Camps International: Discover Ecuador

Camps international - volunteer with Explorica
Ecuador is a democratic republic in South America and straddles the equator. It is a presidential republic and became independent in 1830. Quito is the capital city which was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO for having the best preserved and least altered historic centre in Latin America. Ecuador is home to a great variety of species, many of them endemic like those of the Galapagos Islands.
Learn more
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Day 1 Start tour
Meet your tour director and check into hotel
Day 2 Quito--Camp Chili Urku
Details: Travel to Camp Chili Urku
The bus journey alone is a traveler's dream, including possible sightings of the glacier of Cerro Cotopaxi, as well as ranging views east across the immensity of the Amazon itself. In total, including a stop in Baños for lunch, the journey will be approximately 7 hours.
Details: Camp Chili Urku orientation
Camp Chili Urku is located in the Arajuno area of the Pastaza Province. Staying at Camp Chili Urku is a very special experience as it offers a unique jungle experience. Situated in the heart of the Ecuadorian rainforest, you will go to sleep to the sounds of the jungle. You'll be welcomed by the friendly community here as they teach you their local customs and their knowledge of the rainforest, including the traditional use of medicinal plants.
Details: Check into traditional-style accommodation
You will be staying in traditional jungle lodges with comfy mattresses on bunk beds, the bathroom facilities have flushing toilets, cold showers and sinks. The end of each cabin has a chill out space with cushions and there is a small dining room which can double as a classroom and group meeting space.
Details: Community and project sites overview
In Camp Chili Urku, we have established some ambitious goals through a dialogue with the community. This is very much a joint venture, in which we have built a relationship with the community and are working with them in mutually beneficial activities. Through an understanding of the process of dialogue, the development of ideas and the aims that we have, the group can identify their own goals, plan for those and then work towards their own objectives.
Details: Safety and Orientation brief
Whilst at camp, three healthy, well balanced and tasty meals will be provided daily. For example, toast, cereal, and fruit for breakfast; fish with vegetables for lunch and dinner and fruit. The signature dish is Maito de tilapia or Maito de pollo - fish or chicken cooked inside a banana leaf with palmito (roots of a type of palm) and yuca (a root vegetable) and rice.
Details: Chilli Urku community exchange
At Camp Chilli Urku, you will again be welcomed by the local community and this is a great opportunity for traditional face painting and the making of traditional, reed head-dresses. In the afternoon, we will tour this tiny community and investigate the service work projects that are on-going.
Day 3 Camp Chili Urku
Details: Chilli Urku community project
Camps is working with the community in both reforestation and sustainable income generation. The community recognize the importance of their natural environment and want to conserve it, but they need, and deserve, an income. We run a reforestation program with them, which, for our groups, may mean searching the nearby forest for seeds and saplings or working in a tree nursery planting native species. The saplings that are grown are either sold to generate income for the project or planted on community land as part of a process of reforestation. A significant part of the income generation process is promoting eco-tourism in the area, which the community have identified as a sustainable, long-term plan for themselves.
Details: Chilli Urku community exchange
At Camp Chilli Urku, you will again be welcomed by the local community and this is a great opportunity for traditional face painting and the making of traditional, reed head-dresses. In the afternoon, we will tour this tiny community and investigate the service work projects that are on-going.
Day 4 Camp Chili Urku
Details: Chilli Urku community project
Camps is working with the community in both reforestation and sustainable income generation. The community recognize the importance of their natural environment and want to conserve it, but they need, and deserve, an income. We run a reforestation program with them, which, for our groups, may mean searching the nearby forest for seeds and saplings or working in a tree nursery planting native species. The saplings that are grown are either sold to generate income for the project or planted on community land as part of a process of reforestation. A significant part of the income generation process is promoting eco-tourism in the area, which the community have identified as a sustainable, long-term plan for themselves.
Details: Chilli Urku community exchange
At Camp Chilli Urku, you will again be welcomed by the local community and this is a great opportunity for traditional face painting and the making of traditional, reed head-dresses. In the afternoon, we will tour this tiny community and investigate the service work projects that are on-going.
Day 5 Camp Chili Urku
Details: Chilli Urku community project
Camps is working with the community in both reforestation and sustainable income generation. The community recognize the importance of their natural environment and want to conserve it, but they need, and deserve, an income. We run a reforestation program with them, which, for our groups, may mean searching the nearby forest for seeds and saplings or working in a tree nursery planting native species. The saplings that are grown are either sold to generate income for the project or planted on community land as part of a process of reforestation. A significant part of the income generation process is promoting eco-tourism in the area, which the community have identified as a sustainable, long-term plan for themselves.
Details: Chilli Urku community exchange
At Camp Chilli Urku, you will again be welcomed by the local community and this is a great opportunity for traditional face painting and the making of traditional, reed head-dresses. In the afternoon, we will tour this tiny community and investigate the service work projects that are on-going.
Day 6 Camp Chili Urku
Details: Chilli Urku community project
