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 Ecuador’s 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
• Get personalized surfing instruction in Montanita, Ecuadors' surfers paradise
• Visit an Amazon indigenous Quechua community

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)