WHY STUDY SPANISH IN ECUADOR


Study Spanish in South America, discover this new language in Ecuador, because Ecuador has it all, from the Galapagos Islands, up to the high Andes Mountains and down to the impressing Amazon Basin and not forgetting the coast with its beautiful and unique beaches with the perfect water temperature that will make you really enjoy the sea waters. All this, while learning and studying Spanish!

Studying Spanish in Ecuador really worth it, Ecuador is also rich in culture and architecture, due to its Spanish and Incan heritage, vast indigenous population, and broad ethnic diversity. Ecuador's population is extremely diverse, having more than ten different indigenous ethnic groups in addition to a considerable population of Mestizos, Caucasian, African and others.

SPANISH LESSONS ECUADORGALLERY
highlands and Coast 30 days

Saturday: Departure from Amsterdam or Brussels to Quito

WEEK 1
Day 1 Sunday:
Students arrive to Mariscal Sucre Airport, Quito, Ecuador. Transfer In by the Host families who will pick up students and take them to their homes.
Free day to rest and get to know the family

Day 2 Monday
09:00 – 12H00 am Language placement test.
Spanish lessons
2:30pm Site visit: Surrounds of the school and
Indigenous open market.

Day 3 Tuesday
9:00AM to 12:00PM language classes
2:30 We meet in the school for site visit: El Panecillo Hill, scenic view of the city, and then city tour to historic downtown, main plaza and government house.

Day 4 Wednesday
9:00AM to 12:00PM Language classes
2:30 We meet in the school for site visit to the Basilica del Voto Nacional. This basilica, of neo-gothic arquitecture, was build in 1873, it height is 155 meters and has 24 small chapels inside that symbolize the 24 provinces of Ecuador.

Day 5 Thursday
9:00AM to 12:00PM Language classes
2:00 to 2:30 discussion sessions.
2:30 We meet in the school for site visit: Guayasamin Museum. Students learn about resurgence of local indigenous people themes in contemporary art. Oswaldo Guayasamín (1919 – 1999) was a Latin American master painter and sculptor who created a Pan-American portrait of human and social inequalities who reached international recognition. His paintings are famous for portraying faces of oppressed minorities of Latin America.

Day 6 Friday
9:00AM to 12:00PM Language classes
2:00 We meet in the school for site visit: Guided tour to 16th and 17th churches, downtown Quito. Students learn about religious Spanish colonial art and its influence in local communities.
* Visit Quito’s main cathedral:
Built between 1550 and 1562. The outer walls of the cathedral feature plaques of the founding fathers. Inside this elaborately decorated church are examples of the Quito School of Art and the independence hero, General Antonio Jose de Sucre's tomb.
* Visit San Francisco Church:
Built from1535 to 1605 the San Francisco Church and Monastery with its 104 Doric columns is the largest structure in colonial Quito. Built on an Inca holy site this complex took 59 years to build. It is the oldest church in South America and considered a great masterpiece of baroque art. Located just off the busy Plaza of San Francisco, the walls and ceiling are covered in gold leaf. Inside is Bernard de Legarda's sculpture of the Winged Virgin, whose facial features resembles those of local indigenous peoples.
* Visit Compañia de Jesús:
This ornate 18th century Jesuit church took 163 years to finish. A blend of Baroque and Quiteño art nearly every inch is covered with gold leaf. More than 1 ton of gold was used in its construction. The ceiling is frequently referred to as the Sistine Chapel of Quito. Also known as the most splendid church in Latin America.

Day 7 Saturday
Day trip to: Mitad del Mundo (Spanish for Middle of the World) 20 km north of the center of Quito.
We visit the ethnographic museum of Ecuador. The museum displays elements of indigenous Ecuadorian culture, such as clothing, descriptions of the various ethnic groups, and examples of their activities. A small town surrounding the monument replicates a colonial Spanish town called "Ciudad Mitad del Mundo" (Middle of the World City).Within the museum; visitors can perform various experiments possible only on the equator.
Then we visit Inti-Yan museum: Inti-Yan is Quechua for “Route of the Sun" (Camino del sol). The museum provides information on the cosmological knowledge of pre-Columbian indigenous communities.
Finally we visit the Inca fortress of Rumicucho: These fortresses or “pucaras” were built by the Incas in the 15th century mostly as military outpost to serve as an offensive and defensive guard post in their struggle to subjugate the northern tribes of the Cayambe, Cochasqui and Caranquis indigenous people. It also served ceremonial and astronomical purposes.
LATE AFTERNOON: Meet with the teacher AT THE SCHOOL to take the public transportation to the coast


Day 8 Sunday
Day 1
11:00 Arrival to the lodge, and accommodation in the cabin.
13:30 Lunch
14:45 Visit to vegetable gardens and its surroundings.
15:30 - 18:30 Spanish Classes
19:00 Welcome-dinner in the Bamboo Restaurant, with fresh sea food.

Week 2

Day 9 Monday
Day 2 - Monday
7:30 Breakfast in the Lodge
8:30 – 10:30 Spanish Classes
11:00 Visit to the “Frailes” beach. - The Program includes:
Transport from "Alándaluz" to"Los Frailes", " La Playita " and " La Tortuguita " beaches (and return).
" La Playita ", ferrous sand (black), specially fit for children. " La Tortuguita ": white sand and transparent waters, and also coral white rocks. The name comes from a witness rock located between the sand and the ocean, resembling a tortoise.
Los Frailes": The name comes from the trees formerly exiting in the area which were called "ovo-frailes" (a type of prune). This is the largest beach with white sand and calm transparent waters. There is a watch tower where the magnificent landscape of the cliffs, the beaches and virgin forests can be observed
13:00 Return to the Lodge
14:30 Lunch in the Bamboo Restaurant
15:30 – 18:30 Spanish Classes
19:00 Dinner

Day 10 Tuesday
Day 3 - Tuesday
7:30 Breakfast
8:30 Leave to Puerto Lopez to visit Isla de la Platas
19:00 Dinner with the typical Manabita´s food
This program includes:
Transportation from "Alándaluz" to "Puerto Lopez" (and return).
Marine transportation in tourist boats from the Continent to the Island (1h30 min each way). Whales watching (June- July and August)
Guided trekking by one of the trails to the Island (3 hrs approximately)
The "Punta Machete" Trail: This trail takes you to the upper part of the Island , where you can enjoy the primitive nature and amazing landscape.
During the trekking you'll see a large population of "Piqueros de Patas Azules", "Piqueros Enmascarados" and other species can be watched. During the months from May to December the Albatross, which are the migratory birds with the largest wings in the world, nest in the area.
The "Punta Escalera" Trail: this trail borders one side of the Island . Colonies of "Piqueros de Patas Azules", " Piqueros Enmascarados" and "Fragatas" can be watched. " Piqueros Patas Rojas" can be watched in the lower section of the cliffs.
Box Lunch
Snorkeling can be practiced near the Island with the equipment to be provided in the boat.
Return to the lodge

Day 11 Wednesday
Day 4 - Wednesday
7:30 Breakfast
8:30 – 12:30 Spanish Classes
13:00 Lunch
14:30 Visit to Agua Blanca Museum
17:30 – 19:30 Spanish Classes
20:00 Dinner and bonfire at the beach
The program includes:
Transport from "Alándaluz" to the prehistoric city of "Agua Blanca" (and return). This is an "in situ" museum where very well maintained archeological ruins can be appreciated. These ruins formed a solar calendar to celebrate the rites of the hiemal (winter) or vernal (summer) solstices. Additionally the funeral urns of the "Manteña" culture can be observed.
The visitor can enjoy a bath in the sulphur water lagoon and try the medicinal mud, "the natural SPA of the area.
Not included: Ticket for the Museum


Day 12 Thursday
Day 5 - Thursday
7:30 Breakfast
8:30 – 12:30 Spanish Classes
13:00 Lunch
14:30 – 16:30 Spanish Classes
16:30 Free Afternoon
return to quito

