Ecuador: Chulla Vida Expedition

Independent Student Travel. Ages 14-17

Step beyond the ordinary and discover the rich landscapes and cultures of Ecuador. On the Ecuador: Chulla Vida Expedition, you’ll journey from the country’s buzzing capital to the heart of the Amazon rainforest and the breathtaking peaks of the Andes. This safe and guided adventure gives you the chance to work alongside local communities on service learning projects that support conservation, education and sustainable development.

  • Location Ecuador, South America
  • Duration 2 weeks
  • Expedition Type Independent Student Travel. Ages 14-17

With expert guidance, you’ll live in the rainforest, contributing to environmental initiatives that protect fragile ecosystems. In the highlands, you’ll connect with indigenous communities, experience local traditions, and take part in meaningful development projects that make a real difference.

Beyond the impact you’ll create, you’ll also gain independence, build resilience, and see the world from a whole new perspective. This is more than just a trip – it’s a transformative journey filled with adventure, culture and personal growth.

Cost
From USD: $3,430 Excluding airfare and travel insurance

Available Dates 2025
4th October Depart on the 18th October 2025

Available Dates 2026
Arrive on 13th June Depart on the 27th June 2026

South America map showing Ecuador in green.

Grey graphic of a temple

Experience Otavalo, a vibrant artisanal market.

Community icon in grey.

Work with communities of important environmental project work.

Icon of a compass

Stay in the heart of the world’s largest tropical rainforest.

Travelling Students picking fruit at Camps International's Andes Camp
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Your expedition cost is comprehensive, covering the incredible activities you’ll take part in, along with extensive support before and during your journey. Flights and travel insurance are not included.

Don’t forget, you’ll also need vaccinations, visas, kit and some spending money. Once you sign up, your personal Traveller Gateway will provide all the guidance you need to prepare for your adventure.

  • Ongoing pre-expedition support
  • All meals
  • Unlimited drinking water
  • All accommodation mentioned in the itinerary
  • Project costs
  • Leader and staff costs
  • Orientation and language lessons
  • 24 hour emergency support
  • Camps t-shirt

This sample itinerary will give you an insight into what you’ll be getting up to. Please note, the exact projects, activities and camps may change closer to the time of your expedition.

Day

Activities

More details

Day 1 Arrive at Mariscal Sucre Quito International Airport, Ecuador Please arrange your flight into Quito to arrive between 12pm-10pm. On arrival at the airport in Ecuador, you’ll be greeted by a member of our Camps crew. They will transfer you to your accommodation in the buzzing city of Quito where you’ll spend your first night.
If you are arriving before the arrival date or departing after the departure date, accommodation, food and transport arrangements for the additional days will be at an additional cost. Please discuss with the Camps International Team prior to making any reservations.
Day 2 Into the Amazon Today you will take the journey to our Amazon camp, your home for the next part of your expedition. You’ll be living right in the heart of the world’s largest tropical rainforest, a unique opportunity to get back to nature and immerse yourself in this incredible part of the world. One of the highlights is to see the Arajuno river, which is located in front of the camp.
Day 3-6 Community project work in the Andes Over the following days, you’ll dive into you service learning project work. This could involve planting trees, helping with school maintenance, or contributing to service-learning projects that address the delicate balance between local community needs and rainforest conservation. After a rewarding day, unwind by listening to the evening frog chorus and gazing up at the stars, with the Southern Cross and the Milky Way lighting up the night sky.
Day 7 Transfer day Today you will take the journey to Otavalo.
Day 8 Experience the vibrant Otavalo market Today, you’ll explore Otavalo, home to Latin America’s largest artisanal market and the renowned indigenous Otavalo community. Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere as you try your hand at bartering and discover unique, handcrafted souvenirs to remember your expedition. Enjoy an overnight stay in Otavalo before journeying to your camp, Los Andes, tomorrow afternoon.
Day 9-12 Community project work in the Andes Over the next few days, you’ll get stuck into meaningful community development projects. In Ecuador, many young people leave rural areas for city jobs, leading to labor shortages and fragmented communities. Your work will support key areas such as education – helping maintain local schools – as well as environmental and social initiatives. In the evenings, immerse yourself in Ecuadorian culture with language lessons and traditional dance performances by local community members.
Day 13 Transfer back to town Transfer to Tababela, on the way you will visit, The Middle of the World “Quitsato”, and in the evening you will have a beautiful farewell dinner.
Day 14 Departure After two incredible weeks of adventure, learning and impact, it’s time to say goodbye to the Camp Ecuador crew, before heading back to the airport in time for your flight home.

