Explore the beauty of the Amazon for two weeks by volunteering and participating in adventure activities! Lead Adventures’ program combines fun and volunteering to give you a meaningful once-in-a-lifetime experience in Baños, a town often regarded among travelers as an adventurer’s paradise.
Activities- When you’re not volunteering, Lead Adventures has a long list of fun activities that includes biking, hiking volcanoes, and canyoning! Baños also offers a variety of fun options for you to choose from on your days off from volunteering. Bring some sturdy shoes and a bathing suit along with you so you’ll be prepared for anything.
The Amazon region, particularly its tropical rain forest, is considered to be one of the richest and most complex communities of plant and animal life in the world. The region is characterized by huge and diverse amounts of flora and fauna with extraordinary variations in their habitats and micro-habitats.
Quito – Ecuador (Google Map)
Our driver will meet you at the airport and drive you to the hotel. Take this day to adjust to the capital city’s high altitude (3,000 m).
– Orientation: You will first receive a comprehensive orientation detailing the trip.
– Bus ride to Banos: One of our drivers will take you to Quito’s bus station, where you will depart to Banos.
– Free time to explore upon arrival!
– Leaving Baños early in the morning, you will bike mostly downhill for 17 km until you arrive to “El Pailon del Diablo” waterfall.
– First stop: After about a 20 min. bike ride, you will arrive at the first waterfall, Agoyan. You will be given time to relax and take pictures.
– Second stop: Manto de la Novia waterfall. Here, you will have the opportunity to cross the large Pastaza River by cable car.
– Third stop: The town Rio Verde (Green River). You will arrive at the town after about a 17 km bike ride; here, you will also encounter the third waterfall of the day, Pailon Del Diablo; it is widely regarded as one of the most famous waterfalls in Banos. Here, you will also have the option to complete a half-hour hike to see the attraction from different points of view.
– Optional: Continue to Machay, the final waterfall, to swim!
Note: Remember to bring a bathing suit and a towel for today!
You can explore the town on your own and check out a variety of activities. Suggestion: See the famous Swing at the End of the World or try puenting, an activity similar to bungee jumping.
In the morning you will take a bus to the city of Puyo where the Animal Rescue Center is located.
Highlights:
– Observing and interacting with exotic animals
– Learning about the animals, their habitats, and daily needs.
– Improve the animal´s rehabilitation and chances of being released back into the wild.
– Preparing and feeding the animals on-site
Note: Volunteers have the weekends off to explore (access to town is available)
– After lunch, you will take a bus to Tena and will stay with the Indigenous Community
Morning: Trekking around the Jungle community.
Before undertaking a variety of activities in the afternoon, you will be taking some time to walk around and soak in the environment of the local community. For today, make sure to bring comfortable walking shoes and a bottle of water.
Afternoon: Activities
In the afternoon, your guide will take you to perform a variety of activities, all of which will help you learn more about the local community in a fun way. Some examples include making chocolate, making handicrafts, and watching a traditional dance. Your guide will explain how these activities play a significant part in the lives of the community members.
– In the morning, you will head out into the jungle to Cando Village after a 45 minute drive to go rafting.
Note: Bring clothes that you would not mind getting wet.
– You will take a bus from Tena to Quito (5 hour bus ride). Our driver will meet you at the bus terminal “Quitumbe” to take you back to the hotel.
– Our driver will pick you up from the hotel and will drive you to the airport for you international flight
Our Hostel is a new arrival on the Quito hotel scene. Its refurbishment began on October 16th, 2008, in the heart of the La Mariscal neighborhood. It is a family-owned business, managed by professionals in the tourism and hospitality industry who have worked in some of the finest hotels in Ecuador and guarantee quality service. They work hard to make this hostel, one of the best places to stay in Quito.
Our hotel is located in the heart of the Amazon, in the beautiful town of Tena, in the best tourist and business sectors. Offering comfortable accommodation and modern facilities, complemented by excellent service.
It is the perfect place to relax, have fun and enjoy great family vacations. The property is surrounded by beautiful landscaping and has a beautiful panoramic view that allows guests to sit in the middle of the Amazon paradise.
Family style accommodation in rustic traditional cabañas. All services included in this particular way of life with natives from the amazon region in Ecuador. You can experience the jungle in a most hospitable way.
This hotel represents a new concept in the hospitality industry in South America, providing high comfort, a fantastic location, a safe environment, amazing facilities, friendly staff and a long-experienced family-run management.
Since 2009 the hostel is the perfect choice for both backpackers and boutique hotel lovers, a unique combination of laid-back atmosphere and top quality services; highly recommended and favourably reviewed by hundreds of guests and the most important travel guides.
Currency
The currency of Ecuador is the United States dollar, accepted as the national currency of Ecuador in January 2000. The money that is circulated includes notes and coins. Notes are of the denominations of US 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 while the coins are in denominations of US$1 and 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 cent. Please note that most shops and restaurants will not accept bills over $20, so it is worth having small currency denominations on you.
ATMs are also available in almost all parts of the country. Credit cards, mainly Visa and MasterCard, are also accepted in Ecuador. Additionally, you may use traveler’s checks; in Quito there are traveler check exchange bureaus that are easily accessible.
Passport and Visa Requirements
All tourists need a valid passport and an entry form-tourist card which is provided by your air carrier. This will be available at either the ticket counter when checking in for your flight to Ecuador or once on-board.
Citizens of Canada, UK and USA do not need to obtain a visa for stays up to 90 days. If you are of a different nationality, please check with Lead Adventures staff and your local Ecuadorian Embassy. For stays longer than 90 days, you must obtain a 6-month Tourist visa (12-IX) at your local Ecuadorian Embassy. Lead Adventures will provide you with more information about visas and immigration if needed.
Health and Vaccinations
When traveling abroad it is important to seek advice on the potential hazards, understand how best to protect your health, and minimize the risk of harm and disease. Planning ahead and taking preventive measures will reduce the risk of accident and of acquiring disease. We are not qualified to assess individuals health, therefore we highly recommend that you seek the attention of a medical professional regarding specific vaccinations and medications.
You can visit http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/ for additional helpful information.
Lead Adventure Support
Ensuring our volunteer´s safety is of the utmost importance. Prior to your departure, our program coordinators will work with you to plan and prepare for your trip with us. Upon your arrival to Quito, you will receive a detailed orientation and last minute questions will be addressed. Additionally, you will be given a 24 hours emergency contact number for our on-call Ecuadorian based coordinators.
Weather
Ecuador’s climate varies with its regions. This area has an altitude of about 7550 ft (2300 m) above sea level and because of this, the temperature is comfortable, and does not get too hot. The climate is mild, often warm and dry, with an 18°C average temperature during day and 11°C at night.
Ecuador Time Zone
Standard time zone: UTC/GMT -5 hours
Electrical Standards
Ecuador’s electrical current is 120/60 (volts/hz) Type A and Type B Electrical Outlet (same as North America)
FAQs
The program accepts departures from 2 passengers and on.
Yes, we have received participants since 2004
There are not any special requirements.
It is recommended to bring and/or purchase the following items:
-Long sleeved clothing for cool nights
– Repellent in the Amazon region
-Good flashlight or headlamp with spare batteries (if you are staying at the center it might be helpful but not necessary)
-Reading material, playing cards, travel games, or other forms of entertainment as you will have some down time.
– Internet cafes are available in Quito.
Transportation
All our tours are privates with personal bilingual guides and transportation.
Public buses during the trips to the Amazon region.