Day 13 Friday
Free morning
14h00 – 17h00 spanish lessons at school in Quito

Day 14 Saturday
FREE DAY AT THE FAMILY

Day 15 Sunday
BAÑOS EXCURSION
We will leave at 7:00am and we will stop to have breakfast at “Café de la vaca”, 40 minutes to the south from Quito. From there we continue south to Quilotoa lagoon. We will stop there to have luch and visit the lagoon . From there we head to Riobamba. In our way we will have a view of Cotopaxi volcanoe. In quechua Cotopaxi means "piece of the moon." Cotopaxi Volcano is near the Cotopaxi National Park. It is the second biggest national park in Ecuador and second most visited after the Galapagos National park. It is the natural habitat of condors, deer, llamas and other mammals. Cotopaxi was considered by the native Quechuas a sacred place for centuries.We continue to Riobamba capital of Chimborazo Province in central Ecuador. Dinner and city tour. We sleep over in Riobamba.
Riobamba is an important historic and cultural landmark of Ecuador. The region was a Puruhá Indian territory before it was conquered by the Incas during the late 15th century. It was the first city founded by the Spaniards in Ecuador, so it has reserved an abundant history and architectures until today. Beyond its historical dimension, Chimborazo region is considered the most indigenous province in Ecuador and retains a unique cultural mélange. More than five hundred indigenous communities contribute to Chimborazo’s ethnic diversity, and have successfully lead a national indigenous movement.

Week 3
Day 16 Monday
Breakfast at the train station. We leave at 6:00am to take the train to the city of Alusí- Naríz del Diablo. This gives us the opportunity to have a great view at local people’s lives and at the Andes mountains. Luch in Alausí. City tour. We continue to Banos. Dinner in Banos. We sleep in Baños.
The city of Baños offers an spectacular setting as it is surrounded by steep hills, rushing mountain rivers, many waterfalls and volcanoes. The city is also a Roman Catholic religious center, as some Catholic believers say that the Virgin Mary appeared near a waterfall. A sculpture of the virgin, called Virgen de Agua Santa, was placed in the cathedral.

Day 17 Tuesday
Breakfast in Banos. Visit El Manto de la Novia water fall and Tarabita, the largest pole bridge, then we visit the Pailon del Diablo and the waterfalls. Later we head to Puyo. Lunch in Puyo. In Puyo we will visit the ethno botanic park OMAERE (which means "jungle" in waorani), where we will learn more about Amazon’s plants and the waorani cultures. We will observe and learn about handcrafts making and healing plants, we will also learn traditional techniques of cerbatana hunting. We sleep over in Baños.


Day 18 Wednesday
Break fast in Banos. Trekking to Tunguragua volcano
Luch in Banos. After lunch we return to Quito. Students are taken to their houses.

Day 19 Thursday
9:00AM to 12:00PM Language classes
14h00 pm visit CASA DE LA CULTURA ECUATORIANA MUSEUM
As you enter the museum, you first encounter an important collection of Ecuadorian paintings of the XIX Century with a variety of themes: religious, portraits, landscapes, among others.
Continuing the visit, you find the Pedro León Exhibit Room, which is considered the most important collection of the MUSEUM due to it holds 87 works of art by some of the most renowned Ecuadorian artists
Continue to the Diógenes Paredes Exhibit Room, with a collection of contemporary art: abstract, informal and other modern tendencies, including sculpture; Following is the Musical Instruments Museum.
Many of the displayed instruments date to pre-Columbian times in Ecuador and other South American countries, and others are more contemporary but representative of native cultures of the Americas. Some of the most interesting pieces include: quenas made of human bones, rondadores manufactured with condor feathers, drums made with carapaces of animals and sonajeros made of seeds of the Amazonia and toucan beaks.
The halls between the collections mentioned above display two interesting collections: one of portraits of important social figures of Ecuador, and the other of engravings. The museum also includes a temporary exhibit room for national and international exhibits.

