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With loads of vibrant indigenous culture, Spanish colonial architecture and out of this world Vulcan landscapes, jungles and mountains Ecuador is a feast for the eyes. You can truly experience four seasons in one day, with ever-changing surroundings assaulting the sentence. Explore ancient markets shopping for woolly llama first sweaters, or chill out on gorgeous Pacific beaches Ecuador has something for everyone. And that’s before we got onto the Galapagos Islands, you can easily add on the Galapagos Islands experience at the end of this pass as Guayagil is the perfect jumpoff point to visit the islands.
Please note this is not a group tour, this is an independent backpacking pass, using local transport with included activities.
Day 1
Arrival day in Quito, take a stroll through the city and soak up the marvellous Spanish colonial atmosphere.
Day 2
Quito to Tena (Public Bus)
Today you will take a transfer from Quito to Tena by Public Bus. Awe at Quito’s dramatic setting in the midst of the Andean mountains with surrounding volcanoes while you walk through the colonial old town as if you had gone back in time.
Day 3
Enjoy your free day in Tena or add an optional extra activity.
Day 4
Tena to Banos (Public Bus)
Today you will take a transfer from Tena to Banos by Public Bus. After a tough day of mountain biking, horseback riding, hiking or climbing indulge yourself in the relaxing thermal springs waiting for you to bathe your tired body in this cute mountain town.
Day 5
Banos Canopy & Bridge Experience (Day Tour)
Swing like a monkey through the trees in the forests of Banos along a 2.5 hour circuit where you can ride along 2 different ziplines measuring up to 850 meters, walk over a Tibetan bridge and go rock climbing above the river.
Day 6
Banos Waterfall Experience (Bike or Chiva) (Day Tour)
Choose to explore the breathtaking waterfall-route just outside of Banos making stops at each waterfall in the area with free time to swim and enjoy the fresh mountain air. Choose to take a bike-tour (approx. 4 hours with an option to continue to Puyo) or a traditional Chiva bus-tour (approx. 2.5 hours).
Day 7
Banos to Guamote (Public Local Bus)
Today you will take a transfer from Banos to Guamote by Public Local Bus. After a tough day of mountain biking, horseback riding, hiking or climbing indulge yourself in the relaxing thermal springs waiting for you to bathe your tired body in this cute mountain town.
Guamote Local Encounter 2D/1N (Multi Day Tour)
Experience the beautiful mountain town of Guamote, Ecuador tucked away in the Andes with a rich indigenous cultural heritage. Stay 1 night and take your free time to get to know the town and surrounding areas.
Day 8
Guamote to Cuenca (Public Local Bus)
Today you will take a transfer from Guamote to Cuenca by Public Local Bus. This charming colonial town is filled with whitewashed houses and cobblestone streets perching on the banks of the Rio Tomebamba with a modern twist of trendy cafes, restaurants and bars with the comforts of home.
Day 9
Cuenca HopOn HopOff City Tour (Day Tour)
Take a day to visit the city of Cuenca on a HopOn HopOff City Tour bus where you can jump on and off whenever you wish to visit all of the most important sites around the city like Parque Calderon, the Cathedrals and interesting museums.
Day 10
Cuenca to Guayaquil (Public Bus)
Today you will take a transfer from Cuenca to Guayaquil by Public Bus. This charming colonial town is filled with whitewashed houses and cobblestone streets perching on the banks of the Rio Tomebamba with a modern twist of trendy cafes, restaurants and bars with the comforts of home.
Day 11
Enjoy your free day in Guayaquil or consider adding on a couple of weeks beach time with our Spanish and surf program in Montanita. Transfers can be arranged.
This pass is flexible and open dated join any time.
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Below the order of the programmes included
Please refer to the individual trip components below TIP: right click and open in a new tab. Note: The Quito to Guayagil Pass 7 days is not listed below but is included.
A flexible hop on hop off travel pass taking you from Quito to Guayagil. The perfect way to Explorer Ecuador at your own pace taking in mountings, jungles waterfalls and the Pacific coast. Easily add on Galapagos Islands tours, surfing in Spanish and are Ecuador adrenaline overload.
Surfing and Spanish is a wicked combination if you are heading out on a South America Gap Year. No boring classrooms, but learning Spanish on the beach. You will be staying in Montanita, a funky beach town and the capital of surfing in Ecuador. You become a great surfer as you will be taught by worlds best competitive surfing champions. No surf experience is needed.
Our uber popular backpacker travel pass. This pass provides full transport starting in Lima through Peru, Bolivia and Chile taking in some of the most amazing aspects of the South America backpacker trail, before heading up the West Coast pass the Nasca lines to end backup in Lima. One of the cheapest cities to fly into South America. This pass works very well with the Inca Trail as you can set your trail dates well ahead.
Visit cloud forests, coastal mountains, mangroves and beaches. Help protect the Amazon rainforests with reforestation projects and interact with the local Indian communities. It is all about getting back to nature with exposure to a huge range of Flora, reptiles, birds and mammals on four different diverse nature reserves. If you want the ultimate biological conservation project and want to spend your gap year giving plenty back to mother nature then this trip is for you!
Get ready to hit Ecuador with a vengeance. White water raft along a thundering river in the Andes, explore the Avenue of the Volcanoes on horse back and get a dose of culture in the historic Quito. Action, adventure and an impressive start to any South American trip. Seven days of adrenaline!
Trek the Inca Trail Trekking the Inca Trail is the ultimate backpacking rite of passage. An unreal journey that takes you 4 days to complete, trekking high up in the Andes in search of the lost city of Machu Picchu. Not for the faint hearted, this trail leads you through steep mountain passes, with dramatic scenery culminating in a magnificent view of the Incan Citadel, through the infamous Sun Gate.
On round the world bookings we can stage payment to make it easier to save, you can of course pay all at once.
This ensures you have enough time to save for your flights, spending money and insurance.
The trip works like this:
Total time just over 1o weeks
• Pre departure info before you leave
• Accommodation (hostels) for the duration of the Ecuador adrenaline overload
• Meals as indicated on itinerary
• Transfer from airport to city center on day one
• Trip related transfers
• Quito city tour
• Mountain biking in a national Park
• stay in a national Park at a residency
• horseback riding in the Avenue of the volcanoes
• Quilotoa Lagoon
• Otavalo Market
• Orientation meeting in Quito for the conservation project
• All accommodation for the duration of four weeks during the conservation project
• Food on the reserves (three meals a day)
• Local guides and conservation leaders in each reserve
• Full on daily activities and conservation tasks
• Local transport on hop on hop off bus and online travel guides with tips on actibities and accommodation
• Pre departure information before you leave
• Surfing lessons (Monday to Friday and 1.5 hours per day)
• Spanish lessons in an open air environment (Monday to Friday and 4 hours per day)
• Accommodation
• All Spanish course materials
• Other excursions as mentioned in the itinerary
• Sacred Valley Day Trip
• Amantani Home Stay Two days one night
• La Paz Local City Encounter
• Salt Flats off-road adventure three day two nights finishing in Atacama
• Moon Valley Experience
• Colca Canyon two days one night
• Sand-Buggy & Boarding
• Pre-departure information
• Pre-departure briefing in country
• One night in Cuzco with briefing and pick-up
• Professional English/Spanish/Quechua speaking guide
• Inca Trail and Machu Picchu entrance fees
• Tourist bus Cuzco – Kilometer 82 (starting point of trek)
• Tourist train Aguas Calientes – Ollantaytambo
• Tourist bus Ollantaytambo – Cuzco
• Cuzco hotel drop-off
• Meals: 3B/3L/3D/3 snacks with typical menus
• Sleeping Mattress
• 4-man tent for 2 people
• Porters and cook to carry shared camping and cooking equipment
• First Aid kit
• Emergency oxygen bottle Spending money
This program is flexible you can start any time.
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Surfing and Spanish is a wicked combination if you are heading out on a South America Gap Year. No boring classrooms, but learning Spanish on the beach. You will be staying in Montanita, a funky beach town and the capital of surfing in Ecuador. You become a great surfer as you will be taught by worlds best competitive surfing champions. No surf experience is needed.
Imagine hearing the crash of the Pacific ocean as the waves hit the beach, while you grasp the basics of Spanish. Besides that learning the language is essential if you plan to take a gap year in South America. So what better way to prepare yourself or improve your Spanish, than by doing it is a fun environment?
Our partner Spanish School in Ecuador, is one of the most original and exciting Spanish academies in South America. They are winner of numerous awards, including the language star awards (being nominated as one of the top 5 language academies in the world).
We particularly love this language school as it is the way the classes are delivered that adds a little spice to the whole learning process. When you add this to the fact that the language school is based in Montanita, one of the most popular backpacking beach towns in Ecuador it is a great chilled out place to hang out learn Spanish and get into the South American swing.
The Spanish School provides small mini-group Spanish. We pride ourselves on the quality of these courses. You can expect to receive plenty of help with your Spanish with 4 lessons per day, 5 days per week. With 6 different ability groups you will be with others also keen to learn, at the same level. The levels follow the standard European Educational system of A1 to C2. By having others in your class it is an excellent way to stay motivated, practice what you are learning and to meet other students, many of whom travel onwards after the course.
