Itinerary
Saturday, July 10
Arrive Quito. Airport pick up / meet tour leader and transfer to host families in Quito
Sunday, July 11
8:00 After breakfast two hour ride north west of Quito and visit the Cloud Forest reserve. Admire the multitude of hummingbirds visiting the feeders a flurry of activity. Start our first trek into the cloud forest.
13:30 Lunch
17:00 Return to Quito and meet and supper with host families
Monday, July 12
8:00 Breakfast with host family
9:00 Host families bring the students to the school
9:30 Placement test (Oral proficiency interview and grammar test)
11:00 Orientation session
13:15 Lunch at Equatorialis University
14:30 City tour of Quito. Learn how to use the public transportation system in Quito with the Ecovia 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.
18:00 Return to host families for supper
Tuesday, July 13
7:30 Breakfast with host family
8:30 to 10:30 Spanish lessons
10:30 to 11:00 Pause
11:00 to 13:00 Spanish lessons
13:15 Lunch at Equatorialis University
14:00 Afternoon visit to monument at Mitad del Mundo (Equator). 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. 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. 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)
18:00 Return to host families for supper
Wednesday, July 14
8:30 to 10:30 Spanish lessons
10:30 to 11:00 Pause
11:00 to 13:00 Spanish lessons
13:00 Lunch at Equatorialis University
18:30 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, July 15
8:30 to 10:30 Spanish lessons
10:30 to 11:00 Pause
11:00 to 13:00 Spanish lessons
13:00 Lunch at Equatorialis University
15:00 Dance classes at Academia (salsa & merengue)
Friday, July 16
8:30 to 10:30 Spanish lessons
10:30 to 11:00 Pause
11:00 to 13:00 Spanish lessons
13:00 Lunch at Equatorialis University
14:00 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 your camera)
Saturday, July 17
7:30 Early wake up and after breakfast, visit 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.
14:00 Lunch at the indigenous home of Antonio Quinotoa and have the opportunity to try "cuy" (Guinea pig)
16:00 Small hike to visit the sacred waterfall of Peguche
16:30 Visit San Antonio de Ibarra (woodcarving)
18:30 Enjoy the countryside of the Imbabura province. Dinner at a private Hacienda in Urcuqui. Overnight at hotel in Imbabura province.
Sunday, July 18
8:30 Breakfast
9:00 Visit and hike around the lake & volcano of Cuicocha.
11:30 Visit the town of Cotacachi, world renowned for the quality of leather goods.
13:30 Lunch in San Pablo lake (we will enjoy the best view of the lake and Imbabura volcano in Puerto Lago restaurant)
17:30 Overnight with host families
Monday, July 19
8:30 to 10:30 Spanish lessons
11:00 Industry speaker
13:00 Lunch at Equatorialis University
Free afternoon
Tuesday, July 20
8:30 to 10:30 Spanish lessons
11:00 Lecture: Economics of Ecuador
13:00 Lunch at Equatorialis University
Free afternoon
Wednesday, July 21
8:30 to 10:30 Spanish lessons
11:00 Factory tour
13:00 Lunch at Equatorialis University
Free afternoon
Thursday, July 22
8:30 to 10:30 Spanish lessons
11:00 Visit to US Embassy
13:00 Lunch at Equatorialis University
Free afternoon
Friday, July 23
8:30 to 10:30 Spanish lessons
11:00 Factory tour
13:00 Lunch at Equatorialis University
Free afternoon
Saturday, July 24
7:30 After an early departure, we will head south to Cotopaxi National Park, home of the highest active volcano on earth! You can explore the Andean moorlands with highland birds, or hike up to the snow line and rest at the shelter. (4.800 meters above see level).
12:30 Lunch at the beautiful hacienda "El Porvenir" in the middle of the four volcanos
14:00 Horse back riding dressing like a "chagra or Andean cowboy" with poncho blankets, scarf, hat and leather zamarros.... great fun with easy adventure or hike around the waterfalls in the Pasochoa biological reserve.
19:00 Return to Quito
Sunday, July 25
Free day in Quito
Monday, July 26
Free day
Tuesday, July 27
Free day
Wednesday, July 28
Student presentations of their work
Thursday, July 29
Transfer from host families to Quito airport. Return to USA
