Amazon and Tribes - Ecuador, South America

From £1686 per person

Tour Code: SUP_LEAP_ Ecuador

Ecuador – tribes experience
This varied and diverse placement takes in two different locations and their traditional communities, enabling you to see the diversity this sensational country has to offer. You will travel from Quito in the Andes right down into the Amazon Basin and on to the Pacific coast for the ultimate South American experience.

The first phase is Chichico Rumi, set deep in the Amazon Rain forest this is a fascinating and stunning environment with its ancient trees and meandering rivers only accessible by canoe. Live among an indigenous family learning about their traditions and customs and helping the local community improve their standard of living by participating in developing various income-generating schemes. At the end of the day cool off with a refreshing dip in the River Napo, splashing around with the community’s energetic and playful children and help to run after school clubs to entertain and teach. In your spare time you can visit the Orient’s spectacular waterfalls, trek through un-spoilt rainforest and experience the thrill of white water rafting on Amazonian rapids.
Then we take you down to the village of Bua near the Pacific Coast, home to one of the last remaining Tsachila communities of Ecuador. You will experience their fascinating culture, learn about the practice of Shamanism and help to protect their fast disappearing way of life. The ecological toilets you build for the community will vastly reduce the impact these people have on their jungle environment and will make drastic improvements to health and hygiene. Situated under two hours from the sea, this is a great spot to explore the areas' stunning coastline and islands similar to the Galapagos, often visited by whales and dolphins between June and October. Surf Ecuador’s best breaks and experience the famously laid back ‘hammock-culture’ of the coast whilst helping to make a real difference to local lives through community led projects.

leap 1: eco-lodge
Chichico Rumi – Amazon Rainforest
• Development of an Ethnographic Museum
• Construction and maintenance of traditional style buildings for use as an eco-lodge
• Teaching guides English
Bua – Pacific Coast
• Working on Museum – exhibits and translations

leap 2: community
Chichicorumi – Amazon Rainforest
• Teaching English to school children
• Construction of traditional dwellings
Bua – Pacific Coast
• Educate local people about health and hygiene and the value of using ecological toilets

leap 3: conservation
Chichicorumi – Rainforest
• Helping develop and maintain the Botanical Gardens
• Develop a system for dealing with litter
• Trail construction and maintenance
Bua– Pacific Coast
• Construction of revolutionary new ecological toilets and washing facilities to minimize the community’s environmental impact and improve health

Adventure
Chichicorumi:
Kayaking and swimming on the Napo river, white-water rafting, kayaking, caving, or jungle tours.

Bua:
Visit Isla de la Plata and Los Frailes beach in the reserve, try snorkelling, horseback or hiking and camping trips, explore the Galapagos Islands and Pacific Coastline during independent travel, or choose to travel inland and trek Ecuador’s world famous volcanoes, relax in natural hot springs and shop in some of the best indigenous craft markets South America has to offer.

Project Management
The friendly and professional team from Yanapuma in tandem with the UK team, will ensure you are extremely well looked after.

Outline Itinerary
This is an ideal programme to suit those school leavers who do not want to take a full gap year or undergraduates wanting something exciting to do in their holidays. You will spend 3 weeks approximately in each location. Weekends free to travel. Return in time for ‘A’ level results.

Includes:
Selection and briefing on all aspects of the scheme.
24-hour emergency back-up, management and support by UK team and in-country Placement Manager and English speaking guide, with reliable communications and infrastructure.
Safety and induction course on arrival.
Airport pick up and transfer to and from the placement.
Food and accommodation throughout.
Donation to the project communities – currently £80 and you can choose how this is spent.

Not included:
International flights, internal flights (if applicable), Ecuador visas (not required for 90 days), travel insurance, medical expenses (reclaimable through travel insurance), soft drinks/beer etc. Volunteers will be responsible for any independent/weekend travel expenses e.g. food and accommodation whilst away from the placement location and any excursions not listed above. We are happy to arrange flights through Key Travel, who are well known for offering good value.

Wildlife:
Hummingbirds, many species of monkeys, caymans and exotic birds and mammals.

Weather:
Chichicorumi: Rainforest, it will be hot and humid; expect rain in the rainy season normally a couple of hours in the afternoon. Bua: Forest, normally hot and fairly humid, rains from time to time.

Group Size and Age:
Maximum of 12 volunteers per departure. Please note this programme has a minimum group size of 2 volunteers. The programme cannot run with less than this. Three months prior to departure, if the group size is less than, or drops below this figure, volunteers will be offered an alternative placement on a similar placement, depending on availability and preference. Anyone over 18 can apply.

Accommodation and Meals:
Chichicorumi: The volunteers’ cabaña is a very basic thatched hut with traditional bamboo beds, or the option of a hammock. They have electricity and a plumbed toilet. Food is simple and will consist of rice, plantain, potatoes, soups and occasionally meat or fish. Fresh fruit and drinking water is provided. Bua: Variety of accommodation – traditional wooden and cane buildings with thatched roof and open sides, with beds. Food: breakfast will be boiled rice and plantain, etc. Lunch – boiled/fried rice, eggs, plantain, vegetables. Occasionally chicken. Dinner – same as lunch.

Click here to visit the Ecuador page at The Leap