Camps is working with the community in both reforestation and sustainable income generation. The community recognize the importance of their natural environment and want to conserve it, but they need, and deserve, an income. We run a reforestation program with them, which, for our groups, may mean searching the nearby forest for seeds and saplings or working in a tree nursery planting native species. The saplings that are grown are either sold to generate income for the project or planted on community land as part of a process of reforestation. A significant part of the income generation process is promoting eco-tourism in the area, which the community have identified as a sustainable, long-term plan for themselves.
Details: Chilli Urku community exchange
At Camp Chilli Urku, you will again be welcomed by the local community and this is a great opportunity for traditional face painting and the making of traditional, reed head-dresses. In the afternoon, we will tour this tiny community and investigate the service work projects that are on-going.
Day 7 Camp Chili Urku--Camp Tuparyk
Details: Jungle hike to Camp Tuparyk
After a hearty breakfast at camp, we will pack our small rucksacks and hit the jungle trail en route to our satellite camp, Camp Tuparyk. Situated in primary rainforest, to arrive at the camp you'll trek for a few hours through the jungle - the journey is well worth it. During the trek, students will learn about some of the indigenous plants and trees and how many have been used for medicine, building or dating advice (all will be explained). Eating lemon ants is also possible, assuming that nature is forthcoming.
Details: Camp Tuparyk community project
We are working with the community in both reforestation and sustainable income generation. The community recognize the importance of their natural environment and want to conserve it, but they need, and deserve, an income. We run a reforestation program with them, which, for our groups, may mean searching the nearby forest for seeds and saplings or working in a tree nursery planting native species. The saplings that are grown are either sold to generate income for the project or planted on community land as part of a process of reforestation. A significant part of the income generation process is promoting eco-tourism in the area, which the community have identified as a sustainable, long-term plan for themselves.
Day 8 Camp Tuparyk--Camp Chili Urku
Details: Jungle hike back to Camp Chili Urku
After breakfast, you will pack up and start the trek back to Camp Chili Urku, where you will receive traditional local food for lunch, before starting your journey back to Quito. This time we are rising from approximately 1200 feet in the jungle to over 9000 feet at our destination.
Details: Chilli Urku community project
Camps is working with the community in both reforestation and sustainable income generation. The community recognize the importance of their natural environment and want to conserve it, but they need, and deserve, an income. We run a reforestation program with them, which, for our groups, may mean searching the nearby forest for seeds and saplings or working in a tree nursery planting native species. The saplings that are grown are either sold to generate income for the project or planted on community land as part of a process of reforestation. A significant part of the income generation process is promoting eco-tourism in the area, which the community have identified as a sustainable, long-term plan for themselves.
Day 9 Camp Chili Urku--Quito
Details: Travel to Quito
Quito is one of the most compelling cities in Ecuador. Nestled in a long, narrow valley in the Andes, between the Volcano Pichincha to the west and the Machángara River Canyon to the east, Quito enjoys a spectacular natural setting. The Ecuadorian capital city's mix of colonial and modern architecture creates a fascinating built environment. In addition to being the site of the Ecuadorian government, Quito is also the nation's cultural capital, with an impressive selection of museums and festivals.
Details: Quito guided sightseeing tour
Explore Ecuador's beautiful capital on this guided tour of Quito's downtown. Visit sites dating back to Spanish colonization, and continue to Panecillo where you will find an impressive panoramic view of the city and the surrounding valleys. Jump from the southern to northern hemisphere in an instant at Mitad del Mundo - the Equator Monument that marks the equinoctial line.
Details: Independence Plaza
Explore the beautiful Plaza de la Independencia, the Old Town's main square. In the 16th century the Spanish were afraid that the Incas might poison their water supply, so they set up their own protected well here. This plaza subsequently became the social center of town. Here we will visit Guayasamin's mural of Orellana discovering the Amazon on the wall of Palacia de Gobierno; the City Hall; the Archbishop's Palace and the Cathedral.
Details: Palacio de Carondelet
The Palacio de Carondelet, or Presidential Palace, serves as the workplace of Ecuadorian presidents, and was opened to the public in 2007. Since then, the palace has suffered from looting, but no one has ever been charged for the thefts.
Details: San Francisco Church visit
Visit Iglesia San Francisco, the first church built in Quito, begun in 1535 on the site of an Inca Temple. Inside we will view the baroque altar which has three important sculptures: the Baptism of Jesus; a representation of Jesus de Gran Poder; and one of the most important sculptures in Ecuador, the original La Virgen de Quito.
Details: Mitad del Mundo visit
Stand at the place where the northern and southern hemispheres meet, see the Equatorial Monument marking the spot.
Day 10 End tour
Camps International - Map
Tour Includes:
  • Round-trip airfare
  • Accommodation in two or three-star hotels with private facilities in Quito
  • Accommodation at Camp Chili Urku in traditional jungle lodges with bunk beds.
  • Accommodation at Camp Tuparyk is rustic with a hammock
  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily
  • Full-time services of a professional tour director
  • Guided sightseeing and city walks as per itinerary
  • Visits to select attractions as per itinerary
  • Local Guide and Local Bus Driver tips; see note regarding other important tips
  • Tour Diary™
  • Note: On arrival day only dinner is provided; on departure day, only breakfast is provided
  • Note: Tour cost does not include airline-imposed baggage fees, or fees for any required passport or visa. Optional excursions, optional pre-paid Tour Director and multi-day bus driver tipping, among other individual and group customizations will be listed as separate line items in the total trip cost, if included.

We are better able to assist you with a quote for your selected departure date and city over the phone. Please call 1.888.378.8845 to price this tour with your requested options.

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4842.00 total fee
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