Gap Year Expeditions, Global Volunteering & Conservation Projects – Greenforce

Highlights

Adventure…volcanoes…the world’s largest forest and second highest capital city… conservation and humanitarian aid…you will find it all in the diverse country of Ecuador.

• Two weeks of one to one Spanish lessons in Quito
• Three weeks environmental conservation on the coast
• Three weeks Reforestation program in the jungle
• Two weeks community development with Red Cross schools
• Weekends are free time, possible activities include: white water rafting, mountain biking, surfing, caving, zip-lining

What will I achieve?

Learn Spanish, one to one - two weeks of fun and interactive Spanish tuition in Quito. These personal tuition classes involve visiting markets and local museums and learning about practical situations. Additional excursions available to the Inti Nan Solar Museum and Equator Line as well as a trip up Vulcan Pichincha on the famous Teleferico (Cable Car) to a height of 4200m.

Help at the world’s number one eco-lodge - in Puerto Lopez, you’ll learn about living in a sustainable community and help teach others. With your knowledge of conservation and the environment, you will help other volunteers continue this valuable work.  Weekend excursions are available to the nearby surf-town where you can try your hand at surfing lessons or enjoy the nightlife.

Research into conservation – helping our Amazon reforestation programme working in partnership with Huasquila Lodge. On arrival at the lodge, home for the next three weeks, you’ll meet the staff and your Quechuan Guide and have the opportunity to explore the fabulous site. The indigenous people here have seen their homes and livelihoods retreat each year. We aim to improve the plant life and hopefully regenerate parts of the Ecuadorian jungle. This should effect the bigger picture of what the Amazon means to South America and the world.  Weekend excursions are available to try out the world class rafting and visit native communities in primary rainforest.  Mid-week (Wednesday) afternoons are also free to experience the nearby animal rescue centre and explore the vast cave networks and amazing canyoning available.

Assist the Red Cross in local schools - In Quito, you’ll work with the Red Cross with their development programme in schools, taking part in activities such as building playgrounds, repairing buildings, painting murals and decorating to create a better learning environment for the children.

Where will I live?

As the trip involves a lot of moving around, accommodation is varied and basic but always clean and comfortable, with western toilets at all times. Your accommodation will range from hostels and family homestays in busy Quito to a lodge in the middle of the Amazon and volunteer huts on the Coast.

Food and drink

Traditional meals in Ecuador contain a lot of meat. The food varies greatly depending on which part of the country you are in, with western food always available in the bigger cities. We can cater for vegetarians.

Did you know?

The local delicacy in Quito is cuy - deep fried guinea pig! ...It is not mandatory to try.

Essentials

There will be electricity available nearly all the time on your expedition. However, as the voltage can fluctuate, it is always best to use a voltage stabiliser on sensitive electronic equipment such as a laptop.

Mobile phones work depending on the type of phone and tariff – check with your mobile phone network provider. There is mobile phone coverage in most places in Ecuador, except the very remote.

Money

• The currency in Ecuador is the US dollar. The best way to carry money is to split it between forms of payment for example, cash, and credit/debit card.

• You can use your credit card when out there but with large transaction fees. ATMs are widely available.

• You can exchange money while staying in Quito and Puerto Lopez.

• Be aware that change is limited. It is wise to bring denominations no larger than $20

Country facts

• Population/Area of 12.5 million inhabitants/283,520 sq km

• Major industries include oil, bananas, shrimp, fish, coffee, textiles, metal work, paper products, wood products, chemicals, plastics, fishing, lumber.

• The Amazon covers 2.5 million miles, about the size of the USA west of the Mississippi

Did you know?

The Amazon River discharges 3.4 million gallons of water into the Atlantic every minute - 14 times the discharge of the Mississippi!

Eligibility

• The trip is open to all nationalities. Please double-check any visa requirements directly with the relevant embassy in your country or on the web before you book.

• The minimum age for this trip is 17; there is no maximum. Expedition teams consist of individuals from a diverse range of ages, backgrounds, and experiences. Everyone is welcome!

What's included?

