STEM Trip: Ecuador

Overview

Bring your students’ STEM learning to life with a mesmerizing mix of inner-city sustainable innovation and unique ecosystems and wildlife.

This Ecuador trip takes students on a journey to the world’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site capital city, up volcanoes in the Andean Highlands, and through the amazing Amazon rainforest.

Students learn about circular economies and sustainable technologies and participate in the conservation of irreplaceable ecosystems.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Impacted

Your experiences

Kayak in volcano crater

Zip lining in the Amazon

Volcano hike

Amazon forestry workshop

Rainforest hike

Botanical garden visit

Green city laboratory visit

Native homestay

Spear throwing & blow darts

Example Itinerary

Day 1: Arrivals (Quito)

Students will take a private transfer from Quito’s Mariscal Sucre airport. There will also be a welcome dinner and an introduction to the program by our tour leaders.

Day 2: Circular economy & Middle of the World (Quito)

Students will discover the secrets of recycling, circular economies, and environmental preservation through an entertaining, interactive, and sensory tour at the Environmental Education Center.

After lunch, we’ll head to the Middle of the World, where students will take part in a series of games and activities showcasing the remarkable science behind the equatorial line.

Day 3: Kayak in volcano crater (Quilotoa)

Students will enjoy a guided walk around the breathtaking crater lake of Quilotoa which is surrounded by various indigenous communities.

Students then descend into the lake, strap on their life jackets, and kayak on the shimmering volcanic waters. In the evening they’ll travel to Baños.

Day 4: Zip lining in the Amazon (Baños)

Students will explore the city of Baños, often referred to as the gateway to the Amazon. They’ll visit the famous Casa del Árbol, or ‘Treehouse,’ where they can take in panoramic views before soaring over the Amazon canopy on a zip-lining adventure.

Day 5: Conservation of irreplaceable ecosystems (Puyo)

We’ll visit a conservation project within the beautiful and incredibly diverse Botanical Garden. Students will roll up their sleeves and take part in a forestry workshop and meet a local who is single-handedly reforesting part of the Amazon.

Each student will plant a tree, making a meaningful contribution to the preservation of this remarkable ecosystem.

Day 6: Sustainable cooking class & cultural immersion (Puyo)

Students learn the ancient wisdom of the Shuar community by taking part in a cross-cultural exchange workshop. They’ll learn about the community’s unique healing practices and gain a deeper understanding of the medicinal properties of the local plants and traditional farming methods.

Students will prepare delicious meals using all-natural, locally sourced ingredients, cooked in leaves to maintain our focus on sustainability. After that, we’ll travel back to Quito.

Day 7: Departures (Quito)

The group will have some free time in the UNESCO-listed old town and can pick out gifts for family and friends at a local market. After lunch, we’ll take the group to the airport in plenty of time to catch the flight home.

Essential information

Locations visited: Quito, Quilotoa, Baños and Puyo (Amazon)
Cost: From $899 per person (price depends on group size)
Teachers: Teachers travel for free
Accommodation: Hostel / hotel – we also have a homestay option in Puyo
Other locations: Colombia, Peru

All meals (we chose varied dishes to give a real taste of Ecuador)
Accommodation (rooms are shared but privates are available on request and at an extra cost)
Transport – private buses and domestic flights
All scheduled excursions, activities, visits
Local guides and translators
Safety documents – risk assessment, safety protocols
One Kagumu guide for every 8 students
Sustainability impact report

The weather in Quito and the surrounding areas varies between rainy and dry seasons. During the day, the temperature ranges from 55-73°F, while at night, it could drop to around 45°F in Quito. Baños and Amazon can be warmer, with the Puyo area reaching around 85 to 95°F.

Students will be active daily and should pack strong, comfortable sports shoes for walking and appropriate clothing for sunshine, rain, warmth, and cold.

Due to the variable weather conditions, we highly recommend packing:

Large backpack or suitcase with or without wheels
Small backpack (20-30 liters) for Quilotoa
Sunglasses
Light poncho-type waterproof
Thermal under clothing
Long-sleeved t-shirts or shirts
Fleece jacket or warm jacket
Waterproof jacket
Waterproof trousers
Thick socks
Bathing suit
Gloves
Sun hat
Walking boots, trainers, flip-flops (sandals)
Reusable water bottle
Suncream
Lip balm
Quick-drying towel
Insect repellent
Personal wash kit including toothpaste, toothbrush
Camera (optional)
Flashlight (optional)

You must also bring:

Copy of your student ID or passport
Copy of your travel insurance

Quito: When in Quito you will stay in Selina hostel or a similar accommodation. Students will be divided into single-gender rooms and teachers will enjoy private rooms with en-suite.

Baños: When in Baños you will stay in a 3* hotel or comfortable hostel. Students will be divided into single-gender rooms and teachers will enjoy private rooms with en-suite.

Puyo: You can choose from a 3* hotel in Puyo or immerse students into the local culture with a unique homestay experience. During this memorable activity, students will stay with experienced host families and learn more about their culture and traditions.

Book this itinerary or tailor one to suit your curriculum by contacting us.

Fully Customizable

Remember we customize every itinerary to your curriculum. If you have a specifc academic focus in mind, allow us to tailor a trip for you.