Brief

It may be small but Ecuador easily competes with the other South American countries when it comes to nature, culture and wonders. There is a great diversity of landscapes from the Amazon Rainforest to the Andean Highlands and Coastal lowlands. Ecuador is home to Cotopaxi, the world's highest active volcano and the national parks offer fantastic trekking options. There will be plenty of opportunities to see unique wildlife as Ecuador is one of the most species rich countries in the world.

Highlights

Walk around one of Ecuador's most staggering sights, the stunning volcanic crater lake of Laguna Quilotoa.

Integrate with local communities whilst undertaking orphanage, school or environmental based projects.

Experience breathtaking scenery and a challenging trek in Parque Nacional Cotopaxi.

The Expedition

Phase 1: Acclimatisation

Arriving in Ecuador, teams can spend a few days adjusting to the unique culture in Quito - one of Latin America’s finest colonial centres with many interesting sights to see. From here teams could choose to travel to the Refugio De Vida Silvestre Pasochoa, an undisturbed Andean forest that has a range of trails for acclimatisation walks.

Phase 2: Trek

The first trek phase takes place on the Quilotoa Loop, hiking between Andean villages and around the breath-taking crater lake which locals believe is bottomless. The landscape is incredible and the villages and local marketplaces are lively and steeped in native culture. The main trekking phase will take teams around the spectacular volcano Chimborazo, with amazing views it is an unforgettable experience. There are many other trekking options that we can also offer and have experience of ourselves. Ecuador is a trekking haven!

Phase 3: Project

This is the phase where teams assist in a variety of environmental or community based projects. Past examples include working in a local indigenous community, helping with caring for children in a day care centre and lending a hand on the farms. Teams have also worked on sustainable agriculture projects, learning how to farm whilst protecting the environment. Renovations to schools and teaching are also tasks teams can get involved in.

Phase 4: Culture & Review

Take an exhilarating trip down the Jatunyacu River, taking in the stunning jungle scenery whilst you try your hand at white water rafting.

Expedition Grade

Our Ecuador adventure is graded as challenging or level 4. However we have many trek options from the more easy to difficult, giving an overall grade of 3 to 5. The fitter you are the more you will enjoy your expedition.

Expedition Type

Adventure

Project

Culture

Expedition Level

Easy

Moderate

Hard

Facts

Terrain

Mountains, coast, rainforest, jungle and volcanoes.

Weather

All climates; tropical along the coast, cooler and dryer inland at higher elevations and tropical in Amazonian jungle lowlands. The dry season is from June to September.

Culture

There are multiple ethnicities in Ecuador with Christianity as the dominant religion.