Service Adventures

From the snow-peaked volcanoes of the Andes, through the parrot speckled jungles of the Amazon to the undiscovered islands and wildlife spectacle of the Galapagos, this journey provides a rare and extraordinary outdoor experience. Heading south of the equator, your senses will be awakened to a new world of vivid culture, colorful wildlife, and unimaginable landscapes. Spend a week living and working and experiencing the day-to-day life of an organic farm. Horseback ride, kayak, hike, and raft deep into the heart of the Andes. Barter in Spanish for internationally-renowned crafts in a tiny pre-Inca village. Sail, snorkel, and hike through the Galapagos Islands to discover a land forgotten by both evolution and time. Learn and laugh as you discover the secrets of South America…

Horseback riding, kayaking, rafting, repelling, and trekking – Cotopaxi Volcano National Park

After you have been outfitted with traditional ponchos and chaps, your group will travel by horse across Cotopaxi Volcano National Park and view a seemingly endless horizon. You’ll find yourself reflecting on the distance you’ve traveled with your new friends while you enjoy a feast at the base of Cotopaxi. When you awake to that same southern sun, you will prepare to kayak across an active volcano: something not all of your friends can say they have done! As you hike down to the lake, you will follow the trail that Incans traveled thousands of years ago. Discover the ancient coastline of this beautiful area and view the animals, like wild pigs, that inhabit this land. When you finish your time in your kayak, you will travel to the Rio Negro, a town situated in the rainforest of Ecuador. You will travel to the canyons of Rio Negro for some repelling! As you trust your rope, harness and carabineer, and descend, expect to be greeted by such beautiful water and plant life. You’ll continue your aquatic journey while rafting along a river sandwiched between the high and breathtaking cliffs that stand hundreds of feet above. Just think of all the people that have traveled this river in search of new life for the waters you are rafting on flow straight into the Amazon River!

Community Service - Rio Negro

As you build crates for the Rio Negro community which merchants will use for their goods, you will receive local wages. You’ll earn your wages according to how many crates you make, so you may want to work as fast as possible! You will also help out this community by preparing meals for the elderly population of Rio Negro.The Ecuadorian elderly will be so appreciative of your time and effort, and you will view their gratification when you hand-deliver these meals to such beautiful people. You will then get to work with local children at an orphanage and even help paint and restore their schools. Imagine the belly laughs you’ll experience when you spend time with these happy children who are so excited to have you as their new friend. After you have spent time getting to know the people of Rio Negro, you will help out the plant life that surrounds the area. We will embark on a reforestation project to ensure the continual growth of the trees in the area. Our efforts will create cleaner air for the region and new environments for so many plants and animals.

Visit the world famous Otavalo market

The hill tribes surrounding Otavalo are well known internationally for their unique, beautiful, and well made crafts and weaving. These crafts are brought down from the mountains to a vibrant weekly market where you can join the fun of bartering for just about anything.

Explore Darwin’s magical land by sailboat: the Galapagos Islands

Finally, your time will come when you set sail for the Galapagos Islands, the famous land where Charles Darwin researched the ecology and perfected his theories of life.. Admire the diversity of the island’s terrain as you walk through thick vegetation, dry rock and soft sand. You will also see the wide calderas that exist as result of ancient volcanoes. You will spend several days exploring this land and swimming in the waters that surround it. You can also count on viewing sea lions who are very social towards people on the Galapagos Islands! All the time spent beside the waters will prepare you for your day of snorkeling. As you employ your flippers and assorted snorkeling gear, you have a great chance of viewing a ray that might be skimming the surface below you or a colorful fish swimming beside you. But make sure you bring your underwater camera so that you can remember these unforgettable times and these unexplainable colors with your new friends!