Ecuador Service Learning and

Galapagos Islands PD

Ecosystems: Yanguilla (cloud forest), Bosque Jerusalem (dry forest), Ecuadorian Amazon (rainforest), Papallacta (paramo), Galapagos Islands (volcanic archipelago).

Cultural Activities and Topics: Otavalo history and market, medicinal plants, Amazon cultural immersion, Galapagos history and ecology.

Service Learning/Hiking: Bosque Jerusalem, Amazon community and school visit.

ECUADORService Learning & Galapagos

ECUADOR

Quito

Day 1: Arrive in Quito – Transfer to hotel and overnight

Day 2: Into the JungleTransfer to Tena. Board a boat at Punto de Ahuano Port and travel to the Amazon Animal Rescue Center. Transfer to the Jungle Lodge for dinner and the overnight. Optional nighttime nature walk after dinner.

Day 3: Education and School ImprovementSpend the morning teaching in a rural school in the small community of Pakay Chikta across the river, and engage in a school improvement service project. Continue with a Chicha of Yucca demonstration before returning to the lodge for dinner.

Missahualli

Chicha of Yucca

Papallacta / Otavalo

Day 4: Papallacta and Otavalo Return to Tena. Transfer to Papallacta Hot Springs for a chance to relax in the waters of the springs. Dinner and overnight in Otavalo.

OtavaloDay 5: Visit “el Mercado de los Ponchos”, the internationally renowned artisan market in Otavalo.

Otavalo / Bosque Jerusalem

Day 5 (ctd): Bosque Jerusalem - Participate in or learn about a reforestation project in the Andean dry forest and learn the history of some native medicinal plant species.

Day 6: Yunguilla and the EquatorTransfer to Yunguilla in the cloud forest for a visit to a jam and cheese factory. Continue to Intinan to visit the Equator Museum there. Return to Quito for dinner and the overnight.

Yunguilla | Quito

Galapagos

Day 7: Fly to Baltra and continue on to Santa Cruz, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station Day 8: Enjoy a boat excursion to Bartolomé Island or Isabela Island

Day 9: Enjoy a boat excursion to North Seymour or Floreana Island

Day 10: Visit the Twin Craters, Fly to Quito

Day 11: Fly home