Classes consist of 2 hours of largely Grammar based learning. We make it fun! Then there is 2 hours of more conversational or activity based Spanish, to put into practice what you have learned. We have found this approach to be extremely effective.
The groups are very small, normally 2-6 persons. So you will get lots of attention, and your learning needs are catered for. Occasionally we will not meet our minimum numbers per class in your ability group. In this case your lessons will be replaced with 15 hours of private one on one lessons.
Every day (from Monday to Friday) you will have 1.5 hours surf classes. You will practice in small group so you learn to surf quickly. The quality of the surf instructors teaching you how to surf are amazing! Instructors and surfers from Montanita are (comprise half of the Ecuadorian National team) placed in the TOP 10 in Billabong ISA World Surfing Games 2011 in Panama! And you get learn to surf with these guys! Unbelievable! So then once your surf skills are a little more established, we will hit the road: Every second weekend we load up the surf truck and make a short surf trip up or down the coast. This is the perfect occasion to practice those new moves you have been learning in class and explore some of the more secret surf spots which are usually guarded as local knowledge.
Most people on this programme are in the same boat. Montanita is perfect for beginners and advanced surfers alike. The waves at low tide are a little more relaxed for beginners. When you are feeling confident, grab your surf board and get out there at high tide, where the biggest waves are waiting to challenge your new surf skills. You will certainly gain some impressive surfing ability, with one of Ecuador’s top instructors who came an impressive 17th in the World Championships on hand to get you moving through the water like a surf crazed torpedo!
It’s not just surfing you could combine with Spanish, there are other options available locally to add some more thrills or chills to your language course.
Our accommodation is a perfect combination of location, quietness and luxury! The accommodation will be shared with maximum 4 other travellers. You will stay with four other in a dorm or you can upgrade to a Cabana. This all is located in a stunning Eco Resort.
About the Eco Resort
Eco Resort means, recycled water to feed our large and growing garden (please bring biodegradable soap and shampoo if possible), solar powered outside lighting, rainwater collection for the large and tempting swimming pool (and Jacuzzi – a life saver to soothe the aching muscles – the ones you never knew you had – after an afternoon surfing), and a recycling system. Do you wish to see more picture? Please visit our blog with this link.
If you are not convinced by now… Here are some more reason why you should join this programme:
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Start dates are the first Monday of the month. Bespoke dates available on request. Please contact us for flexible start dates.
“Yeah its been great thanks. The trip to Montanita was absolutely incredible, without a doubt two of the greatest weeks of my life. More reviews here.”Matt, UK
“Thank you for everything that I have learned here: the stories, expressions, grammar, vocabulary, verbs, the delicious coffees. the ambiance, interesting conversations, photos, songs, jokes, and everything else”. More reviews here.Roos van Pinxteren
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]]>Superb South America backpacking itinerary starting in Lima. Taking on the Inca Trail, Peru, Bolivia before heading north to Ecuador. All transport and plenty of activities included on this flexible adventure. Epic scenery, culture and adventure on one of the worlds most sort after backpacker routes. You need a minimum of 60 days.
Lima>Cuzco>Inca Trail>Puno>Amantani Island>Taquile Island>Copacabana >La Paz >Sucre>Potosi>Uyuni>Salt Hotel in Agua Quisa>Laguna Colorada>San Pedro Atacama>Calama>Iquique>Arica>Tacna>Arequipa>Nazca>Ica/Huacachina>Paracas>Lima.
Lima >Huaraz >Trujillo>Mancora>Guayaquil>Cuenca>Guamote>Banos>Tena>Quito
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Mysterious, iconic and Xtreme – that just about sums up Peru and the amazing adventure-filled trip that awaits you! Your excitement levels will be going through the roof as you arrive in Lima and you think about all the things you are going to see and do over the next 19 days and where better to start than the country’s capital city. Underneath the chaotic atmosphere and often foggy skies you’ll find a stunning historical centre worthy of UNESCO World Heritage status, art galleries and museums galore and cool nightlife.
To make you feel at home in Lima we have included homestay and get to know the real Lima with our resident Xtreme Gap Rep! That means checking out the city and seeing it through the eyes of a local. (He is actually our resident surf instructor and one cool dude, you will be in good hands).
To give you a taste of what Lima has to offer, day two starts with a city tour with local guides who will show you the most interesting sites, including the spectacular Monasterio de San Francisco and Plaza de Armas, and tell you all about the Incan and Colonial past. Even if history isn’t your strong point, we guarantee you’ll be fascinated.
In the afternoon you are free to roam around the centre, checking out the markets and possibly trying one of the local delicacies, Cuy. If you’re Spanish skills aren’t up to scratch yet we can tell you that this is roasted guinea pig (sorry fluffy!). You’ll be pleased to know that there are oodles of restaurants and different cuisine available though.
The Lima ConneXion arrival pack is two days one night, so on day three is time to travel to Cuzco, you should be acclimatised to your new time zone my now. The journey as long but stunning as you will be travelling through steep mountain passes over the Andes.
Because this itinerary has the Inca Trail at the beginning of the trip, it makes it very easy to fix your date and secure your Inca Trail permit, it is very important that we do this many months ahead as they sell out far in advance.
Arriving into Cuzco you have a free nights accommodation on us at the Mill House backpacker hostel. You will be briefed on your Inca Trail itinerary and have the chance to settle in and enjoy this fantastic city, which is a hub for backpackers from all over the world. Check out the cities beautiful square the Plaza de Armas with its beautiful colonial cathedral, and have a drink at the Cross Keys pub to swap stories and share tips before the great trek the following day.
In the morning we will be transferred from Cusco through the Urubamba River Valley to the km 82 point, which is where the first part of our trek begins. Get ready for awe-inspiring views, dizzying heights and possibly the odd blister! After registering with government control we cross the bridge and begin the walk to Llactapata, which is the first place of archaeological importance and where we’ll have lunch. After some nourishing food we continue on to the first camp at Llullchapampa. It’s pretty steep going, but you’re young and fit so you can handle it!
The second day of the trek can seem a little daunting as it involves reaching the highest point on the trail at Warmihuañusca, over 4,200 metres, so it’s a tough day but extremely rewarding. Also, don’t let the name of this section put you off – Dead Woman’s Pass refers to the shape of the mountain, not the effect that hiking it has on you! To take your mind off the walking you can take in the views of the snow-capped peaks. After the big climb, it’s time to descend into the Pacaymayu valley, before heading onto the second camp at Chaquicocha, where you can catch up with fellow trekkers around the campfire.
After breakfast we begin the trek to Runkuraqay archaeological complex, where you get to explore the Incan ruins and admire the sweeping views, before continuing onto another important site at Sayacmarca, where the guide will explain the different theories about what the purpose of the construction was. You’ll see a big change in the geography and climate as you trek through mountains to upper jungle and cloud forests and as you head over the Phuyupatamarca Pass you’ll reach another archaeological site. It’s downhill from there to the camp at Wiñaywayna and some much needed food and rest, well, that’s after swapping more stories with all the other like-minded adventurers.
The final countdown! It’s a very early start today as the trek continues to Intipunku, but you’ll be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise and panoramic view of Machu Picchu’s citadel. This is when you realise that it’s all been worth it! After taking in this amazing site and almost filling up your memory card with photos we continue downhill for around 45 minutes to Machu Picchu for a tour and a hike up the mountain of Waynapicchu. Come on, you’ve got this far!
In the afternoon it’s time to board the backpacker train back to Cusco where you can relax and absorb the fact that you have just completed one of the world’s best treks. You should reward yourself with a drink or three of the local rum.
Relax your tired legs in Cuzco once again.
Today is a free day for you to relax and recuperate or carry on with the Cusco sightseeing that you didn’t get to finish before the Inca Trail. At this point you could stay on for a few extra days or if you have chosen to do the Round the World – South America trip then you’ll be looking forward to continuing your awesome adventure into Bolivia.
This is also the ideal time to gather the email addresses, Twitter names and Facebook pages of all your new mates so that when you are back in a boring job saving for your next adventure you have someone to reminisce with, not to mention lots of friends around the world to visit!
Puno is located on the shores of Lake Titicaca. You might be tempted to catch up on some sleep on the way, but we’re sure that the awe-inspiring Andean Mountain Range will keep you and your camera occupied. On arrival in Puno you can settle into your hostel accommodation and then head out with some fellow adventurers to soak up the unique atmosphere, with its mixture of different Peruvian cultures, vibrant markets and friendly locals.
If you feel like you’ve seen and experienced a lot so far, you ain’t seen nothing yet! A full day motor boat excursion on Lake Titicaca is on the schedule, when you get to explore the unique floating islands of the Uros tribe. Made from Totora reeds, these islands have to be repaired and re-made to keep them sturdy enough for the homes, schools and shops that exist. It really is ingenious! Just watch out for any thin patches otherwise you might find yourself with soggy trousers.
The final stop of the day is at the island of Amantani, where you will stay with a local family. You’ll be welcomed with open arms and after a dinner prepared with fresh local ingredients you can dance the night away at the village meeting place – expect traditional music, colourful clothes and lots of laughs. It’s a fabulous experience that you will never forget.
After breakfast the last island visit is to Taquile, which is well known for its hand-woven textiles and the custom of dressing according to your status, for example married men and women wear red, whereas those who are single wear red and white (maybe this practice should be adopted in all pubs and clubs – at least it’s clear who you can aim for!). In addition to experiencing the social culture you have the chance to explore the pre-Inca ruins, hillside agricultural terraces and purchase some souvenirs for your jealous mates back at home.
