2021 Telluride Ecuador Program
| Travel Dates: | July 26, 2021 - August 7, 2021 |
| Group Organizer(s): |
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| WTT Contact: |
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| Program Tuition: |
$2,290 USD
Airfare not included in program tuition
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| Confirmed Airfare: | $1,077 |
| Deadline(s): | Pre Departure meeting on July 1st at 7PM |
Tuition Calculator
There are two options for payment, including an interest-free installment plan. Follow whichever works best for your family. If we are within 90 days of travel, only the pay in full option is possible.
Program Tuition: $2,290
Pay in Full
$2,290.00
due today
Payment Plan
Pay a $500 deposit at the time of enrollment and establish an interest-free monthly payment plan. If you enroll today, your estimated* monthly payments would be:
$57.75
per month
All prices in United States Dollars.
Ecuador Service Adventure
Don’t let Ecuador’s small size fool you. Tucked between Colombia and Peru, it might be the smallest Andean nation but the country is packed with jarring contrasts of scenery and ways of life. Often called a microcosm of Latin America, the diversity in people and places is truly astounding and makes Ecuador a delight to visit. Whether trekking through dense Amazonian rainforest, marveling at the majesty of massive snow-capped peaks, exploring colorful highland markets or navigating Quito’s historic colonial district, our programs will show you the many sides of this captivating country.
Service Adventures
Service Adventures can combine rural homestays, adventure travel, and meaningful service projects which are guided by our community partners. Living in these small communities provides the opportunity to engage the language and culture from a uniquely advantageous position.
Program Highlights
Check out some of the featured experiences of your program!
Have the adventure of a lifetime with your friends
Work on a service project in a small, rural community
Spend the night in an inhabited volcanic crater
Practice your Spanish language skills with locals
Get your adrenaline fix on a zipline tour before relaxing in natural hot springs
Explore el centro historico de Quito
The Itinerary
We do everything possible to run safe, engaging, and immersive programs for our travelers and given the unpredictable nature of international travel we must remain flexible in our planning. Changes to a schedule are uncommon but, we reserve the right to adjust programming in the best interest of the group.
| Day | Location | Description | Lodging |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 26 | USA – Quito | Today we'll fly from the USA to Quito, Ecuador, arriving after midnight. We'll transfer directly to the hotel and rest after our travel day. | Hostería Airport Garden |
| July 27 | Quito – Pululahua | Start the day with a walking tour of historic downtown Quito, one of the most well preserved historic districts in all of South America. In the afternoon, we'll visit the Intiñan Museum located at the equator and enjoy the disorienting coriolis effect. We'll then have dinner on the edge of Pululahua Volcano, one of the only inhabited volcanic craters in the world. | El Crater Hotel |
| July 28 | Pululahua – Otavalo | Today we'll drive between breathtaking mountains and valleys to Otavalo, where we will spend the next two days visiting artisan workshops and learning firsthand about Ecuadorian/Andean culture (music, dress, and cuisine). Today we'll start with a presentation from local expert musicians and lunch in their home. We'll finish the day with some shopping at the Plaza de los Ponchos, one of Latin America's most famous artisan markets. We'll dine near the square and have the chance to sample some delicious Ecuadorian street food. | Las Palmeras Inn |
| July 29 | Otavalo | The adventures continue this morning for our second day in Otavalo! After breakfast we'll head over to a textiles cooperative to learn about indigenous hand weaving methods famous in Otavalo. We will have the opportunity to watch and learn from the best- the Andrango family who runs the co-op is one of the country's leaders in preserving this important tradition. Afterwards we will picnic at Peguche Waterfall, exploring the trails and soaking in the hot springs this afternoon. Tonight we will hold a host community orientation to prepare for our service experience beginning tomorrow. | Las Palmeras Inn |
| July 30 | Otavalo - Nanegal | We'll descend from the mountains, stopping through small towns along the way, and arrive at our host community of Nanegal. Here we'll settle in to our accommodations, familiarize ourselves around the town, and learn about our community service project/s. In the afternoon, we'll take a hike to a lookout to see the entire valley in which Nanegal is situated. Throughout the program, we'll have the opportunity to interact with local community members in Spanish, participate in cross-cultural exchanges, and learn more about the rich culture of Ecuador. | Maqui Pucuna Eco Hotel |
| July 31 | Nanegal | During our stay in Nanegal, the service project will anchor our time in the community, accounting for 4-6 hours a day. In the afternoons and evenings group activities will vary, ranging from hikes to waterfalls, swimming in the river, visiting neighboring farms, and generally getting to know the beautiful and unique culture and history of Nanegal. There is also time set aside for group reflection. | Maqui Pucuna Eco Hotel |
