Intercultural Communication in Ecuador
May 13 - 24, 2023 (Mainland only)
May 13 - 29, 2023 (Mainland and Galapagos)
Itinerary
Day 1 - May 13. Quito
Evening arrival to Mariscal Sucre International Airport
Transfer to hotel in central Quito
Welcome dinner with brief orientation
Lodging: Mid-range hotel, Quito
Meals: Dinner
Day 2 - May 14. Quito
Breakfast at hotel
Detailed orientation on health and safety, logistics, and country and culture
Tour of Quito
Visit Quito’s Old Town and take in the sites of Plaza San Francisco, Plaza del Teatro, and Basílica del Voto Nacional, the tallest church in Ecuador. Admire the colonial architecture and learn about the history of this pre-Columbian city
Lunch at a traditional Ecuadorian restaurant
Meet students from the University of the Americas and engage in intercultural activities
Independent dinner near hotel
Lodging: Mid-range hotel, Quito
Meals: Breakfast | Lunch
Day 3 - May 15. Quito/Otavalo/Quito
Breakfast at the hotel
Transfer (2 hrs) to Otavalo with University of the Americas students
Meet with nonprofit organization focused on the promotion and conservation of indigenous culture through audiovisual media
Group lunch
Meet with community of women who now live together after leaving violent relationships
Visit to Peguche Waterfall
Students will learn the indigenous history and significance of this waterfall
Reflection with University of the Americas students
Students will experience cultural exchange in multiple ways, as we combine US culture, Quito culture, and Otavalo’s indigenous culture
Return to Quito for group dinner
Lodging: Mid-range hotel, Quito
Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Day 4 - May 16. Cotacachi/Cotopaxi/Salasaca
Early morning departure (6:00 am)
Breakfast on the bus
Transfer to Cotopaxi (3 hours)
Tour of Cotopaxi National Park (9:15 am – 3:15 pm)
Includes trek to refuge and glacier along with optional downhill biking
Transfer to Salasaca (2.5 hours)
Welcome from local artisan and community host
Group dinner and reflection
Lodging: Mid-range hotel, Salasaca
Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Day 5 - May 17. Salasaca
Breakfast at lodging
Tour of community to learn about farming and cultural traditions
Lunch at lodging
Weaving workshop - students will participate in one of Salasaca’s oldest traditions
Free time
Dinner at lodging
Lodging: Mid-range hotel, Salasaca
Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Day 6 - May 18. Salasaca/Baños/Guamote
Breakfast at lodging
Transfer to Baños de Agua Santa (1 hour)
Head over to Puntzan Adventure Park and experience the treetops as you zip-line over the jungle
Group lunch in Baños
Transfer to Guamote (2.5 hours)
Lodging: Mid-range lodging, Guamote
Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Day 7 - May 19. Guamote/Palacio Real/Guamote
Breakfast at hotel
Visit to Guamote market, one of the largest traditional markets in South America. Students will observe and interact with vendors selling products ranging from fruits and vegetables to sheep and guinea pigs
Transfer (45 minutes) to the community of Palacio Real
Traditional lunch
Visit to the Llama history museum
Short guided hike including local myths and legends
Return to Guamote for group dinner
Lodging: Mid-range lodging, Guamote
Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Day 8 - May 20. Guamote/Ingapirca/Cuenca
Breakfast at lodging
Transfer to Alausí (50 min) to board the Nariz del Diablo railway
11:00 am – 1:30 pm - Ride this epic railroad enjoying incredible views of the Andes
Stop in the town of Sibambe for a museum visit and dance performance
Eat lunch
Return to Alausí
Transfer to Ingapirca ruins (2 hrs)
Guided visit to the largest pre-Columbian ruins in Ecuador
Transfer to Cuenca (1 hr 45 min) check into hotel
Group dinner
Lodging: Mid-range lodging, Cuenca
Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Day 9 - May 21. Cuenca
Breakfast at lodging
City tour of Cuenca, the colonial jewel of the south. This city’s historic center was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999
Group lunch
Visit to the Pumapungo Museum of ethnography and art. Students will see art and artifacts from several different Ecuadorian cultures, as well as the Shuar shrunken heads
Group dinner
Salsa class
Lodging: Mid-range lodging, Cuenca
Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Day 10 - May 22 Cuenca
Breakfast at lodging
Transfer (1 hour) to several different communities known for their craftsmanship, fine jewelry, handmade guitars, and indigenous markets
Community visits may include Cualace, Chordeleg, Sigsig, and then through San Bartolome and back to Cuenca. Sigsig is known for Ecuador’s highest quality Panama hats. Chordeleg has a community museum where students can learn the traditional jewelry making process
Return to Cuenca (1 hour) for independent dinner
Lodging: Mid-range lodging, Cuenca
Meals: Breakfast | Lunch
Day 11 - May 23. - Cuenca/Guayaquil
Breakfast at lodging
2-hour guided hike in Cajas National Park known for its expansive paramo, lakes, and a diversity of flora and fauna
Group Lunch
Transfer to Guayaquil (3 hrs)
Visit a Cacao Plantation. Students will learn the complete chocolate-making process
Group dinner
Lodging: Mid-range lodging, Guayaquil
Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Galapagos Islands Add-on
Day 12 - May 24. Guayaquil/Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos
Breakfast at hotel
Morning flight from Guayaquil either to US to to Galapagos
Travel from Guayaquil to La Baltra Airport
Short boat ride to Santa Cruz Island
1-hour taxi ride to hotel in Puerto Ayora
Settle in, eat lunch, and free time to explore Puerto Ayora. Relax for a couple hours on the beach in front of the Finch Bay Hotel
Group dinner
Lodging: Mid-range lodging, Puerto Ayora
Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Day 13 - May 25. Puerto Ayora/El Chato/Lava Tubes/Puerto Ayora
Breakfast at lodging
El Chato Tortoise Reserve - guided tour to see giant land tortoises in their natural habitat. Look for short-eared owls, Darwin’s finches, yellow warblers, Galapagos rails and painted-billed crakes
Lunch
Explore a labyrinth of lava tubes and learn about how the archipelago’s location on tectonic plates affects the shape and formation of these tunnels
Return to Puerto Ayora for a visit to the fish market
Independent dinner
Lodging: Mid-range lodging, Puerto Ayora
Meals: Breakfast | Lunch
Day 14 - May 26. Puerto Ayora/Bartolome Island/Puerto Ayora
Bartolome Island Day Trip
All-day tour with an Ecuadorian naturalist
6 am hotel pick-up and 50 minute transfer to the northern coast of Santa Cruz
Board a yacht at Itabaca Canal for a 2-hour transfer to Bartolome Island
Breakfast on boat
Half hour hike to summit peak with bucket-list worthy views of Pinnacle Rock
Snorkel with Galapagos penguins, green sea turtles, rays, and colorful tropical fish
Other possible wildlife encounters include whitetip reef sharks, Galapagos hawks, and blue-footed boobies
Lunch on boat
Return to Puerto Ayora
Independent dinner in Puerto Ayora
Lodging: Mid-range lodging, Puerto Ayora
Meals: Breakfast | Lunch
Day 15 - May 27. Puerto Ayora/ Las Grietas/Tortuga Bay/Puerto Ayora
Breakfast at lodging
Short boat ride and short hike to Las Grietas, a tunnel-like swimming hole famous for its rock formations. This is a great place to practice snorkeling in the calm waters, though there are more rocks to observe than fish
Packed lunch at Las Grietas
1.6 mile hike to Tortuga Bay (or boat ride)
Beach day for snorkeling, kayaking, and observing wildlife.
Part of the beach is rougher and best for surfing, while another part is calm and ideal for snorkeling and kayaking.
