 The Standard ISV Ecuador Program is four weeks in length and consists of a two-week Volunteer Project and a two-week Adventure Tour within Ecuador.
Participants traveling to Ecuador may also choose a Customized ISV Program and select an additional Volunteer Project within Ecuador, extending their Program to a total of six weeks.
The Customized ISV Program also gives participants the option to travel to a second or third country for additional volunteer work projects and/or Adventure Tours as outlined in the Customized Program Options under "Terms and Conditions". Please click on the Terms and Conditions link on this website for specific dates, costs and policies
Programs run between May 15 and Sept 19, 2008
*** Spanish lessons: ISV is pleased to provide participants with a wonderful opportunity to extend and enhance their experience in Ecuador with Spanish language and Latin dance lessons while living with a local host family prior to the beginning of their ISV program (please see "optional Spanish lesson" link under your "Ecuador" page).
** Galapagos Islands: ISV is pleased to provide our new one week excursion to the Galapagos Islands at the end of the ISV Ecuadorian Volunteer Work and Adventure Tour program. (please see "optional Galapagos Islands excursion" link under the Ecuador page).
Help Ecuador's local community development efforts while preserving one of the planet's few mega-diversity hot spots!
  
"Ecuador is a beautiful country. I learned so much, the contrast in culture, way of life and perspective is extraordinary. I will take so much back home, not just for myself but to my friends and family. The children here are beautiful, just a smile makes their day. They will be in my heart forever." - Tina Hu, University of British Columbia
About ISV's Ecuador Conservation Projects
Straddling the equator, this small country is considered one of the top 10 mega-diversity hot spots in the planet. Claimed as a UNESCO world heritage site, Ecuador is comprised of Amazonian rainforests, mangrove forests, arid coastlands, cloud forests, and alpine grasslands. Ecuadors geographical and biological diversity are matched by its mosaic of cultures, including 14 indigenous tribes. As a volunteer, you will have the opportunity to experience and be a part of local communities and private reserves that have partnered with ISV to develop hands-on conservation and community development volunteer projects. Your efforts will help to support projects focused on sustainable development and conservation. You may find yourself working in an organic farm, a rural community or a natural reserve; doing species monitoring or participating in Ecuador Childrenīs Environmental Education and Development program.
Key achievement 2008: Over 2150 children and community members participated in our School Outreach Program
ISV's Projects
ISV has projects spread across the continent. By volunteering with ISV in Ecuador you could find yourself assisting in any of these areas.
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Protecting Natural Reserves: Protect endangered habitats and native species!
ISV has several projects located in nature reserves and protected areas. Get your hands dirty as you work towards conserving native habitats and help communities develop their eco-tourism potential. You will also help raise the level of local awareness through environmental education programs. Primary tasks can include: cleaning and maintaining animal enclosures (such as monkeys and exotic birds) along with animal care, monitoring of local species, supporting recycling start-up programs, trail maintenance, agro-forestry including reforestation and organic farming, clean ups in mangrove forests, English and environmental education classes with children and community members. All of these tasks are directly related to the establishment and maintenance of protected areas and local environmental education efforts.
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Community Development and Environmental Education: Volunteer in a local Ecuadorian village!
Education, conservation and economic development are inherently interlinked in Ecuador as these are the basic building blocks of sustainable development. These projects will allow you to take part in teaching English classes and sports, assist local schools, organize river clean ups and reforestation efforts, support local product initiatives (such as the tea and cacao trades), paint murals with environmental themes, help the elderly with farming tasks, plant trees, help out in locally owned plant nurseries, trail maintenance and be involved in environmental education activities with children.
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Organic Agriculture: Volunteer on an organic farm and participate in a school outreach program!
ISV is dedicated to supporting the expansion of this model to surrounding communities. The model offers practical alternatives to energy and natural resource use such as: biogas, solar power, composting systems, worm culture, water recycling, permaculture, and environmental tourism. As a volunteer, you will work alongside community members and school children to build jungle gyms from recycled materials, paint environmental education murals, partake in paper recycling craft activities, and build school gardens. You will also be responsible for the care and feeding of the farm animals and basic daily farm chores. All of these activities are directly related to supporting the organic farm and their community outreach program. These farms provide an alternate model to the type of farms you would be used to as they are self sustaining and rely on producing their own energy, food, water and materials. A truly inspiring experience!
