Eco-tourism project: Work at an Eco-Lodge in the Cloud Forest and help maintaining trails, planting trees, working in the organic or orchid garden etc.
Programs Abroad
ECUADOR - Work with a Local Community within a Tropical Cloud Forest 
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Booking Nº: EC137 Country: Ecuador + Location: Cloud Forest, 2 hours north of Quito Minimum Stay: 2 weeks Start dates: All year round Price: from 2 weeks, 840 USD |
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Task
You will live and work on a reserve within the Ecuadorian Cloud Forest, north of Quito.One week will consist of working within the coffee plantation helping to plant and harvest the coffee beans. Another week you will work in the local school, teaching English to children in order to improve their opportunities on the job market in the future. You can also organize extra activities for them after school, such as sports and games. The other week you will travel to a nearby area in the jungle. You will assist a local community by clearing and maintaining an area of land along the river, which the community uses to grow crops. This area allows the community to become self-sufficient. Basic construction work may also be required including painting, building wooden structures, small houses, etc.
For the next weeks, you can choose which activity to participate in based upon your preference from first three weeks.
Throughout your stay, you can also become involved with teaching English to the children of your host family and in neighboring homes in your free time.
Weekends are free for you to spend as you wish, but if you would like to continue volunteering and further integrate yourself into the community, you can teach, help out with agricultural work on small family holdings or work within the coffee plantation. Many also volunteers spend their weekends in nearby national parks or go to Quito to enjoy the nightlife.
Accommodation
Intercultural exchange is one of the program's main objectives. You will live with a family in the community and have the amazing opportunity to get to know and understand the community's way of life. You will become fully immersed in Ecuadorian culture and traditions through your firsthand experiences within the household. The houses are very basic as most families do not have the finances to live extravagantly. In some cases you may share a bedroom with members of the family. The family will provide three basic meals each day. You will be able to practice your Spanish skills with the family as they will be there for you if you have questions or need help with anything.Requirements
Language:English and/or 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 project offers the exceptional opportunity to get to know the local community's authentic way of life. It is not very common for a rural community to receive foreigners, so you will be very fortunate to be given this opportunity to live and work with them. It will be a unique opportunity to broaden your horizons and live a simple life far away from the cosmopolitan ways of life. Former volunteers have had unforgettable and enriching life experiences.Approximately two hours north of Quito, this community inhabits a unique area of the Ecuadorian Cloud Forest. The area is home to over 450 species of birds and some very unique flora and fauna. Located within the cloud forest, the reserve forms part of the bio-region of 'El Choco', one of the most important biological areas in the world for its high concentration of biodiversity. This delicate ecosystem is in need of preservation in order to protect the plants and wildlife. Only by gaining an understanding of this delicate area, a complete consciousness for the protection and maintenance of our Mother Earth can be reached!
Source: Google Maps
Prices
| Program duration | in USD |
|---|---|
| 2 weeks |
840.- |
| 3 weeks |
1,185.- |
| 4 weeks |
1,535.- |
| each additional week |
320.- |
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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