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Our Xtreme Gap Brazil Carnival Package 2014 sees you flying into the bustling metropolis of Brazil for 5 glorious days of adventure. On day one you’ll check into your hotel (Hotel Fluminense) in Rio de Janeiro to get settled in before heading to one of the worlds biggest street parties the next night. These traditional ‘bloco’ parties have been known to contain over 1 million people, with everybody dancing, drinking and having a good time, Brazilian style! Be prepared to party until the sun comes up! It’s a travel experience not to be missed and is definitely one for the scrapbook! Day 3 is the big day; the day of the Carnival where you’ll be escorted from your hotel to the Sambadrome Pre-party before being taken to the huge stadium to witness the world’s greatest and biggest carnival! Hours of colorful floats, incredible costumes, spectacular dancers, and booty-shaking music will have you up on your feet the entire time. It’s impossible to not be infected with the contagious zest for life that Brazilian people radiate! Just join them for a dance and celebration during Carnival Week to truly experience the infectious energy, happiness and hospitality that Brazilian people are known for! The next two days, after the biggest party of your life, we’ll let you rest and spend the day however you like, whether that’s nursing your hangover on Copacabana beach or exploring the incredible sights of Rio, such as Sugar Loaf mountain and the epic Christ the Redeemer statue. Just make sure to get out and see the city, as it really is gorgeous, and fun! On day 6 you check out of your hotel for the next stage of your journey, whether that is continuing your travels around Brazil or South America, or heading home. When you do head home, just think, at least you’ve just experienced the most epic party on the planet! How many people can say that?!
Accommodation is for 5 nights at the beautiful 3-star Fluminense Hotel in Rio de Janeiro. The hotel is located in the Lapa area, where there are lots of great bars, restaurants and entertainment (yes, lots of street parties!) to keep you busy. The famous Arcos da Lapa, impressive aqueducts built in the mid-18th century and the Passeio Publico, Rio’s first public park from the 1780’s, are both located close to your hotel, so there are plenty of must-see sights in the area too. The hotel also features an English-speaking help desk, so they can help you to plan your stay and coordinate your free time to make the most of the city.
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Hang out in one of the coolest cities on earth and you will get to do the following with Xtreme Gap Year.
On arrival you will be picked up from the airport. Our driver will be waiting for you in arrivals with a sign with your name on it. You will be driven to your accommodation for check-in. Over the next two days you will explore the city fully guided and we will even take you into one of the favelas. Xtreme Gap Year believes an adrenaline travel, and there’s nothing like exploring the slums of Rio de Janeiro to get the pulse racing. Despite what you may have seen in films such as city of God, it is pretty safe and you will be in good hands.
The favela tour is designed to be non-intrusive and respectful of the lives of the people living in the Rocinha favela. We will not cram you into cars and herd you around like sheep. We focus on a genuine experience with the aim to educate our guests about the favelas which are such a big part of life in Rio. Out transport is by public transportation (van and moto-taxi) to and from the favela. The guide will inform you of the history of the favela as well as the social and economic challenges found here. As the tour groups are small you will be able to meet some of the locals, inside the favela and hear their stories.
You can also take photos of the breath-taking views offered by the favela, of Ipanema, the Sugarloaf and Christ the Redeemer.
The favela tour usually takes about 4 hours.
The exciting day tour starts with pick up at the front of your hotel or hostel in Rio. You will be met by a professional English speaking tour guide and driven around on a mini bus. Our first stop will be the Tijuca National Park so you get a glimpse of the greenest tropical rainforest. From there we head to the Christ The Redeemer Statue (ticket price is included to the price of the package). Make sure you take enough photos!
After our visit to the Big Dude we will stop for a lunch (lunch is not included in the price of the package) in Santa Teresa. This is one of the traditional old neighborhoods of Rio. It still retains much of its original architecture and character of previous years.
At the end of your Rio day tour we will see The Great Madness (Escadaria Selaron) or secretLapa steps where Snoop Dogg shot his famous video for Beautiful with Pharell.
Finally, you will be offered two options. The first option is to be dropped off at Sugarloaf Mountain(ticket is not included in the package price) in time for sunset – this is an especially romantic time for couples! The second option is to simply be dropped off in front of your hotel or hostel.
Depending on availability you will stay in one of either two hostels:
This funky hostel is located in one of the exclusive areas of Rio: Leblon. Z.Bra Hostel is just one block away from the beach and near all the best bars, restaurants and stores. Z.Bra Hostel stands out for its bold design and vintage decor, developed to offer a comfortable and soothing experience for the guests.
It’s not a massively large place with 52 guests it always provides a great atmosphere. We have three mixed dorms, with capacity for nine people, an eight Person dorm, a five Person dorm, two double rooms with shared bathrooms, and four suites. Accommodation on this program is based on dorms. You have the option to upgrade locally pending availability. Z.Bra Hostel offers free wi-fi internet and breakfast included in all the daily rates.
All bunkbeds in dorms are equipped with mobile phone chargers, individual reading light. All dorms have private lockers including a smaller locker next to the bed, so you can keep your most valuable belongings next to you while you’re sleeping. Each bed also has its own individual power outlet.
Our bar opens in the late afternoon, you can relax in our lounge, interact with other guests and have some caipirinhas made with local fruits, and other cocktails. Z.Bra Hostel hosts an art exhibition every month. We book transfers, tours and we even have some skateboards for you to take a free ride in the famous calçadão. Come and enjoy! We are here to make your trip amazing!
