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Adventure in the wilds of Ecuador while assisting local communities. See the Galapagos as Darwin first saw them and swim along side sea creatures with no fear of humans. Build a school library high in the Andes, then on Cotopaxi, bicycle downhill through several life zones. Live in a tiny Amazon village while volunteering at an animal rescue center. Raft the legendary Napo River, soak in the Papallacta Hot Springs and visit the Otavalo Indian Market.
 Build a School Library in the Andes
After arriving in Quito on our group flight from Miami, we’ll explore the ancient capital of the northern Inca Empire and familiarize ourselves with basic Spanish and local customs. High in the Andes surrounded by snow-capped volcanoes we’ll assist a tiny farming village for four days as we build and improve their school library. In the evenings we’ll visit local farms where we can milk cows help harvest crops, dine on traditional Andean food, and informally teach English to the local school children. Bike and Hike in Cotopaxi National Park
Taking a break from our community service work we’ll move to nearby Cotopaxi National Park. On the flanks of the world’s highest volcano, we’ll hike toward its snow-clad summit then bike downhill for two exhilarating and fun days. Our downhill ride takes us through several life zones, passing colorful flowers, pine forests and past herds of Llamas as well as Incan ruins. Volunteer at an Amazon Animal Rescue Center
Our next four days will be spent in a tiny Amazon village where we will participate in a “minga” or community project beneficial to all. We will assist the local community by improving their animal rescue center. This center rehabilitates injured jungle animals such as bears, turtles, condors and a variety of birds and provides important breeding habitat for many endangered species. It is a primary source of income for the village. Our project will involve building breeding cages for the endangered and colorful macaws so their offspring can be released into the wild. Raft the Upper Napo River
Our adventure now moves to the nearby Upper Napo River that is locally known as the Rio Jatunyaco or “Big Water” in native Quichua. Amidst steep walled canyons and fabulous jungle scenery we’ll raft, numerous exhilarating and fun rapids before this mighty river plunges into the Amazon. Canyoneering in the Pastaza Valley
Before our return to Quito we’ll participate in the new and fun sport of Canyoning. In the Pastaza valley, we’ll be outfitted with harnesses, helmets and wet suits for some interesting and fun “reverse canyoning” and rappels down cascading waterfalls. We’ll then hike through an extensive cave system and float in tubes down a jungle river. Explore the Galapagos by Private Boat
From Quito, we’ll fly to Baltra and board our private live-aboard boat for eight memorable days of a lifetime. We’ll see the best of the Galapagos with our boat covering great distances each night while we sleep. We’ll visit Darwin Station, the park headquarters and then with our naturalist aboard, we’ll make several island stops, each unique from the others. On Plazas Island we’ll see land iguanas and herds of sea lions. On Espanola Island we’ll visit a sanctuary for birds then snorkel the underwater paradise of Gardner Bay. On Santa Maria Island we’ll hike to Punta Cormoran to view thousands of pink flamingos then snorkel Devil’s Crown. On Santa Cruz Island we’ll see dozens of giant turtles and on Turtle Bay we’ll snorkel above thousands of beautiful rays. From our boat, we’ll swim and snorkel with seals and dolphins while on land we’ll visit blue-footed boobies, baby seal pups and amusing and playful penguins. Our journey concludes with a flight back to Quito, a visit to the Otavalo Indian market and our final Andean banquet. Earn 40 Hours of Community ServiceEach participant will earn 40 hours of community service on this adventure. In years past our groups have volunteered at local schools teaching English to students, painting buildings and beautifying school grounds. We have assisted with the construction of a habitat for condors and constructed lodging for volunteer workers at an animal rescue center among other activities. In addition we have build a library in a small community and helped to harvest crops among other activities. Each year these activities will vary depending on the community's needs, but all of the service will be meaningful and necessary and Certificates of Service will be awarded at the conclusion of the trip. For students completing 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th grades, grouped according to age.
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