Reforestation & Conservation in Ecuador
Group Leader: Christine Zinken
Requested Return Date: 3/22/2026
ABOUT EF
For over 55 years, we’ve dedicated ourselves to one global mission: Opening the World Through Education. Our programs help students expand their knowledge of the world around them, discover more about themselves, grow more confident and independent, and understand new people, places, and cultures.
Embark on an extraordinary educational journey through Ecuador’s verdant highlands, lush valleys, and the famously enchanting cloud forest. In Yunguilla Valley, explore community-owned projects such as the local jam and cheese factories, witness the unique geological wonder of Pululahua Volcano, and experience local cuisine by immersing yourself in a blindfolded sensory dinner. On the doorstep of the Andes, in Tena, contribute to community reforestation efforts on previously-cleared land using a mix of modern practices and ancestral wisdom, while learning about the diverse species vital to any healthy forest. Conclude your adventure with a thrilling whitewater rafting excursion in Baeza, followed by a scenic hike alongside the Papallacta River, all before relaxing in the warm, mineral-rich waters of the hot springs nearby. Land restoration, personal growth, and Amazonian adventure converge on this misty sortie deep into the vibrant landscape of Ecuador–the only question is: how will it change you?
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Day 1: Fly to Ecuador
Meet your Tour Director at your destination -
Day 2: Quito • Yungilla
Take a day trip to Yunguilla, a sustainable community in Ecuador’s cloud forest
With your Tour Director you will:
- experience firsthand what successful community development entails
- visit community-owned projects, like jam and cheese factories
- enjoy lunch sourced from a local garden
Stop for a photo at Pululahua Volcano
Immerse yourself in a blindfolded sensory dinner, savoring local cuisine with heightened
awareness
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Day 3: Quito • Riobamba region
Travel to the Riobamba region
Visit a local school, where you will:
- partake in a pampa mesa lunch—a shared, potluck-style meal that Indigenous communities in Ecuador’s highlands enjoy
- connect with community members through language exchange and field games
Participate in a hands-on artisanal activity at a local education center
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Day 4: Riobamba region • Baños • Tena
Travel to Tena via Baños
Take a tour of Baños
With your Tour Director you will see:
- Old Cathedral
- New Cathedral
Visit the Devil's Cauldron Waterfall
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Day 5: Tena • Service project
As communities evolve, so do their needs. That’s why we work closely with local organizations to better understand each community’s issues. Since projects are determined closer to your actual tour date, here’s what a typical day might look like:
- Work on a community conservation project using modern reforestation practices and ancestral knowledge to reforest land once cleared for farming.
- Assist in plant nurseries and learn about the diverse species utilized to regenerate a healthy forest.
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Day 6: Tena • Service project
As communities evolve, so do their needs. That’s why we work closely with local organizations to better understand each community’s issues. Since projects are determined closer to your actual tour date, here’s what a typical day might look like:
- Work on a community conservation project using modern reforestation practices and ancestral knowledge to reforest land once cleared for farming.
- Assist in plant nurseries and learn about the diverse species utilized to regenerate a healthy forest.
-
Day 7: Tena • Baeza
Enjoy a whitewater rafting excursion
Travel to Baeza, home to rolling hills and charming family farms
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Day 8: Baeza • Papallacta • Quito • Depart for home
Participate in an activity focused on ecotourism and dairy farming
Visit the Papallacta hot springs
Go for a hike alongside the Papallacta river
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Day 9: Quito
Visit Wikiri Sapoparque, an ecological biodiversity education center
Take a tour of Quito
With your Tour Director you will see:
- Independence Plaza
- Government Palace
Visit the Church of the Society of Jesus
Participate in a salsa-dancing lesson
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Day 10: Quito • Otavalo • Depart for home
Visit the Quitsato Sundial, an educational exhibit sitting right on the equator
Take a walking tour through the Otavalo open-air market and enjoy the sights and sounds of
this bustling artisan community
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Day 11: Arrive home
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Day 1: Fly to Ecuador
Meet your Tour Director at your destination -
Day 2: Quito • Yungilla
Take a day trip to Yunguilla, a sustainable community in Ecuador’s cloud forest
With your Tour Director you will:
- experience firsthand what successful community development entails
- visit community-owned projects, like jam and cheese factories
- enjoy lunch sourced from a local garden
Stop for a photo at Pululahua Volcano
Immerse yourself in a blindfolded sensory dinner, savoring local cuisine with heightened
awareness
-
Day 3: Quito • Riobamba region
Travel to the Riobamba region
Visit a local school, where you will:
- partake in a pampa mesa lunch—a shared, potluck-style meal that Indigenous communities in Ecuador’s highlands enjoy
- connect with community members through language exchange and field games
Participate in a hands-on artisanal activity at a local education center
-
Day 4: Riobamba region • Baños • Tena
Travel to Tena via Baños
Take a tour of Baños
With your Tour Director you will see:
- Old Cathedral
- New Cathedral
Visit the Devil's Cauldron Waterfall
-
Day 5: Tena • Service project
As communities evolve, so do their needs. That’s why we work closely with local organizations to better understand each community’s issues. Since projects are determined closer to your actual tour date, here’s what a typical day might look like:
- Work on a community conservation project using modern reforestation practices and ancestral knowledge to reforest land once cleared for farming.
