Faculty-led travel courses · Latin America
Ecuador Faculty-Led Travel Course
This program explores Ecuador, a country whose compact territory includes Andean highlands, Amazon rainforest and Pacific coastline. Students study its landscapes, wildlife, Indigenous cultures and the communities that depend on them.
Good to know
- Language
- Spanish; Kichwa and other Indigenous languages are also spoken
- Currency
- US dollar
- Best season
- June–September in the highlands and Amazon; varies by region
- Typical length
- 10–14 days (customizable)
Highlights
What students will see and do
- Quito Historic CenterOne of the best-preserved colonial city centers in Latin America, and among the first UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
- Mitad del MundoA monument near Quito marks the equator, from which the country takes its name.
- Cotopaxi National ParkA park around one of the world's highest active volcanoes, with highland landscapes above 4,000 meters.
- Otavalo MarketA long-running Andean market known for textiles and crafts made by Indigenous Kichwa communities.
- Amazon RainforestEcuador's eastern lowlands are part of the Amazon basin and are home to a great variety of plants, birds and mammals.
- Galápagos IslandsA volcanic archipelago in the Pacific known for unique wildlife and its role in Charles Darwin's work.
Faculty-led travel courses
Courses that fit Ecuador
Professors build their own syllabus; ARAMFO arranges the visits that bring it to life.
Geography & Environmental StudiesA course could compare coastal, Andean and Amazon ecosystems and the pressures of tourism and resource extraction.
Psychology, Sociology & Social WorkStudents could study Indigenous identity, rural livelihoods and migration.
Education & Teacher PreparationA course could look at bilingual and intercultural education in Spanish and Kichwa-speaking communities.
Map
Where you will go
Academic and professional visits
- A local university faculty of environmental science
- An Indigenous community cooperative
- A rainforest conservation project
- A rural school or community center
Visits are chosen with the professor to match the course.
Itinerary
Sample itinerary
A starting point only — every trip is adjusted to your course, dates and budget.
Customizable. This sample shows the kinds of visits and places available. Days, pace and academic visits are built around your course.
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Day 1
Arrival in Quito
Arrive in the highland capital and settle into your hotel.
- Airport pickup
- Transfer to hotel in Quito
- Welcome dinner
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Day 2
Quito Old Town
Tour a UNESCO-listed colonial center and the modern Mariscal district.
- Guided tour of Quito's Old Town
- Mariscal Sucre neighborhood
- Free afternoon
- Academic visit matched to your course (university, school, NGO or company)
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Day 3
Equator and Otavalo
Cross the equator and visit the highlands' best known indigenous market area.
- Mitad del Mundo equator monument
- Cayambe and its famous biscuits
- Peguche waterfall
- Otavalo artisan market
- Cuicocha Lagoon and Lake San Pablo
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Day 4
Ibarra Communities
Meet artisans and farmers in the countryside near Ibarra.
- Visit Magdalena Bajo and Chontal communities
- Meet craftspeople and farmers
- Learn about local livelihoods
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Day 5
Saquisilí and Pujilí
Visit one of Ecuador's most traditional market towns and its nearby church.
- Saquisilí market
- Pujilí town
- Drive through the Andean countryside
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Day 6
Quilotoa to Baños
Hike around a crater lake and meet highland indigenous communities.
- Quilotoa Lagoon hike
- Visit nearby villages and, if possible, an indigenous home
- Evening arrival in Baños
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Day 7
Baños Adventure Day
Try whitewater and canyon sports in Ecuador's adventure capital.
- Half-day rafting in the morning
- Afternoon canyoning
- Optional: ziplining, biking to waterfalls or bungee jumping
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Day 8
Devil's Nose Train and Cuenca
Ride one of the world's steepest railway sections, then cross the Andes.
- Drive from Baños to Alausí through Riobamba
- Train ride to the Devil's Nose
- Stop at the Ingapirca ruins
- Evening arrival in Cuenca
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Day 9
Cuenca
Walk through Ecuador's most elegant colonial city and learn where the Panama hat comes from.
- Guided city tour of Cuenca's historic center
- Visit a Panama hat workshop and market
- Academic visit matched to your course (university, school, NGO or company)
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Day 10
Cajas and Fly to Quito
See the high páramo wetlands before returning to Quito.
- Cajas National Park
- Flight from Cuenca to Quito
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Day 11
Departure Home
Final transfer to the airport and flight home, with course notes and credits ready to complete.
- Breakfast and hotel check-out
- Transfer to Quito airport for the flight home
What is included
ARAMFO arranges everything
You choose the dates and the airport your group flies from. We handle the logistics and the academic visits so you can focus on teaching.
3–6 credit hours, offered through your own department · 8+ students and the professor's travel cost is covered by ARAMFO · Your dates and your departure airport
- Airfare from your preferred airport
- Hotels or student housing
- Meals as set out in the itinerary
- Transportation in the host country
- Tour guides and entrance fees
- University, company and professional visits
- A native guide with the group for the whole trip
- Customized dates and itinerary
Get started
Plan a course in Ecuador
Tell us about your course and we will reply with a draft itinerary and cost.
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