In the afternoon we will drop you off in Puno and transfer you to your hostel.
Finally it will be time to say good bye to Peru and hola to Bolivia!
Bienvenidos a La Paz! Welcome to this amazing, sky-high city, official name Nuestra Señora de La Paz (Our Lady of Peace), where your adventure begins. If you arrive on a clear day you can admire the aerial view from the plane of snow-capped Mount Illimani and the city’s buildings, which cascade down the sides of the canyon – pretty impressive!
With a varying altitude of between 3000 to 4100 metres, it may take a little while to acclimatize, unless you are on the last leg of our fantastic ‘Round the World – South America’ trip. After settling into your accommodation and meeting some fellow travellers you can take your first wander around the narrow streets and plazas of this buzzing city. If you do feel the effects of the altitude, try a cup of Maté de coca, coca leaf tea.
There are museums, markets, the impressive city cathedral at Plaza Murillo and beautiful colonial architecture on Calle Jaen. One of the most intriguing places to visit is the Witches Market, which is full of stalls selling herbs, potions, jewellery and amulets, not to mention some more disturbing items such as llama foetuses. You’re also likely to see witch doctors wandering around, who can be identified by their dark hats.
In between the sightseeing, and providing you haven’t lost your appetite, you can chill out at the local cafes or comedors, chat to the locals and sample some of the street food, such as salteñas and empanada tucumana. Later on in the evening you can hit the peñas, or music clubs, to hear traditional Andean folk music.
Why not try… THE DEATH ROAD!
We’re not sure if there is one word that means ‘butt-clenchingly scary, adrenaline fuelled extreme exhilaration’, but that’s what you’re going to experience today! The Death Road, or Camino del Muerte as it is known by the locals, is the world’s most dangerous road. We say road, but what we really mean is a 2-way dirt track, with sheer drops on one side, that weaves its way through the Andes and descends 1200 metres in altitude. And you’re going to mountain bike down it. Hey, look on the bright side, you won’t have much peddling to do!
Although the road does claim 100 lives per year, we should point out that 50,000 people in total have done this trip and most have survived, so the chances of you completing the rest of the trip are pretty good! However, if this really isn’t for you then you can spend another day in La Paz. We certainly don’t make you do anything you don’t want to , but just imagine the feeling of euphoria if you can conquer your fear!
You get to sleep in today before transferring to the town of Potosí, which became famous when silver was discovered in the 16th century. Over time it has gone through a boom and bust scenario, but despite the decline in economy and in addition to the mining history the town has many other attractive features including impressive churches, well preserved colonial architecture and friendly locals.
You might wonder what is so Xtreme about going to visit a mine to hear about the history and current way of life of a local miner. You might be thinking ‘yawn’. Well, if we told you that you’d get to blow stuff up would that make it sound more appealing? That’s right, you can actually buy some dynamite, set the charges and show that plunger who’s boss. Boom, satisfaction guaranteed!
After an explosive afternoon it’s time to head to Sucre.
You could spend your first day in Sucre familiarising yourself with this attractive city, with its whitewashed buildings, colonial architecture and charming narrow streets. Being quite small it is an easily walkable city, which makes it ideal for soaking up the atmosphere and making your way around the number of museums, parks and markets.
Alternatively, if you feel like a change from culture and history you can choose an optional adventure activity in the nearby valleys, such as quad biking, horse riding and paragliding.
There are a couple of interesting options to visit in and around Sucre today – the city’s very own version of Jurassic Park or the traditional village of Tarabuco. The dinosaur park contains fossils of prehistoric plant and animal fossils, skeletons and a trail of authentic dinosaur footprints. Luckily they haven’t created any live ones yet, so no need to worry about T-Rex and friends.
Tarabuco village, just outside of Sucre is a charming and historic place where you can wander the traditional markets and watch local weavers create colourful ponchos and blankets. You might even get to join in with a game of footie with the kids.
Later in the evening you’ll board the night bus to Uyuni and it can get quite chilly at night so make sure that you wrap up warm so that you can get some sleep.
Back at Uyuni you can go and view some of the old steam engines and cars that date back to colonial times. The town was an important stop at one point and although it still has a station the trains are much more modern. We can assure you that visiting this tourist attraction does not make you a trainspotter!
This section of the trip is a 3 day/2 night Salt Flats and Desert Adventure and over the next few days you’ll experience some unique and breathtaking landscapes. There really is nothing like this place on earth, a massive dry lake caused when the Andes rose up out of the ocean millions of years ago has left now nothing but miles and miles of crystallised salt. All sense of perspective vanishes as you drive from island to island checking out the incredible landscape.
Situated just 10km from La Paz, this is the first stop. It’s a surreal, desert-like landscape that has been formed over centuries by the erosion of the clay. This has resulted in some weird looking shapes and structures, making the whole area look like a desert filled with stalagmites.
This is the world’s largest salt pan and is a blindingly white landscape that stretches as far as the eye can see.
You and your fellow adventurers will be taken out on the salt pans by jeep, where you’ll discover that your depth perception is totally out of whack! There are virtually no points of reference out here so mountains that only appear to be a couple of miles away could be several hundred. What this does provide is some amusing photo opportunities.
During the trip you’ll pass through some vast deserts, including the Atacama. We know what you’re thinking, ‘That’s not in Bolivia’, well no, it’s in Chile and that’s why you’ll need to make sure you bring your passport with you! So, on your Xtreme Bolivia Experience you actually also get to go to Chile. We’re good to you! In addition to visiting this famous desert you also get to see another that is named after the famous surrealist, Salvador Dali, so you can just imagine the kind of landscape you’re going to see here.
To make a change from the dusty deserts there are two amazing lakes to see en route – Laguna Colorada and Laguna Verde. The first is renowned for its population of flamingos and also its rusty red colour, caused by the algae and mineral sediments in the water. The second is so called because of the vivid green/blue colour, which makes for some stunning photos, especially with the dramatic mountain backdrop.
This is a geothermal area with intense volcanic activity. It consists of boiling mud lakes and sulphur springs, which shoot a combination of mud and water up to heights of between 10 – 50 metres. You certainly want to stick to the protected areas so that you don’t run the risk of being cooked and just in case you didn’t realize, the smell of sulphur = rotten eggs. You do not want a hangover when you visit this place! Following this you can take a dip in the hot springs at Polques, which are a lovely 30 degrees warm and perfectly safe, so don’t forget your swimsuit. However, you will need several layers of clothes for afterwards as Uyuni is a high-desert climate where temperatures reach extremes, including the cold.
Following that little adventure the trip continues on to the stunning city of Arequipa, also known as ‘La Ciudad Blanca’ due to the white volcanic rock buildings. Arequipa: With 300 days of sunshine per year, bright blue skies and some of the most beautiful architecture in Peru, Arequipa is the perfect place for you and your new mates to go wandering. Thousands of years of history and geology provide amazing photo opportunities and we’re sure you’ll love the spicy local cuisine and sizzling nightlife . However, before you go overboard on Pisco, the local brandy-like spirit, remember that the next day is an early start if you want to get moving again.
You’ll need a head for heights today for the morning tour to Cruz del Condor – a particular point at Colca Canyon which is home to the majestic Andean Condor, the national symbol of Peru. The beauty of both the huge birds and the world’s second deepest gorge is spectacular and it can leave you feeling pretty humble (not to mention a bit queasy!).
The small towns of Maca and Yangue are also on the schedule today, where you can explore the streets, admire the churches and generally appreciate the traditional culture. You’ll no doubt find out from your guide that Maca shares it’s name with a plant whose root is used as herbal medicine, quite often as an aphrodisiac, so be careful what you buy at the local market as you might end up with more than you bargained for!
In the afternoon we return to Arequipa.
The impressive archaeological site of Cahuachi could be on the schedule today. Consisting of over thirty pyramids and temple ruins, this ancient city, around 2000 years old, is a sight to behold. Between your guide and the excellent museum, where you can see artifacts and mummies, you’ll find out all about the evolution of the Nasca culture. It is a truly fascinating tour in a place that looks like something out of an Indiana Jones film. Yep, we’ve got the theme tune stuck in our heads now!
If you fancy ticking off another one of those ‘ultimate places to see before you die’, then you’re in for a treat today. You have the option of taking a flight over the mysterious Nasca Lines to view these amazing geometric patterns and shapes, which are thought to have been created by the ancient Nasca people. However there are some alternative theories as to how they came about and what they were for, so cue the X Files music and some interesting ideas about alien involvement!
Your first stop today is Paracas where you pick up the boat tour to the stunning Islas Ballestas. Have your camera at the ready to capture the cheeky sea-lions, playful dolphins and noisy marine birds – just watch out for the Guano (we’ll let you Google that one!). You’ll also get to see an unusual landmark, the ‘Candelabra of Paracas’. Where did it come from? Why doesn’t it disappear in the wind? Your expert guide can fill you in.
After being on the water you head to Huacachina to sandboard the afternoon away. It doesn’t matter whether you’ve done it before or not, you’ll have a blast. It’s simple really, just jump on a board, push off and hope for the best! Check out the video for a taster. Those pesky grains of sand get everywhere so don’t be surprised if you find a mini beach on your bus seat when you arrive back in Lima.
