![My Month in Ecuador… 🇪🇨
Earlier this year, I spent a month in Ecuador with PMGY and I loved it so much that I went back again! Here’s a little snapshot of my favourite parts of volunteering there!✨
🏠 Homestay - Both times I stayed with Monika and her family, along with four other volunteers. We shared meals, practiced Spanish, and enjoyed delicious home-cooked food. The house was super cosy and comfortable — a real home away from home. I even spent my birthday there and my host family made it feel really special! 🎂
🏙️ Quito - Staying in Quito totally exceeded my expectations. There’s so much to do such as visiting cafés with mountain views and many cultural activities too. It’s the perfect base for exploring Ecuador, with great (and cheap!) transport options for exploring further afield.
🦅 Volunteering Projects - I split my time between two projects. First, the Childcare Project, where I helped out at a local kindergarten. The staff were incredibly welcoming and made me feel appreciated right away. Then, I joined the Bird Rescue Project, which was such a unique experience! We cleaned enclosures, prepared food, assisted with medical checks, and even helped train birds to fly!
🏔️ Weekend Adventures - I made the most of every weekend with trips to Cotopaxi Volcano, Quilotoa Lake, Otavalo Markets, and Baños — each for around $50 including transport, food, a guide, and entrance fees! But my absolute favourite was a 5-day adventure in the Amazon Rainforest, complete with boat rides, swimming in lagoons, spotting wildlife, traditional cooking, and meeting a Shaman!
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Quito will be the heart of your school trip in Ecuador, offering a perfect mix of volunteering, culture, and adventure. You’ll settle in with your host family before diving into an orientation and Spanish lesson to ease into life in Ecuador. The first few days will focus on giving back as students volunteer at San Roque Daycare Centre. Afternoons and evenings will feature engaging cultural and adventure activities, such as traditional cooking lessons and salsa classes. Later in the week, you’ll shift gears to explore Ecuador’s natural beauty with visits to the Equator and the stunning Quilotoa Lake, offering unforgettable views and experiences.
The second week brings a varied volunteering schedule across the Quito district, including time at an elderly shelter, childcare project, horse therapy program, and special needs program. Afternoons will stay action-packed with visits to the Guayasamín Museum, Pichincha Volcano, and even a thrilling soccer match. A night-time city tour of Quito adds a magical touch before concluding your school trip in Ecuador with visits to Otavalo City and an immersive experience with the Tsachilas Tribe. This two-week adventure includes airport transfers, meals, accommodation, entrance fees, and cultural activities, ensuring a seamless and memorable journey for all.
Your School Trip to Ecuador
- Choose Start Dates & Trip Durations That Work Best For Your School
- Flexible Itinerary & Activities To Suit Your School’s Needs & Priorities
- Build Student Confidence & Teamwork Through Travel & New Experiences
- Focus On Student Growth & Development Through Travel & Cultural Immersion
- Enjoy Exceptional Value Without Compromising On Quality, Safety & Support
- Teachers Travel Free To Support Your Students Throughout Their Ecuador Trip
- Support Childcare, Animal Care & Community Projects Across Quito
- Visit The Equator, Quilotoa Lake & Enjoy Ecuador’s Incredible Volcano Scenery
- Explore Quito, Otavalo & Indigenous Communities In The Ecuadorian Andes
- Experience Ecuadorian Culture Through Salsa, Cooking Classes & Museums
Program Map
How It Works
Plan My Gap Year has the expertise, experience, and networks to ensure your Ecuador school trip is accessible, safe, and stress-free. We prioritise safety management and provide detailed risk assessment documentation for all our overseas trips, including Ecuador, to ensure that participants are well looked after throughout their journey.
Organising an overseas school trip involves a lot of preparation, from booking flights and insurance to arranging pre-trip training - and that’s before you even begin planning the itinerary! That’s where PMGY comes in. We specialise in organising school expeditions abroad, offering exclusive group trips for large student groups, full board options, meaningful community project work, and exciting travel opportunities. We can take care of everything, including:
- Comprehensive Flight Options, Travel Insurance & Complete Visa Assistance
- Customised, All-Inclusive Volunteer and Travel Itineraries
- Thorough Pre-Departure Preparation with 24/7 Support Both Throughout
As part of our social initiative, we offer affordable pricing without compromising the quality of our programs. Many schools choose our programs as a more budget-friendly alternative to other providers. We can customise your trip to meet your specific needs and work closely with you to design a personalised itinerary for your school trip to Ecuador. So, why not follow the steps below and make your tailor-made school trip to Ecuador a reality!
Your Ecuador School Trip Awaits...
Step 1 - Arrange a Call - Contact us via email, phone or Zoom to discuss your Ecuador school trip. One of our expedition specialists will tailor the trip to your needs!
Step 2 - Meet & Greet - After the initial discussion, our specialist will meet you and your colleagues in person to refine the trip details and answer any questions.
Step 3 - Information Session - Once the itinerary and dates are finalised, we’ll host an information session for students and parents to provide all trip details and answer any queries.
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Step 4 – Confirm Trip Numbers –
After the registration deadline, we’ll arrange the group deposit payment and confirm the trip. For every 10 students, 1 teacher travels for free! We’ll also offer flights and insurance options.
