Ecuador – Amazon Wildlife Expedition for Teenagers

Join our expedition with a group of international volunteers aged 15-17 for a two-week learning adventure blending wildlife projects with cultural and recreational activities. This program, designed for 6 to 18 participants, offers a diverse itinerary, including exploring Quito, engaging in wildlife conservation at an Amazonian animal refuge, salsa lessons, mountain biking, canopy tours, visits to Baños and Quilotoa, and a thrilling cycling expedition to Cotopaxi.

 

Program Highlights:

  • Join a meaningful program designed for teens aged 15-17 years.
  • Work hands-on with various animals under the professional care of the center.
  • Learn about the methods used to rehabilitate different species of animals.
  • Contribute to wildlife conservation in the Amazonian animal refuge.
  • Explore Quito’s rich cultural heritage.
  • Learn salsa dance in Baños.
  • Enjoy a Canopy Tour and VTT excursion, visit Baños and Quilotoa, embark on a cycling adventure to Cotopaxi, and explore the serenity of the Amazon Rainforest.

 

Your Schedule at a Glance (two week commitment): 

Day 1-2: Quito Arrival and Exploration – Arrive in Quito and transfer to your hostel accommodation. Since participants will be arriving at different times throughout the day, no group activities are planned for the first day. This day is reserved for you to settle in and relax after your journey. The hostel is centrally located, with a restaurant, and the team’s dedicated guide will be on hand to answer any questions you may have. On the following day, take part in a treasure hunt that will lead you through the colonial architecture, churches, and historical sites that showcase the charm of Ecuador’s capital.

Day 3-8: Amazonian Animal Refuge – You will transfer by private shuttle to the Amazonian animal refuge near Puyo. For the next five days, immerse yourself in meaningful wildlife projects, taking part in activities such as feeding animals, maintaining enclosures, and contributing to habitat improvement.

Day 9-11: Baños Cultural Experience – Transition from the refuge to Baños. On day 9, join a salsa lesson in the afternoon. Day 10 brings both a morning Canopy Tour and an afternoon biking excursion. Day 11 includes a treasure hunt adventure in Baños and more canopy tours, providing opportunities for group exploration or relaxation.

Day 12-13: Quilotoa and Cotopaxi Adventure – Depart Baños for Quilotoa, exploring the captivating crater lake. On day 13, embark on a cycling adventure through Cotopaxi. Ascend to the refuge Jose Rivas and descend the volcano by bike, concluding the journey at the breathtaking Limpiopungo lagoon.

Day 14: Departure – Bid farewell to Ecuador with a private transfer to Quito’s airport, marking the end of your 14-day adventure filled with wildlife conservation, cultural exploration, and thrilling excursions.

 

 

Location icon Location of the Project: Quito, Baños and Puyo, Ecuador

Project length Project length: 2 weeks

Arrival Airport Arrival Airport: Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO) in Quito

Volunteer Work Volunteer Work:Wildlife conservation and refuge support

Age Age: Teenagers aged 15 – 17

Number of Volunteers  Number of Volunteers: Minimum of 6 participants, maximum of 18 participants

 

What’s Included

Accommodations Accommodations: Comfortable single-gender dormitory rooms

Food Food: Most meals are provided with few exceptions on tour days when lunch is arranged and paid for locally at restaurants. Detailed itinerary to provide specifics upon confirmation.

Airport Transfers Airport Transfers: Round trip airport transfers are included on the arrival day and departure day.

Orientation Orientation:All necessary training and introductions are provided upon arrival.

Support Support: Teen groups have designated support staff to support and chaperone their itinerary, comprehensive and professional pre-departure travel guidance, 24/7 GoEco emergency hotline, experienced local field team.

 

What’s not Included

  • Flights
  • Visas (if required)
  • Travel health insurance
  • Personal expenses

Immerse yourself in the captivating landscapes of Ecuador as you traverse the vibrant streets of Quito, where history and modernity seamlessly blend, offering a rich cultural experience. Delve into the heart of the Amazonian animal refuge, where you’ll have the unique opportunity to work hands-on with various animals under the professional care of the center. Your involvement in wildlife conservation in this refuge will not only broaden your understanding of different species but also allow you to contribute meaningfully to their rehabilitation.

Dance enthusiasts will find joy in the rhythmic beats of Baños, where you can learn salsa dance and feel the vibrant energy of this lively town. Explore the picturesque wonders of Quilotoa, with its stunning crater lake, and Cotopaxi, a majestic volcano that invites you to experience a thrilling cycling adventure through its breathtaking surroundings. These excursions promise not only physical activity but also a deep connection with the natural beauty that Ecuador has to offer. As you traverse these diverse landscapes, you’ll find yourself surrounded by the serenity of the Amazon Rainforest, a truly immersive experience that allows you to appreciate the unparalleled biodiversity of this unique ecosystem. Each destination contributes a distinct flavor to your journey, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

They established this center in 2006 to help rescue and rehabilitate wildlife from the Amazon jungle. Most of the animals at the center have arrived after being injured, mistreated or abandoned. Some animals lost their parents due to hunters, leaving them as orphans, while they saved others from being smuggled out of the country.

The rescue shelter is a genuine haven. It features several sections for the animals, particularly Monkey Island, which is accessible only by a pedestrian bridge. We urgently needed loving volunteers to take care of these animals daily.

As a volunteer, you will assist in the daily care of the rescued animals at the shelter. Day-to-day tasks include cutting fruit and preparing other food for the animals, feeding the animals and taking part in maintenance tasks around the shelter. This may include the building, repairing and cleaning of enclosures and general cleaning.

 

Some of your tasks may include:

  • Cutting up food for the animals
  • General maintenance and cleaning around the shelter
  • Construction of enclosures, repairing older enclosures
  • Assisting the veterinarian when needed
  • Assisting visitors
  • Day-to-day care of animals

 

A typical day: Volunteers will work from 8:00 AM- 12:00 PM and then from 2:30-5:00 PM, Monday to Friday. On either Saturday or Sunday, volunteers will work a few hours in the morning and once tasks are completed, will have the rest of the weekend free.

Internet icon Internet: Wi-Fi is available in the common areas of the wildlife center and in the hostels in Quito and Baños.

Laundry icon Laundry: While at the project, laundry facilities are available in the town of Puyo, 15 minutes away for a fee.

Accommodations icon Accommodations: Volunteers will stay in shared cabins with bunk beds in same-gender rooms, with up to five other volunteers. The cabins are very simple and rustic, with the shared bathroom facilities in a separate shelter next door.

Food icon Food: Participants will enjoy three meals a day while volunteering at the animal center, offering a variety of authentic Ecuadorian dishes mixed with a western style foods to accommodate an international group.

  • Parental consent is required
  • Basic level of English
  • Decent fitness level
  • GoEco interview after application
  • Yellow fever may be required to enter if you’re travelling from other South American countries
  • Other vaccinations as advised by your doctor for travel to Ecuador
  • Adaptability to challenging conditions and diverse cultures

Enjoy this journey filled with cultural exploration and natural wonders. Discover the colonial charm of Quito, engage in wildlife conservation in the Amazon, dance to the rhythm of salsa in Baños, and experience the thrill of outdoor activities in Quilotoa and Cotopaxi.

 

Volunteer Experiences

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