Reforestation & Conservation in Ecuador
Experience how local communities benefit from their unique landscapes as you journey through Ecuador’s cloud forests, highlands, and rainforests.
Immerse yourself in meaningful service learning projects centered around reforestation and sustainability. You’ll also go whitewater rafting, chase waterfalls, and unwind in geothermal hot springs.
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Day 1: Fly to Ecuador
Meet your Tour Director at the airport -
Day 2: Quito • Yungilla
Take a day trip to Yunguilla, a sustainable community in Ecuador’s cloud forest
With your Tour Director you will:
- experience firsthand what successful community development entails
- visit community-owned projects, like jam and cheese factories
- enjoy lunch sourced from a local garden
Stop for a photo at Pululahua Volcano
Immerse yourself in a blindfolded sensory dinner, savoring local cuisine with heightened
awareness
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Day 3: Quito • Riobamba region
Travel to the Riobamba region
Visit a local school, where you will:
- partake in a pampa mesa lunch—a shared, potluck-style meal that Indigenous communities in Ecuador’s highlands enjoy
- connect with community members through language exchange and field games
Participate in a hands-on artisanal activity at a local education center
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Day 4: Riobamba region • Baños • Tena
Travel via Baños to Tena
Take a walking tour of Baños
With your Tour Director you will see:
- Old Cathedral
- New Cathedral
Visit the Devil's Cauldron waterfall
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Days 5-6: Tena • Service project
As communities evolve, so do their needs. That’s why we work closely with local organizations to better understand each community’s issues. Since projects are determined closer to your actual tour date, here’s what a typical day might look like:
- Work on a community conservation project using modern reforestation practices and ancestral knowledge to reforest land once cleared for farming.
- Assist in plant nurseries and learn about the diverse species utilized to regenerate a healthy forest.
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Day 7: Tena • Baeza
Enjoy a whitewater rafting excursion
Travel to Baeza, home to rolling hills and charming family farms
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Day 8: Baeza • Papallacta • Quito • Depart for home
Participate in an activity focused on ecotourism and dairy farming
Visit the Papallacta hot springs
Go for a hike along the Papallacta river
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Day 9: Arrive home
Add 2 more days
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Day 9: Quito
Visit Wikiri Sapoparque, an ecological biodiversity education center
Take a walking tour of Quito
With your Tour Director you will see:
- Independence Plaza
- Government Palace
Visit the Church of the Society of Jesus
Participate in a salsa-dancing lesson
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Day 10: Quito • Otavalo • Depart for home
Visit the Quitsato Sundial, an educational exhibit sitting right on the equator
Take a day trip to the Otavalo open-air market
Take a walking tour through the Otavalo open-air market and enjoy the sights and sounds of
this bustling artisan community
-
Day 11: Arrive home
-
Day 1: Fly to Ecuador
Meet your Tour Director at the airport -
Day 2: Quito • Yungilla
Take a day trip to Yunguilla, a sustainable community in Ecuador’s cloud forest
With your Tour Director you will:
- experience firsthand what successful community development entails
- visit community-owned projects, like jam and cheese factories
- enjoy lunch sourced from a local garden
Stop for a photo at Pululahua Volcano
Immerse yourself in a blindfolded sensory dinner, savoring local cuisine with heightened
awareness
-
Day 3: Quito • Riobamba region
Travel to the Riobamba region
Visit a local school, where you will:
- partake in a pampa mesa lunch—a shared, potluck-style meal that Indigenous communities in Ecuador’s highlands enjoy
- connect with community members through language exchange and field games
Participate in a hands-on artisanal activity at a local education center
-
Day 4: Riobamba region • Baños • Tena
Travel via Baños to Tena
Take a walking tour of Baños
With your Tour Director you will see:
- Old Cathedral
- New Cathedral
Visit the Devil's Cauldron waterfall
-
Days 5-6: Tena • Service project
As communities evolve, so do their needs. That’s why we work closely with local organizations to better understand each community’s issues. Since projects are determined closer to your actual tour date, here’s what a typical day might look like:
- Work on a community conservation project using modern reforestation practices and ancestral knowledge to reforest land once cleared for farming.
- Assist in plant nurseries and learn about the diverse species utilized to regenerate a healthy forest.
-
-
Day 7: Tena • Baeza
Enjoy a whitewater rafting excursion
Travel to Baeza, home to rolling hills and charming family farms
-
Day 8: Baeza • Papallacta • Quito • Depart for home
Participate in an activity focused on ecotourism and dairy farming
Visit the Papallacta hot springs
Go for a hike along the Papallacta river
-
Day 9: Arrive home
Add 2 more days
-
Day 9: Quito
Visit Wikiri Sapoparque, an ecological biodiversity education center
Take a walking tour of Quito
With your Tour Director you will see:
- Independence Plaza
- Government Palace
Visit the Church of the Society of Jesus
Participate in a salsa-dancing lesson
-
Day 10: Quito • Otavalo • Depart for home
Visit the Quitsato Sundial, an educational exhibit sitting right on the equator
Take a day trip to the Otavalo open-air market
Take a walking tour through the Otavalo open-air market and enjoy the sights and sounds of
this bustling artisan community
-
Day 11: Arrive home
Reviews
Refer a friend or colleague to EF and we’ll thank you with $1,000. Learn more
Your experience includes
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Airfare & transportation
Round-trip flights on major carriers; comfortable motorcoach
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Hotels
7 overnight stays in hotels with private bathrooms (9 with extension)
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Regional-style meals
Daily breakfast and dinner and 6 lunches featuring regional cuisine; dinner on arrival day if groups arrive by 8pm
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Guided sightseeing
2 expert-led sightseeing tours in iconic destinations (6 with extension)
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Entrances
Nature hike; jam and dairy farm; sensory dinner experience; pampa mesa lunch; artisan activity; Devil’s Cauldron waterfall; whitewater rafting; dairy farming activity; Papallacta hot springs; Papallacta River hike (with extension: Wikiri Sapoparque; Church of the Society of Jesus; salsa-dancing lesson; Quitsato Sundial)
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8–10 Service Hours
Earn up to 10 service hours that count toward academic credit and the presidential award.
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Volunteer and Leadership Activities
Participate in volunteer, leadership, action planning and social issue activities.
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Full-time Tour Director
Your culturally connected Tour Director is with your group 24/7, providing deep local insight while handling all on-tour logistics.
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Expert Local Guides
Your expert local guides are natural historians, adding cultural insight and global perspective on your sightseeing tours.
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Continuous Support
Your dedicated EF team helps you every step of the way—from recruiting and enrolling travelers to planning and managing your tour.
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Worldwide Presence
EF has over 500 schools and offices in more than 50 countries worldwide so wherever you go, we're there too.
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24-hour Emergency Service
Travelers and their families can count on EF's dedicated emergency service team.
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Peace of Mind Program
Feel secure knowing your group can change their destination or travel dates due to unforeseen circumstances. Learn more about your flexible options at eftours.com/peaceofmind.
Lowest price
Price is valid for students under the age of 20 at the time of travel that room in triples and quads. Minimum participation is required. Change and cancellation fees of up to the total price will apply. Applicable airline baggage fees are not included and can be found at www.eftours.com/baggage. Program price is valid today only.
Price displayed includes an Early Enrollment Discount; restrictions apply. To determine if you qualify, please contact your Tour Consultant. Tours departing between 10/1/2023 and 9/30/2024 may be eligible for a $100 discount. Tours departing 10/1/2024 and beyond may be eligible for a $200 discount; restrictions apply.