Ecuador Chulla Vida Expedition: 10 Days

Discover the best of Ecuador on this 10-day expedition, from hands-on community projects in the Amazon rainforest to cultural exchange and adventure in the Andes. You’ll support meaningful initiatives, connect with local people, and explore some of Ecuador’s most stunning natural landscapes.

  • Location Ecuador, South America
  • Duration 10 days
  • Expedition Type Service Expeditions

Your adventure also takes you beyond camp by trekking into the primary rainforest, sleeping in hammocks under the jungle canopy, and visiting mountain towns. The journey ends in Quito, with memories, friendships, and experiences that will last a lifetime.

South America map showing Ecuador in green.
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Regeneration in the Ecuadorian Amazon
Boy standing on a hill with his arms up in Ecuador

A fully supported expedition, from start to finish

Your expedition fee covers not just the incredible activities you’ll experience, but also the extensive guidance and support you’ll receive every step of the way. From the moment you sign up through your safe return home, our team ensures everything is organized and supported.

You’ll also need to plan for essentials like vaccinations, visas, personal gear, and a bit of spending money. Don’t worry—we make it easy. Once enrolled, you’ll get access to your personalized Traveller Gateway, with clear guidance and resources to help you prepare with confidence.

  • Round-trip international flights
  • Expedition Leader (qualified and experienced)
  • Accident and health insurance
  • All meals
  • Unlimited, safe drinking water
  • All accommodations listed in the itinerary
  • All activities listed in the itinerary
  • Entrance fees for all included excursions
  • All in-country transfers by private, approved vehicles
  • Project materials, costs, and management
  • 24/7 support throughout the expedition

This sample itinerary will give you a preview of what your expedition could look like. Please note that specific projects, activities, and camp locations may vary depending on local needs and conditions at the time of your expedition.

Day

Activities

More details
Day 1 Arrival Arrive in the vibrant city of Quito where you’ll be met at the airport by a member of our Camps crew. From there, we’ll transfer you to your accommodation in Tababela town for your first night.
Day 2 Transfer to Camp Donbiki Today, you’ll transfer to Camp Donbiki, where you’ll stay for the first part of your expedition. On arrival, the Camp Manager will give you a tour of the camp and the community, and introduce you to the service-learning projects that you’ll be working on alongside the community members. In the evening, you’ll attend a goal setting workshop to set the group objectives and start your reflection on the adventure ahead.
Day 3-4 Camp Donbiki Over the next two days, you’ll start on the service-learning project work. This may include maintaining the local school or working on rainforest conservation projects. After working for the morning, you’ll have lunch before an afternoon of cultural activities and workshops. The community members are proud of their heritage and traditions, and you will spend time learning about those traditions and their sustainable way of life in the Amazon rainforest. In the evening, you’ll rest up and reflect on your day’s experiences.
Day 5 Camp Ceibo Today, you’ll start heading deeper into your jungle adventure. After breakfast, you’ll prepare your supplies to ready for spending the night in a jungle hammock. You’ll trek for a couple of hours to your resting camp, and along the way your guides will explain the various uses for the plants and trees and how they can be used for food and medicines. You’ll learn more about how their firefathers lived off the land, and used the trees and plants as construction materials and food supplies. After settling for the evening, you’ll learn about the folklore of the indigenous people and how their society was structured. You’ll spend tonight sleeping in your hammock, which is nestled inside an open-air hut.
Day 6-7 Camp Donbiki After packing up the Ceibo camp, we will trek back to Donbiki. You will have a new understanding of the landscape in which you are living and the local community you’re with, which will offer you a new perspective on life. You will be back in camp in time for lunch and then spend the afternoon relaxing and doing a little traditional face painting. In the evening, you will have a traditional dinner and a Reflection session. Camps works with communities toward long-term project goals, and those are only reached through the efforts of our groups. In this community we have built a house for the primary school teacher, built a dining room for the same school after the previous one was destroyed in a storm, and worked towards improving elements of the school’s resources. We have also worked with the community in reforestation efforts and building greenhouses. The projects are identified through conversation with the community and worked on with the community directly.
Day 8 Transfer to Baños Leave the jungle behind and travel to Baños, a lively town surrounded by dramatic green hillsides. Here you’ll enjoy local food and shop for souvenirs. Spend the night in a small hotel, a refreshing change of pace after your days in camp!
Day 9 Tababela Take one last stroll around Baños before boarding the bus back to Tababela. You’ll enjoy a box lunch as you journey across the changing landscape. In the evening, celebrate with a final group dinner, prize giving, and Reflection.
Day 10 Departure You’ll depart for the airport with a Camps representative, who will see you off and wish you a safe journey home.
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See what life is like on expedition

Check out photos from past travelers for a first-hand look at what an expedition is really like.

JD with Travellers in Ecuador.
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Partner Community in Ecuador for Camps International
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Women dressed in traditional dresses holding roses and smiling in Ecuador
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JD with Travellers in Ecuador.
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Partner Community in Ecuador for Camps International
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Women dressed in traditional dresses holding roses and smiling in Ecuador
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For even more amazing shots, explore our Photo Competition Gallery. See more

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.

Community development and environmental protection

Ecuador – Community development and environmental protection

You’ll be working on a number of projects to develop community infrastructure, such as constructing a neighbourhood recreational area or improving infrastructure at a local high school. You’ll also help to tackle the issue of waste in the natural environment, by participating in beach clean ups and working on rubbish management projects.

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

6 Clean water and santitation

Clean water and sanitation

Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all

13 Climate Action

Climate action

Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts

Experience the local way of life in our authentic camps

Our camps are at the heart of every expedition. Built in traditional styles and staffed by local community members, they offer an authentic place to rest and recharge after a day of service learning project work.

Depending on your itinerary, you’ll stay in several of our camps. These could include those featured below.

Camp Dunbiki

Camp Donbiki

The incredible Camp Dunbiki 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.
Find out more

My daughter has had an amazing experience with Camps International in Ecuador. She was one of the youngest on the trip at age 15 but this did not hold her back. She thoroughly enjoyed and learned so much from living in the community. From construction and conservation work to the incredible environment, it has been a life transforming trip for her.

Claire, Camp Ecuador 2023

Our local camp legends

Our camps are staffed by local community members who will quickly make you feel at home. These amazing team members bring each expedition to life and share the very best of their country with you.

Meet our Crew

Interested in this expedition?

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