Once again you return to Lima, there are no activities booked or accommodation booked for Lima this time round, you might want to just pass through or spend extra time visiting the bits you missed out on last time. From L you’re heading north towards the border and on towards the Ecuadorian leg of this epic adventure.
Here you can add in an optional trip into the itinerary, the most popular options are Spanish & Surf in Montanita
This is all optional of course because not everyone wants to do two weeks of Spanish and surfing, or has the funds to add in the Galapagos Islands which can be quite expensive, but the Spanish surf program is a lot of fun and extremely helpful to get you to grips with Spanish for your travel in South America, and the Galapagos Islands are definitely something you must see once-in-a-lifetime, so when will you have a better opportunity?
Whether you pick to do an option or not your journey will take you to Quito, with plenty of exciting cities along the way.
Cuenca, official name Santa Ana de los cuatro ríos de Cuenca, where you dive into what is one of the most important cultural centres of Ecuador. Museums, galleries, artisan crafts, impressive archeological sites and stunning countryside await you here. It’s a complete change from the capital city, giving you a real taste of the different faces of Ecuador and there are some real treats in store. Cuenca is a stunning old city that is much more relaxed than the hustle and bustle of Quito. Walking around the narrow cobbled streets, lined with red roof colonial houses with ornate iron balconies, you could imagine that time has stood still. Thanks to UNESCO Cuenca will stay this way, since it was awarded World Heritage Site status in 1999. In addition to its aesthetic appeal, Cuenca is an important cultural and art centre in Ecuador.
It’s also a great place to pick up some authentic souvenirs, such as jewellery, ceramics and clothing and shopping trips are the ideal opportunity to practice your Spanish, not to mention ordering some local food and drinks in the bars and restaurants. Look out for Motepillo, a Cuenca speciality that is even suitable for vegetarians (no guinea pig here!).
Located just out side Cuenca is the beautiful Cajas National Park, we would definitely recommend you visit this.
Located around an hour from Cuenca are the Ingapirca ruins, which are a fantastic example of the ingenious work of the Incan and Cañari cultures. This network of stone structures is built around a circular sun temple, which evidences the ancient cultures’ knowledge of solar patterns. Not too far away are the less visited ruins of Cojitambo, which are actually thought to be larger than Ingapirca and resemble the shape of a sleeping lion. The terraced walls and settlements are still in pretty good shape, providing great photo ops.
The peaceful little village of Baños is just a few miles from Cuenca and not to be confused with the large town of Baños in the Tungurahua region is home to some relaxing, therapeutic hot springs. Ok, so it’s not exactly ‘Xtreme’ but everyone needs some chill out time occasionally and this is the perfect place. This optional trip allows you to detoxify in the sauna, lounge in the pools and then explore the village and surrounding countryside.
You can then follow your own schedule taking you to Tena, the Gateway to the Amazon rainforest. With an optional three-day tonight overnight stay in the jungle, (not included) you can meet indigenous Indians, explore the jungle with guides showing some of the diverse wildlife the Amazon has to offer and staying in a luxurious adventure Lodge.
Otavalo is a town just north of Quito and is famous for its amazing craft markets. There is a myriad of stalls brimming with authentic Indian items that are really hard to resist and with the bright in-your-face colours of the textiles and bustling atmosphere it’s a sensory overload! Knowing how to haggle is a bonus so if you haven’t been to Morocco read our guide and ensure that you get that Ugly Betty style poncho for the best possible price!
In addition to the markets Otavalo has beautiful surrounding landscape, with green rolling hills, waterfalls, lakes and mountains.
With a beautiful old town worthy of UNESCO World Heritage Site status, a modern new town with museums galore and a vibrant atmosphere, Quito certainly has plenty to keep you busy. A city tour will show you all the main sights of the city as well as get you oriented for exploring on your own throughout the week.
The old town consists of some lovely streets with colonial style buildings as well as a main plaza with some impressive government and religious buildings, including the oldest cathedral in South America, whereas the new town has the fantastic Casa de Cultura Ecuatoriana, which houses some of the best museums on archaeology, art and traditional culture. This area is also home to Parque el Ejído and the Vivarium, which lets you get up close, but luckily not too personal, with some of Ecuador’s wildlife including snakes, lizards and iguanas.
For wildlife of a different kind you’ll find a buzzing bar and club scene in Quito, with venues to suit just about any tastes, whether you are looking to salsa the night away, listen to some live music or even get a taste of home at an English pub (shame on you!). You may well need to have had a drink or two in order to try Ecuador’s most loved dish of roasted guinea pig. It tastes like chicken. Probably. If you find yourself struggling to acclimatise to the altitude or you just need a pick-me-up for staying out late then try a cup of Coca Tea or chew on some coca leaves – Ecuadorian Red Bull.
Quito also makes a great base for exploring the surrounding area, with its stunning landscapes and interesting villages, which is exactly what you get to do whilst your here.
The trip ends here.
£3200
Colca Canyon Trekking 3D/2N
Ballestas & Paracas NR
Local Encounter 2D/1N
Waterfall Experience
You can start this trip any time please contact us with your preferred travel dates.
“Great combo of well organized itinerary and the freedom of doing it in my own pace”Mark L.
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]]>The post Ecuador Conservation Experience appeared first on Xtreme Gap Year UK.
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Whether David Attenborough is your hero, you have an interest in conservation or you just love the idea of really getting involved in the places you visit and giving something back, then you’ll want to read on!
We have some brand new conservation opportunities in various locations around Ecuador that will give you the chance to get stuck in right at the heart of some of the most important environmental projects in the country – this is a unique and rewarding experience which not only gives you a chance to learn new skills (great for that CV!) but also to make loads of new friends with like-minded people.
You can choose your duration, from two to twelve weeks, which can be spent in one or more of the following locations, doing the activities mentioned, and more! Every two weeks you can rotate your placement to head out to a different reserve.
The itinerary is flexible in that it can range from two weeks to eight weeks, depending on how many of the locations you’d like to include in your trip. There are descriptions of each place below, which gives you info on where they are and what you can get involved in, so whichever you like the sound of just get in touch and we’ll put your trip together.
You could even combine volunteering with one of our other Ecuador adventures so that you get that perfect balance of work and play. Rest assured though, you’ll have plenty of spare time at the reserves to enjoy the surrounding areas and get to know your fellow travellers.
Please note if you’re looking for a wildlife conservation project, with lots of interaction with animals then this is not the trip to you. The main focus of this project is on land-based conservation. If you are looking for more animal orientated wildlife conservation projects, just drop us an e-mail as we have plenty of options for you.
Located in the tropical wet forest of the Napor region, which connects the Andes Mountain Range and the Amazon River Basin, the Jatun Sacha Reserve has grown from just 200 hectares to over 2,200 of some of the most biologically diverse areas in the country. The name means ‘Big Forest’ in Quichua, the native language of the local communities and within this fascinating habitat there are over 250 different species of trees and 1500 species of plants, not to mention hundreds of species of amphibians, lizards and mammals, including large cats such as pumas and jaguars.
Climate-wise the area has approximately 200 days of rain per year and an average temperature of 25⁰C. The driest months are November to January and the wettest are April to July and the activities you’ll be doing may depend on the season – our travel experts can tell you more.
The reserve has a number of objectives that are focussed on day-to-day, as well as running a range of courses for national and international students. The aims are broadly split into two areas. One is to conserve and protect the natural environment and undertake biological research, which involves maintaining collections of endangered and important plants and developing reforestation. The second aim is to improve the health and quality of living for the surrounding communities, which includes improving agricultural methods, researching alternative timber products for sources of income and improving the quality of life for the inhabitants of the surrounding areas.
There are different projects that you can get involved in and during a typical week you’ll have chance to spend time on each one, ensuring that you get to experience a combination of the nature and social aspect.
This is an amazing botanical garden that houses live collections of important plants, including those used for medicinal purposes. You’ll get stuck right in with collecting seeds, preparing soil, learning about tree nursery maintenance and also maintaining and constructing new trails through the gardens.
You’ll be playing an important part in maintaining the unique plant life of the Amazon Basin, helping to keep endangered plant species alive and learning more than you ever could in a classroom! On top of all that, you’ll be cultivating new friendships with like minded travellers and conservationists.
Getting involved in reforestation projects, collecting data on precipitation and temperature or helping with the maintenance of the station and its facilities. You may find yourself helping in the kitchen when there are groups visiting the reserve, which also gives you the chance to show off what you have learnt so far!
Located high in the Andes, at between 3,100 to 3,600 metres above sea level, Guandera Biological Station is in an area with the only remaining high altitude alpine forest – picture the misty green canopy and huge twisted and gnarled trees. It has a very unique eco-system due to the diversity of flora and fauna found at this altitude, including 250 species of plants, 60 species of trees, over 160 bird species and mammals including the Andean Spectacled Bear and pumas.
The climate tends to be cold and humid. Night time temperatures can be as low as 4⁰C and during the day it can reach 22⁰C – even if the cooler temperatures don’t immediately appeal to you, remember that the climate contributes to making this amazing area what it is, so we reckon you learn to appreciate it when you see how amazing the landscape is!
