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Spend 5-days participating in hands-on volunteer projects in the coastal community of Rio Muchacho, on the organic farm and at the local primary school. Explore Ecuador’s spectacular Andean interior and the Amazon lowlands with a village homestay, ending with a visit to the famous Otavalo market. Join us on this unique adventure of a lifetime and experience true cultural immersion in Ecuador.

15 days – Start/End in Quito

TRIP PRICE

$1,395 plus 250USD local payment. International flights are not included.

HIGHLIGHTS

5-day volunteer project, 2-day Amazon jungle homestay , Day trip to Otavalo market, Horseback riding excursion.

See the Project Ecuador itinerary to review the day-to-day activities.

 

ACCOMMODATIONS

Simple hotels (6 nts), simple cabanas (6 nts, multi-share), amazon homestay (2 nts).

MEALS

All meals while volunteering and during Amazon homestay. Allow USD175 for meals not included.

TRANSPORT

Public bus, local flight, 4WD truck

GROUP SIZE

2 Minimum / 15 Maximum

VISAS

The visa requirements for your trip vary depending on where you are from; citizens of the U.S. can visit www.travel.state.gov/visa. It is important that you check for yourself. Also see our FAQs and Travel Info. IT'S YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO HAVE THE CORRECT TRAVEL DOCUMENTATION.

TOUR LEADERSHIP

Tour leader throughout, local guide during amazon homestay and in Rio Muchacho.

JOINING INSTRUCTIONS

Aeropuerto Mariscal Sucre, the international airport in Quito, is a 20 minute drive from the New Town, where our joining hotel is located. The easiest way to get there is via taxi. You can get an official taxi inside the airport, and pay set rate (approximately $4 USD during the day, approximately $6 USD at night). American dollars are now freely used in Ecuador, so you don’t need to worry about changing money into a local currency. Please note that Day 1 is an arrival day and no activities have been planned, so you may arrive at any time. Similarly the last day is a departure day during which no activities are planned. Your Tour Leader will contact you at the hotel on Day 1 and make sure you are settled comfortably. If you arrive late, s/he will leave you a message detailing what time and where you should meet the next morning. Your Tour Leader will organize a short meeting soon after arrival, during which you will meet other tour participants and receive information about general and specific aspects of the trip.

JOINING HOTEL:

Hotel Rio Amazonas
Cordero No 1342 y Amazonas
Quito, Ecuador
Tel: Int. Dailing Code + (593-2)2-556666

LOCAL PAYMENT

250USD. This trip requires a Local Payment that is paid to the Group Leader in cash on day 1 of your tour. This Local Payment is put towards local expenses, such as internal transport, entrance fees and guide fees. Local payments also reduce the need to wire or transfer funds which can become very expensive. This lowers operational costs so savings can be passed on to you. The local payment is in addition to, and is not included in, the base tour price.

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES

Paid Locally. Approximate prices shown are the USD equivalents.

Quito: (all activities have 2 person minimum.) City Tour $24 - Entrance fees not included. City Tour & Equator Line $32 - Entrance fees not included. Pre-Colombian Pryamids $28 - Entrance fee $2 Saquisili Market & Cotopaxi $60 - Entrance fee to NP $10 Cotopaxi NP $45 - Entrance fee to NP $10 Bellavista Cloud Forest $50 - Entrances fee to the reserve $10 Devil's Nose Train $110 - Entrance fee to Cotopaxi Park $10 - Train ticket $12 - (hotel in Riobamba not included - $15 p/p).

HEALTH & MEDICAL

Our small group adventures bring together people of all ages. It is very important you are aware that, as a minimum, an 'average level of fitness and mobility' is required to undertake our easiest programs. Travellers must be able to walk without the aid of another person, climb 3-4 flights of stairs, step on and off small boats, and carry their own luggage at a minimum. Travellers over the age of 70, or travellers with a pre-existing medical condition, are required to complete a short medical questionnaire, which must be signed by their physician. This is to ensure that senior travellers have the necessary fitness and mobility to comfortably complete their chosen trip. While our leaders work hard to ensure that all our travellers are catered for equally, it is not their responsibility to help individuals who cannot complete the day's activities unaided. Please refer to the physical and culture shock ratings in this Trip Details document for more information.

FINE PRINT

While the intention is to adhere to the route described above, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and, on occasion, it may be necessary or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as you never know exactly where your journey will take you. Due to the style of travel and the regions you visit, travel can be unpredictable. The itinerary is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered.