Ecuador Expedition: 2 Weeks

Ecuador’s breath-taking landscapes set the stage for an unforgettable adventure. Immerse yourself in the vibrant local culture as you journey through the Amazon rainforest and the Andean highlands. From conservation work in the jungle to engaging with local communities, this is your chance to challenge yourself while making a lasting impact.

  • Location Ecuador, South America
  • Duration 2 weeks
  • Expedition Type Service Expeditions

During your expedition, you’ll explore Ecuador’s diverse environments, support local communities, and help protect the environment. Along the way, you’ll experience rich cultural traditions, barter in bustling markets and take in stunning landscapes. leaving with unforgettable memories and a deeper connection to this incredible part of the world.

South America map showing Ecuador in green.

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.

  • International flights
  • Expedition Leader
  • Comprehensive travel insurance
  • All meals
  • Unlimited drinking water
  • All accommodation mentioned in the itinerary
  • All activities mentioned in the itinerary
  • Entrance fees for all sights mentioned in the itinerary
  • All transfers mentioned are in private vehicles
  • Project costs and management
  • 24 hour support throughout expedition

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. One of the highlights is to see the very old ceibo tree which is over 400 years old is so tall that you can’t see the top of it!
Day 4 – 7 Environmental protection in the rainforest and social project work For the next few days you will be getting stuck into some environmental project work. This could include planting fruit trees, regeneration of the local forest, doing school maintenance or working on projects focused on the delicate balance between the needs of the people and conservation of the rainforest. After a hard days work, relax in the evening listening the frog choir ,enjoy observing the stars – the southern cross and the milky way!
Day 8 Transfer to Otavalo Today you will take the journey to Otavalo.
Day 9 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. Overnight in Otavalo. In the afternoon you will go to next Camp, Los Andes.
Day 10 – 12 Community project work in the Andes 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 supports different areas like education by giving maintenance to the local schools, environmental and social projects. In the evenings you will get a taste of the local Ecuadorian culture through language lessons and cultural dances performed by local people.
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 Good Bye 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
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Quality education

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

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Gender equality

Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

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Clean water and sanitation

Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all

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Climate action

Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts

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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

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

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.

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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.
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

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 2019

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

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?

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