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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.
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 Quito Introduction to Ecuador
Week 2 Quito Social Work in Quito
Week 3 Amazon Rainforest Amazon Rainforest Discovery
Week 4 Puerto Lopez The Best of Ecuador
Week 1. Participants will be learning Spanish and touring Quito- no volunteer work takes place.
Week 2. Participants will be working at a day care in Quito with street children. Participants will get an approach to the poverty existing in this part of the city. Duties will be directed by the daycare coordinator.
Week 4. Participants will be based in Puerto Lopez. Here volunteers will visit archeological sites, beautiful beaches and practice water sports.
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.
Volunteers must arrive on a Sunday in Quito. On Monday morning volunteers have an orientation at the Lead Adventure’s Office in Quito and will then start their exciting program! The Program commences on the first Monday of each month.Week One – Introduction to Ecuador
Week Two – Quito Social Work
From Day 9 to Day 13, Participants will be social working in a
Quito day care center for street children. Volunteers will work in the
centre from 8:30 am to 1: 30 pm. Their tasks will be:
-Ensure all children wash their hands.
-Provide care and support for the children and make sure they stay with the group.
-Plan activities in advance and ensure all materials are ready on the day of the project.
-Participate in activities and help children successfully complete projects.
-Ensure the children adhere to the program rules.
-Help children with assignments and homework.
-Aid the teachers with in class activities.
-Supervise children during break time.
-Aid the staff during snack and meal times.
-Organize the children to clean up at the end of the day.
* Optional: if Participants want, they could do football (soccer) coaching and training instead of the day care.
On day 14: Participants will go to Otavalo Market. This is the most
famous Indian Market in Ecuador, well known for its assortment of
textiles and other crafts. At the center of the town, all streets are
jammed with stalls selling souvenirs to the tourists. About 15 minutes
from Otavalo there is Cotacachi Village, where its narrow streets are
full of stores that sell a great variety of leather goods.
On day 15: Participants will have a free day to explore Quito and Its surroundings.
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 are included at the family. On the tour days (day
14): only lunch is included. And on day 15 meals are not included.
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.
Rachel Phillips
United Kingdom
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!
United Kingdom
All aspects impressively coordinated- language school also very good!
To learn more about our Pricing Policy and Insurance Servicies please refer to the About Us section in the main menu of this site.
It is our desire to make these programs available for most people, taking into consideration the various needs, budgets and expectations different people have. Please find below the pricing options we offer:
* Please note there is a minimum of 2 people to run the program
Pricing: Normal Price Special Online
4 weeks program: 2360 USD 1890 USD
Bus pass: Sun & Beach or Volcano Peaks 430 USD
Includes:
· Transfer on arrival from Quito Airport to hostel in Quito
· First night shared accommodation in a hostel in Quito
· Comprehensive Orientation in Quito at Lead Adventures Office
· Transportation to the project
· Shared volunteer accommodation
· Three meals a day
· 2 weeks of traveler’s insurance (for direct bookings with Lead Adventures-not through agencies)
· 24-hour emergency contact number
· Final night shared accommodation in Quito, prior to international departure
· Transfer out on departure day for international flight
· Direct payment to the project
Does not include:
· International flights
· Personal travel insurance for the duration of your placement (for volunteers who registered for this program through an agency)
· Personal travel insurance for volunteers who register directly with Lead Adventures after the second week
· All items of a personal nature.
· Transportation from the project to Quito (bus and taxi from the bus or airport terminal).
· Any activities beyond your planned itinerary
Spanish Lessons: You can add Spanish classes (recommended) in Quito prior to your program. The classes include host
family accommodation and 20 hours per week of Spanish Lessons for a cost of 230 USD per week.
Note: UK and other country participants can get the pricing in their own currency by using this easy calculator at: www.xe.com/ucc All items of a personal nature.
