etc.) peculiar to this unique environment. With luck you might spot a giant anaconda on the Hormiga River, a tributary river of the Laguna Grande. In the afternoon you will stop for a boxed lunch and travel to the Laguna Grande to enjoy a refreshing swim before returning to the camp for dinner and rest.
On Day 19: Beginning with breakfast at 8 am, you will spend the morning hiking (approx. 4 hrs.) through the primary rainforest where your guides will introduce you to various medicinal plants. You will also have the opportunity to observe monkeys and parrots, among other animals, and with luck you might spot a jaguar. Various animal tracks will also be seen (tapir, armadillo, paca, puma, etc.). After lunch, you will have the opportunity to row down the river in canoes and fish for piranhas.
On Day 20: After an early breakfast you can choose the activity that you enjoyed most during the previous three days and experience it again. Lunch will be provided before taking the bus back to Quito. Overnight bus to Quito
On Day 21: Arrive to Quito early in the morning to Hostel. Participants will have a free day to explore Quito and do laundry.
On Day 22: Participants will take part of Toachi River white water Rafting, in Santo Domingo, about 3 hours away from Quito.
The Toachi River is the most popular rafting destination in Ecuador because of its close proximity to Quito. It flows through a sub-tropical forest on the western (coastal) side of the Andes Mountains. The rapids on this lowlands river are an excellent introduction to whitewater. There are big splashes and fun drops, but is not overly challenging. Depending on the water levels, it might increase in difficulty.
Participants will enjoy a wonderful scenery. The brightly colored flowers create a vibrant backdrop for Toachi rafting trips. River otters can be spotted playing around and tall palm trees line the canyon.
On Day 23: Participants will travel to Puerto Lopez. Overnight bus
Accommodation:
They will be staying at the Amazon lodge while in the Amazon and in a local hostel while in Quito .
Meals:
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included, except on days 21 and 23. On day 22, only lunch is included.
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Week Four – The Best of Ecuador Participants will be based in Puerto Lopez. Participants will visit stunning beaches and vibrant towns. This is a fantastic opportunity to see the real Ecuador and marvel at its beauty. A guide will accompany the group on Days 22, 23 and 24. After these three days, the guide will explain to the group how to get back to Quito and will give them specific instructions about transportation. On Day 24 -Los Frailes Viewed by many as the most beautiful beach in Ecuador, the surrounding area has a host more beaches, many of which are almost deserted. (Entrance to the national park not included $20) On Day 25 - Isla Del Plata A jewel in Ecuador’s crown. Cheaper and less commercialized than the Galapagos Islands, you’ll have the chance to view red and blue-footed boobies up close along with a host of other rare animal and bird species On Days 26,27: The guide will take you to Montañita and will leave you set up to have surf lessons (included on the first day), and you will be given instructions to come back to Quito Beach Montañita: One of the best surf beaches in South America and the undisputed party capital of Ecuador, Montañita has only really been discovered by travelers in the last 10 years. The town itself has a funky bohemian feel and is packed with cafes, restaurants and bars – almost all done in native bamboo style. On Day 28: Participants will return to Quito early morning, after have followed the instructions from their guide. Overnight in a hostel in Quito. End of the Program On Day 29: Participant’s Departure ☹ Accommodation: They will be staying at different hotels in the Area and in Quito (last night) Meals: Breakfast is included in Pto Lopez, no meal included in Montanita. In Isla de la Plata: lunch is included.
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Rachel Phillips
United Kingdom
May 2009
Its all been great! I particularly enjoyed the week at the Andes Biological Station, and also my time in the Spanish School.
Cookery classes and salsa were good fun!
Will Jackson
United Kingdom
May 2009
All aspects impressively coordinated- language school also very good!
Please for more information about price of the program please contact our Staff