The main objective of the reserve is the conservation of some of the last remaining Andean cloud forest. The biological station has a greenhouse area and tree nursery, where the native species can be grown and botanical gardens contain some of the most important plants found in the forest.
There is also an agro-forestry program that promotes the growth of organic fruit and vegetables and a hands-on environmental education course, both of which involves collaboration with the local community.
There is a great range of activities for you to get involved in at Guandera, so you can be sure to experience an interesting combination of conservation and community based projects.
This project is all about testing and promoting organic farming techniques, so you could find yourself preparing soil, planting seeds, weeding and harvesting. Once a week volunteers also visit local farms to help promote these methods, which can help the community to produce alternative food sources and incomes.
The station also has a number of guinea pigs, so if you prefer animals to plants you can look after these fluffy creatures and ensure their food crops are maintained – perhaps not recommended for those of you who had a bad experience looking after the school pets!
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This gives you a chance to explore some of the surrounding landscape with experienced guides, who will share with you a wealth of information on different subjects relating to biodiversity. Depending on the weather you could gaze over dramatic snow-capped volcanoes and beautiful waterfalls as you take in the serene atmosphere and marvel at experiencing this place first hand.
In a change from the other stations and reserves, Bilsa is located in the Mache Chindul Mountains in north western Ecuador, close to the coast, so it’s a different experience in terms of the climate, landscape and projects available.
The nature reserve covers around 3,600 hectares and accounts for the 1% of coastal wet forest that remains. Thanks to the rugged landscape, rising between 300 to 800 metres in altitude, the varying moisture levels and high amount of rainfall, the area has a unique ecosystem that consists of thousands of different plant species, hundreds of bird species and many mammals and reptiles, including ant eaters and howler monkeys.
There are a number of objectives being fulfilled at Bilsa and include projects concentrating on reforestation and the study of wildlife. More specifically, there are a number of bird and amphibian investigations being run to monitor numbers, identify species and collect data on the locations of the wildlife in the reserve.
A typical weekly schedule involves spending two days on reforestation and maintenance, two days of hiking along the reserve trails and one day participating in handicraft classes with a member of the local community. This is the ideal location if you want a combination of active and observational tasks.
You’ll be getting your hands dirty with seed collection, planting, replanting trees and maintaining the paths and gardens around the cabins and main building. You could also be involved in looking after the fruit trees, medicinal plants and banana plantation (the latter involves the use of a machete, so no messing around!).
There are many other tasks that you might get involved in, such as making booklets on plant collections, recording bird sightings, studying the seasons of specific fruit trees and even some carpentry – will you be confident enough to sit on a chair that you’ve made yourself?!
Situated in western Ecuador, in a region that is the world’s fourth priority biodiversity hotspot, Congal Reserve incorporates a diverse range of habitats, including beach, estuary, mangrove, wetlands and wet tropical forest. It offers volunteers the chance to see and experience different types of ecosystems to those visited at the other reserves.
The primary aim of the station is to develop sustainable and environmentally friendly methods of aquaculture that not only helps to maintain a healthy coastline but also to teach local communities about these methods with a view to improving income and living standards. In addition to aquaculture organic farming is also a big part of the projects, as is reforestation and general conservation.
During your stay you will be housed at the different reserves in basic shared accommodation, don´t expect 5 star luxury as could be staying in the Amazon or up in the cloud forests of the Andes, but the accommodations are comfortable and secure. Here is an out line of the facilities in the different centers
Bilsa is available for use by researchers, eco-tourists, leaders of education groups, university students, volunteers, interns, natural history visitors and tour groups. Mattresses, sheets, blankets, mosquito nets, and candles are provided. All meals are provided and guaranteed cooked under optimal conditions. There is also boiled water available for everyone’s consumption. The climate is warm and humid, but al night it often gets cool. In order to communicate with members of the community, it helps to speak basic conversational Spanish.
The cabins are surrounded by gardens, fruit trees and secondary forest. The gardens and fruit trees atract a great diversity of bird species, amongst which the Long Wattle Umbrella bird, various Toucans, Trogons and Tanagers.
Howler monkeys and Capuchin monkeys are frequently sighted close to the cabins, as are Agouties, Armadillos, Sloth and Kinkajous (nocturnal). The surroundings are also excellent for night hikes.
The biological station can sleep up to 20 visitors in four dormitory-style rooms. The house features a full kitchen and indoor bathrooms with hot-water showers. Although the Station has electricity access, we recommend bringing a headlight to walk anywhere at night. Staff includes the reserve administrator, one park guard/guide, one cook/housekeepers and auxiliary personnel who work in the tree nursery, botanical gardens, community extension, and educational outreach. In addition, from two to eight volunteer interns are normally on site.
The climate at Guandera is relatively cold and humid. It often drops to 4C at night and raises to 22C during the day. The average temperature is 12C. The living situation is basic but comfortable.
The forest reserve and facilities are available for use by scientists carrying out research projects in the rainforest, volunteers, by university and school groups conducting field courses, and by natural history tour groups.
The field station can accommodate groups of up to 50 visitors at a time. Sleeping facilities consist of bunk beds in wood cabins. Mosquito nets are also provided, although mosquitoes are generally not a problem at Jatun Sacha. There is also a dining/meeting hall, kitchen, office, storage room, showers and bathrooms. For visitors and researchers there is a laboratory, with a few equipment, microscopes, a computer, a video and nature films, available for the volunteers, diskettes and other material are not supplied.
The dining room can fee 50 visitors. There is boiled water in a tank and coffee available for everybody at all times. Although it’s open all day, it can be kept open after supper time upon request.
We have electric power 24 hours a day, but you should expect power failures. You can also have your clothes washed for a minimum price in the stations washing machine.
Transportation expenses from Quito to each reserve are not included, however transfers are not expensive with $100 easily covering the cost of 4 transfers to the different reserves. We do not include these because they are local payments to bus companies and the the company used differs when you want to head to each station.
You will be briefed on how to get to each station at the initial orientation meeting, and our co-ordinators are on hand to assist you through out the programme.
All transfers go through Quito so you will want to spend a couple of extra nights in Quito when you transfer between reserves. This breaks up the journey and gets you back to civilisation everyonce in a while. Accommodation during thr Quito stop overs are not included, but hostels are inexpensive at about £10 per night.
You will need travel and health insurance and need to sign a waiver to release our partners from responsibility from any illness or injury incurred in Ecuador.
There exists a small risk of malaria at our biological stations located in the Esmeraldas provinces on the Ecuadorian coast (specifically at the following reserves: Bilsa, and Congal). Therefore volunteers must supply their own malaria prophylaxis while volunteering at any of these three sites.
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The trip starts on the first Tuesday of the month. We advise you arrive one day early into Quito. You will need to cover the cost of the extra night on Monday, but we can help you arrange accommodation.
“I just finished my time and will leave Quito tonight back home. I want to say thank you for all your help, support, the good memories and moments in the stations- just had a very good time here in Equador. Many friendly and helpful people were working together to make a good time with and for the volunteers.”Joanna Barton
“I’m back home now and I really enjoyed my time in Ecuador. I wish to come back one day to visit other parts of your so beautiful country !”Nick Mason
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]]>Need a challenge? Break the 6000m barrier and summit Chimborazo! As well as experiencing an action packed itinerary all over Quito and Cotopaxi national park. This is like the 12 day intro and climbing adventure but with a serious mountain challenge at the end. Includes a 5 day acclimatisation programme on some other impressive peaks.
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Chimborazo The 15 Day Ultimate Climbing Adventure
Need a challenge? Then Climb Chimborazo in Ecuador! Break the 6000m barrier and summit Chimborazo! That is after experiencing an action packed itinerary all over Quito and Cotopaxi National Park. This is like the 12 day intro and climbing adventure but with a serious mountain challenge at the end. Includes a five day acclimatisation programme on some other impressive peaks.
The five day acclimatisation programme is designed to educate and instruct people in high altitude mountain climbing of 4,000 – 6,000m.
With a mountain base in PapaGayo nestled in the Avenue of the Volcanoes a perfect location because of its altitude (3,200m) and proximity to the volcanoes you will be taught the skills and techniques of high alpine climbing.
Fully supported with the assistance of a qualified and bilingual guide, this program acclimatizes and increases the fitness of climbers so it is possible to make a successful climb of some of the highest volcanoes in South America!
In five days you will reach the summit of three of Ecuador’s most famous volcanoes, the last being the mighty Cotopaxi which is the highest active volcano in the world!
These climbs offer spectacular and unsurpassed views of Ecuador and the Avenue of Volcanoes.
Specially designed, this program enables people with little or no experience to gain the ability and skills of climbing some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world.
With the help of an experienced guide you will set off on the challenge of your life! Breaking the 6000 meter barrier to stand at the top of Ecuador! This monster of a mountain and its brutal landscape, will challenge you to the limit. Not only do you have to cope with altitude sickness, you also need to break the altitude barrier of almost 5,500m before you reach the ultimate challenge at nearly 6,403m above sea level, and cross a very scary 30 meter ridge with a 1,000m drop on either side… in the dark! and These are just some of the challenges you have to face.
The trip is split into 3 parts, the Ecuador Adrenaline Overload and then the Mountain Climbing Adventure and then the Chimborazo summit attempt.
Day 1: Arrive to Quito, transfer from airport to hostel.