Return hike or boat ride
Farewell dinner in Puerto Ayora
Lodging: Mid-range lodging, Puerto Ayora
Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Day 16 - May 28. Meals (B)
Breakfast at lodging
Taxi and ferry ride to La Baltra airport for midday flight to Guayaquil
Independent lunch and dinner
Lodging: Mid-range lodging, Guayaquil
Meals: Breakfast
Day 17 - May 29. Meals (B)
Breakfast at lodging
Transfer to airport for departure to the US
Lodging: None
Meals: Breakfast
Contact for more information:
Aimee DuBois: aimee.dubois@normandale.edu
Additional Details
Cost
Mainland Only Double Occupancy: $3,190*
Mainland Only Single Occupancy Supplement: $350
Galapagos Add - on: $2,390*
Galapagos airfare supplement: $180**
Total Mainland and Galapagos Double Occupancy: $5,760
Mainland and Galapagos Single Occupancy Supplement: $750
*Pricing is based on estimated airfare of $900 round trip to Ecuador and $500 round trip to the Galapagos. We reserve the right to change this price if airfare is more expensive at time of booking.
**Actual price of airfare for the Galapagos group is $180 more than estimated above.
The deposit must be paid with a credit card and will incur a 4% fee, which will be billed together with your balance payment. The balance can be paid with a credit card (4% fee) or with an ACH bank transfer (2% fee).
Payment Process
$150 - Mainland program deposit due upon enrollment
$350 - 2nd deposit for Mainland program due at the latest to 3 months prior to departure
$500 - Galapagos deposit due upon enrollment
The balance amount is due at the latest 2 months prior to departure and will be invoiced separately via email.
The balance invoice can be paid in installments monthly or otherwise, but the total amount must be paid at the latest 2 months prior to departure. We will send you monthly reminders to make payments.
Cancellation Policy
More than 90 days prior to departure: Full refund
61-90 days prior to departure - Refund excludes $500 deposit
60-31 days prior to departure - 50% of program fee refunded
30 of fewer days prior to departure - 0% refund
If program is cancelled by Learn from Travel because of COVID or for any other reason - 100% refund
What's included
Meals as listed in the itinerary, including one free non-alcoholic drink per meal
All ground transportation as described in the itinerary, including one airport transfer on day of arrival and departure
All activities described in itinerary, including entrance fees when applicable
All logistics during the trip. Faculty only focus on academics
Guide/translator with the group the entire trip from airport pickup to drop-off
Donations to service learning partners and local NGOs
Bottled water throughout trip
Tips for local guides and driver
Carbon offset for air travel
General liability insurance coverage with university partner listed as additional insured
24 hours emergency support
Program Excludes:
Travel medical and evacuation insurance (required)
Alcoholic beverages
Personal spending
Activities and independent meals not described in itinerary
Lodging
Quito (Days 1, 2, 3) – Budget hotel in central Quito. Rooms include hot water and free wifi. An indoor lounge area is available for group meetings as well as a spacious outdoor terrace. Triple or quadruple occupancy for students, double or single occupancy for leaders, shared with other faculty.
Salasaca (Days 4, 5) - Budget hostel in Salasaca. Rooms include hot water and free wifi. An indoor lounge area is available for group meetings as well as a spacious outdoor terrace. Triple or quadruple occupancy for students, double or single occupancy for leaders, shared with other faculty.
Guamote (Days 6, 7) - Budget hotel in Guamote. Rooms include hot water and free wifi. An indoor lounge area is available for group meetings as well as a spacious outdoor terrace. Triple or quadruple occupancy for students, double or single occupancy for leaders, shared with other faculty.
Cuenca (Days 8, 9, 10) - Budget hotel in central Cuenca. Rooms include hot water and free wifi. An indoor lounge area is available for group meetings as well as a spacious outdoor terrace. Triple or quadruple occupancy for students, double or single occupancy for leaders, shared with other faculty.
Guayaquil (Day 11) – Mid-range hotel in Guayaquil. Rooms include hot water and free wifi. An indoor lounge area is available for group meetings as well as a spacious outdoor terrace. Triple or quadruple occupancy for students, double or single occupancy for leaders, shared with other faculty.
Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz, Galapagos (Days 12, 13, 14, 15) - Mid-range hotel in Puerto Ayora. Rooms include hot water and free wifi. An indoor lounge area is available for group meetings as well as a spacious outdoor terrace. Triple or quadruple occupancy for students, double or single occupancy for leaders, shared with other faculty.
We recommend all participants to purchase travel insurance with cancellation coverage.
Do you have questions?