| August 1 | Nanegal | Today, we will continue our work on the community service project and spend time with community members. Evening activities will vary. | Maqui Pucuna Eco Hotel |
| August 2 | Nanegal | Today, we will finish work on our community service project. This evening we will enjoy a fiesta de despedida with community leaders and families for a final thank you meal to celebrate our time shared in Nanegal together. | Maqui Pucuna Eco Hotel |
| August 3 | Nanegal – Papallacta | Before we ascend into the mountains again, we'll stop for a zip-line tour in Nanegalito's cloud forest canopy. In the afternoon we'll travel to Papallacta Hot Springs high in the Andes, arriving in time for dinner. Tonight we'll be able to enjoy the hot springs under the impressive constellations of the southern hemisphere's skies. | Termas de Papallacta |
| August 4 | Papallacta | Today the group will explore a network of hiking trails in the Antisana Nature Reserve. In the evening we'll make sure to take advantage of the hot springs again before capping off our time in Papallacta with a celebratory dinner and group reflection. | Termas de Papallacta |
| August 5 | Papallacta – Quito | We'll travel from Papallacta to Quito and check in to our accommodations in the historic center. Later, we'll ride a cable car up to Pichincha Volcano or head over to Parque Itchimbia to see a final panoramic view of Quito, then have a final goodbye dinner before our international flight tomorrow. | Hotel San Francisco de Quito |
| August 6 | Quito | Our final day in Ecuador! We'll take advantage by ascending the spires of the Basilica del Voto Nacional. Legend has it that if construction of this massive cathedral is ever officially completed the world will come to an end! In the afternoon we'll explore Parque Itchimbía, Quito's largets park and the perfect place to relax and unwind at the end of a program. After a celebratory dinner this evening we'll head to the airport to catch our flight home. | Airplane |
| August 7 | Quito - USA | Board an early morning flight back to Denver. | Your own bed, eventually! |
Accommodations
In order to provide a safe and memorable experience, we follow strict guidelines when choosing program accommodations. Walking Tree partners with hotels and guest houses which are centrally located, clean and safe. We vet and inspect the accommodations to ensure they uphold the ethos of our programs, are great values for our travelers and nice places to rest after enriching days of travel.
Hotel San Francisco de Quito
Step back in time and enjoy the beautiful accommodations of the Hotel San Francisco de Quito. Located in the heart of the historic center of Quito, one of the most well preserved colonial districts in all of Latin America, this unique hotel combines comfort with centuries of colonial history to provide its guests with an unforgettable stay.
El Crater Hotel
Situated on the precipice of the Volcano Pululahua, the hotel’s supreme location is unlike any other accommodation on the planet. Each room contains large windows from which travelers can admire the beauty of this setting and watch the quickly-changing climate of the area from the comfort of their rooms.
Las Palmeras Inn Otavalo
This 150 year old ranch nestled in the highlands is designed in traditional Andean styles. A collection of garden cottages each with their own fireplace, Las Palmeras Inn provides supreme tranquility in a gorgeous mountain setting.
Las Termas de Papallacta
Las Termas de Papallacta is a lovely escape to nature with its collection of hot springs, comfortable accommodations, and beautiful mountain scenery. Whether soaking in the springs, star gazing, or taking advantage of any of the nearby hikes, Las Termas is an idyllic experience.
Hosteria Airport Garden
Hosteria Airport Garden is 3-star hotel located a short drive from the international airport in Quito. Accommodations are clean, comfortable and modern, and there’s a pool!
Maqui Pucuna Eco Hotel
Maqui Pucuna Eco Hotel is located next to the Umachaca River in an ecological reserve just a short distance from Nanegal. Owned and operated by a local couple, the accommodations are surrounded by nature and boast a variety of quaint, cozy homes, cabins and research station. It will be the perfect place for our group to be situated during the time in Nanegal.
Safety and Support
EASY FUNDRAISING & PAYMENT
24/7 GLOBAL EMERGENCY LINE
HIGHLY VETTED PARTNERS
EXPERT LEADERSHIP
PRIVATE GROUP GUARANTEE
COMPREHENSIVE CURRICULUM SUPPORT
DEDICATION TO CULTURAL ENGAGEMENT
ALL-INCLUSIVE PRICING
I was comfortable that the trip my daughter was on was safe, educational, interesting and fun. She made life long friends with her host sister. An exceptional life learning experience.
Carolyn
Parent of Alicia, Traveler on 2018 Program to Chile
Your Adventure Includes
Estimated Airfare
In order to give our travelers the best possible price, we break out airfare from the Program Tuition. We will still handle all booking and ticketing via our flight partner who has access to special fares not available to the general public. Once confirmed, you will be invoiced for the flight roughly 75 days prior to travel.
Program Tuition Excludes: Travel insurance, baggage fees, passport/visa fees, laundry, souvenirs, and activities not listed on itinerary.
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Resource Center
Why should high school students travel abroad? What happens if a participant gets sick? How quickly do we need to enroll? We’re sure you have plenty of questions and we’ve got you covered! Visit our Resource Center to discover the answers to your most pressing questions and contact us anytime with additional questions.