Work at Ecuadorian Cloud Forest and Country Tour

  Ecuador

• Quito: 
Quito

Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Dates: 2007 - 30 Sep, 23 Dec; 2008 - 16 Mar, 08 Jun, 20 Jul, 12 Oct

Description: Lend a hand in Latin America's Garden of Eden and experience the delights of the Amazon jungle.

Straddling the equator, this small nation is richly endowed with snowy Andean peaks towering over emerald-green slopes, and rivers winding through tropical jungles. In the Ecuadorian Choco bioregion lies Alto Choco Reserve with thousands of acres of cloud forest and pastures, and a wide range of fauna including Andean spectacled bears and dwarf deer. Imaginative Volunteers will have the chance to work in this beautiful reserve which is located in one of the ten most biologically important zones in the world. Later, travelling around Ecuador offers a fascinating blend of colonial and indigenous cultures, charming towns and villages, colourful local markets, pre-Colombian artefacts and impressive architecture.

Itinerary

Day 1, Quito - Arrive in Quito.

Days 2-6, Alto Choco - Travel north to the Alto Choco reserve where we spend the week volunteering and relaxing in the lodge amidst the beautiful surroundings. (Day 2 - D, Days 3-6 - BLD)

Day 7, Otavalo - We say farewell to our programme and return to Otavalo, a unique Indian market town. (B)

Day 8, Otavalo - Visit the local area and the colourful Saturday morning market which is famous for its weavings. We return to Quito again for one more night.

Days 9-11, Misahualli - Amazon Jungle - Descend to the humid Amazon Basin to Misahualli and travel by motorized canoe downriver. On foot, led by our local guide, we learn about the unique plants and creatures. We spend 3 nights in a jungle lodge.(Day 9 - D, Days 10-11 - BLD)

Days 12-13, Banos - Traveling back into the Andes we visit Banos with its thermal springs. Options here include horse riding, mountain biking, walking in the hills or relaxing in the springs. (B)

Days 14-17, Cuenca - Ingapirca - Quito - We travel on to Cuenca, a beautiful colonial city and home of the Panama hat. There's a day trip by bus to Ingapirca, the country's most important Inca ruins, where ancient peoples once worshipped the sun and moon. On day 17 a short flight takes us back to Quito.

Day 18, Quito - Tour ends.

Highlights: * Stay in an Amazon jungle lodge
* Spectacular Inca ruins at Ingapirca
* The famous Otavalo market
* Volunteer programme in Alto Choco reserve

Cost in US$: 995USD + 120lp and 85 donation

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Someone with a passion for rainforest preservation and the environment who also enjoys exploring the countries in which they volunteer.

Age Range: 18+

This Program is open to World Wide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Ecuador Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 12

The Imaginative Traveller's Mission Statement: Our aim has always been to provide exceptional travel experiences. We believe that travel should be stimulating. We want our travellers to relish the diversity of countries and cultures our world has to offer. Our focus is on innovation not imitation and it is gratifying to see so many of our ideas finding their way into our competitors programmes. Established in 1991, The Imaginative Traveller has grown steadily to become one of the world's leading operators of small group adventure tours.

Year Founded: 1991