Ecuador Mini-Venture Program provides participants life-changing opportunities which include assisting poor and/or disadvantaged children whiles simultaneously unveiling a diverse country filled with warm, friendly people and some of the world's most spectacular wonders.
This altruistic project affords participants the chance to care for children (often orphaned) through teaching English as well as nurturing their hunger for knowledge by initiating creative activities such as art, creatively educational games and other various forms of extracurricular activities.
At the close of the community helping phase, participants will then set off on a 4-day tour of beautiful Ecuador – experiencing a rich past, exciting future, wondrous culture and ultimately, it's natural beauty. Such activities include perusing Ecuador's largest indigenous market (Otavalo), visiting the world's highest active volcano, the awe-inspiring Cotopaxi, all while hiking through some of the most lush and astounding hillside.
- Program: Volunteer- Ecuador
- Projects: Mini-Venture
- Start dates: 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month
- Departure and End Point: Quite International Airport
- Language Requirement: None
- Accommodation and meals: Mostly eco lodge or Host family and local foods 3 times a day by host family
- Working hours: 25-35 hours per week
Outline of Program
Day 1:
Meet at Urcu Puyujunda´s office to discuss projects. Orientation on health, safety, responsibilities, and other local issues, along with distribution of volunteers' work. Depart to projects to begin work.
Day 2- 10:
The volunteers work on their various projects such as caring for children in an orphanage, assisting with disabled children, and teaching English to children in community schools. Evening time is free. Volunteers may go to Old Town to explore Quito's culture and traditions, or spend the evening in their particular villages. The coordinator of the trip will be available for questions or advice as to nearby activities and events.
On Day 10, volunteers meet again in Urcu Puyujunda's office to discuss details of the 4-day Mini-Adventure.
4-DAY TOUR -Explore the boundless diversity and spectacular natural wonders of Ecuador
DAY 1: Explore Otavalo—Ibarra
In the early morning, volunteers will depart to Otavalo to explore the largest indigenous market in South America, located two hours from Quito. On the journey to Otavalo, participants may enjoy the beautiful landscape and lakes. Lunch will be in Otavalo, followed by a visit to the amazing lakes in Ibarra, also called the "Town of Lakes" or "White Town." In the evening, volunteers will return to Quito.
DAY 2: Baños—A Gateway to the Amazon Basin
On Day 2, explorers will depart for Baños in the morning. The magical beauty of Baños, situated at the foot of the fearsome volcano Tunguarahua, creates a paradise for nature lovers, active outdoor enthusiasts, photographers, and naturalists. Also on Day 2, volunteers will visit the millennium town of Latacunga, as well as Ambato, the town of flowers and fruits. Finally, Day 2 will culminate in a visit to a natural hot springs and a nearby church, followed by a return to Quito.
DAY 3: Cotopaxi
Volunteers will spend the morning at the foot of Cotopaxi, the world's highest active volcano at 19.347 feet. After climbing to Cotopaxi, adventurers will eat a prepared lunch at the refuge of the volcano, stop in Limpiapungo lake, and walk around the Cotopaxi museum, exploring the rich history of this Ecuadorian wonder before returning to Quito.
DAY 4: Mindo
Volunteers will discover beautifully serene landscapes of dense forests during their morning travels to Mindo. Explore this famed archaeological site and learn more about the history of Ecuador. Later, a hike to Mindo's waterfall will provide volunteers with a breathtaking conclusion to their four-day adventure. Volunteers will then return to Quito for our closing program.
Price includes: Private transport in and out of Quito, lodging, lunch, box lunch, guide, and tax.
Price does not include: Personal expenses, drinks, tips, etc.
*The proposed itinerary is a sample and is subject to change to meet the changes in the local field conditions.