Ecuador Itinerary

Saturday, April 3
Arrive Quito. Airport pick up / meet and transfer to host family.

Sunday, April 4
Host families bring the student to the school
After an early departure, we will head south to Bellavista Cloud Forest for breakfast; guided hike to explore the uniqueness and biodiversity of the Cloud Forest.
Lunch in the Cloud Forest followed by afternoon trail exploration or horseback ride.
Return to Quito and host families for supper

Monday, April 5
Breakfast with host family
Host families bring the students to the school
Placement test, orientation session about the program and survival Spanish lessons at Academia-University
Lunch at Academia-University
City tour of Quito. Learn how to use the public transportation system and walking tour around the center of Quito. Independence square, with the Presidential Palace and the Cathedral. Visit the church and monastery of San Agustin (1580) and San Francisco (1535) with its breathtaking gilded altars, considered the finest example of baroque art in America.
Return to host families for supper

Tuesday, April 6
Service learning with school children in Quito
Lunch at Academia-University
Survival Spanish Lessons
Return to host families for supper

Wednesday, April 7
Service learning with school children in Quito
Lunch at Academia-University
Survival Spanish Lessons
Jacchigua Folkloric ballet. (Jacchigua, quichua term means «the infinite joy of the harvest). It gathers the richness of our popular culture, showing the world the ancestral traditions and customs of Ecuador. Ninety dancers, musicians to show the past and present splendor of the people of Ecuador.

Thursday, April 8
Service learning with school children in Quito
Lunch at Academia-University
Visit to monument at Mitad del Mundo. We will start at the northern part of the city heading up to the “Middle of the World City”, where the monument that divides the Northern Hemisphere from the Southern Hemisphere will be visited. It was built during the XVII century when a French Expedition defined the precise location of the equatorial line. A fabulous Ethnographic Museum will also be visited in order to understand the great diversity of cultures and indigenous groups in Ecuador. Just 30 minutes north of Quito is the monument that celebrates the measurement of the earth, just as important the Equator line determined the naming of the country of Ecuador that could of also had the name of Reino de Quito. (Kingdom of Quito) See how water spins, how you can stand an egg on a nail, learn how you can lose pounds in seconds all at Latitude 0.

Friday, April 9
Orientation about educational system in Ecuador/South America
Orientation about school visits
Group meetings with ASU instructors
Lunch and departure for or weekend trip to the Imbabura province
Visit to flower/rose plantation facility and the floral export business
Dinner and overnight at hotel in Imbabura province

Saturday, April 10
After breakfast, departure to Otavalo Indian Market. All over the Andean highlands, scattered in the valleys and mountains, you will find numerous markets displaying everything from wool textiles, native fruits and fresh vegetables to jewelry, ceramics, baskets, wood carving, native paintings, embroidery, tools and even animals! The market in Otavalo is one of the most well-known markets in the country. It is a rich cultural site where locals meet with their friends and relatives to catch up on news and practice the ancient art of bargaining. It will capture your senses making you feel as if you've stepped back in time.
Lunch at the indigenous home of Antonio Quinotoa
Small hike to visit the sacred waterfall of Peguche
Visit San Antonio de Ibarra (woodcarving)
Enjoy the countryside of the Imbabura province. Dinner at a private hacienda in Urcuqui. Overnight at hotel.

Sunday, April 11
Breakfast at hotel
Visit and hike around the lake & volcano of Cuicocha.
Visit the town of Cotacachi, world renowned for the quality of leather goods.
Lunch in San Pablo lake (we will enjoy the best view of the lake and Imbabura volcano in Puerto Lago restaurant)
Return to Quito

Monday, April 12
School Visit
Lunch and Shopping time on your own
Dance lesson at Academia (salsa & merengue)

Tuesday, April 13
School Visit
Lunch at Academia
Depart from Academia Latinoamericana for trip to Pichincha volcano (active volcano right next to the city of Quito with 4,800 meters – 15,360 feet). You will visit this place taking the brand new cable car and will enjoy one of the most wonderful panoramic view of the city of Quito, the sorrounding valleys and up to 6 volcanoes (Cotopaxi, Cayambe, Antisana, Rumiñahui, Cotacachi and Pichincha itself), getting the name by Alexander Von Humbolt in 1802 as the Avenue of the volcanoes. (don’t forget to bring a jacket and your camera)
Return to host families for dinner and packing

Wednesday, April 14
Transfer from host families to Quito´s International airport.
Return to USA