Combine Volunteering and Adventure Travel in Ecuador

  Ecuador

Banos,  Cuenca,  Galapagos Islands,  Guayaquil,  Montanita,  Otavalo,  Quito,  Riobamba,  Rural Areas,  San Cristobal,  Tena

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks and 5-8 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: Programs run regularly throughout the year

Description: ISV's Ecuador Program
International Student Volunteers offers you the unique ability to combine meaningful volunteer projects and exciting adventure travel throughout Ecuador. Ecuador is the gateway to South America and an eco-traveler's dreamscape. It is home of the incredible Andes Mountains, the wild Amazon Jungle and the spectacular Galapagos Islands! Come with ISV and experience a true South American adventure. With projects including both conservation and community work, and an incredible Adventure Tour ranging from glacier climbs to snorkeling and waterfall rappelling, let ISV show you a truly unique experience in one of the most biologically diverse countries in the world!

After your ISV experience, why not take on ISV's incredible trips to the Galapagos Islands or our incredible trek to the ruined Inca city of Machu Picchu.

Before your adventure begins, ISV also offers you a five-day course of Spanish lessons in the morning and dance classes in the afternoon. This is a great way to brush up on your language skills-you will even stay with a local family.

About ISV
International Student Volunteers Inc, is a US-based non-profit organization that offers globally minded participants the unique opportunity to combine meaningful volunteer projects and adventure travel. ISV has offices all over the world to look after over 4,000 participants who volunteer with us every year. ISV volunteers come from all countries and you don't have to be a student to participate. ISV offers programs in Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Costa Rica, The Dominican Republic, Eastern Europe, South Africa and Ecuador. Because of ISV's strong educational focus, many university students apply to receive academic credit for their involvement in the program.

About Ecuador:
Straddling the equator, this small country is considered one of the top 10 mega-diverse hot spots on the planet. Claimed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, Ecuador is comprised of Amazonian rainforests, mangrove forests, arid coastlands, cloud forests, and alpine grasslands. Ecuador's geographical and biological diversity are matched by its mosaic of cultures, including 14 indigenous tribes.

As a volunteer, you will have the opportunity to experience and be a part of local communities and private reserves that have partnered with ISV to develop hands-on conservation and community development volunteer projects. Your efforts will help to support projects focused on sustainable development and conservation. You may find yourself working in an organic farm, a rural community or a natural reserve; doing species monitoring; or participating in Ecuador Children's Environmental Education and Development program.

Volunteer Projects
ISV has projects spread across the continent. By volunteering with ISV in Ecuador you could find yourself assisting in any of these areas.

Whale Monitoring and Community Development: Collect data on whales in the ocean!
The primary goal of this project is to obtain data that will be used to assist with species monitoring of migrating humpback whale populations, while supporting local eco-tourism development efforts based on those populations. This project focuses on community development and environmental education, specifically targeting the valuation of threatened humpback whales through monitoring and awareness. Tasks include monitoring whales, creating infrastructure to attract tourism, supporting alternative tourism efforts through family home stays and English classes, and working with the local community school as part of the Ecuador Children's Program.

Protecting Natural Reserves: Protect endangered habitats and native species!
Get your hands dirty as you work towards conserving native habitats and help communities develop their eco-tourism potential. You will also help raise the level of local awareness through environmental education programs. Primary tasks can include cleaning and maintaining animal enclosures (such as monkeys and exotic birds) along with animal care; monitoring local species; supporting recycling start-up programs; trail maintenance; agro-forestry including reforestation and organic farming; cleanups in mangrove forests; English and environmental education classes with children and community members; maintenance of protected areas; and local environmental education efforts.

Community Development and Environmental Education: Volunteer in a local Ecuadorian village!
Education, conservation and economic development are inherently interlinked in Ecuador as these are the basic building blocks of sustainable development. These projects will allow you to take part in teaching English classes and sports; assist local schools; organize river clean ups and reforestation efforts; support local product initiatives (such as the tea and cacao trades); paint murals with environmental themes; help the elderly with farming tasks; plant trees; help out in locally owned plant nurseries; assist with trail maintenance; and be involved in environmental education activities with children.