Day 2: Quito city tour
Day 3: White water rafting
Day 4: Visit an awesome local market
Day 5: Mount up! Horseback riding
Day 6: Quilotoa Lagoon
Day 7: Biking Cotopaxi
Tour Schedule (Note: All times are approximate, except starting time).
The trip ends here, you can then do some onward travel, with the Ultimate Ecuador Trip, take a trip to the Galapagos Islands or even head in to the Amazon Rainforest. Talk to us about adding further legs to your journey.
Please note: Programme includes the night before the first climb at Hosteria PapaGayo (Day seven).
Enjoy a hearty breakfast then relax in PapaGayo hosteria, visit the local town or explore on mountain bike.
The first few nights you will stay in Quito and on night four we move to a very nice hostel just outside of Quito in Cotapaxi National Park. Luxury feeling, great lounge area, WiFi, hot water etc. etc! Other than that we use a selection of hostels in Quito and the Avenue of the Volcanoes, up the mountain you will be staying in mountains refuges.
Ok, so you need to be prepared, Cotopaxi is high and the air is thin, but you do not have to have any previous experience of mountain climbing. That being said, do some preparation before you travel, as this will make the world of difference.
“I trained for about 6 months a combination of weights and running/biking/hiking. Probably should have focused more on cardiovascular though, and my calf muscles really cramped up on me by the time we got to the summit.” Cotopaxi is 5,896 m (19,344 ft) and it has some really steep sections. “I’m not a professional climber, I thought it was challenging in some places and really easy in others. As long as you are in shape, you will make it to the top and back down safely. Good Luck!”
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Please contact us with your startdates so we can tailor make the itinerary for you.
“Well I finally did it! It was pretty tough towards the top but the guides were excellent and really encouraged me to make it to the summit. This was an experience I will never forget.”Sam Blakeley
“This was probably the most challenging thing I’ve ever done and I’m so proud of my achievement. Next stop Kilimanjaro!”Alex Cunningham
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]]>The post 12 Day Ecuador Intro and Climbing Adventure appeared first on Xtreme Gap Year UK.
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This incredible 12 day trip combines all the excitement of the seven day Ecuador Adrenaline Overload with an epic mountain climbing adventure, taking on three summits in five days. Not for the faint hearted, completing this trip is the ultimate prize in adventure travel bragging rights!
This is an amazing adventure to kick start your South America Gap Year.
You start off with seven days of adrenaline in and around Quito, the highest capital city in the world.
Over the next seven days you will settle into the Ecuador scene on the Ecuador Adrenaline Overload in and around Quito.
After the action in Quito, the five day acclimatization program is designed to educate and instruct people in high altitude mountain climbing of 4,000 – 6,000m.
With a mountain base in PapaGayo nestled in the Avenue of the Volcanoes a perfect location because of its altitude (3,200m) and proximity to the volcanoes you will be taught the skills and techniques of high alpine climbing.
Fully supported with the assistance of a qualified and bilingual guide, this program acclimatizes and increases the fitness of climbers so it is possible to make a successful climb of some of the highest volcanoes in South America!
In five days you will reach the summit of three of Ecuador’s most famous volcanoes, the last being the mighty Cotopaxi which is the highest active volcano in the world!
These climbs offer spectacular and unsurpassed views of Ecuador and the Avenue of Volcanoes.
Specially designed, this programme enables people with little or no experience to gain the ability and skills to climb some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world. If you wish you can bolt on the three day summit to Chimborazo, see the full itinerary for more details.
The trip is split into two parts, the Ecuador Adrenaline Overload and then the Mountain Climbing Adventure.
Day 1: Arrive to Quito, transfer from airport to hostel.
Day 2: Quito city tour
Day 3 White water rafting
Day 4: Visit an Awesome craft market
Day 5: Mount Up! Horseback riding
Day 6: Quilotoa lagoon
Day 7: Cotopaxi bikes
Tour Schedule (Note: All times are approximate, except starting time).
The trip ends here, you can then do some onward travel, with the Ultimate Ecuador Trip, take a trip to the Galapagos Islands or even head in to the Amazon Rainforest. Talk to us about adding further legs to your Journey.
The first three nights you will stay in a hostel in Quito. On day four we bring you to a great accommodation in Cotopaxi national park. During the climbs you stay in special camps.
Ok, so you need to be prepared, Cotopaxi is high and the air is thin, but you do not have to have any previous experience of mountain climbing. That being said, do some preparation before you travel, as this will make the world of difference.
“I trained for about 6 months a combination of weights and running/biking/hiking. Probably should have focused more on cardiovascular though, and my calf muscles really cramped up on me by the time we got to the summit.” Cotopaxi is 5,896 m (19,344 ft) and it has some really steep sections. “I’m not a professional climber, I thought it was challenging in some places and really easy in others. As long as you are in shape, you will make it to the top and back down safely. Good Luck!”
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Please contact us with your preferred travel dates and we will tailor make the start date for you.
“It was no mean feat but I did it! An incredible experience something I will never forget thank you the help me achieve my lifelong dream.”Emma Hughes
“Exceptionally well guided, what an adventure from start to finish”Donald Atkinson
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]]>All you need to travel between two of South America's most popular counties, Travel from Quito in Ecuador to Lima in Peru stopping off at lots of exciting places on the way. Why not extend this trip by adding on one or more of our other exciting South America programmes. Choose from Spanish and Surf in Ecuador, Trek the Inca Trail or one of the other choices and make your gap year experience one to remember.
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This ultra convenient hop-on hop-off bus pass is the best way to organize your transportation and adventure activities when travelling in South America. If you do not speak Spanish, it can be quite a hassle and a bit of a minefield to make your way around this fascinating continent. Don’t let language issues put you off exploring these amazing countries
This travel pass makes it easy to go backpacking in South America. We include all your transportation and loads of free activities en route. What’s more all the itineraries are flexible and we have daily departures to make this the ideal solution to travel South America.
Lima>Cuzco>Puno>Amantani Island>Taquile Island>Copacabana >La Paz >Sucre>Potosi>Uyuni>Salt Hotel in Agua Quisa>Laguna Colorada>San Pedro Atacama>Calama>Iquique>Arica>Tacna>Arequipa>Nazca>Ica/Huacachina>Paracas>Lima.
DAY 1
Today you will take a transfer from Lima to Huaraz by Public Bus. Prepare your trekking, rock climbing, ice climbing or mountain biking equipment as you take time to acclimatize in Huaraz at nearly 3,100 meters before heading off on your ascent to an Andean mountaintop or refuel on hot food and cold beer once you’ve come back from your adventure.
DAY 2
Llanganuco Lagoons Day Trip
DAY 3
Today you will take a transfer from Huaraz to Trujillo by Public Bus. This colonial coastal town, founded in 1534, has a history steeped in politics and progressive thinking and was one of the first Peruvian cities to declare independence from the Spanish.
DAY 4
Enjoy your free day in Trujillo and add an optional extra activity.
DAY 5
Today you will take a transfer from Trujillo to Mancora by Public Bus. Peru’s sunniest beaches and best surf draws attention from people around the world where you can mingle with anyone from Peruvian elite to backpackers or surfers searching for the perfect wave.
DAY 6
Enjoy your free day in Mancora and add an optional extra activity.
DAY 7
Today you will take a transfer from Mancora to Guayaquil by Public Bus. Take some time to explore the dynamic city of Guayaquil where you can wander down the riverside boardwalk with local teenagers and eat ice cream in a shady plaza.
DAY 8
Today you will take a transfer from Guayaquil to Cuenca by Public Bus. This charming colonial town is filled with whitewashed houses and cobblestone streets perching on the banks of the Rio Tomebamba with a modern twist of trendy cafes, restaurants and bars with the comforts of home.
DAY 9
Cuenca HopOn HopOff City Tour
DAY 10
Today you will take a transfer from Cuenca to Guamote by Public Local Bus. Guamote is a small village between Riobamba and Alaus. The Indgenas are living here and it seems as if time stood still. Guamote Local Encounter 2D/1N
DAY 11
Today you will take a transfer from Cuenca to Banos by Public Local Bus. After a tough day of mountain biking, horseback riding, hiking or climbing indulge yourself in the relaxing thermal springs waiting for you to bathe your tired body in this cute mountain town.
DAY 12
Banos Canopy & Bridge Experience
DAY 13
Banos Waterfall Experience (Bike or Chiva)
DAY 14
Today you will take a transfer from Banos to Tena by Public Bus. At the confluence of the Rio Tena & Rio Pano in the midst of the Amazon Jungle, sits the tiny town of Tena, the mecca for white water rafting and adventure expeditions into the Amazon.
DAY 15
Enjoy your free day in Tena and add an optional extra activity.
DAY 16
Today you will take a transfer from Tena to Quito by Public Bus. Awe at Quito’s dramatic setting in the midst of the Andean mountains with surrounding volcanoes while you walk through the colonial old town as if you had gone back in time.
DAY 17
Cotopaxi Bike Day Trip
DAY 18
Enjoy your free day in Quito and add an optional extra activity.
No accommodation is included with this pass, but you do have access to exclusive discounts for hostels en route.
Easy! Contact us via e-mail, GMAIL chat, Skype or over the phone and let us know when you wish to depart. We will confirm your departure by sending you an e-mail with your confirmation numbers and information.
