Leap to Ecuador to travel in and around the Andes, the tropical jungles, the balmy Pacific coast + to the famous Galapagos Islands. Tackle different projects in each location giving you big dose of variety in challenges, adventure + achievements - what's not too like.
So, literally one day you’ll pick through hand-woven wool sweaters at a chilly indigenous market in Otavalo; the next you’ll be sweating it out in the jungles or cloud forests... before having a surf as the sun sets - the contrasts are huge.
For nature lovers Ecuador is a dream: exotic birds, bizarre jungle plants, strange insects, windswept grasslands, dripping tropical forests and the fearless animals that hop, wobble and swim around the unique, unforgettable Galapagos Islands – unbeatable.
Why so good?
Because you get to contribute in many different ways in many different places and your thirst to travel is quenched - perfect solution all round!
Travel as part of a Leap team
Volunteering for us is all about all about team work - we find that our leapers have more fun and are more effective when they travel as a group, rallying each other along and tackling the projects head on to complete in the time available.
We have 4 different teams departing to Ecuador each year: Jan, Apr, July + Sept, for 6 or 10 weeks. We put together the teams and hook you all up via Facebook before hand. All you have to do is apply and book your place!
Average team size is 12, mix girls + boys, from all walks of life, ages 18 - 25.
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Ecuador Gap Year Programmes
Ecuador volunteering
Your first 2 weeks will be spent in the Andes: building community centres and helping famers in the Kayambi community. Spanish lessons included.
+ 2 weeks living with the Tschila Shaman community in the jungle: harvesting chocolate + building an ecotourism centre.
+ 1 week expedition through Ecuador's volcanic region - hiking, white water rafting and kayaking.
+ 3 weeks at the Pacific Coast: assisting with conservation of a biological reserve and English teaching in an Afro Ecuadorian community.
OR + 3 weeks in the Galapagos Islands, helping with conservation.
+ 1 week R&R at the beach: exploring the coast, surfing and partying.
Time Out Surf, jungle trek, climb Cotapaxi volcano, white water raft.
Ecuador summer volunteering
Your first few weeks will be spent in the Andes: building community centres, helping in the daycare centre and assisting famers in the Kayambi community.
Then you'll choose one of the following:
+ either live with a Shaman Tschila community in the jungle: harvesting chocolate + building an ecotourism centre.
OR
+ Live and work on San Cristobel, the Eastern most island in the Galapaogs
Time Out Surf, jungle trek, climb Cotapaxi volcano, white water raft.
Ecuador intern
6 week internships available in care, teaching, business and medicine all based in the famous city of Quito.
+ option to add a further 3 weeks of volunteering in conservation + community projects based in the Pacific Coast, Rainforest or on the Galapagos islands. This is followed by a week of R&R on the ruta del Sol - visiting some of Ecuador most amazing coastal surf resorts.
Weekends are free to travel and explore the Andes, rainforests, beaches and famous galapagos...
Time Out Surf, jungle trek, climb Cotapaxi volcano, white water raft.
Map and Location Details
Travel + Contribute in...
Andes Live at high altitude in Otovalo.
Lowland Jungle Live + work with indigenous Taschilla families.
Pacific Coast Live + work with a small Montubio-Ecuadorian community.
OR on the Galapagos Islands
Expedition through the volcanic region.
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