What are the age requirements for Ecuador & the Amazon: Biodiversity & Indigenous Communities?

Ecuador & the Amazon: Biodiversity & Indigenous Communities is open to participants aged 16 to 18.

Is housing provided for Ecuador & the Amazon: Biodiversity & Indigenous Communities?

Yes, the program includes housing. Participants stay in hotels, lodges, or with a host family.

Community Choice Award Winner

High School

Ecuador & the Amazon: Biodiversity & Indigenous Communities

Q: How long is Ecuador & the Amazon: Biodiversity & Indigenous Communities?

The program runs for 2-4 weeks.

Q: What's included in Ecuador & the Amazon: Biodiversity & Indigenous Communities' fee?

The program fee includes accommodation, activities, airport transfers, meals, and transportation.

Hosted by

Global Routes

5 (8 reviews)

Good for

Groups

Students

Ecuador & the Amazon: Biodiversity & Indigenous Communities

Global Routes

5 · 8 reviews

Community Choice Award Winner

Location

Ecuador
- Quito

Length

2 - 4 weeks

Program Categories

Need-based funding, General grants/scholarships, Payment plans

Health & Safety

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Program Details

Program Type

Provider

Housing

Host Family Hotel Lodge

Language

Spanish

Age Min.

Age Max

Pricing

$6,995

Price Details

2026: June 27-July 18

International airfare is not included in tuition. In general, roundtrip airfare (from New York, for example) can run from $800 – $1,300.

What's Included

Accommodation Activities Airport Transfers Meals Transportation

What's Not Included

Airfare Travel Insurance Visa

Last Reviewed: Aug 16, 2023

Wish List

9 travelers are looking at this program

Frequently asked questions

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About Program

Contained within the borders of one small country are the headwaters of the Amazon and the snow-capped volcanoes of the Andes is the beautiful country of Ecuador. One of the most biodiverse countries in the world, Ecuador's remarkable variety of habitats is as rich culturally as biologically.

Experience Otavalo, an Andean mountain village famous for its volcanic crater lake and artisan markets. Become an integral part of your rural Ecuadorian home, harvesting fresh bananas and cacao or playing soccer with your siblings. Improve your Spanish as you work side by side with locals on the construction of a school or participate in another community-led volunteer project.

2026: June 27-July 18

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Program Highlights

Our Model: Our hallmark model includes meaningful community service, cross-cultural exchange, and living and volunteering in rural homestay communities.
Community Service: Students receive a certificate for 50 to 80 community service hours.
Learning Goals: Spanish, construction, leadership, outdoor skills
Group Size: 9-18 students; 2 U.S. leaders; 2 Ecuadorian Staff

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Diversity & Inclusion 💙

BIPOC Support

We recognize that we are a long way from the diversity we aim for within our students, staff, and partners. We want and need more diversity to truly become the organization we would like to be. We recognize that this will not happen overnight or without dedicating time, attention, and resources. To that end, we have created a strategic plan to address our current shortfalls and to make significant improvements, which you can see on our Diversity & Inclusion page.

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Neurodivergent Support

At Carpe Diem, each applicant reads through our extensive Essential Eligibility Criteria prior to enrollment. This criteria allows applicants to determine if the organization is an appropriate fit for their gap semester/year goals and their individual needs. During the interview and application process, we have honest and direct conversations with students and families about the support that our staff is able to provide throughout the program experience. We are committed to creating a culture of acceptance and support. To that end, our Overseas Educators and local leaders are selected for their skill in group facilitation and promoting inclusive group dynamics.

Accessibility Support

At Carpe Diem, each applicant reads through our extensive Essential Eligibility Criteria prior to enrollment. This criteria allows applicants to determine if the organization is an appropriate fit for their gap semester/year goals and their individual needs. We have honest and open conversations with applicants about our ability to support individual needs on each program, with the ultimate goal of a healthy and successful experience for all students. In the past, we have worked with students with severe allergies, diabetes, chronic injuries, and mental health diagnoses. We know each student's journey is individual and we work with families to support these individual needs where possible to help determine if the program is a good fit for their gap semester goals.

