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Our tour of Ecuador will begin in Quito, the capital city which was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO for having the best preserved and least altered historic center in Latin America. We will continue on to the Maquipucuna Reserve that harbors cloud forest and rainforest. We will spend the next few days researching the diverse plant and animal life of this area.
- Quito: Nestled in a long, narrow valley in the Andes, between the the Volcano Pichincha to the west and the Machángara River Canyon to the east, Quito enjoys a spectacular natural setting. The Ecuadorian capital city's mix of colonial and modern architecture creates a fascinating built environment. In addition to being the site of the Ecuadorian government, Quito is also the nation's cultural capital, with an impressive selection of museums and festivals.
- Dinner in local restaurant: Enjoy an evening meal with your group.
- Jesuit church of La Compania de Jesus: After 160 years work, the church was completed with Solomonic columns and an intricately decorated Moorish interior.
- Visit El Panecillo: Before the Spanish arrived, the local people used this hill as a place to worship the sun. Afterward, the Spanish used this site to construct a fortress to control the area.
- Plaza de la Independencia: In the 16th century the Spanish were afraid that the Incas might poison their water supply, so they set up their own protected well here and this plaza subsequently became the social center of town. Here we will visit Guayasamin's mural of Orellana discovering the Amazon on the wall of Palacia de Gobierno; the City Hall; the Arhcbishop's Palace and the Cathedral.
- Iglesia San Francisco: The first church built in Quito, begun in 1535 on the site of an Inca Temple. Inside we will view the baroque altar which has three important sculptures: the Baptism of Jesus; a representation of Jesus de Gran Poder; and one of the most important sculptures in Ecuador, the original La Virgen de Quito.
- TelefériQo: Take a cable car up to an altitude of 4,050 meters. From here, we will have a spectacular view of the Ecuadorian capital and the valleys. From this unique spot, we can perfectly see how Quito stretches from north to south and, on a clear day, you can even spot several volcanoes surrounding the city.
- Dinner in local restaurant: Enjoy an evening meal with your group.
- Continue on to the Maquipucuna Reserve and Lodge: En route, we will stop to visit Mitad del Mundo.
- Visit Mitad del Mundo: The exact place where the earth is divided into two hemispheres. In 1936, a monument was raised commemorating 200 years of the arrival of the First Mission. In 1979 it was moved 7km to the west of the town of Calacali, where the Equator Line does cross. Today, a new larger monument stands in San Antonio de Pichincha to replace the historical pyramid.
- Maquipucuna Reserve and Lodge: The Maquipucuna Reserve and Lodge is located in the Maquipucuna Forest Reserve. It is a unique destination that harbors cloud forests and rainforests. Here, visitors will find 4% of the planet's bird species, and is the only forest where to watch the endangered Andean Spectacled Bears.
- Orientation Session: This evening, there will be an orientation to go over the project activities that students will be participating in over the coming days.
- Choco-Andean Ecoregional Conservation: Today we will be introduced to the Choco-Andean Ecoregional Conservation Strategy. The Maquipucuna Reserve and Ecolodge is located in one of the top five biodiversity hotspots of the world, close to the equator. It is the gateway to the Chocó Andes conservation corridor - whose core area is in the process of becoming the seventh Ecuadorian Biosphere-Reserve: The Chocó Andean-Pichincha Biosphere Reserve. Activities will focus on learning more about how conservationists are working to achieve this goal.
- Discover the Maquipucuna Reserve: We will take a Natural History Tour of the reserve to learn about conservation in action and ecological corridors. The tour will consist of learning about the cloud forests, basic plant science, and local flora and fauna. The tour will also teach students about regenerative design and permaculture.
- Orongo-Coffee Research Farm: Learn the process of how coffee is made from start to finish. On this tour, students will learn about sustainable coffee farming and sustainable business through ecotourism. Learn how science is involved constantly in this process.
- Cloud Forest Hike and Andean Bear Trek: On our hike, we will learn more about the local ecosystem, especially what is being done to protect the forest and any reforestation that is taking place. While on our tour, we will have the very unique opportunity of possibility of seeing the local Andean-bear habitat. We will be able to learn what is being done to protect the bears, since they are endangered. We will also learn what the bears eat, and what the scientists are researching in the area to help with regeneration.
- Mindo: We will take a day trip to Mindo, which is also just outside of Quito. Mindo is one of the most biodiverse regions on earth and the protected area Mindo-Nambillo is home to almost 350 species of birds, including the colorful species Toucan-Barbet and the Golden-headed Quetzal.
- Santa Lucía Community Ecolodge: The trek is about 1.5 hours each way. We will visit partnered communities in several ecozones including highlands and montane, as well as wetforest and cloud forest. Here, we will see the research that is taking place to protect these forested areas.
- Return to Quito: En route we will stop to volunteer at a local orphanage. Students will be able to play, teach, and read to the children.
- Dinner in local restaurant: Enjoy a special farewell meal with your group.
