GUIDE ECUADOR & GALAPAGOS SUMMER 2019 28 DAYS
Ecuador is a spectacular sensory overload! Trek through volcanic landscapes, under the watch of the sky-scraping peaks of the Andes, to see the crystal blue volcanic crater lake Laguna Quilotoa. Learn about Ecuador s indigenous cultures first hand as you assist with project work helping to protect precious environments and traditions. Set off on jungle trails on the lookout for monkeys, sloths and toucans before heading to the Galapagos Islands for close-up encounters with tortoises, penguins, sea lions and iguanas. The purpose of this brief is to introduce your expedition opportunity. It will give you a feel for the destination and the type of activities that you will be involved in. We hope this brief snapshot will leave you feeling inspired and wanting more! HIGHLIGHTS Trek through volcanic landscapes Help preserve special environments and traditions on your project Enjoy a jungle adventure in the Amazon Discover the unique wildlife of the Galapagos Islands
WHERE ARE YOU GOING? ECUADOR & GALAPAGOS WHAT IT S LIKE... PHYSICAL RATING: Moderately challenging. CULTURE SHOCK: A definite difference to what you are used to. ALTITUDE: The team will trek for periods between 3500m and 4500m. VISA: Not required for British nationals. DESTINATION FACTS RELIGION/S: Catholic, indigenous. CULTURAL OR HISTORICAL INTEREST: Quito is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in recognition for having the best preserved historic centre in Latin America. LANGUAGES: Spanish. GEOGRAPHY: Varied. Lowlands in the west, Amazon rainforest in the east with the Andes running down the centre. CLIMATE: Dependent on geographical region and altitude. Year-round tropical climate in the Amazon and along the Pacific coast, with a dry temperate climate in the highlands.
WHAT IS AN? Expeditions are a life-changing experience, a chance for young people to go on a fun and educational journey with their friends. Most expedition destinations are in developing countries, allowing students to not only experience stunning parts of the world but also witness a very different way of life, often with the chance to immerse themselves in the culture through project work.
HOW IT WORKS... EXPEDITION TIMELINE 1 2 3 4 5 EXPEDITION LAUNCH ITINERARY DEVELOPMENT LEADER MEETING EXPEDITION TRAINING DEPARTURE DAY FUNDRAISING FUNDRAISING Our expeditions are made up of four main phases; acclimatisation, trekking, project and rest & relaxation. During the build-up we put students in the driving seat, allowing them to finalise their itinerary alongside our experts. Acclimatisation Trekking Project R&R Arrive in country and spend some time getting used to the new culture whilst planning your next phase and changing currency. You may take part in a trek doing either a cultural trek through villages or an attempt to summit a nearby mountain! Dedicate some time to helping on a project - either community or environmental based, often working with local people. Enjoy some R&R! This could involve a few days on a beautiful beach, reflecting on your expedition or an adrenaline adventure.
EXAMPLE ITINERARY The below itinerary has been created by our Expedition Planner as a guide. DAY 1 Travel from the UK to Ecuador. DAY 2-3 DAY 4-5 Quito is the perfect place to begin exploring this fascinating country. See the historic sites of Quito s Old Town and the dozens of museums, shops, cafes and restaurants. Visit the market town of Otavalo (2 hours) and explore the surrounding area. A trek around Laguna Cuicocha, or guinea pig lake, is a great way to acclimatise to the climate and altitude. DAY 6-10 DAY 11 DAY 12-15 DAY 16-18 Travel to Santo Domingo (5 hours) and get to work on a project with one of the remaining small communities of the Tsa chila. As well as your contribution to a development project you will have the opportunity to learn about what life is really like in a traditional Ecuadorian community. Travel back to Quito, then on to Latacunga (2 hours) ready to start your trek. You will journey through villages, forests and agricultural land high up in the Andes. Finishing at the stunning Laguna Quilotoa - a turquoise lake filling the caldera in the volcano. Travel to Tena (4 hours) in the Amazon basin and spend two nights in a jungle lodge in the Amazon Rainforest. Trek into the jungle and learn about this fragile environment as well as the cultures and traditions of the people who live here. DAY 19 DAY 20-25 DAY 26 DAY 27-28 Return to Quito and prepare for your flight to the world famous Galapagos Islands. Spend the next six days in the footsteps of Charles Darwin exploring the world famous Galapagos Islands. Get a close up view of the amazing creatures that inhabit the islands before returning to Quito. Soak up the culture of this city for the last time and enjoy a celebratory meal as a team to mark the end of a successful expedition. Depart Ecuador and fly back to the UK for your homecoming. Due to the changing nature of the world over the build up period, Outlook may be required to change aspects of, or the order of the itinerary. Outlook will consult with the Link Teacher/Group Leader and all participants if this is the case.
