ECOTOURISTIC PROGRAM FOR SPANISH STUDENTS AND VOLUNTEERS

LOCATION: Integral Farm “El Rosario”, Puerto Quito, Pichincha.

OBJECTIVE: To learn and practice Spanish through coexisting with local people and developing activities related to the environment and community.

PLACE DESCRIPTION

GUESTHOUSE

It provides accommodations for six people, with food, electricity, fresh water, ecological toilet, kitchen, TV, DVD player, internet and camping area.

VOLUNTEERING

Volunteer work will be carried out in one of these three areas:

-         Health (10 hours)

-         Education (15 hours)

-         Agriculture (15 hours)

We offer direct support to La Abundancia Medical Center, 8 de Septiembre Primary School and El Rosario Integral Farm respectively.

Health.- Volunteers will assist the Doctors at the Medical Center and plan a medical brigade for diagnosis visiting different nearby little villages.

Education.- Volunteers will help the School teacher, particularly in English lessons, sports and art.

Agriculture.- Volunteers will support the farm´s agroecological engeneering projects with knowledge and simple applications which subsequently will be shared with the community and then run in nearby farms.

Usually, tasks will be assigned according to the specific needs at the moment and the volunteers´ skills; they shall have a basic knowledge on the area of interest. Volunteers may bring a certificate of any related seminar or academic course and a letter specifying their  competences and interests.

SUGGESTED SCHEDULE (Two weeks)

SUNDAY

15h00 Departure from Quito

18h30 Arrival at the Farm, settling, introduction

19h00 Dinner, rest                                                                                                                                               

MONDAY

07h00 Breakfast

07h45 Mini tour

08h30 Spanish lessons

11h30 Free time (Internet, hammocs, others)

12h30 Cooking class, traditional dish from the highlands

13h30 Lunch, rest

15h00 Introduction to the volunteering team

16h30 Trekking, river bath, swimming

18h30 Table games

19h30 Dinner

20h30 Summary of activities

TUESDAY

07h00 Breakfast

07h45 Milking

08h30 Spanish lessons

11h30 Making of natural face packs

12h30 Cooking class, traditional dish from the coast

13h30 Lunch, rest

15h00 Volunteer work

16h30 Sports with the community

17h30 River bath

19h00 Dinner

20h00 Bonfire, summary of activities

WEDNESDAY

07h00 Breakfast

07h45 Milking

08h30 Spanish lessons

11h30 Aromatherapy, breathing exercices

12h30 Home made yogurt preparation

13h30 Lunch, rest

15h00 Volunteer work

16h30 Trekking, bath on Crocodile Fall

17h30 Movie

19h30 Dinner

20h30 Summary of activities

THURSDAY

07h00 Breakfast

07h45 Making of farmhouse cheese

08h30 Spanish lessons

11h30 Long walk through primary forest Recinto 10 de Agosto

13h30 Lunch, rest

15h00 Volunteer work

16h30 Fishing

18h00 Cooking class, traditional dish from the amazonia

19h30 Dinner, bonfire

FRIDAY

07h00 Breakfast

07h45 Caramel spread preparation

08h30 Spanish lessons

11h30 Long walk through the rubber tree forest

12h30 Fruit harvest, natural juice preparation

13h30 Lunch, rest

15h00 Volunteer work

16h30 Games with kids from 8 de Septiembre School

17h30 River bath

18h30 Handcrafts making

19h30 Dinner

20h30 Music

SATURDAY

07h00 Breakfast

08h00 Visit to Cascada Azul

12h30 Return to the Farm

13h30 Lunch

15h00 Free time (Internet, hammocs, others)

17h00 Snacks

18h00 Movie

19h30  Dinner, rest

SUNDAY

07h00 Breakfast

08h00 Visit to La Concordia

09h00 Ecuavoley tournament  (Complejo “Doña Isidra”)

12h30 Lunch, rest

14h00 Bath in natural swimming pools

16h00 Return to the Farm

17h00 Coffee and table games

18h30 Bonfire

19h30 Dinner, rest

MONDAY

11h30 Free time (Internet, hammocs, others)

