Discover Quito and the Galápagos Islands

Explore Ecuador’s beautiful capital of Quito, where each traveler will uncover fascinating history through a guided tour. This capital is home to one of Spanish America’s best-preserved historic centers, making Quito a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. Travelers will view the Virgin Mary statue, the nearby equator line, along with other geographic landmarks. Travelers will explore the beautiful Galápagos Islands, just 600 miles off of the coast of Ecuador. Travelers will be given the opportunity to take a speed boat to two different islands, Santa Cruz and San Cristóbal island. Spend time visiting popular places, such as the Charles Darwin Station, a conservation center showcasing giant tortoises and groundbreaking Galapagos research, Manzanillo Ranch, a highland reserve where giant tortoises roam freely among lush vegetation, and Tortuga Bay beach, a pristine white-sand beach famous for marine iguanas and turquoise water. While on the islands, visit the interpretation center and hike to Cerro Tijeretas (Frigate Bird Hill) where travelers will scope out two different tropical bird species, also nicknamed “pirates of the sky”. Travelers will visit El Junco, the largest freshwater lake in the Galápagos Islands. Here, explore the scenic trails that surround the crater rim before going into the town of San Cristobal. Using locally grown products, enjoy a homemade cup of coffee by one of the oldest coffee farm families nearby. End at Lo Loberia where travelers will enjoy the beautiful views of the most beautiful beach in the Galápagos Islands. Travelers will discover playful sea lions, vibrant tropical fish, and captivating white sand beaches. 

This is an 8 day trip that costs $2,795 led by Under30 Experiences, which caters to solo travelers and adventurous young adults ages 21-35, but they don’t enforce a strict age limit. They are a small team that loves sustainable travel by supporting local communities in an eco-friendly way. The company was founded 10+ years ago by co-founders Matt Wilson and Jared O’Toole. They were rated one of CATALYST PLANET’s 8 Best Sustainable Travel Companies.

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Offer NGO Support While Visiting Quito

Ecuador's capital, Quito, is a vibrant and culturally rich city nestled in the Andean mountains. The city is known for its diverse climate, ranging from temperate conditions in the city to tropical lowlands and the lush Amazon jungle nearby. The city's rich history and dynamic atmosphere make it a fascinating place to explore. As a volunteer in Quito, you'll engage in meaningful work supporting local NGOs, assisting with tasks such as administrative duties, fundraising, marketing, and helping underserved children. Your mornings start with a hearty breakfast, followed by travel to your placement. Afternoons offer opportunities for Spanish lessons, city exploration, or preparation for the next day, while evenings can be spent enjoying local cuisine or participating in social activities like salsa lessons or movie nights. Weekends provide ample time to explore Quito and its surroundings. Volunteers can delve into the city's rich history at the historical center, enjoy panoramic views from the El Teleferico cable car, or hike and horseback ride to the Guagua Pichincha volcano summit. Coastal excursions for snorkeling or visits to the pristine beaches of Los Frailes will also be an option for volunteers who are looking to add something more to their trip. For the more adventurous, jungle excursions reveal Ecuador's unique wildlife, including toucans and monkeys, and longer weekends can be spent exploring national parks or the renowned Galapagos Islands.

This trip is a minimum of 1-week and maximum 12-weeks with one week costing $360. This trip is led by IVHQ, a volunteer travel company with 338 projects in 50 countries, rated #1 Volunteer Travel Company by Go Overseas 7 years in a row. It is a cost-effective option with some programs as low as $20 per day with accommodation and meals included. They are a Certified B Corporation, 100% carbon neutral and every project aligns with a UN Sustainable Development Goal.

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Experience the Amazon with a Host Family in Ecuador

The Amazon Rainforest, the world’s largest tropical rainforest, is home to over 3 million species and covers much of Brazil and Peru, as well as Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname and Ecuador. During this experience, travelers will have the unique opportunity to live with the Quechua people, the Indigenous people of South America who speak the Quechua language, and learn more about both the rainforest and the people themselves. Beginning their journey in Quito, Ecuador, travelers will go by bus and truck into the Amazon Rainforest where they will spend the next four nights with a local Quechua family in the small town of Tena. In the town, travelers will be able to learn about medicinal plants as they explore the rainforest, go on a canoe ride to the amaZOOnico Animal Rescue Center, experience a shamanic healing ceremony and participate in a blowgun contest. Other activities include a natural mud face mask treatment and a cacao culinary experience and tasting. At the village, travelers will get to know the Quechua people on a personal level, sharing meals with them and learning about the secrets of the rainforest with local community members as their guides.

This is a seven day trip and costs $712. This trip is led by G Adventures, a sustainable, small-group tour company that has been leading travelers for 35+ years. They have been pioneers in community tourism, and their trips directly benefit the local communities they visit. They have a responsible travel effort called G For Good and partner with the nonprofit Planeterra, dedicated to ensuring communities touched by tourism benefit from it. They were rated one of CATALYST PLANET’s 8 Best Sustainable Travel Companies.

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