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Whale Monitoring and Community Development: Collect data on whales in the ocean!
Here is your chance to be part of important research which is critical to the success of long term conservation plans. The primary goal of this project is to obtain data that will be used to assist with species monitoring of migrating humpback whale populations, while supporting local eco-tourism development efforts based on those populations. This project focuses on community development and environmental education, specifically targeting the valuation of threatened humpback whales through monitoring and awareness. Primary tasks include monitoring, creating infrastructure to attract tourism, supporting alternative tourism efforts through family home stays and English classes, working with the local community school as part of the Ecuador Childrenīs Program.
Project Locations
Projects are located in the Amazon jungle, Andes Cordillera and along the coast of Ecuador.
Please note: Depending on your assigned departure date, only certain projects will be available. Please be flexible in your project preferences; these are ALL great projects with significant conservation and educational value in phenomenal locations.
  
More on ISV's Projects
Each project runs for two weeks and is operated in partnership with well-established conservation organizations including government and non government organizations (NGOs), private reserves and farms, and local grassroots community groups. Projects are based in a variety of locations, from the remote Amazon jungle to urban hubs. Each volunteer team will be supervised and directed by professional staff from the host organization and an ISV project leader. The volunteer team will consist of approximately 8 - 18 people, depending on the project.
Please note: certain projects only operate on specific program dates.
No prior experience or expertise in environmental areas is needed in order to participate. Accommodations vary with projects ranging from dormitory style accommodations, family home stays to traditional cabaņas. Meals (3 per day) will be provided during the volunteer project.
ISV's Two Week Adventure Tour
Participants will travel throughout Ecuador, exploring the Andes Mountains, Tropical glaciers, The Amazon, the Pacific coast, scenic rivers, national parks, cloud forests and cultural attractions such as Ecuadors Capital city of Quito and the world-famous Otavalo indigenous market. You will have the opportunity to participate on activities such as:
- "Puenting", jump of a bridge for a 30 ft pendulum over a raging river
- Rock climbing in the Andes, beginner through advanced climbs at a local crag
- Waterfall rappelling, repel down a 90 ft waterfall!
- Whale watching and snorkeling in Isla de la Plata, see Humpback Whales breaching 20 ft into the air!
- Horseback riding through the cloud forest, access remote trails at the base of Tungurahua Volcano
- Visit the Equatorial line monument which marks the separation between the Northern and Southern hemispheres
- Learn glacial travel techniques on the world's 2nd highest active volcano, Cotopaxi
- Take a Whitewater Raft the Pastaza River from the Cloud Forest to the Amazon Jungle basin
- Go shopping in Otavalo, Latin Americas' largest market
- et personalized surfing instruction in Montanita, Ecuadors' surfers paradise
- Visit an Amazon indigenous Quechua community
Note: See ISV’s Tour Itinerary (below) which specifies the Program’s Included Activities and those provided in the ISV Optional Activity Package.
Adventure Tour Locations
Adventure Tour Itinerary
 Day 1 – Arrive in Quito: You will arrive in Quito from your volunteer project. After checking-in at the hotel, you will visit the middle of the world village, stand in front of the Equator Monument, straddle the equatorial line, and enjoy a local meal.
Day 2 – Quito to Otavalo: Today's excursion is to the largest native market in South America, Otavalo markets (ISV Included Activity), your ideal stop to purchase souvenirs. You will have the chance to observe a true Andean market and try your hand at haggling. Back in Quito, it’s a night out in the Mariscal district where tourist and locals mingle at street-side cafes and venues.
 Day 3 – Quito to Sigsipamba, Mountain Biking and Rock Climbing: A short drive south of Quito will take you to the trails and Crags of Sigsipamba, a local rock climbing and biking mecca. Bike through a local Andean town and then ride a downhill trail with amazing vistas of Quito and the canyons surrounding the city (ISV Optional Activity Package). A twenty minute walk through a quaint family community brings you to the foot of the rock. Professional guides will have beginner and intermediate climbs set up for you to experience rock climbing (ISV Optional Activity Package). Later that afternoon, we will continue on our road south to the Tambopaxi lodge for a night of acclimatization.