12h30 Cooking class, traditional dish from the zone

13h30 Lunch, rest

07h00 Breakfast

07h45 Making of farmhouse chocolate

08h30 Spanish lessons15h00 Volunteer work

16h30 River bath

18h30 Ping pong

19h30 Dinner

20h30 Summary of activities

TUESDAY

07h00 Breakfast

07h45 Milking

08h30 Spanish lessons

11h30 Folk music lyrics

13h30 Lunch, rest

15h00 Volunteer work

16h30 Sports with the community

17h30 River bath

19h00 Dinner

20h00 Summary of activities

WEDNESDAY

07h00 Breakfast

07h45 Orange harvest

08h30 Spanish lessons

11h30 Learning dynamic games

13h30 Lunch, rest

15h00 Volunteer work

16h30 Orange energetic bath

17h30 Movie

19h30 Dinner

20h30 Summary of activities

THURSDAY

07h00 Breakfast

07h45 Animal feeding

08h30 Spanish lessons

11h30 Conversation

13h30 Lunch, rest

15h00 Volunteer work

16h30 Trekking, river bath

18h00 Cheese pasty baking

19h30 Dinner, rest

FRIDAY

07h00 Breakfast

07h45 Exfoliation based on natural elements

08h30 Spanish lessons

11h30 Trekking

12h30 Cacao harvest

13h30 Lunch, rest

15h00 Volunteer work

16h30 Last meeting with the community

17h30 River bath

18h30 Final summary of activities

19h30 Dinner

20h30 Music

SATURDAY

07h00 Breaksfast

08h00 Visit to the beach “Piedra de vapor”

12h30 Return to the Farm

13h30 Lunch

15h00 Free time (Internet, hammocs, others)

17h00 Final report: videos, photos, memories

19h30  Dinner, rest

SUNDAY

07h00 Breakfast, arrangements

08h00 Departure to Quito

11h30 Arrival at Quito

BASIC LUGGAGE

Water proof shoes

Repellent

Sunscreen

Personal hygiene implements

COSTS

$710 per person

Includes:

Two week accommodations with three daily meals

Transportation Quito – Farm – Quito, internal transportation

Guidance

Suggested activities considered in the schedule

Student Book

Spanish Class

PROJECT MANAGER

Patricio Gallardo

* Registration fees is not included

In the jungles of the Upper Amazon 100 species of trees per acre have been recorded. In Central America, only up to 40 species of trees per acre have been discovered. In the temperate3 forests of North America and Europa, rarely more than 20 different species exist per acre. The Amazon support over 600 species of fish and more than 250 species of amphibians and reptiles.

We offer you the possibility  to explore this fantastic World combining with Spanish classes ,it’s ideal for groups from 3 to 6 students.

You will arrive to a comfortable and nice hotel, you will receive classes in the morning and your teacher will go with you to the different activities you’ll have in the afternoon. The last day you will visit an indigenous community of the tribe Shuar and attend to a Shaman healing ceremony. It will be an unforgettable experience.

The itinerary is:

Sunday:    You will travel to the hotel in Puyo and arrive in the afternoon. At your arrival you can take the rest of the afternoon to do some light exploring of the places nearby. When you return to the hostel you will enjoy a dinner.

Monday:    Class in the morning. In the afternoon you will visit a botanical garden “Las Orquídeas” (The Orchids) where you can admire these beautiful flowers. Ecuador has the greatest diversity of orchid species in the world.

Tuesday:   Classes and a visit to the Fatima Zoo where you can see the different animal species of the area.

Wednesday: Classes and a visit to the Hola Vida (Hello Life) waterfall where you   can enjoy the beautiful landscapes and take a swim if you’d like.

Thursday:  Classes and a visit to the Omaere, Nice Park where you can enjoy the botanical diversity of the area.

Friday:      Classes and a visit to an aquarium where you can admire the rich marine life of the Amazon region.

Saturday:  Visit to an indigenous community and a Shaman. This will last all day and you will have a fantastic opportunity to learn about the Shuar culture and attend to a shaman ceremony.

Sunday:    After breakfast in the morning, you will return to Quito.

* Price per person, all inclusive:  $599 per person.

* This is for groups since 3 persons

Important things that the student needs to bring:

Copy of your passport showing your visa permit for Ecuador! , shorts and long pants (avoid cotton jeans if possible); T-shirts and long-sleeved shirts , Raincoat or poncho, Bathing suit , sandals, Insect repellent,Sunblock (VERY important) , Cap to protect your head from the sun, Flashlight , Binoculars  (optional)

* The Class and activity schedule is subject to change depending on the activity and the weather. Class could be in the afternoon and the activity in the morning, always in accordance to the instructor.

Ecuador is a small, tranquil Andean national that boasts some of the world’s most unique & spectacular landscape (including active and extinct volcanoes, mountains), colourful flora, endearing fauna and traditional Andean culture.

The rare beauty of Ecuador has attracted a number of important events in the recent past.

This links take you to youtube:

Life at its Purest

For most people, this is the highlight of a visit to Ecuador. Get up close and personal with prehistoric creatures that include the world-famous Galapagos Giant Tortoise, endemic marine iguanas and the silly blue-footed boobies.

[Galapagos Islands travel guide]

Old, Colonial Quito

Take a step back into history while soaking in the Colonial architecture of this picturesque sector of Quito, with its ornate churches, plazas and cobblestone streets.

Equator Line

Visit the Equatorial line monument and take this unique opportunity to straddle the northern and southern hemisphere at the same time.

