Trip Description

Experience the best of Ecuador — spectacular Andes Mountains, rich Incan culture, gracious people and historic colonial towns — on an unforgettable 30-day journey that immerses you in the lifestyles and language of this extraordinary country. The Sierra of Ecuador is one of the world’s best places to learn Spanish, as its friendly inhabitants speak slowly and clearly with a light accent. As our adventure unfolds, you’ll improve your Spanish skills through cultural interaction, service work, formal language instruction and exploration. Trek a challenging section of the ancient Inca Trail, do community service work in spectacular cloud forest, home stay with an Ecuadorian family and take workshops on crafts, dancing, cooking and music. You’ll find there is no better way to learn a language than to be surrounded by native speakers, and no better way to discover a culture than to live and work amongst its people. Prepare for an amazing expedition!

• Itinerary & Country Map

• Day 1–8
  After arriving in Quito and spending a day exploring and making last minute preparations for the hike, we travel south to a Quechua weaving community for our first glimpse into Ecuador’s diverse culture. Practice weaving with locals, listen to musicians play Andean music and learn about the ancient indigenous traditions still practiced in this close-knit community. Then embark on a challenging, high Andes adventure… Trek the ancient Inca Trail across the rugged Andean corridor from Achupallas to the famous ruins of Ingapirca, a mountainous passage through an unspoiled landscape with magnificent views. Our nights are spent camping under star-filled skies so remote and near the equator, the constellations of both hemispheres greet us each evening. Backpacking up to 15,000 feet pushes our limits, but we complete our journey proudly as a team with invaluable new leadership skills.

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  Day 9–14
  We settle in at a charming hacienda nestled in a tiny Andean village and divide into small groups for Spanish lessons with our Ecuadorian profesores. After embarking on conversations about culture, history, politics and the environment, we try a salsa lesson and a cooking class. We soon discover this is not like Spanish class at school! The skills learned one day will be used the next, as we travel and have conversations with locals. Discussions with a local potter and hat maker give us the chance to practice our Spanish and the unique opportunity to step into the everyday life of Ecuadorians. Their warm, gracious manner makes us feel at home.

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  Day 15–20
  Off to Cuenca, a picturesque colonial city in southern Ecuador that will charm you with its cobblestone streets, towering cathedrals and whitewashed buildings. Continuing our formal instruction, we live with local families here to maximize the experience. Learn the true Ecuadorian ways of life while continually honing your communication skills. Most participants have never had a “real” conversation in Spanish. Your understanding of the language after years of study in school does not compare to your proficiency after living in a community that speaks only Spanish. A little apprehensive? Don’t be. After two weeks on Immersion Ecuador, you’re ready to take on the challenge.

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  Day 21–26
  Giving back… Work with the Maquipucuna Ecological Reserve on a project that will prove to be perhaps the most fulfilling part of your Academic Treks experience. Travel north to the beautiful region of Maquipucuna, situated in pristine cloud forest, rich in both flora and fauna. Work alongside local volunteers and conservationists, helping with organic gardening projects, trail maintenance, local cottage industry efforts and educating local youth about conservation and sustainable development practices. Though we have been immersed in the culture and language of Ecuador for several weeks now, this experience is an eye-opener. Here we are welcomed as volunteers, not as tourists or visitors, and villagers share their beliefs and ways of life with us as we gain insights into each other’s lives. At the end of our stay, we part as friends.

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  Day 27–30
  Our final adventure gives us time to reflect. We head to El Porvenir, a tiny, restored farmhouse nestled in the middle of Cotopaxi National Park. Explore the snow capped peaks of the world’s highest active volcano by foot and on horseback, providing the perfect opportunity to contemplate the places, people and lifestyles encountered throughout our journey. Traveling through the heart of South America, developing close relationships with Ecuadorians and learning about their rich culture teaches us as much about ourselves as it does about Ecuador. Our experiences here and the challenges overcome have changed the way we see ourselves and the world around us.

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