ADVENTURE At the Itinerary Development Day, with guidance from one of our destination experts, the team will be able to choose from options to finalise their itinerary. The choices may include the project they work and where they go for some rest and relaxation! Travel to Latacunga for an incredible trekking experience to the famous volcanic crater lake, Laguna Quilotoa. Trek high up into the Andes, travelling over meadows, across rivers and through eucalyptus trees to reach the lake. It is filled with beautiful turquoise water, coloured by natural volcanic minerals. Along the way you will be camping in this beautiful Andean environment, located close to Cotopaxi - the world s highest active volcano; offering spectacular views. Head to the jungle town of Tena and explore the mighty Amazon jungle. Cool off in the rivers and enjoy the local cuisine as you take in the largest and most species-rich tract of tropical rainforest in the world. Spend your nights in a jungle lodge run by local families, giving you a great insight into life in the Amazon. Spend six days exploring one of the world s greatest treasures - the Galapagos Islands! As Charles Darwin realised, the diverse creatures here represent a vision of the past, present and future. This isolated group of volcanic islands and its fragile ecosystem has taken on almost mythological status as a showcase of biodiversity. Yet you don t have to be an evolutionary biologist to appreciate one of the few places left on the planet where the human footprint is kept to a minimum. The islands are home to many endemic species, from giant tortoises and iguanas to sea lions and penguins. You will have plenty of time to spot these amazing creatures as you journey between the islands, camping out and falling asleep to the sounds of the ocean and wildlife.
PROJECT For your project you may choose to work with the Yanapuma Foundation in a Tsa chila community, near Santo Domingo. The Foundation aims to facilitate sustainable practices in poor urban areas and rural communities in Ecuador. The Tsa chila communities are working hard to preserve their rich culture in the face of modern life but there are only about 2,500 Tsa chila left. Most of the families in the communities earn their living through agriculture. The Yanapuma Foundation are working with these communities to increase the number of fruit trees on their farms, as well as reforesting local tree species. In the past, Outlook teams have assisted with construction work and planting trees in the cacao plantations. Groups also get a chance to be involved in cultural exchange activities. Spending time in a local community will give you a unique opportunity to get a true insight into their culture and way of life, as well as giving a little something back to this amazing country.
WHAT S INCLUDED? UK BUILD UP* Itinerary Development Session. Leader Meeting. Final Preparation Day. TRAINING Expedition Training event in the UK with your Expedition Leader. LINK TEACHER TRAINING Leader Team Training (first aid as required). LEADER TEAM COMPOSITION 2 Link Teachers and an Outlook Expedition Leader. FLIGHTS International flight. Internal flight. INSURANCE Comprehensive overseas insurance. TRANSPORT All overseas transport. IN DESTINATION All food and accommodation. All group activities including any entrance fees. WHAT S NOT INCLUDED? Spending money for gifts / souvenirs whilst on expedition. Inoculations, prophylaxis and personal medicine. (All participants based in England and Wales receive 10% discount at Nomad Travel). Visas and passports please refer to page 3 to see if a visa is required. Personal belongings insurance (this may be covered by your household / contents insurance). Loss of passport Cancellation insurance (but can be purchased separately). Personal equipment (e.g. rucksack, sleeping bag, waterproof clothing); all participants receive 15% discount at Cotswold Outdoor. Transport to and from UK-based training courses, to the Final Preparation Day venue and from the airport. Food and accommodation in the UK, unless specified.
HOW TO LAUNCH YOUR We hope you have decided that this is the expedition for your school or group. To launch all you need to do is follow these steps: CONTACT YOUR REGIONAL MANAGER Discuss convenient dates for us to come and run an assembly and information evening. Once these dates have been agreed you will be assigned an Expedition Manager. They will become your point of contact at Outlook from now until after your return from the expedition. PRESENTATION AT YOUR SCHOOL We will run an assembly presentation for your students and an information evening for students and parents at your school or venue. APPLY ONLINE Students will apply online to join the expedition and pay a deposit. phone 01248 667 250 email INFO@OUTLOOKEXPEDITIONS.COM online WWW.OUTLOOKEXPEDITIONS.COM