Improve 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 snowcapped volcanoes, we'll assist a tiny farming village for 4 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 2 exhilarating and fun days. Our downhill ride takes us through several climate zones, passing colorful flowers, pine forests, and past herds of llamas as well as Incan ruins.

Volunteer at an Amazon Animal Rescue Center

We'll spend our next 4 days 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 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 will move to the nearby Upper Napo River that is locally known as the Rio Jatunyaco or "Big Water" in native Quechua. Amidst steep-walled canyons and fabulous jungle scenery, we'll raft numerous exhilarating and fun rapids before this mighty river plunges into the Amazon.

Zip-line in the Pastaza Valley

Before our return to Quito, we'll zip-line in the Pastaza Valley, we'll be outfitted with harnesses, and helmets, for some interesting and fun zip-lining through 2 miles of the cloud forest. We'll then hike through an extensive cave system and float in tubes down a jungle river.

Hike, Snorkel, Sea Kayak, and Surf in the Galapagos Islands

From Quito, we'll fly to Baltra for 8 memorable days of exploration and service projects. We'll spend our first 4 days assisting park naturalists on different islands with a variety of projects, including the preservation of nesting habitat for dwindling sea turtles. In the afternoons, we'll take a break to explore the wonders of our natural surroundings and the local island communities. Our next 4 days will be action-packed as we travel by boat each day for a different adventure. We'll sea kayak to see Blue-Footed Boobies, learn to surf among sea lions, snorkel and swim with sea turtles and penguins, and hike among land iguanas, pink flamingos and giant tortoises. Our journey concludes with a flight back to Quito, a visit to the Otavalo Indian market and our final Andean banquet.

 

Teachers/Group Leaders: This adventure or a variation of it can be offered as a private/custom trip with your own departure dates. Please contact our group desk at 800-533-2281.