Day 1 – Arrive in Quito

Arrive in Quito, Ecuador and meet your Appleseed Expeditions guide. Once you pass through customs and immigration your school group will transfer by bus to the hotel in Quito. Your group should arrive just in time to see some of the local sites that include the historical city center of Quito.

Day 2 – Fly to Coca and Transfer to River Boat

Your student group will set out by plane and fly into the heart of the rainforest. Once you arrive in Coca you and your Appleseed guide will transfer to a river boat hotel in the remote area of the Ecuadorian Amazon River. This evening your group will take in a guided night hike studying nocturnal creatures in the rainforest.

 Day 3 – Explore Tributaries in Search of Piranha and Caymans

Explore the spectacular lakes and tributaries that have a rich abundance of wildlife. Some of the dark tannic lakes are home to black caimans, piranha and anaconda. Later your group will go on a rainforest hike looking for monkeys, sloths and wild birds. To finish the day we will have dinner at sunset on your riverboat.

Day 4 – Amazon Rainforest Trek Adventure

This morning your school group will head out for an all day adventure in the rainforest. Along with your naturalist, you will explore some of the deep recesses of the Amazon. During these hikes it is possible to come in contact with giant tarantulas, tamarin monkeys, a variety of snakes and poison arrow frogs. Your experienced guide will discuss the zones of the forest and discuss different habitats in these ecological life zones.

 Day 5 – Interact with Pink Dolphin and Local Tribes

Today, on this class trip to the Amazon, your group will transfer by boat to some of the lakes and ponds that contain pink dolphins. Once you arrive, the group will have a chance to swim and interact with these wild dolphins. In the late afternoon and evening the students will have a chance to interact and take in some of the customs of the Huaorani people.

 Day 6 – Volunteer with Children’s School

Following breakfast your group will head into Coca and volunteer with an impoverished school. Many of these children are descendants of the Quechua people who struggle with basic necessities. Volunteer programs include mentoring, homework assistance and game interaction.

Day 7 – Fly Back to Quito and Volunteer

Today your educational group will fly back to Quito from Coca. Once you arrive, you have the opportunity to volunteer with children at a center called “Pan de Vida”. This center feeds and cares for families that live on the streets of Quito. Students may be involved in food preparation, serving meals, mentoring, or light construction projects.

Day 8 – Shopping and Then Head Home

This morning, if there is time before your flight, take in shopping and then fly home.

Itinerary subject to change due to circumstances beyond our control including availability with vendors, weather conditions and flight schedules.