Ecuador
A Taste of Ecuador: A Journey Through Nature, Culture & Tradition
Program No. 25377RJ
Volcanoes, cities, local traditions and so much more — sample the rich culture and experience the unforgettable landscapes of Ecuador on this learning adventure!
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Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date.
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While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
10 days
9 nights
What's Included
25 meals (
9B, 8L, 8D
)
3 expert-led lectures
15 expert-led field trips
2 hands-on experiences
An experienced Group Leader
9 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
In Transit to Program, Arrive Quito
Location:
Quito
Stay:
Sheraton Quito Hotel
Activity Note
Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m. Elevations in Quito range from 9,223 ft - 9,883 ft. To minimize your chances of experiencing altitude sickness, try to get plenty of rest before you travel, stay hydrated, avoid alcohol and fatty foods, eat high carbohydrate foods, and avoid strenuous exercise at high elevations. See your program’s "Getting There" section regarding transfers.
Evening:
At leisure. After checking in to the hotel and getting your room, settle in and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Day
2
Iñaquito Market, Colonial Quito UNESCO World Heritage Site
Location:
Quito
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Sheraton Quito Hotel
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus; driving about 12 miles, approximately 1.5 hours total riding time. Walking up to 1 mile; mostly flat, paved surfaces, and some steps. Elevation: 9,223 - 9,883 feet.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
8:00 a.m. Orientation at the hotel. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule and any changes, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer any questions you may have. Meals on our program feature local cuisine. Unless otherwise specified, transportation during your program will be provided by air-conditioned bus. Our buses do not include onboard toilets, so we have scheduled stops during drives for bathroom breaks. Free time is reserved for your personal independent exploration. Please note that program activities, schedules, and personnel may need to change due to local circumstances. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. Following the orientation we'll board a bus at the hotel and ride a few blocks to the Iñaquito Market. Once there, we will accompany our Group Leader on a walking exploration of the indoor market to view and learn about its incredible selection of Ecuadorian produce and specialties. Next, we'll ride to the colonial section of the city to learn about the country's capital during a walking field trip with our Group Leader. The architecture found in Quito’s historical center is a great example of the Baroque style that is a fusion of Spanish, Moorish, Flemish, and Indigenous art. We'll explore the beautiful La Compañía Church to view its lavish, gold-covered interior. We’ll also stop at the San Francisco Church and convent, one of Quito’s oldest churches built on the site of a pre-Hispanic trading center.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
After lunch we will walk a couple of blocks to the Escuela de Arte Quiteño (Quito Art School). The school aims to preserve, through hands-on classes, the artistic techniques and traditions of the Quito School established during the colonial era. During our visit we will learn from a school instructor about the art techniques and theory behind the use of gold leaf before we try our hands at creating our own gilded artwork. In the mid-16th century, Roman Catholic monks began teaching indigenous artisans in Quito the artistic techniques needed to illuminate manuscripts and create religious sculptures, paintings, and other decorative elements that would eventually adorn the city’s many impressive churches and stately homes. While initial efforts attempted to replicate the Baroque styles brought from Spain and Italy, it soon evolved into something uniquely Quiteño; a style that incorporated indigenous imagery and artistic elements pointing to Flemish, Spanish, Italian, and even Moorish aesthetic influences. Late afternoon we’ll ride back to our hotel and attend an expert presentation on the past, present, and future of Ecuador.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for an early check-out and transfer tomorrow morning.
Day
3
Rose Farm, Culinary Traditions, Home Visit
Location:
Otavalo
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Las Palmeras Inn
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus; driving about 70 miles, approximately 2.5 hours total riding time. Elevation: 8,307 feet.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
After completing check-out procedures and loading our luggage on the bus, we'll hop aboard and begin our journey to Otavalo. An en route field trip to a local rose farm will give us the opportunity to learn about one of Ecuador's important exports. We will accompany our Group Leader and a farm representative on a walking exploration of the facilities to find out how these beautiful and fragrant flowers are grown, selected, and processed for shipping. Ecuador is one of the world's top producers of roses and a major exporter to the U.S. Most of the rose farming in the country takes place in the highlands around Quito, where the combination of fertile volcanic soil, cool temperatures, and consistent sunlight are just right for growing long stemmed roses. Hundreds of varieties in every color imaginable are grown here, including highly prized bi-colored roses. Next, we will return to the bus and continue our transfer to Otavalo. Before heading to our hotel we will stop at an Otavaleño home to learn from our host about indigenous traditions including the growing and processing of herbs for medicinal and cooking purposes. Our host will also invite us to help prepare typical dishes that we will sample at lunch.
Lunch:
At a family home.