Organic Agriculture: Volunteer on an organic farm and participate in a school outreach program!
The model of organic farming offers practical alternatives to energy and natural resource use such as biogas, solar power, composting systems, worm culture, water recycling, permaculture, and environmental tourism. As a volunteer, you will work alongside community members and school children to build jungle gyms from recycled materials, paint environmental education murals, partake in paper recycling craft activities, and build school gardens. You will also be responsible for the care and feeding of the farm animals and basic daily farm chores.

Adventure Tour
Participants will travel throughout Ecuador, exploring the Andes Mountains, tropical glaciers, the Amazon, the Pacific coast, scenic rivers, national parks, cloud forests and cultural attractions such as Ecuador's capital city of Quito and the world-famous Otavalo indigenous market. You will have the opportunity to participate on activities such as:

* Puenting jumping off a bridge for a 30-foot pendulum over a raging river
* Rock climbing in the Andes beginner through advanced climbs at a local crag
* Waterfall rappelling repel down a 90-foot waterfall!
* Whale watching and snorkeling off Isla de la Plata chase after Humpback whales on their southbound migration!
* Horseback riding through the cloud forest access remote trails at the base of Tungurahua Volcano
* Learning glacial travel techniques on the world's highest active volcano, the Cotopaxi
* Whitewater rafting the Pastaza River from the Cloud Forest to the Amazon Jungle basin
* Going shopping in Otavalo, Latin Americas' largest market
* Getting personalized surfing instruction in Montanita, Ecuador's surfers paradise
* Visiting an Amazon indigenous Quechua community

Highlights:
Key achievement example from last year:
Over 2,150 children and community members participated in our School Outreach Program

Galapagos and Machu Picchu Excursion
After your ISV Program, take on the once in a lifetime six-day adventure exploring the incredible Galapagos Islands. See the giant tortoises, and snorkel with the seals and iguanas as you explore the world's most unique ecosystem! Or if that isn't right for you, perhaps you'd like to spend an incredible week exploring the magical colonial city of Cuzco before we embark on a four-day trek through Incan ruins and visit the mystical ruined city of Machu Picchu.

Spanish lessons
Before your adventure begins, ISV also offers you a five-day course of Spanish lessons in the morning and dance classes in the afternoon. This is a great way to brush up on your language skills and you will even stay with a local family.

Why travel with ISV?
* Combine meaningful volunteer projects with exciting adventure travel
* ISV has support offices in every program country we operate in
* Trained staff to guide your project and tour
* Group travel you will make friends from across the globe and not be alone
* Educational learn a lot and possibly receive academic credit (if applicable)
* ISV is not a sending agent we run our own programs with our own trained staff to ensure you have the most amazing experience possible.

Qualifications: No qualifications are necessary; ISV will give you all the training you need. To maximize your experience it is preferable you can speak English fluently. You do not need to speak the language of your host country, as you will have bi-lingual project and tour leaders to guide your experience. Minimum age is 18 years old by the time of departure. This program is open to everyone, not just students.

Cost in US$: Program prices vary. Please visit our website.

The program cost also goes towards the equipment or building materials needed for your projects, your in-country support, your adventure activities, your amazing trained project and tour leaders, AND towards the ongoing sustainability and training of each project. We give you and our projects the support and structure many other volunteer organizations cannot, as we have an office in each country to look after your entire experience and develop lasting relationships with the communities in which we operate.

Cost does not include: passport costs, insurance, international flights, in-country domestic flights (if required), vaccinations, spending money, extra activities on tour (available through Optional Activity Package).

Credit Available: yes

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Despite our name, any person may volunteer with ISV as long as they are over 18 years old. The majority of our participants are 18 to 30 years old, but we welcome anyone who wishes to join us and make a difference. You do not need any special skills to volunteer with ISV. We just ask that you are willing to give back to your host country; you are willing to learn as much as you can about the people, environment and issues facing your host country, and are ready to make the best friends along your adventure of a lifetime.

Age Range: 18+

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Ecuador in Groups

Typically Participants Work in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Job and Internship Network

International Student Volunteers's Mission Statement: To create an environment that combines conservation, community development, education and recreation into the ultimate adventure travel program for anyone who desires to make a difference by volunteering in local communities abroad.

Year Founded: 1981