 Day 4 – Cotopaxi: An early departure for the group to the Cotopaxi Glacier at over 13,000 ft! The park encompasses Andean grasslands, locally known as the "Paramos", and the Cotopaxi Volcano (19,460 ft). You will strap on crampons and grab an ice axe for professional instruction on glacier travel by local qualified guides (ISV Included Activity). After a serious day in the mountains, we will stay at the beautiful Tambopaxi mountain lodge.
Day 5 – Baños to Amazon, Rafting/Biking: Travel  to the adventure capital of Ecuador. On this action packed day, you will ride a bicycle down a winding mountain road. After the bike descent, the group will board rafts for an exciting run down the Pastaza River. At the end of the rafting trip the group will transfer to one of the world’s most precious bioregions, The Amazon. All activities today are ISV Included Activities.
Day 6 – Amazon Jungle, Hike/Canoe: The day will start with a morning hike to a secluded waterfall led by a certified naturalist guide. Another hour by canoe will bring us to the confluence of the Pastaza and Puyo rivers (ISV Included Activities). Tonight’s jungle lodge is owned by a local Shaman. Afternoon and evening activities will include swimming and a night jungle hike led by our local guides.
Day 7 – Baños, OAP Waterfall Rappelling/Puenting: On this day participants will fill their adrenaline quota by rappelling down 150 ft waterfalls in secluded cloud forest canyons (ISV Optional Activity Package) and by going "Puenting". Puenting involves jumping off a 100 ft bridge for a 30ft fall and a 100ft arc pendulum over a mountain river (ISV Optional Activity Package).
Day 8 – Baños, Horseback Riding: Today you may horseback ride through the cloud forest and across streams and canyons (ISV Optional Activity Package). Later in your free time, you may enjoy the "healing hot springs" of Baños are famous throughout Ecuador. Enjoy relaxing below the spectacle of a cascading waterfall!
Day 9 – Baños to Montanita: Today the group travels from the eastern slopes of the Andes to the lazy beach town of Montanita, known as the ultimate surfer’s destination in Ecuador. The rest of the day is free to enjoy the local shops and cafés, walk on the beach, or catch up with some well deserved rest. The night is free to enjoy the surf/beach atmosphere of the town.
Day 10 – Montanita: Day 10, 11 Whale watching, snorkeling / surfing: Half of the group taking the OAP will travel 35 miles by boat to the "Isla de la Plata". Along the way participants will have the chance to see the Antarctic Humpback whale population arriving for their mating season; and then jump in to snorkel with tropical fish (ISV Optional Activity Package). The following day you will head to the beach for 2.5 hrs of introductory surfing lessons by local professionals (ISV Included Activity).
Day 12 – Montanita, Surfing II: This activity will allow you time to hone your new   surfing talent as you move up to surfing level 2 (ISV Optional Activity Package). Spend the day catching waves with style and finesse!
Day 13 – Finally! A day off to rest from all your adventures, enjoy the beach and some last minute shopping before the transfer to Guayaquil and the amazing Iguanazu hostel.
Day 14 – - Time to say farewell or better yet “hasta pronto” to Ecuador and take your experience home!
Accommodations: All accommodations have been carefully selected for their comfort and ideal locations. Accommodations range from nice tourist class hotels to hostels (dormitory style).
Meals: Most meals are provided by ISV. Meals during times of sightseeing will be the responsibility of participants.
Activities: ISV includes a minimum of five activities in the program price to make your experience unforgettable. Activities are subject to change but may include activities such as glacier instruction on Cotopaxi volcano, visits to native indigenous villages, scenic biking in the Andes, whitewater rafting the Pastaza river, and surfing.
Volunteer Project: ISV will send you the Project Overview for your assigned volunteer project along with your ISV Participant Travel Manual approximately 30 days prior to departure.
Disclaimer: Exact dates, itineraries, accommodations and included activities will be given to participants in the ISV Participant Travel Manual approximately 30 days prior to departure. ISV reserves the right to change the ISV tour itinerary, accommodations and activities without notice. Any and all changes are within the discretion of ISV, Inc.
Optional Activity Package (OAP)
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