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Where does my trip start?
Our Ecuador Adventure starts in Quito, Ecuador. You most likely will be traveling with other Moondance students and one Moondance instructor. We use Club Travel to coordinate all travel for international trips to ensure that students arrive as a group.
What happens in a typical day?
Our Ecuador Adventure is full of activities from horseback riding and rafting throughout Cotopaxi National Park to sailing through the famed Galapagos. The main sections of the trip can be divided into backpacking, whitewater rafting, community service, sea kayaking, and sailing. Within each section we will do a variety of activities from playing soccer to studying gigantic turtles. Every day is different and exciting yet we end each day with a “moon-up,” a chance to debrief the day, talk about upcoming adventures and challenges, and just hang out.
Do I have to speak Spanish to do this program?
Though knowledge of Spanish may be useful during homestays or when traveling, it is certainly not required. Your leaders will be fluent in Spanish in order to coordinate travel and logistics at the airport and with outfitters. You may find it fun to practice phrases with the sons and daughters of families, or exchange greetings in the local markets when you buy a souvenir.
What community Service Projects will I do?
This will likely be a highlight of your trip as we have an entire week to settle down and give our time and energy to a community in need. We will stay on an organic farm in a valley surrounded by volcanic peaks learning the ins and outs of organic farming and how a NGO works in a country like Ecuador. This will also give us a chance to really soak up the Ecuadorian lifestyle by living, working, and playing with a wonderful community of families.
How do we travel throughout Ecuador?
We travel in a private bus while moving around Ecuador. As a group we will fly to the Galapagos Islands and hop on a sail boat to do some serious island-hopping.
Can I call home?
We encourage you not to make any calls during your trip; however we do allow 1 phone call home between activities.
What will our group eat?
We will mix it up between local favorites and Moondance favorites. From pbj’s in the backcountry to tasting the local fair at a restaurant, our meals will be healthy and delicious. During our service project we will eat organic fruits and vegetables straight from the farm.
Where will we sleep?
We will sleep in a variety of environments. When we are in and around larger cities we will stay in youth hostels. The rest of the trip we will pitch our tents, and hopefully be able to sleep under the stars.
What types of vaccinations or health precautions should I take in advance?
The only required vaccination for entry into Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands is a current tetanus booster. We have been requested by our Ecuador outfitters and medical advisor with the Travel Clinic in Atlanta to make certain that all of our Ecuador students have at least a current tetanus booster, a Hepatitis A vaccination and a typhoid vaccination. We will not be visiting the regions where malaria, typhoid, and yellow fever are still a problem; however, we strongly encourage you to contact your family physician and/ or the CDC concerning these preventative health measures.
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