Cotopaxi National Park

Enjoy the flora, fauna and incredible landscapes of this National Park. For the adventurous, challenge yourself by climbing to the top to get some of the most spectacular views of the “Avenue of the Volcanoes”.

Cloudforest

Enjoy a light hike through pristine and lush Cloudforest that is home to busy hummingbirds and colourful orchids.

.

.

.

.

Otavalo Market

Barter and haggle for unique Andean crafts (wallhangings, sweaters, wood carvings, gold & silver jewelry, ceramics etc) in this world-famous Andean artisan market.

..

Saquisilí Market

Soak in the sights, sounds and flavours of this working Andean market, with its fruits, vegetable and animal markets.
Baños

Slip into one of the natural, hot thermal baths or spend the day mountain biking, horseback riding or white water rafting near Baños and its surrounding cascading waterfalls.
Devil’’s Nose Train

LOCATION: Ecuador is one of the smallest countries in America. It lies on both the northern and the southern Hemispheres, and is divided by the Equator, which gave Ecuador its name in the 19th Century. Ecuador borders Colombia (North), Peru (South and East), and the Pacific Ocean (West).

AREA: about 270.670 km2 or 168.186 square miles.

DISTANCE FROM NORTH TO SOUTH: 1.081 km or 672 miles.

POPULATION: approximately 13 million .

LANGUAGE: Spanish. Most of the indigenous population speaks Quichua. In many schools English is the second language taught as the second language. There are 18 different languages among Ecuadorian communities.

COAST REGION: Esmeraldas, Manabí, Los Rios, Guayas, Santa Elena, El Oro.

HIGHLAND REGION: Carchi, Imbabura, Pichincha, Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas, Cotopaxi, Tungurahua, Bolivar, Chimborazo, Cañar, Azuay and Loja.

JUNGLE REGION: Sucumbíos, Napo, Pastaza, Morona, Santiago and Zamora Chinchipe.

NOTE: The Santa Elena province – previously part of Guayas- and Santo Domingo de los Tsachilas province – previously part of Pichincha- have been recently approved as such. They do not appear in our maps of this edition as the official borders have not yet been published.

INSULAR REGION: The Galapagos Islands.

RELIGION: 95% Catholics

CURRENCY: Dollars. The government has produced a series of local coins of 1,5,10,25 and 50 cents that have the same value as the American coins (which are also accepted). Banks open from 9h00 to 17h00 and on Saturdays only half day. Money exchange offered every day in main hotels.

GOVERNMENT: Democratic. Current President is Rafael Correa (2007 – 2011).

CLIMATE: Ecuador is located in the Tropical Zone. The climate throughout the country ranges from tropical equatorial rain in the Amazon to perpetual snow on the top of the mountains. Cities in the highlands have temperatures that vary from 50 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit, while coastal cities’ temperatures vary from 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit during the day. The wather in the jungle is constant: rainy, humid and warm. The Galapagos Islands are always sunny and warm, however, temperature drops a bit during the months of June to November.

WHAT TO WEAR:

• In Quito and highlands: wear spring attire during June, July and August. During the rest of the months, bring warmer clothing like those you would wear during the fall. A raincoat or jacket would be useful at night since it gets pretty chilly.
• Guayaquil and other coastal cities: wear summer clothing all year round. During the rainy months, December to May, the weather is still very warm. During the months of June to November the weather is cloudy and a little bit colder. Bring along a light jacket.
• Galapagos: wear comfortable walking shoes and casual clothing. Shorts, t-shirts and summer clothing will be just fine. Don’t forget a hat, a camera, sun block, and a bathing suit. During the months of June to November the weather is cloudy and a bit colder. Bring along a light jacket.
• Amazon or Jungle: wear clothing adequate for a rain. If you can get yourself a raincoat (poncho), take it with you, as well as several sets of light pants and long sleeve shirts. Shorts are less useful because of the insects and abundant vegetation you will walk through on your excursions. A hat, rubber boots and insect repellents are also a must. If you plan to take pictures, you will need high-speed film.

AIRPORT TAX: $26 for anyone leaving the country from Guayaquil, and $40.80 from Quito

Tourist Visa: Visitors can stay up to 90 days without a tourist visa.

Taxi rates: approximately $3 to $6 dollars per ride from the airport to the city. These rates vary among the main cities.

Transportation: Main cities (Guayaquil, Quito and Cuenca) have local airports serviced by the local airlines Tame, Aerogal and Icaro, besides international airlines. Bus lines offer Land transportation where you can just jump on the next bus leaving to your destination. Each city has its own terminal, with frequent departure to each one of the different provinces of our country.

Office of Tourism Public Prosecutor: The highest duty of the Ecuadorian Republic is to respect and support human and personal rights; they offer judicial safety to tourists who visit the country. It is cost free. Hours of operation: Monday thru Friday from 8:00 am to 12:00pm and from 2:00pm to 6:00pm