- Assist in plant nurseries and learn about the diverse species utilized to regenerate a healthy forest.
-
Day 6: Tena • Service project
As communities evolve, so do their needs. That’s why we work closely with local organizations to better understand each community’s issues. Since projects are determined closer to your actual tour date, here’s what a typical day might look like:
- Work on a community conservation project using modern reforestation practices and ancestral knowledge to reforest land once cleared for farming.
- Assist in plant nurseries and learn about the diverse species utilized to regenerate a healthy forest.
-
Day 7: Tena • Baeza
Enjoy a whitewater rafting excursion
Travel to Baeza, home to rolling hills and charming family farms
-
Day 8: Baeza • Papallacta • Quito • Depart for home
Participate in an activity focused on ecotourism and dairy farming
Visit the Papallacta hot springs
Go for a hike alongside the Papallacta river
-
Day 9: Quito
Visit Wikiri Sapoparque, an ecological biodiversity education center
Take a tour of Quito
With your Tour Director you will see:
- Independence Plaza
- Government Palace
Visit the Church of the Society of Jesus
Participate in a salsa-dancing lesson
-
Day 10: Quito • Otavalo • Depart for home
Visit the Quitsato Sundial, an educational exhibit sitting right on the equator
Take a walking tour through the Otavalo open-air market and enjoy the sights and sounds of
this bustling artisan community
-
Day 11: Arrive home
Feel confident helping your child see the world
Parents, we know you have tons of questions—and we’re here to answer each and every one. (Seriously, call us anytime.) Visit our parents’ page for everything from payment plans and scholarship opportunities to safety protocols and the chance to hear from fellow moms and dads like you.
Are you the “print it, scribble notes on it, stick it to the fridge” type? You can download a printable version of our Parent Guide, too.
Hear a fellow parent's experience with student travel
What’s important to you is important to us
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Flexibility & coverage
Policies like Peace of
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Health standards
We’re actively helping to innovate on new global standards for cleanliness & safety.
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Have questions about this tour? Give us a call at 1-800-263-2806.
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See your tour come to life
Your experience includes
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Airfare & transportation
Round-trip flights on major carriers; comfortable motorcoach
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Hotels
7 overnight stays in hotels with private bathrooms (9 with extension)
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Regional-style meals
Daily breakfast and dinner and 6 lunches featuring regional cuisine; dinner on arrival day if groups arrive by 8pm
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Guided sightseeing
2 expert-led sightseeing tours in iconic destinations (6 with extension)
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Entrances
Nature hike; jam and dairy farm; sensory dinner experience; pampa mesa lunch; artisan activity; Devil’s Cauldron waterfall; whitewater rafting; dairy farming activity; Papallacta hot springs; Papallacta River hike (with extension: Wikiri Sapoparque; Church of the Society of Jesus; salsa-dancing lesson; Quitsato Sundial)
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8–10 Service Hours
Earn up to 10 service hours that count toward academic credit and the presidential award.
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Volunteer and Leadership Activities
Participate in volunteer, leadership, action planning and social issue activities.
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Full-time Tour Director
Your culturally connected Tour Director is with your group 24/7, providing deep local insight while handling all on-tour logistics.
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Expert Local Guides
Your expert local guides are natural historians, adding cultural insight and global perspective on your sightseeing tours.
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Continuous Support
Your dedicated EF team helps you every step of the way—from recruiting and enrolling travelers to planning and managing your tour.
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Worldwide Presence
EF has over 500 schools and offices in more than 50 countries worldwide so wherever you go, we're there too.
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24-hour Emergency Service
Travelers and their families can count on EF's dedicated emergency service team.
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Peace of Mind Program
Feel secure knowing your group can change their destination or travel dates due to unforeseen circumstances. Learn more about your flexible options at eftours.com/peaceofmind.
All your EF tour questions, answered
On our easy-to-navigate Help Center, you’ll find information on everything from our Automatic Payment Plan to passports to our experienced, culturally knowledgeable Tour Directors.