Impact 🌎

Sustainability

Global Routes - and our sister organization, Carpe Diem Education - is committed to maximizing the net positive impact while minimizing the carbon footprint of every program. In our office, on our programs, and through our carbon offset match, our programs are geared toward environmental education to empower future leaders to move their communities to take action. During our programs, students learn more about their impact as individuals and a travel community - then take a solution-oriented lens to tackling key issues. We also contribute to and amplify the voices of organizations and partners who focus on permaculture, natural building, and sustainable solutions.

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Ethical Impact

Global Routes - and our sister organization, Carpe Diem Education - is designed to connect to our local communities and provide reciprocal exchange and engagement. Through engaging in experiential education, community engagement, and intercultural exchange, our students develop enhanced perspectives, deeper cultural understanding, and a profound sense of self-discovery and personal growth. We work with vetted local providers to build their businesses as they provide value to our students and programming. With our homestay families, we ensure we minimize our footprint by regularly rotating the communities we work with and evaluating our social impact alongside their community leaders.

Related Programs

Program Reviews

5.00 Rating

based on 8 reviews

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Rating Spread High School

5 rating 100%
4 rating 0%
3 rating 0%
2 rating 0%
1 rating 0%

Growth 4.9
Support 4.9
Fun 5
Housing 4.75
Safety 4.75

Good for Groups, Students

Showing 1 - 8 of 8 reviews

Global Routes Ecuador was the most impactful month of my life! I got a chance to learn about the history and culture of the Indigenous community in Ecuador and I was even in Homestay in the gorgeous house of the sweetest Indigenous woman. Throughout my trip, I was swimming in waterfalls, hiking the most beautiful mountains and having the most fun with my travel group. We would spend hours playing card games, singing songs and going on walks in town. I loved every moment I spent in Ecuador and I would do it all again in a heart beat!

Pros

All the kindhearted locals!
All the water activities!
The fantastic views!

I didn’t think I could have so much fun with a group of people I had just meet. Global Routes is an amazing program, I definitely see myself back in another country with them. My time with the group <3, the food, and just the overall experience was perfect! Somethings I did while in Ecuador with Global Routes include Hiking, Sightseeing, Community Service, Cultural Immersion, Camping, and in general just having fun everywhere we went! If you’re reading this review and thinking about going on a Global Routes Program… DO IT! It’s an unforgettable experience which no one can take from you <3

Pros

Gain Leadership Skills
Meet great new people/ Network
Have so much fun!

Community Activities with the people of Pucarà, a town in the Intag Valley.

We got to immersed ourselves in the culture in various ways, bond with the locals and our host families all while having the opportunity to the exquisite views. The culture of the locals took my breath away, their dress and jewelry added to uniqueness.
We learnt about textile threading, music and instruments. This was the most fun part because we had the opportunity to share the dance with out colleagues and locals. It was amazing.
Then we were involved in tubbing and it was by far the best experience, using rubber tunes and gliding through the rapids. It was indeed an adventure.

Pros

Amazing foods
Site seeing
History

What other participants should know

Bugs

Global Routes was such a life-changing experience. It changed my perspective on the way I see the world and the people in it -- I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything! Traveling with Global Routes gave me an opportunity to learn and grow, while feeling 100% safe and supported. My Ecuador & Galapagos trip has not only spurred my love of travel, culture, and adventure but has gifted me with some of my dearest, lifelong friends. Global Routes is the way to go!

What would you improve about this program?

Encourage Global Routes Alumni to stay involved with the program!

My Global Routes trip to Ecuador had a very big impact on me. Not only did the trip help me improve my Spanish and provide a great cultural exchange & community service experience, but it also gave me more confidence and independence. I went on the program the summer before I went to college, and the confidence I gained on my Global Routes trip helped me a lot during that transition. Part of the reason why my trip was so successful was that my leaders were awesome. They were fun, supportive, and led great group discussions and activities. I still think back to my trip with fond memories-- it was a very positive and formative experience. I would absolutely recommend the program!

I would definitely recommend Global Routes to anyone looking to go abroad for the summer. Before I went, I looked into a TON of programs, and decided that Global Routes was the best option, and I'm happy to say that it exceeded my expectations. My homestay family was kind, warm, welcoming, and accommodating, my leaders were fantastic, and the places we visited were amazing. The program enabled me to have an authentic experience while feeling very safe and supported. I have wanted to go back to Ecuador since the day I got home. Global Routes definitely knows what they are doing!

