Overview
Spend next summer learning to shake your jungle coconuts in one of South America's most diverse and culturally rich corners whist helping with vital community and conservation projects. This varied and diverse placement takes in three different locations each with their traditional communities, enabling you to see the diversity this sensational country has to offer. You'll travel from Quito in the Andes, down into the Rainforest and onto either the Galapagos Islands or remote Andes communities before some R&R time on the Pacific Coast for the ultimate South American experience.
Your first few weeks will be spent in the Rainforest living in either Los Naranjos or Bua. These communities are among only 7 remaining indigenous Tsachila tribes in the country, at great risk of losing their land and culture to deforestation and urbanization. The Tsachila people are renowned as Shamans and healers and still regularly practice ancient rituals and dance, dress in traditional multi-colored wraps and paint their hair with bright red Achotie paste (giving them the nick-name ‘Colorados’). You will have the opportunity to learn about Tsachila culture and traditions and participate in many unique cultural events as well as helping to preserve the surrounding forest areas and help improve organic plantain and cacao (chocolate!) production. You will help the local community improve their infrastructure through the construction of traditional style buildings and raise their standard of living by participating in various income-generating schemes such as reforestation of native tree species which will provide the community with alternative sources of income in the future.
At the end of the day cool off with a refreshing dip in the river, splashing around with the community’s energetic and playful children and help to run after school clubs to entertain and teach. In your spare time you can visit spectacular waterfalls, make jewellery from seeds found in the jungle, trek through unspoilt rainforest, play football with the locals and go fishing in the rivers.
During this phase you will have 2 hours of Spanish language tuition from a professional teacher each afternoon, Monday - Friday.
Next you'll have a choice of two options:
Galapagos
Those choosing this option will stay at the Hacienda Tranquila on San Cristobal, the easternmost island in the famous archipelago. An island characterised by it’s charming local culture, beautiful white sandy bays and turquoise seas (not to mention the obligatory curious sea lions, marine iguanas, pelicans and crabs!). This is a fantastic base to experience the unique environment of the Galapagos. Help us to restore the land back to it's natural state so that the endangered Galapagos tortoises can be reintroduced. You will also work with local children and disabled adults leading hikes, horseback rides and playing games whilst teaching about environmental issues.
OR Andes
Volunteers that choose this option will spend 3 weeks living in Chilcabamba, a small village high in the mountains, surrounded by ancient volcanoes and thermal springs. Chilcabamba is a wonderful community of traditional Kayambi people, about 3 hours drive from Quito. Volunteer projects include developments to the community school, expansion of an artisan market built by previous Leap groups, creation of a playground, and assisting families with their livestock. Experience true high-altitude living at nearly 14,000 feet, surrounded by spectacular rolling hills and snow capped volcanoes, such as Cayambe, which you will have the chance to climb at the weekends. The area is well known for its traditional crafts and markets and locals famous for their colourful ponchos and distinctive panama hats adorned with peacock feathers.
After this you’ll get to enjoy a few days R&R at the beach in the surfer paradise of Montanita. Learn to surf Ecuador’s best breaks, taste its infamous night-life and the famously laid back ‘hammock-culture’ of the coast.
Through this exciting and diverse mix of eco-tourism, conservation and community projects you will experience the many different faces of Ecuador. The placement gives 3 contrasting working and indeed life experiences to broaden your horizons and surpass your expectations.
Projects are sustainable giving long-term benefits to both the community and environment.
How you help
Helping Who
The villagers of Chilcapamba, Bua, the inhabitants and the environment of San Cristobal Island.
Helping How
Eco-tourism
Rainforest
• Taking part in cultural exchange and learning Tsachila tribal traditions, helping them to assure a future for their indigenous practices.
Andes
• Helping the women of Chilcapamba develop their new artisan market and bring more tourists to the area.
Community Projects
Rainforest
• Help with everyday chores- cooking, building, fishing and making traditional jewellery
• Build new facilities for the community
• Helping the local cocoa co-op in Búa to increase their cocao production by helping them create natural slow-forming terraces on the farms
Galapagos
• Help to bring clean water to the community.
• Interact with special needs children referred to Hacienda Tranquila by the loacl social services, organising games and environmental education.
• Help with horse riding and outward bound activities with children and disabled people as a form of therapy.
Andes
• Developments to the school building, artisan market, and playground
• Play with the children at the local kindergarten - e.g. art, sports, games, teaching English etc.
Conservation Projects
Rainforest
• Preserve traditional building methods by helping local people to collect and use sustainable materials from the jungle rather than concrete and corrugated iron sheeting
• Develop a system for dealing with litter
Andes
• Help plant and harvest staple food crops to be consumed locally
Galapagos
• Help with organic farming
• Reforestation project work, help to remove invasive plant species that threaten endemic forests and plant native species in their place.
N.B. The ethos of our work in Ecuador is that projects are run cooperatively, all development initiatives are chosen and led by local people ensuring that The Leap’s projects are well managed needed by the community. Projects are sustainable giving long-term benefits to both the community and environment.
Your base
Your Team
Maximum of 24 volunteers per team, minimum of 3. Age 18- 27.
