Ecuador/Galapagos : 4 or 5 week Summer Special - combine adventure and volunteer!

  Ecuador

• Quito: 
Quito
• Galapagos Islands: 
Galapagos Islands
• All Other Regions of Ecuador: 
Banos,  Montanita,  Rural Areas

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks and 5-8 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: July 2009 - 4 or 5 weeks + 4 or 8 weeks volunteer

Description: Combine 4 weeks of adventure travel, cultural experiences, and making lifetime friends with a wide choice of volunteer options in Ecuador. There is limited availability on this once-a-year group experience. Meet like-minded Danes, Swedes, Europeans and Americans as you travel through and experience the wonders of Ecuador.

This 4 week, multi-national, group adventure programme allows you to add-on either
1) a week of exploration around the Galapagos islands, or
2) a month of volunteer work in the Galapagos and/or
3) a month of volunteer work in Ecuador itself.

Our programmes are developed for young adventurers (18 - 30) who wish to explore and learn about a new country as part of a multi-national group. If making lifelong friendships and networks with like-minded adventurous souls is your cup of tea, then this is the place to be. Limited availability ensures attention to detail, while fixed programme dates makes planning easy.

Book quickly though - places are filling up fast !

Week 1 - Culture Club
Orientation evening, live with a host family, 4 hours Spanish classes per day, visit the equator and Colonial Quito, evening salsa lessons and Latin American disco nightlife, visits to craft and animal markets.

Week 2 - Action Adventure
Cotopaxi National Park has hiking and downhill mountain biking around a volcano, visit Banos the backpacker retreat for optional adventure activities, rappel down a waterfall, nature bike ride and 3 x 4 hours Spanish lessons, visit the colourful Indian market and take a journey on the roof of a train through the Andes!

Week 3 - Jungle boogie
Travel into the rain forest to be hosted by a Shuar Indian village. Learn about this fascinating culture where you can assist in a number of community activities. Experience the animals, birds and plants as part of everyday life in this natural paradise.

Week 4 - Beach Bonanza
Montanita surf paradise. Stay 3 minutes walk from the beach where you can sip long tall drinks for sunset, test-drive a hammock for an hour or 6, and enjoy 3 surfing lessons. This week you can be as active or as relaxed as you wish. Saturday night farewell party. Next day either travel home or to the Galapagos. Option to begin volunteer work.

Week 5 - Galapagos Groove (optional extra)
Fly to Galapagos and then take a speed boat to your hostel. Visit flamingo colonies, ride up a volcano on horseback, and island-hop by yacht whilst stopping occasionally to snorkel in the wildlife-rich crystal waters. Meet penguins, giant tortoise and sea iguanas. The Darwin Research centre is also on the itinerary. The magical Galapagos present a surprise around every corner - a week in paradise!

Highlights:
* Week 1 - Spanish ; Salsa ; Sightseeing ; Equator ; Quito

* Week 2 - Trekking ; Cotopaxi Mountain biking ; Adventure Canyoning ; Markets ; Volcanoes ; Andes

* Week 3 - Rain forest ; Shuar village ; Nature ; Volunteer work

* Week 4 - Surf lessons ; Beach parties ; Relaxation ; Exploring

* Week 5 - Optional Galapagos Adventure

* Week 5-8 - Choose from a wide range of volunteer options

Cost in US$: from USD 2300 / GBP 1750 for 4 weeks all inclusive.

Not included: Flights to Galapagos and National Park entrance fees. During volunteer work, transport and food is not included.

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 18-30

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Ecuador Independently

Year Founded: 1984