June 29: Departure Day, Miami to Quito

In support of program and student safety, all details regarding specific travel and accommodations are available in the parent/guardian digital locker under Essential Information.

June 29 & 30: Quito

Spend your first days exploring Ecuador’s capital city, Quito. Get to know your leaders and the other students, visit the colonial Old City (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), ride the teleférico, savor rich Ecuadorian hot chocolate at an outdoor café, and participate in an in-depth orientation discussing life in Ecuador, your host village, and group dynamics.

July 1 – 4: Turuco

Travel by bus to our small host village in the central highlands a few hours north of Quito. Work together with the local community to complete a series of construction, education, and agricultural projects. Hike around the Laguna de Cuicocha and spend a day in Otavalo visiting this town’s vibrant open air indigenous market.

July 5: Valle de Intag

Take an overnight trip to the Intag cloud forest to explore this region’s incredible biodiversity. Spot some of Ecuador’s 1,500 bird species, soak in geothermal hot springs, and visit a coffee farm to learn about coffee production from bean to cup.

July 6 –  9: Turuco

Continue work on service projects in your host village and prepare a despedida party to thank the community.

July 10: Quito

Travel to Quito and stay at a residence near the airport. Prepare for your journey to the Galápagos Islands.

July 11 – 13: San Cristóbal Island, Galápagos

Fly from Quito to San Cristobal Island in the Galápagos. Accompanied by a professional Galápagos guide, get a chance to mountain bike through lush grasslands and observe blue-footed boobies and sea turtles. Visit famous Kicker Rock where you can snorkel along an underwater channel and safely swim with sea lions and Galápagos sharks. Observe wildlife as you kayak or stand up paddleboard.

July 14: Santa Cruz Island, Galápagos

Travel by boat to Santa Cruz Island. surf and swim on the white-sand beach of Tortuga Bay, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, walk the highlands, explore lava tunnels, and observe wildlife.  Celebrate your last day together on the islands.

July 15: Quito

Fly from Baltra to Quito and stay at our residence near the airport. Have a farewell dinner with your group and prepare for your overnight journey home.

July 16: Return Day, Quito to Miami

In support of program and student safety, all details regarding specific travel and accommodations are available in the parent/guardian digital locker under Essential Information.