If your next route is by mini-van… we will ask you where you are staying so we know where to pick you up. All you have to do is wait at your hostel to be picked up at the specified time.
If your next route is by first class public bus or flight… We will send you an e-ticket number, departure time and bus station / airport address via e-mail where you will need to arrive on your own at least 30 minutes prior to your departure. There you can present your photo ID and e-ticket number at the indicated ticket counter to pick up your paper tickets or boarding pass.
If your next route is by local bus or train… We will send you a confirmation e-mail with instructions on how and where to pick-up your ticket so you can board the bus. Sometimes, we will deliver the tickets to your hotel reception.
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You can start this trip any time.
“Everyone was super helpful, friendly, and knowledgable! They took care of all the logistics so that my trip was stress free! The routes and attractions were excellent..”
“We travelled from Lima to La Paz and it was wonderful. Everything was well organized and the activities were lots of fun. The contact was excellent and they replied to all of our questions very quickly.”Lauren Dubois
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]]>Get ready to hit Ecuador with a vengeance. White water raft along a thundering river in the Andes, explore the Avenue of the Volcanoes on horse back and get a dose of culture in the historic Quito. Action, adventure and an impressive start to any South American trip. Seven days of adrenaline!
Flying into South America Via Ecuador? Start with this trip (you can also end with this too). With so many exciting adventures packed into one week, this might be the highlight of your whole trip. The perfect way to acclimatise into South America (literally).
This trip is designed as an exciting acclimatisation package, if you want to visit the Galapagos or attempt a Cotopaxi climb you can add them onto your trip. This is also a great way to end a trip if flying from Quito or start a trip combining this with a travel pass.
The Galapagos is one of the world´s most incredible wildlife destinations. A trip to this part of the world is a once-in-a lifetime opportunity to visit one of the most bio-diverse places on earth. On land you can expect to encounter seals, sea lions, land & marine iguanas, lizards, crabs, boobies, frigate birds, penguins, albatross and of course the famous Galapagos giant tortoise. Underwater encounters can include turtles, manta rays, sharks and all manner of tropical fish!
You will definitely come away with a million memories and probably just as many photos!
For the serious adventurer there is nothing like being able to stroll into the pub and say ´I remember when I summited one of the highest active volcanoes in the world´. Now you can. Bolt on the five day Cotopaxi climb and bring out the big guns.
Ready to then hit the beach and learn some Spanish? Bolt on the Ecuador Spanish and Surf.
Night in Quito – hostel accommodation.
Mitad del Mundo is an absolute must-see when visiting Ecuador! Visit the world’s actual equator and stand with the world in your hands in front of the monument as you are simultaneously in both the Southern and Northern hemispheres! The National museum, located inside the monument, will give provide an insight into the rich indigenous culture of Ecuador. A short walk down the street will take you to the intriguing museum of Intiñan where you will have the opportunity to perform a variety of experiments that will prove you are actually at the equator!
Next stop is the TeleferiQo – the best place to take in the incredible expanse of city, mountain and volcano that forms Ecuador’s capital city, Quito! You will travel by the second longest cable car in the world cable car from 3050m on the lower slopes of Volcan Pichincha, all the way up to 4050m! At the top you will be able to see the ice-capped volcanoes of Cayambe, Antisana and Cotopaxi from the mountainside lookouts!
* Night in Quito (B)
The Toachi and Blanco rivers are a blast for experienced rafters and have proved to be the beginning of a whitewater addiction for thousands of first-timers. Flowing off the coastal side of the Andes they have some of the longest navigable sections of whitewater in the country. Combine this with the sights and sounds of the forest environment we pass through and you are guaranteed a day to remember.
The day starts when we pick you up from our meeting point in Quito (6.30am). We travel west down through beautiful cloud forest to the shores of the river. The trip will take about 3 hours.
Before setting off down the river, we will fit you with life jackets and helmets, give you a comprehensive safety briefing and train each crew in the paddling techniques needed to navigate our way down the river.
Once on the river you can expect both the action of thrilling whitewater and the tranquility of drifting silently through tropical rainforests. So while you’re guaranteed to get wet you’ll also have the opportunity to be absorbed by the sounds of the forest and to see wildlife up close from our mobile ‘viewing platform’. Rafting time approximately 3½ hrs.
During the trip we’ll stop by the side of the river for a delicious picnic lunch including fresh tropical fruits and served with soft drinks, juice and water. At the end of the trip we celebrate a fun day on the river with a few ice-cold beers and return to Quito. Arrival time is approximately 7pm but may be earlier or later depending on the river level and traffic conditions.
*Night Quito (B,L)
You can’t put a price on goatskin trousers, well actually you can in Otovalo. There are a few locations in South America there are better to acquire some authentic handicrafts than Otovalo.
A welcome rest from all the adventure, this is your chance to meet locals, check out the impressive array of handmade local crafts and check out your own haggling skills.
Get out and about in the wilderness and see for yourself the Avenue of the Volcanoes from a different perspective – on horseback! With trails and horses suitable for beginner and experienced riders, this is a great way to enjoy the great outdoors.
Ride along Papagayo Farm and see the spectacular panoramic views of Pasochoa,
Corazon, Ilinizas…
Afternoon – enjoy the garden and the Jacuzzi of Papagayo.
*Night in the Avenue of the Volcanoes – Hosteria PapaGayo (B, L)
Today you will see the breathtaking views of the emerald green volcanic crater lake – Quilotoa. On the journey there, we pass through the Andean mountains, the ancient canyon of Zumbahua and many indigenous towns and farmlands. Before lunch we will visit a local aboriginal home where you have the opportunity to interact with the inhabitants. We will then set off on the steep hike down to the shoreline of the lake, where you will have the option of kayaking, and then either hiking back up to the rim, or using a mule!
*Night at the Avenue of the Volcanos – Hosteria PapaGayo (B,L)
The Andean landscape in Ecuador will be even more spectacular exploring it by bike!! Don’t think about it, come with us and we will provide you the best equipment that you will require to get to Cotopaxi National Park. Besides enjoying the highest active volcano at 5,897 meter (19347 feet), we will get to Limpiopungo to admire the reason why Cotopaxi means Moon’s throne. Inside the national park we hike up to the refuge which is situated at 4,810meters (15780 feet) on the Cotopaxi snowline.
*Night in the Avenue of the Volcanoes – Hosteria PapaGayo or transfer back to Quito (B,L)
The first three nights you stay in a hostel in Quito.
On day four we move to a great place just outside Quito in Cotopaxi National Park. A charming 150 year old farmhouse in the spectacular “Avenue of the Volcanoes”, a part of the western mountain range of the Andes located south of Quito in Ecuador.
This colonial hosteria accommodation near the volcano Cotopaxi does not only offer magnificent views of the untouched country-side, but also gives you the possibility to experience the culture of the Andes’ local communities. At the altitude of 3200m you can comfortably acclimatize and prepare yourself for the climbing of Cotopaxi, Ilinizas or even Chimborazo.
Yes you can!! We have different cool programmes in Ecuador that we can easily combine for you. please see the list below.
| Duration | Hostels |
| 7 Days | £599 |
The start date for this trip is flexible please contact us with your preferred start dates.
“The avenue of the volcanoes was the best surprise of the whole trip, amazing place”Dominic Campey
“A great start to my trip, really loved the location. The activities were great fun and the guides really knew there stuff.”John Edwards
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]]>Your once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the Galapagos Islands, a world Heritage site rich in wildlife unique to these beautiful islands. How you see the Galapagos, depends on your choice of land or boat option, each has their own advantages but both are excellent. You do not need to worry about getting there either, as flights from mainland Ecuador are included as well. Perfect to include before Surfing and Spanish in Ecuador trip or after the Ecuador Adrenaline Overload.
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]]>Your once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the Galapagos Islands, a world Heritage site rich in wildlife unique to these beautiful islands. How you see the Galapagos, depends on your choice of land or boat option, each has their own advantages but both are excellent. You do not need to worry about getting there either, as flights from mainland Ecuador are included as well. Perfect to include before Surfing and Spanish in Ecuador trip or after the Ecuador Adrenaline Overload.
During the Galapagos Islands Experience you have two options to explore the stunning islands, made famous by Charles Darwin who developed the theory of natural selection, while studying the unique wildlife there.
You can choose to go island hopping by boat (over four days), or you can join an overland tour that island hops, perfect if you do not have sea legs. This can be booked as a standalone trip if you are short on time, but if you are not, then you can add on two extra weeks on a conservation project, to really get to know the islands. Lets face it if you are going all that way, you would be nuts not to.
The Galapagos, is one of the worlds most unique locations for wildlife, but it is pretty remote. Over 1000 kilometres off the pacific coastline of Ecuador, you will need to fly into the airstrip located in the Galapagos, and for this reason we include flights from Quito with this trip. This does push the price up somewhat, however this experience is totally unique, and in our opinion the Galapagos is one of the locations you have to visit in your lifetime. What better time to do it than if travelling to Ecuador. Obviously the big draw for the Galapagos Islands is the animals, but be warned on the Galapagos the animals completely lack fear! This gives you a chance to easily swim next to sea lions, penguins and other marine life. Also it is a paradise for snorkelling; you can see manta rays, turtles, sharks and more.
