Global Routes: From the Andes to the Jungle in Ecuador & the Amazon

Contained within the borders of one small country are the headwaters of the Amazon, the snow-capped volcanoes of the Andes, and Darwin’s Galapagos Islands. Ecuador is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world! It has a remarkable variety of habitats and is as rich culturally as it is geographically. Discover Ecuador firsthand as you meet the indigenous peoples of the High Sierra, trek through clouds in the high Andes, and celebrate the vibrancy of rural family life.

WHO WE ARE

We offer students the unparalleled opportunity to immerse themselves in small rural communities, develop deep and mutually fulfilling cross-cultural relationships, and make positive contributions that last for generations.

Our students work side by side with local hosts on projects selected and prioritized by the community. Global Routes student groups have constructed schools, health clinics, and community centers in rural communities around the world. From irrigation projects in the high Peruvian desert to stream clean-ups in the Costa Rican rainforest to Friendship Camps in the mountains of Lesotho, our students roll up their sleeves and find joy in the reward of hard work, camaraderie, and authentic cross-cultural learning.

ECUADOR & THE AMAZON: July 1-29, 2023

• Experience Otavalo, an Andean mountain village famous for its volcanic crater lake and artisan markets.
• Become an integral part of your rural Ecuadorian home, harvesting fresh bananas and cacao or playing soccer with your siblings.
• Improve your Spanish as you work side by side with locals on the construction of a school.
• Explore the Amazon basin; traverse the rainforest in one of the world’s most biodiverse jungles. 

THE EXPERIENCE 

“I would definitely recommend Global Routes to anyone looking to go abroad for the summer. Before I went, I looked into a TON of programs, and decided that Global Routes was the best option, and I’m happy to say that it exceeded my expectations. My homestay family was kind, warm, welcoming, and accommodating, my leaders were fantastic, and the places we visited were amazing.”

– Julia, Ecuador Student Alum

TUITION: $5,995. International & domestic airfare is not included in the tuition. Roundtrip airfare from New York to Quito/Guayaquil will be approximately $1,200. Round trip flights to the Galapagos will be approximately $550.