Step 5 – Pre-departure Support –
Leading up to the trip, we’ll provide ongoing support, including a bespoke trip handbook, risk assessments, safety management, and project preparation webinars.
Step 6 – Pre-departure Session –
Around 2 months before departure, we’ll host a final pre-departure session at your school for staff, students, and parents to ensure everything is set. PMGY T-shirts will be handed out during the session.
Step 7 – Before You Go –
In the days before departure, we’ll stay in regular contact to ensure everything is in place, including arrival procedures, dietary needs, and medical requirements.
Step 8 – Enjoy the Trip! –
During the trip, our ground team will be your point of contact, with daily check-ins to ensure everything runs smoothly. We’re available 24/7 from afar for any support.
Step 9 – Return Home –
We’ll ensure a smooth return to Quito International Airport and send each participant a certificate of completion. We’ll follow up shortly after the trip for feedback.
Step 10 – Future Planning –
Once the trip blues have settled, it’s time to start planning your next adventure with PMGY. Whether returning to Ecuador or exploring a new destination, we’ll support you every step of the way!
Itinerary
We’ve created a 14-day sample itinerary showcasing the ultimate Ecuador school trip, blending volunteering, travel, adventure, and cultural immersion. While this provides a great starting point, we understand every school has unique goals. That’s why we offer bespoke itineraries tailored to your needs - whether you want to adjust the trip length, focus solely on volunteering, or combine it with travel experiences. Whatever your preferences, we’ll ensure your Ecuador school trip is affordable, structured, safe, and unforgettable.
Once you settle into your homestay, you’ll enjoy a traditional Ecuadorian dinner prepared by your host family. This marks the beginning of your immersive school trip in Ecuador, with Quito serving as your base for various volunteering and adventure activities, including trips to iconic destinations such as the Equator and Quilotoa Lake.
After lunch, the local team will guide you through an orientation, covering life in Ecuador, cultural norms, safety advice, and details of your upcoming itinerary. A walking tour of the local area will familiarise you with key amenities such as supermarkets and money exchange points. Following a busy day of preparation, you’ll have time to relax, reflect, and gear up for the volunteering and adventures ahead.
Beyond the project work, afternoons and evenings will feature cultural and adventure activities like traditional Ecuadorian cooking and salsa dancing. Host families will provide hearty dinners, ensuring you’re well-fuelled for your busy days.
Accommodation
During your school trip to Ecuador, you’ll stay in homestay accommodations that are comfortable, secure, and thoroughly vetted. Most of your time will be based in Quito, where the volunteer portion of your trip takes place, in a peaceful and safe part of the city.
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Facilities in Quito
- Room Setup: Each room accommodates up to 4 people (same-sex) and includes fans, bed linen, and mosquito nets. Teachers have separate rooms.
- Communal Areas: Spaces are available for students to relax, play games, and prepare lesson plans.
- Kitchen Facilities: A refrigerator is provided for storing chilled items.
- Storage: Cupboard space is available; we recommend bringing small padlocks or storing valuables with the local team.
- Transportation: Transport is arranged daily to and from your volunteer project.
- Additional Facilities: Western-style bathrooms provided and convenient access to local laundry services available.
- On-site security: A host family member resides at the accommodation, alongside the local coordinators living nearby, ensuring 24/7 support and safety.
Our host families in Ecuador are experienced in welcoming international volunteers, having been rigorously vetted by our local team to ensure they provide a warm and comfortable home environment. Living with an Ecuadorian host family offers an authentic cultural experience, with opportunities to improve your Spanish and hear their stories. The homes are modern, equipped with electricity, running hot water, and familiar comforts. Host families are dedicated to ensuring you feel at home, with their doors always open and meals prepared, whether you’re heading out early for a volunteer project or returning late from a day tour.
Wi-Fi
Yes (Usually Available)
People Per Room
Up To 4
Single Sex Rooms
Yes
Western Bathroom Facilities
Yes
Airport Transfer
45 Minutes
Nearest ATM & Shops
10 Minute Walk
Meals
During your school trip to Ecuador, you’ll enjoy three meals per day, primarily served at your host family's accommodation. On days with volunteer projects or day tours, your host family may prepare a packed lunch for you, ensuring you have a meal suited to the day’s schedule. Meals are thoughtfully planned to give you a taste of Ecuador’s rich culinary heritage while keeping convenience in mind.
Traditional Ecuadorian cuisine features staples such as potatoes, rice, beans, fish, shellfish, yuca, plantains, chicken, beef, and pork, all freshly prepared daily. While the focus is local dishes, occasional Western meals are included in the itinerary, and vegetarian options are always available. It’s important to avoid tap water in Ecuador; however, your host family will provide boiled or filtered water, and bottled water is readily available for purchase if needed.
* Our team will do their best to cater for dietary requirements, but this cannot always be guaranteed. Volunteers may need to purchase additional ingredients at their own expense. Please note any dietary requirements in your application and re-iterate them to the local team on arrival. For major concerns, contact the PMGY International Team before confirming your place on the program.