CabanaCopa is located next to a beautiful national park, one block from the metro and just a few minutes from the famous Copacabana Beach. Our large colonial house is fully renovated with new clean spacious dorms and bathrooms with hot showers and excellent social areas (indoor and outdoor), in a street with 24hr security. Our friendly hostel has a good balance of nightlife and quiet atmosphere, with an onsite bar & lounge open until around 10pm. Also we offer has some nice little essential features like complementary breakfast, high-speed internet and Wi-Fi, bed linen, maps and even free drinkable water. The hostel was probably not as boutique as Zbra but come on you are right by Copacabana beach. How good is that!
£490
You can start this any time please contact us with your arrival dates. Please note during Carnival period this tour will not run however we do have specific Carnival options for you.
If you want to spend longer in Rio we have other options like The Rio adrenaline overload with hang gliding surfing and other exciting options.
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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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This is not a long trip, but it doesn’t have to be. You pack in a lot into two days, with an airport pickup, a warm safe welcome, comfortable place to stay a day out in Lima on both days plus a surf trip it’s the perfect start to a Peruvian adventure and great to combine with a South America Travel Pass.
What makes this trip so good is the team waiting for you to welcome you on arrival. Xtreme Gaps contacted in Lima is Carlos pictured right), a local surf legend who has been teaching people to surf in and around Lima for years. This makes it more than just a Lima arrival pack, with some awesome Xtreme activities thrown in, we will show you around the city like a local with a choice of two different styles of tours, plus a surf lesson in one of the city’s great surf spots.
Carlos will go out of his way to make you feel welcome is also passionate about his home city. After 2 days of hanging out with Carlos and the team you will be ready to hit the backpacker trail and will have firmly found your travel feet. You may have already picked up a little Spanish and found a new surfing addiction!
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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 surf dude! Carlos is Peruvian and lives to surf and loves his home city.(He is actually our resident surf instructor and one cool dude, you will be in good hands).
That means on this trip you will be checking out the city and seeing it through the eyes of a local, a world away from your typical tour of tourist traps. 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. We will give you a taste of what Lima has to offer,from this great shopping sites, to funky Bohemian districts we make it quite flexible so we’ll take you to places you are genuinely interested in rather than your typical tour.
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
This program is particularly good if you do not speak much Spanish, or are a little uneasy about your arrival into South America (experience shows that after a couple of days you settle into the travel lifestyle pretty easily, but the first two days usually have the biggest culture shock involved on any trip).
Included activities on this trip are quite varied, from surf lessons to 2 day tours, you can choose the style of the tour you wish locally, from bargain shopping, the big sites in Lima, or checking out the funky nightlife in bohemian neighbourhoods.
Naturally being an arrival pack there is also airport pickup included.
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There are no set startdates for this program, just contact us with your preferred arrival date.
“I will definitely recommend you to all my friends and book through you again! See more reviews here.”Louise Penman
” Hi Debby! The trip was absolutely incredible! more reviews here.”Alice Horsfield
” Hello, Im now home from the trip of a life time!! See more reviews here.”Eddie UK
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This travel pass has a minimum recommended trip time of 30 days, although you should definitely plan on going for longer. 30 days assumes you do all the travel days back-to-back, but as this is a flexible hop on hop off travel pass you can take as long as you like to do it. We also definitely recommend combining this with the Inca Trail because this pass allows you to travel straight from Lima to Cuzco enabling you to set the date for the Inca Trail at the time of booking. This is particularly useful because the Inca Trail is limited by the amount of people who can apply for passes, and often books out many months ahead.
Another benefit of this pass, is that Lima is one of the cheapest and most accessible international airports into South America, so this would enable you to see quite a lot of the highlights of South America yet still being able to book a return ticket out of Lima. It’s quite a logical route of South America backpacking trail.
The itinerary below assumes you are doing the journey back to back so the days are really only meant for a reference it does not account for extra days spent in the locations exploring them. You need a minimum of 31 days to complete this but that would really be travelling back to back so please allow longer.
Sequence of events
View detailed descriptions of these locations
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.
Minimum trip time 32 days £959
Your transport arranged with your own personal concierge booking service
You can start this pass whenever you like.
“I made so many friends and had such a wonderful experience.”Genevieve Goodman
“South America was absolutely mind blowing. A really exciting place to travel.”James Clayson
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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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]]>Cycle the infamous death road, explore the worlds highest city La Paz and check out the surreal, mirror like salt flats of Salar de Uyuni by jeep. Go deep underground in an active mine (and blow shit up with dynamite if you feel the need!) check out geysers, hot pools and vast desert landscapes. Bolivia is the Xtreme Team’s favourite country in South America, you do not want to miss out.
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Bolivia has so many highlights, making it an unmissable destination on your itinerary in South America. Perched high in the Andes, Bolivia possesses a list of accolades that makes any visit to the country Xtreme already. Flying into the worlds highest city, La Paz, you instantly get hit by the altitude. Bolivia has some extreme environments, the worlds largest salt pans, and the worlds most dangerous road (with 1000 metre drops in to the valley below.)
On the Xtreme Bolivia Experience, we will take you to all these interesting places, and you will achieve some pretty exciting adventures so cool that you will be recounting your tales to your mates for many years to come.
We use a selection of checked out hostels on this trip. The accommodation is based on shared dorms and budget hostels. Due to the altitude on the Salar De Uyuni trip we advise taking a sleeping bag with you and warm clothing.
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You can start this trip any time.
“This trip makes life so easy for you as a backpacker because all your transportation and tours are reserved for you in advance. I didn’t have to waste time researching on how to get from one place to the next and which tour to take. It just made life so much easier as backpacking can be so tiring.”John Walters
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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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