Ecuador Trek Expedition

Ecuador’s jaw-dropping terrain sets the scene for some incredible adventures. Discover the unique local culture living alongside rural communities and embark on the challenge of a lifetime as you trek the volcanic peaks of the Andean mountains.

  • Location Ecuador, South America
  • Duration 4 weeks
  • Expedition Type Trek

Living and working with the local people, you will experience first-hand the issues faced by rural communities in Ecuador whilst making a positive and lasting impact. You’ll contribute to ongoing sustainable projects that help support communities and protect the biodiverse environment in this amazing country. You’ll also take on the personal challenge of completing a trek across the 3 peaks surrounding Lake Mojanda, offering you the chance to explore ancient ruins and witness some incredible views – an experience you’ll never forget.

ecuador-map

A fully supported expedition, from start to finish

Your expedition cost is comprehensive and covers the incredible activities you’ll be taking part in, as well as the extensive support you’ll receive in the lead up to, and during, your expedition.

Don’t forget you’ll also need your vaccinations, visas, kit and some spending money. You can find guidance on all of these on your personal Traveller Gateway once you sign up.

  • Ongoing pre-expedition support
  • Flights and in-country transfers
  • Travel insurance
  • Food and accommodation
  • Adventure challenge
  • Project costs
  • Leader and staff costs
  • Camps t-shirt
  • Orientation and language lessons
  • 24 hour emergency support
  • Reserve location

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 Leave for Ecuador This morning you will make your way to your designated meeting point ready to embark on your journey to Ecuador.
Day 2 Arrive in Quito Arrive into the buzzing city of Quito where you will be met at the airport by a member of our friendly Camps crew. We’ll transfer you to your accommodation in the city where you’ll spend your first night.
Day 3 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.
Day 4 – 8 Community project work Over the next few days you will get stuck into community development project work. In Ecuador, young people are moving to the city to find employment opportunities, leaving rural communities fragmented and isolated with a labour and skills shortage. The projects that you will be working on aim to improve basic health and welfare, increase food and water security and improve education facilities for local communities. In the evenings you will get a taste of the local Ecuadorian culture through language lessons and cultural dances performed by local people.
Day 4 – 10 Environmental protection in the rainforest For the next few days you will be getting stuck into some environmental project work. This could include planting food trees, getting involved in initiatives to minimise wildlife poaching or working on projects focused on the delicate balance between the needs of the people and conservation of the rainforest.
Day 11 – 18 Community project work in the Andes After driving up into the Andes mountains, you will get stuck into community development project work. In Ecuador, young people are moving to the city to find employment opportunities, leaving rural communities fragmented and isolated with a labour and skills shortage. The projects that you will be working on aim to improve basic health and welfare, increase food and water security and improve education facilities for local communities. In the evenings you will get a taste of the local Ecuadorian culture through language lessons and cultural dances performed by local people. During the phase, you are also acclimatising for the trek.
Day 19 – 20 Experience the vibrant Otavalo market Today you will spend the day in Otavalo – home to Latin America’s largest artisanal market and the world-famous population of the indigenous Otavalos. Try your hand at bartering in the markets and purchase some unique gifts and souvenirs to remember your time on expedition. This is also an opportunity to make any last minute purchases for the trek.
Day 21 – 25 Mountain trek adventure Take on a challenging 5 day trek through mountainous terrain and attempt to reach the summit of three different peaks in the Andes Three Peak Challenge. Explore ancient Inca ruins as you make your way around the Mojanda Lakes and summit the volcanic peaks of Cerro Tolillas (3906m), Fuya Fuya (4274m) and Cerro Negro (4535m).
Day 26 – 27 Back to the city Back in the historic capital city of Quito, you can do some last-minute shopping and explore some of the local history as you wind down from the rigours of a challenging trek.
Day 28 Ciao Ecuador Time to say your goodbyes to the Camp Ecuador crew before we head 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.

Rainforest regeneration

Ecuador – Amazon rainforest regeneration

As the communities in the Amazon develop, deforestation of this important rainforest is increasing at an alarming rate. You’ll work alongside local people to understand the complex relationship between the environment and community development and you’ll assist with important environmental projects, collecting saplings and replanting trees in the jungle.

There are also some community infrastructure projects building toilets and sanitation for local houses in the village and a community centre as well as keeping up the maintenance of the local school.

UN Sustainable Development Goals
e_inverted-sdg-goals_icons-individual-rgb-04-scaled-2

Quality education

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

e_inverted-sdg-goals_icons-individual-rgb-05

Gender equality

Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

e_inverted-sdg-goals_icons-individual-rgb-06

Clean water and sanitation

Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all

e_inverted-sdg-goals_icons-individual-rgb-13

Climate action

Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts

e_inverted-sdg-goals_icons-individual-rgb-15

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.

Camp Kuri Kuchu

Camp Kuri Kuchu

Kuri Kucho is our highest altitude camp in Ecuador, sitting 3,300 metres above sea level. Its elevated hillside position offers you the most jaw-dropping views of the dramatic highland surroundings. The views across the valley to the glaciated Cayambe (5,790m) are not to be missed and on a clear day you may also catch a glimpse of Antisa.

The camp itself is situated in the heart of this widespread community and it’s not uncommon to see children passing by the camp on horseback on the way to school. Accommodation is made out of ecological materials where possible, making this a very unique and environmentally friendly camp full of rustic charm.

You are also only 40 minutes drive from Otavalo, Ecuador’s most famous indigenous market where you can grab all sorts of handicraft bargains.

  • Location: 75 km (2 hours drive) from Quito International Airport
  • Accommodation style: Eco houses
  • Bed type: comfy mattresses & sheets
  • Toilets: Flushing toilets
  • Showers: Hot water bucket showers & sinks
  • Power: Mains electricity only in social area. US standard plug
  • Social area: Camp fire, volleyball pitch, Otavalo visit
  • Signature dish: Cuy – guinea pig
Camp Chilli Urku

Camp Chilli Urku

Experience true off-grid lifestyle in Camp Chilli Urku. Situated in a remote area of the rainforest, surrounded by endless green, you will truly feel at one with nature as you fall asleep in your hammock listening to the sounds of the rainforest.

  • Location: In the Arajuno area of the Pastaza province
  • Accommodation style: Hammocks under grassed roofed open sided buildings
  • Bed type: Hammock
  • Toilets: Flushing
  • Showers: Cold bucket
  • Power: There is no power in the camp but we have solar lights charging every morning
  • Social area: Big dining room and open space to enjoy incredible views of the rainforest
  • 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.

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

Our local camp legends

Our camps are staffed by members of the community who will make you feel like a local in no time. These legends will make your expedition spectacular and will show you the very best of their home country.

Marisol Piloso

Ecuador is a country of spectacular natural diversity, from stunning coastlines to magnificent mountain ranges offering everyone who visits us a varied experience. In our village, we are very proud to work with Camps International and to have volunteers from all over the world work with us to make a difference in our community.

Interested in this expedition?

Step 1 of 3