Ecuador

November 4th – 15th, 2022

From the tropics of the Amazon to the peaks of the Andes, from the hot springs of Banos to the World Heritage sites of Quito, Ecuador has something to offer for every adventurer. Join us for an immersive, intimate travel experience unlike any other as we explore the cultures, the communities, the histories and the landscapes of one of the world’s most biodiverse countries.

This November, get back to travel and join us as we explore the heart of South America!

Trip Details

Trip Themes

Get back to travel and join us in Ecuador!

Costs and Registration

Early Registration

(ends June 15th, 2022)

$2,500 CAD

Late Registration

$3,000 CAD

Payment Dates and Details

$500 Deposit due on Registration

Balance due September 4th

What's Included

What's Not Included

5 Reasons You Need to Join Us in Ecuador!

Itinerary - 12 days

Arrive at Quito Mariscal-Sucre International Airport. Transfer to our centrally located hotel. Participate in a welcome dinner hosted in the heart of Quito with stunning, panoramic views of the Old City.

Optional evening activity – brewery excursion or  a ‘salsateca’ (an authentic Latin bar)

Participate in a morning walk through Quito’s Old City, one of the world’s first UNESCO world heritage sites. Explore one of the oldest cathedrals in Latin America, learn about the Incan empire and the legacy of this once sprawling civilization, and visit the National Assembly.

 

In the afternoon, head to the middle of the Earth and participate in unique activities connected to the power and mystique of the Equator. Afterwards, descend into the nearby Pululahua Volcano crater, one of the largest calderas in the world.

 

Enjoy a fantastic dinner at Crepes and Waffles, a social enterprise lifting women out of poverty across Latin America. Head back to our hotel to rest after a busy day!

Board our coach bus bound for the Amazon Rainforest. Stop over in the cloud forest at Pappallacta and take a dip in these stunning hot springs located over 4000m above sea level. Continue the drive onwards to the Amazon Rainforest.

Arrive at the Sinchi Warmi (meaning strong woman) eco-retreat located in the jungle. Participate in a truly authentic cacao (chocolate) experience, from picking the fruit off of nearby trees to making chocolate syrup ourselves.

Unwind with the sounds of the rainforest and get a good nights rest.

Begin our first day in the Amazon with a guided walk through primary rainforest. Learn about environmental conservation efforts as we navigate our way through the jungle. Pan for gold on the Napo river before heading back to our lodge for a well-deserved break.

 

In the afternoon, choose from one of the included activities or simply take a nap in a hammock on site.

  • Plant-based jewelery making workshop
  • Tubing down the Napo River
  • Bird watching by boat

If you’re an early riser, wake up and watch the sunrise over the Amazon Rainforest. 

Hop aboard our boat bound for an animal conservation centre located deep in the rainforest. Participate in a guided walk throughout the conservation centre, coming up close and personal with tropical animals native to the Amazon. Learn first-hand how the centre is working to rehabilitate wildlife.

Spend the afternoon relaxing back at Sinchi Warmi.

Board our coach bus bound for the Andes. After a 3-hour drive, arrive into Banos, one of Ecuador’s most vibrant and truly breathtaking towns.

Just us for a brief walk around this historic town, often considered an adventurers’ paradise. Check into our hotel just down the street from one of Ecuador’s largest hot springs.

Plan your optional activities for day 7 (see day 7 for available options and ideas) and then join us as we drive up to the famous Tungurahua Volcano. Test your mental fortitude with a swing over the edge of the earth. Take in the stunning sites as we hike down the volcano back into Banos.

Begin your day with a walk to the Pailon Del Diablo, one of the largest and most important waterfalls in the country (you will get a little damp from the mist)!

In the afternoon, participate in optional activities (booked the day previous) or simply enjoy a free afternoon to explore Banos.

  • Waterfall Rappelling and Canyoning
  • Bike Tours along the route of the waterfalls
  • ATV Tours
  • White Water Rafting and Tubing
Head to the local hot springs in the evening after dinner and truly unwind.

Goodbye Banos! Board our bus bound for the Cotopaxi Volcano as we travel north along the Pan-American Highway. 

Join us for a challenging, slow paced hike up the side of one of the largest Volcano’s in the world, Cotopaxi. 

For those not inclined to hike up the volcano, enjoy a nearby light walk around a crater lake.

Continue our journey northwards and arrive in Quito for the night.

We begin our 9th day with a short commute to the Indigenous city of Otavalo, famous for its extensive textiles and handicraft market. Spend the next hour perusing the endless alleys of Indigenous made goods. 