Accommodation and Meals
In the communities you'll live in a house built in the traditional style, made from cane with a thatched roof. Beds are provided and in all locations there is electricity, running water and plumbed toilets. There may be homestay accommodation in Bua with volunteers sharing a bedroom in the house of one of the families in the village.
Three meals per day and clean drinking water are provided and vegetarians can be catered for. The cuisine generally consists of rice, beans, pasta and potatoes with a some meat and fish and fresh fruit and vegetables.
Quito: You will stay in Quito for weekends whilst switching between phases, at the Hostal Otavalo Huasi. This is a fun, clean and comfortable hostel in the city centre close to local amenities such as internet, laundry services, bars and restaurants. The hostal has shared bedrooms, hot water, showers, loos and a lock up where you can leave your belongings. Breakfast is provided and food is supplied for you to cook other meals yourself.
Galapagos: The volunteer house at the Hacienda Tranquila provides a simple yet comfortable accommodation. The house has a large kitchen, and a bathroom with hot water. Volunteers are divided two to each bedroom and you will be responsible for cooking your own food, although this is provided by The Leap.
Weather
Galapagos: The Galapagos islands have a unique climate regulated by the ocean currents. There are two main seasons. January through to June is generally considered to be the warmest and wettest months whereas June to December are dryer, slightly cooler with more cloud cover. The local people call this season the Garua (misty season) as fog often hangs on the higher elevations. Although the sea is cooler during the Garua, it is the best time to snorkel and observe sealife due to the extensive plankton blooms.
Andes: Cool in the mornings, warm during the day and cold at night. Rains from time to time especially in the rainy season between January and April, normally a couple of hours in the afternoon. Driest time is October to December.
Rainforest: Hot and humid; expect rain and thunderstorms in the rainy season normally a couple of hours in the afternoon.
Communication
You will only be able to communicate in English to the team leader – the local communities only speak Spanish! It is, therefore, helpful (but not essential!) to speak some basic Spanish. You will be given Spanish classes for the first 2 weeks on arrival. Additional lessons will be given if desired.
Time In/Out
Time In
You will be met at Quito airport and taken to the project offices in Quito for a short induction and orientation course, covering all aspects of safety, responsibilities, health, culture, politics, conservation and community issues etc. From here you will be escorted to each location and inductions will be held at each.
6 week programme: 4 day orientation course in Quito followed by approximately 2.5 weeks in the rainforest. Return to Quito for a few days before flying to the Galapagos or spending the next 2.5 weeks in the Andes, follwed by a few days R&R at the coast.
Generally activities on the projects will take place 5 days per week for 6 - 8 hours each day with weekends free but these will have to be flexible according to events. Project hours are normally 8 to 3 pm.
Time Out
Weekends; free to travel. If you wish to visit a particular place of interest this can easily be arranged.
Top Trips
Exploring cloud forests, trekking, climbing Cotopaxi volcano, kayaking, tubing and swimming in the Napo river, white-water rafting, canyoning, caving, or jungle tours, snorkelling, surfing, horseback or hiking and camping trips.
Explore the Galapagos Islands and Pacific Coastline .
Costs/Dates
Dates
2012 for 6 weeks
2nd July
2013 for 6 weeks
1st July
Costs
Up until 31st August 2012
6 weeks £1795
6 weeks + Galapagos £2475*
Up until 31st August 2013
6 weeks £1865
6 weeks + Galapagos £2520*
Includes:
Donation to the project communities of £80 per person
Selection and briefing on all aspects of the scheme
24-hour emergency back-up, management and support by UK team and in-country Placement Manager & English speaking guide, with reliable communications and infrastructure.
Safety and induction course on arrival
Airport pick up and transfer to and from the placements.
Food and Accommodation throughout
*Return flights and visas to the Galapagos
*National Park fees for the Galapagos (up to $100 USD)
Not included:
International flights, departure tax (payable in USD), travel insurance, Ecuador visas (not required for 90 days), medical expenses (reclaimable through travel insurance), soft drinks/beer etc. Volunteers will be responsible for any independent/weekend travel expenses e.g. food & accommodation whilst away from the placement location and any excursions not listed above. We are happy to arrange flights through STA Travel (ABTA 99209 & IATA 9122411) who are well known for offering good value.
Donation To The Community
Included in the cost of the scheme is a donation set at the level indicated above. The donation is sent directly to the communities by Yanapuma and the chief of the community decides what it is to be spent on. It helps, alongside other funding, to pay for the materials they need to continue project work. This will be done in a transparent way ensuring you leave a lasting legacy. Given the average monthly wage is approximately £100 per month the donations do actually go far and in the past Leapers have paid for second hand computers, first aid supplies, children’s clothing, developing health care etc.
Exchange Rates
Please note that as we are paying the project host in US Dollars to cover all in-country costs, and the cost of the placement is set so far ahead, if there is a big change in the exchange rate or fuel icrease then we reserve the right to increase the cost of the scheme, as per our Booking Conditions, but will absorb any minor fluctuations, and will give plenty of warning if we have to raise prices slightly.