• A Meet Your Team briefing day and BBQ in central London.
• Being met at Quito International Airport by a Greenforce staff member then dropped off.
• Welcome and Safety briefing.
• All meals and accommodation during the 10 weeks.
• Two weeks of four hours (one-to-one) Spanish lessons per working day. Salsa dance class.
• Three weeks coastal project, including ecological learning and work programme on an Organic Farm.
• Three weeks Amazon conservation, trail building and reafforestation.
• Two weeks Red Cross school work, building work and decorating (as well as plenty of opportunities to play with the children).

The numerous weekend excursion options are arranged by your Tour Guide at additional cost.

Point to note:
• On receipt of deposit, you’ll receive a Welcome e-mail with access to your personal page and further detailed information.

Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary only, based upon previous expeditions, and may therefore change.

Arrival
Welcome to Ecuador and the world’s second highest capital! You will be greeted at the airport by Greenforce staff who will take you off to your hostel and base for your time in Quito. Groups will arrive throughout the day, so you’ll have time to unpack, relax and meet your fellow volunteers.

Day 1
Breakfast is followed by an in-country briefing by your Tour Guide, with a run down of your activities, useful tips and safety advice followed by a brief tour of the travellers’ Mecca – La Mariscal. Begin your two weeks of Spanish lessons and meet your personal tutor.

Day 2
Tour Quito’s magnificent UNESCO World Heritage “Old Town”. Fabien will show you some sites of the Old Town, climbing the Basilica for fabulous views, visiting the Presidential Palace, numerous churches and many quirky hidden secrets. Spend the afternoon with your Spanish teacher in a four-hour lesson.

Days 3-5
Your Spanish lessons will kick off in the morning with a mix of classroom and field lessons. Visit places such as local markets to practise your new skills and try out amazing fruits and vegetables.

Afternoons are a mixture of free time and organised tours. Visit Quito’s newly built Teleferico and travel to the viewing point of Vulcan Pichincha - a staggering 4200m above sea level. Or explore the famous Mitad Del Mundo (Middle of the World) and see for yourself some amazing Equator experiments: experience the Coriolis effect as you watch water spin in all directions then try balancing an egg on a pin!

The weekend (days 5-7)
Free from lessons, explore further into what Ecuador has to offer. We may take a four-hour bus journey to the fabulous town of Baños in the Cotopaxi region. Nestled below the Tungurahua volcano is one of Ecuador’s most picturesque towns. Go mountain biking, view magnificent waterfalls, take an evening party bus to view the majesty of the volcano or visit some hot springs. Your tour leader can organise activities and help you navigate the bars in the evening!

2nd Week, Spanish school (days 8-12)
Monday morning, we take a two-hour bus journey to the famous market town of Ottavalo. You’ll spend the next five days at your Spanish school, learning the language in a relaxed and local setting. Ottavalo is famed for its indigenous crafts as well as fabulous scenery such as the lakes and condor park. You can even fit in some white water rafting in Ibarra.

The weekend (days 12-13)
The options are endless: shop in Ottavalo or head off to the Cloud Forest of Mindo, a haven for bird watching. Here you can ride canopy wires through the Cloud Forest or float down the river on giant inner tubes. Back to Quito, enjoy the city’s delights – Internet, restaurants and bars - before the next day’s journey to the Pacific Coast.

Day 14
The most epic of your travels here, with a 12 hour bus journey through the Sierra. Arriving at Puerto Lopez around 9pm, we will be greeted by the staff of Alandaluz Eco Lodge and enjoy a lovely meal in the Bamboo Restaurant.

Day 15
Introduction to the site and designated project area. The work for the next three weeks will be predominantly at Cantalapiedra, their research station 13kms from Alandaluz.

Alandaluz and Cantalapiedra (days 15-19, 22-26, 29-33)
At Cantalapiedra, the work is highly varied and will focus on the maintenance and running of the Organic Farm, Butterfly House and the Ecological Reserve, such as clearing undergrowth for planting and harvesting cocoons. Our work is also focused in the local community where we have built play equipment for the kids, waste water filtration beds, recycling stations or helped in environmental education.