Afternoon:
Arrive to the hotel and check-in. We will have time to relax and settle into our rooms before reconvening for dinner.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare luggage for check-out and transfer tomorrow morning.
Day
4
Otavalo Market, Quitsato, Mindo Cloud Forest
Location:
Mindo
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Sachatamia Lodge and Rainforest Reserve
Activity Note
Early morning, pre-breakfast nature walk on lodge grounds with Group Leader. Getting on/off a bus; about miles, approximately hour riding time. Elevation: 4,920 - 5,000 feet.
Breakfast:
At the lodge.
Morning:
After breakfast, we will ride to the Plaza de los Ponchos to begin our walking field trip at Otavalo's famous handicraft market. Our Group Leader will direct us up and down the rows of vendors while sharing background information on the colorful crafts, typical foods, and the indigenous people we encounter. We will also visit a local workshop for a look at traditional weaving methods during a demonstration by a local artisan. In Otavalo, the men tend to carry on the weaving traditions using backstrap looms, while women do most of the spinning. It is typical to see Otavaleño women in traditional attire such as white blouses with embroidered details, floor length skirts, and strung gold and red coral-colored beads wrapped repeatedly around their necks and wrists. Please check with your Group Leader on the local customs before taking any photos of people at the market. Next, we'll reboard the bus and ride to Quitsato Sundial to learn about the 1739 French Geodesic Mission to Ecuador that was tasked with mapping the Equator and measuring the planet's circumference. Upon disembarkation we will join a local expert in an interpretive walk through the site followed by an explanation of the significance of the Middle of the World and celestial events in Andean culture.
Lunch:
At a Middle of the World restaurant.
Afternoon:
After lunch we will reboard the bus and transfer to Mindo. Once at the lodge, we will check-in, get our rooms assignments then enjoy some "downtime" to settle into our accommodations and relax.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
5
Milpe Bird Sanctuary, Mashpi Community, Organic Cacao Farm
Location:
Mindo
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Sachatamia Lodge and Rainforest Reserve
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus; about 55 miles, approximately 2.5 hour total riding time. Walking about 2 miles; mostly flat, unpaved trails that can get muddy (especially Jan-Mar). Elevation: 2,300-5,500 feet.
Breakfast:
At the lodge.
Morning:
After breakfast, we'll board the bus and ride to the Milpe Bird Sanctuary to accompany our Group Leader on a nature walk on the well-maintained trails. We will make intermittent stops to look for and examine native plants and wildlife. The Milpe Bird Sanctuary is part of the Mindo Cloud Forest Foundation and helps to safeguard 247 acres of cloud forest in the Chocó-Andes. Although this location is best known for its abundant bird life, the forests are also home to various mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and insects. Some of the more commonly spotted mammals include agoutis, opossums, kinkajous, tayras, and squirrels. Then we will reboard the bus and ride to Mashpi village for lunch.
Lunch:
At Mashpi village we will have a traditional Chocó meal prepared by the local women's association. This meal is one of many sustainable community projects taking place in the area that benefit residents and support conservation.
Afternoon:
Next, we will ride to an organic cacao farm to get an introduction to sustainable farming and the art of making chocolate. Once there, we will accompany a farm representative on an informative walk through the grounds to see where the fruit is grown, harvested, and processed into cocoa liquor/paste that serves as the base for making chocolate. Our field trip will end on a sweet and delicious note...with a chocolate tasting session! Return to the bus and ride to the lodge.
Dinner:
At the lodge.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
6
Inti Llacta Reserve, High-Altitude Coffee
Location:
Mindo
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Sachatamia Lodge and Rainforest Reserve
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus; about 30 miles miles, approximately 1.5 hours riding time. Walking about 1.3 miles; mostly flat, unpaved terrain that can get muddy (especially Jan-Mar). Elevation: 5,500 - 6,500 feet.
Breakfast:
At the lodge.
Morning:
After boarding the bus, we'll ride to Inti Llacta Reserve to learn about cloud forest ecology, conservation, and sustainable land use. Our walking explorations will be led by a staff member and will include stops at various research project sites for a better understanding of the Chocó Andino forest, reforestation initiatives, conservation efforts, and responsible land use that benefits the local people and minimizes negative impacts on the environment. Inti Llacta Reserve helps protect a biologically-rich area of cloud forest on the western slopes of the Andes. Although the private reserve contains mostly primary and secondary forests, it also has a small area designated for agriculture and pasture. In addition to functioning as a nature reserve, Inti Llacta also conducts research projects in conservation, reforestation, and sustainable agriculture. Areas with ongoing projects serve as outdoor classrooms where students and visitors can learn about the research from up close.
Lunch:
At Inti Llacta Reserve we will have a farm-to-table meal prepared with organic produce.
