Ecuador

Depart for Ecuador and arrive in Quito, settling in after international travel.

Explore Quito’s historic Old Town, walking through colonial streets, churches, markets, and plazas that reflect centuries of Indigenous, Spanish, and modern influence. Visit landmark sites and viewpoints overlooking the city to examine how geography and history shape urban identity.

In the evening, dine at a women-led social enterprise, using food as a lens to discuss gender equity, economic empowerment, and community resilience.

Travel east from Quito, stopping at the Papallacta hot springs to experience the Andes’ geothermal landscapes before descending into the Amazon basin.

Arrive at a women-run community lodge in the rainforest, where local hosts introduce daily life, cultural values, and the relationship between Indigenous communities and the forest.

Participate in guided rainforest walks led by Indigenous guides, learning how plants, animals, and ecosystems are understood through traditional knowledge systems.

Engage in a cacao experience, following the full chocolate-making process from bean to bar, connecting agriculture, culture, and global food systems.

Hike to a rainforest waterfall and swimming hole, experiencing the sensory rhythms of the forest.

Later, participate in hands-on workshops creating plant-based handicrafts and join a farm-to-table cooking experience, exploring how food, craft, and sustainability support community livelihoods.

Depart the rainforest and travel through Puyo to engage with an animal conservation and rehabilitation center, examining threats to wildlife and regional conservation efforts.

Continue into the Andes Mountains, stopping at Pailón del Diablo, one of Ecuador’s most powerful waterfalls, before arriving in Baños.

Explore the landscapes surrounding Volcán Tungurahua, examining how people live alongside active volcanoes.

Visit viewpoints, waterfalls, and cable cars that reveal how tourism, risk management, and natural beauty intersect in a small mountain town shaped by both opportunity and uncertainty.

Travel north along the Pan-American Highway, stopping in the community of Salasacas to explore traditional handicrafts and local markets.

Continue to Quito, using the journey to reflect on movement, connection, and regional identity.

Ride El Teleférico for panoramic views over the Quito Valley, then spend time exploring local markets and chocolate shops.

Conclude with a closing reflection in green space overlooking the city, followed by a final group dinner before departing for the airport.

Arrive home.