Experience the perfect mixture of working with horses and the advantages of living in a Latin American metropolis. Live and work in a renowned horseback riding center in a beautiful suburb of the Chilean capital, Santiago.
Programs Abroad
ECUADOR - Farm Stay in Ecuadorian Andes 
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Booking Nº: EC124 Country: Ecuador + Location: Pichincha Minimum Stay: 2 weeks Start dates: Year round Price: from 2 weeks, 360 USD |
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Task
Volunteer tasks vary daily from preparing soil, harvesting the crops, cooking, constructing, managing animals and reforesting. Living in close proximity with locals allows plenty of opportunities to become part of this small Ecuadorian community and partake in the daily life activities around the farm. The pace of the farm varies with the work load and climate. We bet once your nearly done with your program, you´ll be wondering where the time went! During the farm stay you will learn about organic agriculture, agro-forestry, animal management (cows, pigs, llamas, guinea pigs, etc.), and the conservation of native forests. Volunteers will learn details of each subject through daily practical experience and conversations with their mentors. Naturally the more time you spend with them the more you can learn.
Examples of typical tasks performed at the farm:
- Organic vegetable gardening: Soil management, seed beds, natural pest control, worm compost, BIOL liquid fertilizers, crop rotation and medicinal plants.
- Tree Nursing: Prepare seeds and substrate, graft plants, transplant seedlings, learn the uses of different tree species and reforestation (according to the season).
- Cultivating the fields: Use the “azadon” to cultivate the land, water crops, harvest fruit and vegetables, crop diversity and live fences.
- Raising Guinea pigs: Collect feed and encourage breeding (as a traditional meal, the “cuy” forms an important part of local culture).
- Caring for cattle: Feeding and milking, collecting manure for composting and making cheese.
Accommodation
- Twin rooms and small dormitories
- Bathrooms with hot showers
- 3 meals per day
Equipped with a dining room that can cater to up to eighty people, volunteers will have their meals together in the dining hall and sometimes even share it with guests. The lounge area has an open fire place and is very popular among the volunteers to enjoy the starry nights. The garden and barbeque area also invite you to just relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings with a stunning view of the Andes Mountains. Furthermore, there is a small chapel and theater equipped with lighting and sound equipment. This is frequently used for presentations and events.
If you want to exercise a little bit you can make use of the football, volleyball and basket ball pitches with other volunteers.
Requirements
Language:Spanish skills required (you can book your Spanish course in Ecuador with us!)
Skills:
No professional skills or experiences required.
Age:
18+ years
Vaccination:
Not required. Please consult us and your doctor for specific recommendations.
Insurance:
Full travel and medical insurance is required. You can purchase a full coverage, no deductible health and travel insurance at a special rate for our participants by contacting your South America Inside representative.
Visa:
Tourist visa valid for 90 days. For further information regarding visa requirements please contact us and the corresponding embassy or consulate in your home country.
Details
The farm is set in 25 acres of agro-ecologically farmed land with stunning views of the Andes, Cotopaxi peak, and the snow capped Cayambe and Fuya Fuya volcanoes. Further, the extinct Fuya Fuya volcano holds a crater containing the Laguna de Mojanda. The structure of the farm, now approaching 100 years of age in places, is made of traditional materials with walls up to three feet thick. Over the years the farm has provided modern touches to create a homey feel as well as a place where people can come to relax and forget the stresses of the city.Established in 1953, the foundation that manages the farm is a non-profit, non-religious Ecuadorian NGO that initiated land in various diverse parts of rural Ecuador. It is an institution that works on rural development projects in collaboration with local communities. The foundation promotes the participation of the farming communities and the local population through processes of building and strengthening their identities. Its projects are oriented towards improving production with an agro-ecological focus, protecting micro valleys and forests, and educating about the environment. Other activities organized by the foundation are volunteer programs promoting cultural exchange on both local and global scales. The foundation, with the local government, manages development projects, strengthens initiatives of the indigenous or campesino organization, and trains leaders to drive proposals for social development in their communities. They aim to defend campesino agriculture as well as their land possession. Further, the foundation strives to eliminate the destruction and extraction of natural resources by large companies driven by over-consumption on our planet. Lastly, the foundation aims to include rural communities into the public investment sector. Their overarching principles are understanding cultures, exchanging knowledge, respecting nature, and participating and harmonizing within the community.
Source: Google Maps
Prices
| Duration | in USD |
|---|---|
| 2 weeks | 360.- |
| 3 weeks | 540.- |
| 4 weeks | 720.- |
| Additional week |
150.- |
One time registration fee 75 USD.
What’s included:
- Accommodation
- 3 meals / day (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Orientation kit
- Local support
- 24h-Emergency Number
- Volunteer Work Placement
- Certificate of participation
What’s not included:
- Flight
- Airport pick-up
- Medical Insurance
- Visa (if necesary)
- Local Travels
Country
Country Information Ecuador |
 Ecuador, appropriately named after the equator, holds a massive imaginary line running directly through its middle. Ecuador is one of the smallest countries in South America with an area of only 100,000 square miles. Ecuador borders Peru in the southeast, Colombia in the northeast and the Pacific Ocean splashing along the entire west side. The population of Ecuador is 14 million with the capital city of Quito holding 2 million residents.
Though Ecuador lacks bragging rights in its size, the country surely stands proud of its breathtaking landscapes, lush vegetation zones and varieties of climate. The climate, mainly determined by altitude, changes from tropical sun and heavy rain in the Pacific coastal area, to temperate dry climate regions in the Andean highlands. Further, the Amazon basin on the eastern side of the mountains shares the climate of other rain forest zones. Ecuador is one of eighteen mega diverse countries in the world with thousands of different animal and bird species. The famous Galapagos Islands, a very special spot on earth, is located about 620 miles away from the mainland and is home to unique flora and fauna such as the giant tortoises. The islands are also historic for being the birthplace of Darwin’s Theory of Evolution. When exploring deeper into the 100,000 square mile piece of land, you will find diverse attractions for tourists and volunteers alike. Some highly recommended areas of exploration are the Amazon jungles, the Amazon basin, Andean Mountains, volcanoes (active and dormant), tropical forests and a variety of beautiful beaches. The Pacific coast is a perfect place for ocean diving, relaxing on the beach and enjoying hours in the sun. For those backcountry lovers and nature fans, rest assured the terrain of Ecuador offers much in both silent and adrenaline driven activities. Due to Ecuador’s geographical diversity of ocean, mountains and island chains, whenever you choose to travel, one section of country will be in peak season. June through September are typically the drier months. The general high peak season for festivals, fiestas and crowds lie between mid-December through January and then again from June through August. When traveling to Ecuador you will be absolutely amazed by the unique and natural beauty of this country. Keeping in mind that this country is one of poorest regions in South America, you will be surprised by their friendliness, efforts to help you and elements of preserved culture. UNESCO declared Quito, the capital city, a World Heritage Site in the 1970’s for having the best preserved and least altered historic center in Latin America! No doubt, you will feel comfortable and at ease while enjoying this open-minded and hospitable society.
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