Afternoon:
We will reboard the bus and ride to a family-owned organic coffee farm. When we arrive, we'll be met by a farm representative who will walk us through the facilities while explaining the intricacies of growing, harvesting, and processing organic, high-altitude coffee. Our field trip will conclude with a tasting experience. Concluding our activity, we will climb aboard the bus and ride back to our lodge.
Dinner:
At the lodge.
Evening:
At leisure. Spend time with fellow Road Scholars or just relax.
Day
7
Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve, Volcanic History, Páramo
Location:
Cotopaxi
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Chilcabamba Mountain Lodge
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus; about 115 miles, approximately 3.5 hour total riding time. Walking about 1 mile; mostly flat. Elevation: 5,505 - 11,420 feet.
Breakfast:
At the lodge.
Morning:
Following check-out procedures and loading luggage on the bus, we will climb aboard and begin our scenic transfer to Cotopaxi. En route, we will stop at Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve to learn about the area's unique geological history. Our Group Leader will provide information on the plants, wildlife, and notable formations we encounter during our walk on a local trail. A stop at a lookout point will reveal scenic views and the grand scale of Pululahua's caldera. Before we break for lunch, we'll enjoy an expert-led presentation on the volcanic forces that created, and continue to shape, Ecuador's landscape.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
When we arrive to the lodge we will join our Group Leader on a short interpretive walk on the grounds to learn about some of the plants native to the paramo and discuss the impact of this region on Quito's water supply. Then we'll complete our check-in and settle into our rooms.
Dinner:
At the lodge.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
8
Cotopaxi National Park
Location:
Cotopaxi
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Chilcabamba Mountain Lodge
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus; about 33 miles, approximately 2 hours total riding time. Walking about 2 miles; mostly flat terrain including unpaved park paths and boardwalks with handrails. Elevation: 10,500 - 13,500 feet.
Breakfast:
At the lodge.
Morning:
We'll board the bus and ride to the Cotopaxi National Park in preparation for a full morning of explorations at the iconic park. Upon arrival, we'll disembark at the parking lot and gather around for a brief overview of our route and some last minute tips before we set off on foot with our Group Leader. Along our walk, we'll make stops to enjoy the incredible views around the snowcapped Cotopaxi Volcano and examine unique páramo vegetation and wildlife of this area.
Lunch:
Boxed lunch at the park.
Afternoon:
Continuing with our field trip at Cotopaxi National Park, we will ride the bus to the eastern side of the park then follow our Group Leader on foot to the archaeological ruins of Pucará de Salitre. Partial stone walls mark the foundations of an ancient fortress. The fortress is thought to have been built during the 15th century, at the time of the Inca expansion and used as a military checkpoint. Then we will walk back to the bus and ride to the lodge so we can relax and freshen up. We will meet before dinner for a Group Leader presentation on Andean culture that will help to connect the dots between what we have learned so far and set the tone for tomorrow's field trip. Next, we will head to the lodge's kitchen, roll up our sleeves, and learn how to prepare a local dessert that we'll get to eat at dinner.
Dinner:
At the lodge, with dishes we helped to prepare.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer tomorrow.
Day
9
Chagra Culture, Farewell Dinner
Location:
Quito
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
San Jose de Puembo - Quito Airport
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus; about 55 miles, approximately 2 hour total riding time. Walking about 1 mile; mostly flat terrain. Elevation: 8,500 - 9,883 ft.
Breakfast:
At the lodge.
Morning:
Once we finish checking-out of our rooms and loading the bus, we'll climb aboard and begin the transfer to Puembo/Quito. En route we will stop at an Andean cattle farm to learn about Ecuador's Chagra culture during an exploratory walk through the facilities and some rodeo-style demonstrations. The Chagra is Ecuador's version of a cowboy. They live and work in the Andean highlands, farming and herding cattle on horseback in one of the country's most inhospitable environments. This challenging lifestyle has created a culture that is deeply rooted to the land and the horses they depend on for their livelihood.
Lunch:
At the farm.
Afternoon:
We’ll continue our transfer to Puembo/Quito. Upon arrival, we will check in to the hotel with some time to freshen up and relax before dinner.
Dinner:
At the hotel, we'll enjoy our last night together sharing favorite experiences with friends.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare luggage for check-out and international travel. Some international flights depart around 12:00 midnight/1:00 a.m. Participants on those flights will leave for the airport after dinner.
Day
10
Program Concludes, In Transit from Program
Location:
In Flight
Meals:
B
Activity Note
Check-out by 11:00 a.m. See your program’s "Getting There" section regarding transfers at the conclusion of the program.
Breakfast:
At the hotel (dependent on flight times). This concludes our program.
Morning:
If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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