Free Time
Volunteer with Indigenous Children in the Ecuadorian Andes - PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS PROGRAM IS NOT CURRENTLY AVAILABLE

Participating with GVI not only allows you to work on programs assisting disadvantaged communities or endangered ecosystems but it also offers wonderful opportunities to travel in the local area in your down time or further afield either before or after your program. Below is some information on trips and travel options in Ecuador.

Optional Included Side Trips

The excursions organised by GVI (at a small additional cost-see dates and costs for more information) are a weekend with the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation in the quaint town of Mindo, which sits in the cloud forest on the western slope of the Andes Mountains and is home to over 350 bird species. This trip includes an overnight stay (including breakfast); an exhilarating white water tubing trip down one of Mindo’s gorgeous, churning rivers; a visit to a local hummingbird garden and a breathtaking canopying trip.

There is also a day on horseback and trekking (or just trekking if you prefer) through the perfect green countryside of an indigenous community called Taxopumba, south of Otavalo, to an amazing hidden gem of a waterfall, yet to be discovered by the package tourists.

Further Travelling Opportunities

Ecuador is an amazing country which should be explored further, if you have the time and funds. Ideas worth considering include; the popular town of Baños where you can be adventurous with rafting or biking and then relax in the volcano heated hot baths, visiting the surfers paradise of Montañita, a rooftop train journey in the mountains around Riobamba and of course, the famous Galapagos Islands teaming with wildlife.

Additionally, in your own time there are plenty of opportunities for cultural tours, museums, volcano hikes, yoga and cookery classes, which have proved very popular with previous volunteers.