A typical day will start with breakfast at 7.30am. You will generally work as a team on one of the projects on the reserve until a fabulous lunch at 12.30 (always the biggest meal of the day in Ecuador). The afternoons are usually less stressful (considering this is the hottest part of the day). Afterwards, you are free to relax and explore. At 7.30, we sit down for the last meal of the day followed by reading, relaxing, games etc.

Your amazing accommodation at Cantalapiedra (it has to be seen to be believed) is basic but offers all the essentials. Beds are equipped with mosquito nets but don’t forget your insect repellent!

Weekends (days 20-21 & 27-28)
Explore the Coast. The first weekend, we may go to the surf capital of Ecuador – Montañita. Here you can hire surfboards and the local beach kids will be happy to give you a lesson (approx $10 an hour). The town is small but don’t underestimate its party vibe!

The following weekend you can relax in Puerto Lopez, a quiet fishing town. Depending on the season, you can view Humpback Whales on their migratory tour past the Isla de la Plata. Nearby Machalilla National Park boasts one of the most beautiful beaches in Ecuador – Los Frailles beach. You can also visit the indigenous town of Aguas Blancas for a mud bath.

Alandaluz
At some point, you’ll stay at Alandaluz - voted one of the world’s top eco-lodges by Lonely Planet. Here, you will work either on site or on the Environmental Outreach programme, learning about the value of sustainable projects and how you’re helping the local community.

Day 33 - 34
Back to Quito before Sunday’s trip into the Oriente (the jungle).

Huasquilla Lodge, (days 35, 36-40, 43-47, 50-54, the Jungle)
Private transport to Huasquilla Lodge, where we will stay for the next three weeks. This magnificent five-hour journey goes high up into the mountains, through Papallacta and into the Cloud Forest before dropping all the way down into the Amazon Basin.

Huasquilla Lodge is a mix of tourist resort and volunteer programme, and provides wonderful meals. Formerly a working farm, the site is slowly being reverted back to jungle and providing work for the local community. Our friendly Quechuan guide, Jose, is on hand to teach you some of the wonderful things that can be found in the jungle.

Work focuses on reforestation of the local fields with laborious clearing of the weeds before collecting and establishing native seeds and saplings harvested from the deeper jungle. Other projects have included trail building and establishing the new botanical garden for native medicinal plants. Volunteers may also provide English lessons at the local school in Cotundo, from 8am-2pm.

On your half-day off, go caving at the magnificent Jumandi Caves, swimming in Archidona or visit local communities.

The weekends (days 41-42 & 48-49)
The first weekend, you may be whisked off to the nearby rafting rivers of Tena - some of the finest rivers in Ecuador. Spend the night in Tena with access to Internet, fabulous restaurants and bars and partying. The following weekend will be spent exploring the depths of the primary rainforest. Hike with Jose up to a typical Quechuan Village for the night then on to the untouched rainforest.

Day 55
Back to Quito.

Red Cross Project (day 56, 57-61 & 64-68, Tumbaco)
Just a short distance to Tumbaco – our base for two weeks working at a local Red Cross school. Past groups have painted classrooms, murals, floor games and fixed up walls, windows etc. Plenty of time for play with the kids and teaching English, which is immensely rewarding.

The weekend (days 61- 63)
We usually visit the beautiful area of the Cotopaxi region. Starting off from Latacunga, we head up to Quilotoa and its magnificent crater lake. Passing through typical market towns on the way, experience the hustle and excitement of market day. This weekend is a little more strenuous but the views and people make up for it.

Day 68
Last day of work and usually a party day for the school. Pack then spend the night partying in Quito.

Days 69 and 70
Catch up on the missed sights, shop for gifts, relax in the cafes of the Mariscal or prepare for the next adventure – the Galapagos Islands. Saturday night will be a final farewell from your Tour Guide - a sad but exciting time as you leave your friends of 10 weeks.

You can then arrange a Galapagos trip or get help with your onward travel through South America.

Maps

 

Gallery: Ecuador Photos

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"Ecuador was awesome"

Ben - Gapforce Ecuador - Summer