Ecuador & Galapagos

Program Description

Travel from the Amazon to the Andes with our Spanish service, culture, and immersion course in Ecuador.

Ecuador boasts a variety of environments and natural wonders including Darwin’s Galapagos Islands, Volcanoes in the Andes, and the fierce headwaters of the Amazon. Along with these diverse habitats, there is a vibrant culture which is full of geographic eccentricities. Live in a rural setting, paddle through Amazonian tributaries, trek across remote jungles, and interact with indigenous groups in the High Sierra as you discover Ecuador for yourself.

“I really wanted to leave all of ‘home’ behind and gain perspective on my future and what kind of person I want to be. My leaders’ love and support made this goal easier than I ever expected.”

-Liza Sherretta, Ecuador Galapagos 2011

Highlights

Discover the Galapagos Islands and view the famous blue-footed booby as you snorkel alongside sea lions.

Increase your Spanish abilities while working alongside locals on school construction.

Become an integral part of your rural Ecuadorian home and harvest fresh bananas or play soccer with your homestay siblings.

Learn about Otavalo, an Andean mountain village famous for its volcanic crater lake and artisan markets.

What`s Included

The Basics:
Dates: Jun 25 – July 30

Starting/Ending Point: Quito, Ecuador

Program Fee: $6,475 Travel expenses to and from Quito are not included in the program fee. Global Routes arranges group travel. Round trip airfare from New York to Quito will be approximately $TBA (Ecuador/Galapagos, including internal flights). Students are also encouraged to raise monies to help fund their service projects.

Group Size: maximum 18 students; 2 U.S. leaders; 2 Ecuadorian Staff

Service Component:
5 week program: approx. 50-80 hours

Language Requirement: 1 year of Spanish.

Accommodations: Hotels, Youth Hostels, Homestay, Rustic Cabins