How you’ll make a difference

You’ll work on a range of projects throughout your expedition, each aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and designed to make a significant and lasting impact on the region’s most critical issues.

Completed Bus stop by student travellers in Camp Ecuador

Ecuador – Community Development and Education

We are actively involved in community infrastructure projects, including the maintenance and enhancement of local schools, the construction of a new classroom and the development of communal spaces. Additionally, we support the growth of local tourism by providing training for residents on how to manage community-based tourism effectively.

UN Sustainable Development Goals

No Poverty Icon

No poverty

End poverty in all its forms everywhere

4 Quality Education

Quality education

Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all

5 Gender Equality

Gender equality

Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

8 Decent work and economic growth

Decent work and economic growth

Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all

Boy digging at community project in ecuador

Ecuador – Community Improvement and Regeneration

Support school and community maintenance, help with the regeneration of local areas, and improve water access by building channels to support the community during droughts.

UN Sustainable Development Goals

4 Quality Education

Quality education

Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all

6 Clean water and santitation

Clean water and sanitation

Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all

11 sustainable cities and communities

Sustainable cities and communities

Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable

13 Climate Action

Climate action

Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts

15 life on land

Life on land

Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss

Experience the local way of life in our authentic camps

Our camps are the heart of our expeditions. Built and staffed by locals in the traditional style, and located within the heart of communities, they are the perfect place to relax after a day of project work. You’ll get to stay in a number of camps during your expedition, which could include those featured below.

Campfire at Los Andes Camp - Camps International

Camp Los Andes

Located approximately 2,200 meters above sea level, Camp Los Andes enjoys a predominantly sunny and warm climate. As a fertile valley, it is home to a diverse range of fruit trees, including mandarins, apples, avocados and peaches. Agriculture is the backbone of the community, serving as the primary source of income for local families. Rich in cultural heritage, the community proudly preserves its Kichwa traditions.

  • Location: Located 15 minutes away from Atuntaqui, and three hours away from Quito.
  • Accommodation style: Longhouse
  • Bed type: Bunkbeds with comfy mattresses
  • Toilets: Flushing toilets
  • Showers: Bucket showers
  • Power: US standard plugs in social areas
  • Social area: Large open dining area, balcony and various spaces across 2 floors
  • Local dish: “Fritada” fried pork
Camp Dunbiki

Camp Donbiki

The incredible Camp Donbiki offers a unique jungle experience. Situated in the Ecuadorian rainforest, its located next to a wonderful river, so you can be lulled by its peaceful sound as you go to sleep.

You’ll be welcomed by the friendly community here as they teach you their local customs and knowledge of the rainforest, including the traditional use of medicinal plants. You’ll work alongside them to help protect and restore the indigenous trees and improve the community facilities.

  • Location: In the Arajuno area of the Pastaza province
  • Accommodation style: Jungle lodge
  • Bed type: Bunk beds
  • Power: American two pin plug sockets in the communal spaces
  • Social area: The end of each cabin has a chill out space with cushions and there is a small dining room. Lots of open space in camp to enjoy your jungle surroundings.
  • Signature dish: Maito de tilapia or Maito de pollo – Fish or chicken cooked inside a banana leaf with palmito (roots of a type of palm) and yuca (root veg) and rice.

Helping you on your way

What is the accommodation like in Ecuador camps?

Our camps are rustic, built in the traditional local style. Rooms are dormitory-style with bunk beds, and hammocks in the jungle. Bathrooms have sit-down toilets, and bucket showers with hot water in the community camps and cold water in the jungle.

What kind of service work in Ecuador do students participate in?

Students take part in sustainable, community-driven projects focused on:

  • Infrastructure: Building schools, sanitation facilities and water systems
  • Conservation: Forestry regeneration and preservation, and wildlife protection
  • Livelihoods: Supporting sustainable farming and small businesses

What currency is used in Ecuador, and how should students handle money?

The official currency of Ecuador US dollars. There are ATMs in the cities and towns and occasionally at some gas stations. If you do need to stop to get cash then always arrange with your expedition leader. Any leftover foreign currency should be exchanged at the airport before returning home.

My expedition to Ecuador made me realise how much I love traveling and has lead me to apply to do conservation biology and ecology at university, being out in the Amazon was amazing and cemented in my mind that I definitely want to pursue a career in ecology and that I’m cut out for the field trips that will involve.

Jasmine, Camp Ecuador