I had the time of my life in Ecuador. I talk about my trip every single day and think about it constantly. I still see my friends that I made there and they are some of my closest friends. It was life changing and I will never forget the experience I had during my four weeks. I wish I could go back every day.

I would totally recommend Global Routes to a friend because the experience abroad is life changing. I am so glad that I made the bold move to go to Ecuador. I experienced things that I have never experienced before and probably will not experience them again, such as eating guinea pig and teaching english in the local school. Our days started off in the field, where we constructed bleachers and a bathroom at the communal soccer field. Some of us would then help at the school or help out at home, allowing us all to have different experiences. This trip to Ecuador honestly changed the way I view the world, and I am very thankful for that.

Community Questions

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

What position do you hold at Global Routes? What has been your career path so far?

Allison Sever, Global Routes Admissions Coordinator

Alison: I am the admissions coordinator for Global Routes. I have led programs abroad in Latin America with Global Routes and Putney Student Travel, and domestically I have led service-adventure and wilderness programs on the East Coast with the University of Vermont.

I take pride in diversifying my career path to date and over the years I have landscaped, worked for a traveling crepe company at festivals and fairs, taught yoga to kids, and worked in fine dining.

Some life experiences outside of work that have contributed to my trajectory so far have been taking a gap year, studying abroad for a year in South America, working as an au pair in Europe, and participating on a Global Routes gap year program.

Did you volunteer abroad? If so, where and what inspired you to go?

Alison: My most significant volunteer experience was with Global Routes on a gap program, when I lived with a host family in Northern Tanzania and taught at the local high school. To this day, I say proudly that it was the single most formative experience of my life. Each day was filled with challenge, growth, and joy.

I was motivated to explore Global Routes’ programs because I was committed to taking a year away from school to learn about myself and work alongside those with whom I might not otherwise exchange living in suburban Massachusetts. I had no idea when I was applying for that program what a tremendous personal journey I was about to begin!

What is your favorite aspect of Global Routes' programs?

Alison: I love the intimacy of the Global Routes work environment; the size of our office and leader staff and the length of our leader orientation allows for us all to get to know one another very well. They are all inspiring and intrepid folks from such a wide background of experience and I’m so thankful to have had the opportunity to get to know everyone personally as well as professionally. We all learn from one another at Global Routes!

Another aspect I appreciate is how Global Routes takes extra steps in communicating with students pre- and post- program to make sure that all questions are answered and all needs are met. To me, this is a clear demonstration of Global Routes’ commitment to offer higher and higher quality programs year after year.

What's the best story you've heard of a volunteer's experience with Global Routes?

Alison: I have to share my personal story here, because it is a big part of me, and something I may have never found if not for my Global Routes program.

I maintain a relationship with one of my Tanzanian students from my Global Routes gap program, and we continue to be in touch on a regular basis. His name is Herman and he is one of the most charismatic, driven, and humble people I have ever met. Herman came to the U.S. in 2010 to attend summer camp on a full scholarship.

That summer, he learned to swim, hopped on a mountain bike, made friends from all over the world, and even rode a jetski. Now he’s back in Tanzania finishing up his secondary education and has dreams of being an American-educated electric engineer one day.

Though the future is unclear for both of us, so many people have been connected through this exchange, and he has a special place in the hearts of many. I’m so grateful for this friendship and authentic intercultural exchange that may have never came into my life if I didn’t make the decision to go to Tanzania with Global Routes.

Any tips for someone considering their first volunteer trip abroad?

Alison: Exchange is a great gift that bears many fruits, including invaluable perspective expansion, lessons from yourself about yourself, and some of the most unique friendships of your life, if not some of the greatest!

You can grow so much when you push yourself to thrive in a more challenging setting. Life is short; let yourself live it to the fullest!

About Global Routes

Be more than a tourist with Global Routes. Global Routes seeks to foster personal development in our students through cross-cultural experiences that encourage them to step outside of their boundaries and open their hearts and minds to new and diverse people, cultures and ideas. Service to the global community, cultural immersion and adventure...

Ecuador & the Amazon: Biodiversity & Indigenous Communities