After lunch, head to the nearby town of Cuicocha, famous for its local leather workers and tanners.

Our final activity of the day is a stroll through the cloudforest to the Peguche Waterfalls, a light saunter through the temperate forest deep in the mountains.

Check into our hotel in Otavalo and unwind after a busy day.

Travel to Yunguillas, an Indigenous community found in the cloud forest. Participate in local initiatives and projects that contribute to the economy. Learn how to make local jams, get your hands dirty gardening and planting, and explore how this community has turned to sustainable tourism as a source of income.

Practice your Spanish skills as you spend the evening with a host family in this remote community.

Return to Quito in the morning. Head to the Teleferico, a famous cable car that overlooks the city of Quito and the surrounding valley. Spot the peaks of some of the Andes most famous mountains from over 3500m above sea level.

After lunch, visit the Parque Carolina, one of the most unique urban parks in Latin America. Participate in a locally hosted scavenger hunt, amazing race style, in the park.

Conclude with a visit to the local craft market before checking into our hotel for our final evening in Quito.

Join us for our final dinner overlooking Quito from above at Cafe Mosiaco.

After breakfast, head to Park Guanguiltaqua, one of Latin America’s largest urban parks. Participate in a closing dialogue as we recap our adventures across Ecuador. 

Head to the airport this afternoon, or continue your journey onwards!

Register

To register, complete this brief expression of interest form. Our team will then contact you to secure your deposit and get you signed up. If you’ve got any questions about the trip, simply fill out the form and we’ll be in touch with you or reach out to trip lead, craig@insightglobaleducation.com.

Covid-19

In the event the program is delayed or cancelled due to COVID-19, all program fees will be fully refunded. All participants must show proof of vaccination to enter Ecuador.

We encourage participants to get COVID tested, and should your flight have layovers en route, you may need a COVID-19 test in order to travel. Insight has robust policies in place in the event participant(s) contract COVID during the program, in line with practices established by the Government of Ecuador and the Center for Disease Control (CDC). COVID-19 specific medical and interruption insurance is included in the program fee.

Health & Safety

Insight has delivered international trips for a wide variety of audiences, including both adults and youths, since 2013. Our top priority from start to finish is the health and well-being of our participants. In the event conditions change while on trip, Insight may need to adjust the itinerary to ensure participant health and safety.

As with all trips, risks do exist and participants will need to complete Acknowledgement of Risk documentation prior to departure. Insight will take every precaution to ensure this experience is truly unforgettable, all for the right reasons. To learn more about our health and safety practices, please contact us.

FAQ

If the program is cancelled or postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all participants will be refunded in full, or, if they choose, they can defer payments to when the trip is rescheduled.

Insight develops immersive travel programs that incorporate fun and adventure with purpose driven learning. By incorporating authentic experiences into the itinerary, we’re able to show you amazing things about Ecuador while also broadening your perspectives. No need to worry as there won’t be any test at the end!

We’ve run programs for high school, university, and adults around the world. Ecuador is one of the most welcoming and safe countries to visit. Our experienced team will be with you the entire time and will give you a thorough briefing upon arrival on best practices while exploring the country. We have run programming in Ecuador since 2016, all without significant incidents or issues.

At only $2,500 CAD (before June 1st), this trip is one of the most affordable available. As we look to play our part in restarting the incredibly crucial international hospitality industry, we’re including almost all expenses in our fee. All you need to book is your flight, your insurance, and bring a bit of pocket change for souvenirs, lunches and personal expenses, everything else is included!

Simply put, anyone who’s up for the adventure of a lifetime, who’s looking to learn and travel at the same time, and who’s excited to spend time outdoors, authentically in nature and surrounded by a great group of like-minded travelers. Whether you’re 25, 35 or 55, we’re keen to have you join us this August as we explore all that Ecuador has to offer!

Complete the expression of interest form linked here. We’ll then contact you to process your deposit, either via credit card or e-transfer (or another method as preferred) and then you’re all set!

Deposits are $500, and are fully refundable up until 60 days prior to departure (September 4th, 2022). We will begin accepting deposits as of April 15th, 2022. Places on the trip will be held on a first come first serve basis. We will open up a waitlist once the maximum number of participants (17) has been met.

Final payments are due 60 days prior to departure (September 4th, 2022) and are refundable up until 30 days before departure (October 4th, 2022). 

Yes, as a Canadian company we price our travel programs in CAD. However, we also accept USD.

For an easy calculation, the trip fee is $2,500 CAD or $2,000 USD. The deposits will be $500 in whichever currency you prefer to pay us!

Questions? Let's talk