The Galapagos Islands are known for the famous giant tortoises, and these unique islands are a UNESCO’s World Heritage site. This archipelago contains 13 main islands, 6 smaller islands, and 107 rocks and islets.
The trip starts in Quito in Ecuador, where you will be picked up from the airport and taken to a hostel on the first two nights, this gives you an opportunity to relax before flying to the Galapagos Islands the next day.
Once you have arrived in the Galapagos Islands, you then have the option between two different trips both lasting four days, a land tour, or boat tour. Please note your preferred option needs to be booked and selected at the time of booking, we can not guarantee you will receive your preferred option if booking at short notice (under 12 weeks).
Baltra, Santa Cruz, El Chato
Isabela Island– Humedales, Muro de las Lágrimas
Isabela Island – Centro de Crianza Arnaldo Tupiza, Sierra Negra.
Santa Cruz – Bahía Ballena, Isla Edén
Santa Cruz – Cerro Dragón, Caleta Tortuga Negra, Baltra – transfer out or transfer to the reserve (morning departure)
We fly from Quito or Guayaquil to the Island of Baltra. At the airport in Baltra, we will meet up with our English speaking guide who will take us to the port of Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz Island) for lunch. Afterwards, we will take the public speedboat to Isabela Island, which lasts approximately three hours. We will arrive to Hotel San Vincente Galapagos or Hotel La Laguna Galapagos. After a brief rest at the hotel, we will head to Flamingo Lagoon, which is the largest coastal lagoon found in the Galapagos and is one of the main reproductive sites for the grand majority of flamingos.
Early in the morning, after breakfast, we’ll take an excursion to the Sierra Negra Volcano. This volcano is located 13 miles from Port Villamil and has the second largest volcanic crater in the world, measuring six miles in diameter and 300 feet deep. To arrive at this incredible sight we travel in bus or similar vehicle for 45 minutes to the Galapagos National Park where we will register our visit and then begin our hike to the Sierra Negra Volcano. We will then proceed to the Volcan Chico where you can feel the warmth of the ground as proof of the volcano’s activity. Here we’ll stop for a packed lunch before returning to the hotel. After a brief rest, we’ll have the chance to go snorkelling or swimming at Concha Perla where we can observe the colourful fish, sea urchins, starfish, sea lions, or even sea turtles. Accommodation provided in Hotel San Vincente Galapagos or Hotel La Laguna Galapagos.
After breakfast we will go to the giant tortoise breeding centre, where we will visit El Muro de las Lagrimas or the Wall of Tears. From 1946 to 1959, Isabela was designated a penal colony by the Ecuadorian government and prisoners were obligated to build a wall with enormous blocks of lava. The arduous labour and harsh conditions in which the prisoners lived in gave the wall its name. Additionally, we will visit a small lava tunnel and another flamingo lagoon, and then we will return to the hotel to have lunch.
In the afternoon, we will sail to Islote Tintoreras. It is called this due to a large crevice with very clear calm water in which white-tip sharks known as tintoreras come daily to rest on the bottom. We can also observe penguins, sea lions, and marine iguanas and go snorkelling with sharks as well as other colourful tropical fish while enjoying the beaches of Isabela Island.
After breakfast, we will travel to Baltra airport, if you are booked on the four-day option, or you will transfer to the conservation reserve to start the conservation project. On the way we will stop by Los Gemelos, The Twins, two volcanic depressions at Santa Cruz or the Charles Darwin Research Station.
If you are booking a three-week option, you get two exciting weeks staying in San Cristóbal helping out on a conservation project. you will be based in a private reserve on the San Cristóbal Island.
San Cristóbal is charming as is the capital of the Galapagos, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, located on it. This island is one of the five inhabited islands of the Galapagos archipelago that for decades has been dedicated to agriculture, mainly producing sugar cane and coffee. About 5,400 people live here, and many work for the government or in fisheries.
The highland forests of the populated islands in the Galapagos chain have been greatly altered due to the introduction of exotic and invasive species of animals and plants. Highland conservation, development and poverty issues have been almost completely neglected by conservation, development and government agencies. As a result of the lack of fruit and vegetable production on the Galapagos Islands, boats from the Ecuadorian mainland unload fruits and vegetables to hotels, restaurants, and markets on a daily basis. Quarantine regulations are consistently ignored and at least two exotic and/or invasive flora or fauna species enter the islands each day. This is the reason why one of the main current problems on the Galapagos islands is the introduction of non-native species (plants and insects), estimated at one or two new species introduced to the islands every day, mainly through the importation of food to the islands from mainland Ecuador.
Importantly, the local population, lacking most government services and suffering high unemployment levels, is almost completely excluded from working in and benefiting from the tourism industry: tour operators do nearly all their business from their boats, ignoring business possibilities with local Galapagueños.
The biological station and reserve sites is located in the highlands of the island, on a 200 hectares site, where there is still native vegetation. The native vegetation consists of Miconias, ferns and other native herbaceous species. The reserve is mainly an organic agricultural and habitat restoration project.
Volunteers will work on both the habitat restoration and agricultural components while at the reserve. In addition foundation staff will lead volunteers on various destination hikes to a nearby lagoon, native forests, beaches, and local villages to explain the ecological and human dynamic of Galapagos. Opportunities to work on group research and monitoring projects are available.
The volunteer activities are organized on a weekly basis, which emphasize certain areas of interest. A typical week for a volunteer is as follows:
Please note you need to make your own way back to the airport after a conservation project has ended, this can be arranged locally and is very easy. The trip ends on the Galapagos (although you do have your return flight back to Quito, alternatively if you wanted to add on another trip like a Surf and Spanish in Ecuador programme, you can also fly to Guayaquil).
In San Cristóbal you may be lucky to see the red footed booby – the least seen of the bunch. It’s also the home of the Chatham mockingbird, only found here on the island. There are many visitor sites, some of which can be reached by foot from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. It’s a charming, peaceful island, and worth the visit. Take your time in the village to get to know the people.
If you want to see where the frigates nest, go past the Centro de Interpretación, northeast into scrub forest. It’s a great 35 minute walk to the cliff areas of Cerro Tijeretas, and you don’t need a guide.
There’s a good surfing spot at Playa Punta Carola. The waves may be too big and daunting for swimmers, and so we recommend Playa Mann (through Avenida Northia) or Playa de Oro. The waters are calmer and there are some beach hotels as well.
Take a 20 minute walk south of town to La Loberia. Here you’ll enjoy the sea lions, marine iguanas, bird watching, and even tortoises. Don’t forget to always stay on the path. Try not to disturb the wildlife!
Take a boat trip
The night before and after your Galapagos trip you will stay in a hostel in Quito, giving you some time off in Quito to Explore.
The accommodation for the next four nights depends on whether you have selected the land option or the boat option:
Depending on the dates of your trip the vessel you will be on varies, but as standard you can expect to share rooms on board, there are typically between 8 and 14 passengers per trip, and these are tourist class boats which are perfectly comfortable. All meals are included during the boat trip.
During the land option, you will stay at several different hostels located on each of the four different islands you will visit. We vary the hostels we use depending on availability and seasons, but the hostels are clean, comfortable, very secure and great places to chill at the end of the tiring day exploring the islands.
The station is composed of two houses with of mixed construction (native bamboo and cement) containing 11 rooms each and resting areas. Separated from the houses you have the dining room and kitchen. The accommodations are rustic, with room for groups of up to 35 people. Please note that the accommodation is basic, but this actually adds to the experience.
Citizens of the European Community, the United States, Switzerland, England, Canada, Australia, Japan and most other countries need a passport valid for at least 6 months after arrival for entering Ecuador. Please check with your embassy for latest information.
On your flight an international embarkation card is obtainable on which you indicate, besides personal data, that you are entering as a tourist for a maximum stay of three months. Herewith you apply for a stay permit of three months. Please keep the copy of your embarkation card, because you might need it for your departure.
Can you extend your stay to longer than three months?
You can extend this stay permit three times, each time for one month more; this can be done in Quito, Manta or Guayaquil. This means that you can stay in Ecuador for six months as a tourist. If you wish to stay longer it is necessary to contact the Ecuadorian embassy in your home country in advance (see useful links/addresses) in order to apply for a visa.
Ecuador doesn’t require any vaccinations, although we highly recommend updating your tetanus, polio and typhoid vaccinations as well as a hepatitis A vaccination. Yellow fever is recommended if you’d like to travel to the north-coast (Province of Esmeraldas) or several parts of the Oriente.
Malaria medication is only necessary if you’d like to travel to the jungle in Ecuador or the north-coast (Province of Esmeraldas). We recommend taking a prophylaxis with you, for example Lariam, but you might buy those things in Ecuador much cheaper than in your home-country. Of course, as it is the case in any travelling outside of your own country, you should have good travel insurance and know how to use it, in case you should need it. Make sure your visit your GP well in advance of your trip for advice on vaccinations and medications.
Technical Information on the boat:
Length: 46 feet / 14 m
Beam: 23 feet / 7 m
Speed: 10 Knots
Capacity: 10 passengers
Crew: 4 crew members plus 1 naturalist guide
| Duration | Land Option | Boat Option |
| 6 Days | 1129 | 1229 |
| 3 Weeks | 1799 | 1999 |
Price Includes:
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Please contact us with your preferred start dates and we will check availability.
“This is absolutely stunning”Emma Hardless
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