Day 20 Friday
09h00 – 12h00 Language classes
14H00 Salsa lessons and dans workshop

Day 21 Saturday
Day trip to Otavalo:
Otavalo is a largely indigenous town in Imbabura Province. The Otavalo indigenous people are famous for the weaving of textiles, a practice which they have had for over 400 years. We will visit the town on its primary market day, Saturday. Otavalo is also known for its Inca-influenced traditional music and musicians (currently known as Andean New Age).
We will continue to Cotacachi: The name Cotacachi has many meanings. In Quichua means “powder salt”. The ecosystems of the area and the native flora and fauna make this canton one of the ecologically richest zones in South America. In the last decade Cotacachi has implemented a new system of local development by creating a city council. All the sectors of the society, from children to the ancient participate in the council which resembles the government system of the pre-colonial period.
Lunch in AYA HUMA hostal in Peguche.
We finish the tour in Cuicocha: Cuicocha is a three kilometers (1.9-mile) wide caldera and crater lake at the foot of Cotacachi volcano in the Ecuadorian Andes. Cuicocha forms the southern end of the Reserve. During the second day of Inti Raymi (or Inca Sun celebration) every summer solstice, indigenous shaman used Cuicocha as a bath of ritual cleansing and purification. Back to Quito.

Day 22 Sunday
Free day at the family


Week 4

Day 23 Monday
9:00AM to 12:00PM Language classes
2h30pm: Visit The village of Guapulo which is an interesting area with a bohemian atmosphere with a number of bars and cafés and is is home to many artists. It is hard to believe that it lies just minutes from a bustling modern capital city. The historic church at the centre is Quito's oldest colonial church, the Sanctuario de Guapulo. It forms part of an interesting group of historic buildings
In the public square in front of the church there is a statue of Fransisco de Orellana, the spanish explorer credited with the first descent of the Amazon during Pizarro's ill fated expedition of 1541 -
Guapulo is one of the oldest churches, but it is important because it is placed in a beautiful small valley, not in the city.
From the top of the hill the are fantastic views out over the Cumbaya Valley to the East -the gateway to the Amazon. On a clear day you can see the volcano Cayambe on the horizon.
More recently Guapulo was used as a setting for the kidnap scene in the film "Proof of Life" starring Meg Ryan and Russell Crowe


Day 24 Tuesday
9:00AM to 12:00PM Language classes
2:00 We meet in the school for site visit: Museo de la Ciudad at the Old Town. Students learn about pre-colonial, colonial and modern Ecuadorian art. The “Museo de la Cuidad”, home to Quito’s heritage, has a great collection of all the plans that were drawn up for the city of Quito. The collection begins in the 18th to the 20th century. This gives visitors to the museum insight into the progress and development that changed the city over the years. Works of art include beautiful sculptures and paintings that date back from the 16th to the 19th centuries. The art, which was collected between the years of 1534 and 1820, show the great importance the sun played for the local indigenous people from pre-colonial times. It also shows great respect and adoration for women as they had many women goddesses as well. The colonial art museum also shows European styled art. Many paintings originated from the well known art School of Quito.


Day 25 Wednesday
9:00AM to 12:00PM Language classes
6:00PM We meet in the school. Folk ballet “Jacchigua”. Jacchigua comes from the word “jacchima” in quichua. It was the festivity that the patrón (landlord) would give to his workers in the patio of the hacienda, after having collected the grain and put away the seeds. Husicamas (house
workers), hausipungueros (share-workers), would enjoy a day of festivities with the landlord and his family along with food, drinks, dance and music.The National Folkloric Ballet Jacchigua was born to portray the national manifestations of culturally diverse country of Ecuador. Sagaruro, Cacha, the dancers from Maca Grande, Saint John festivities from Poaló, the festivity of Inti-Raimi (Sun God), the festivity of Saint Peter and Saint Paul are among the cultures and traditions represented in their choreographies. During this last 17 years an exceptional audience has admired the passages of this ensemble filled with necklaces, earrings, hats, ponchos, shawls, skirts, baskets, offerings, etc., exposed in each of the choreographies, in which dancers and musicians of Jacchigua are transported to a magic world of national culture with experiences and ancestral traditions enriched with ethnic elements, exposed for the remembrance of life

Day 26 Thursday
9:00AM to 12:00PM Language classes
14H00: SALSA LESSONS
Dance workshop on Marimba and Bomba del chota, Afro-Ecuadorian traditional dance. Students learn about afro-Ecuadorian culture through music.

Day 27 Friday
9:00AM to 12:00PM Language classes and reviews
14H00 SALSA LESSONS

END OF LESSONS

Day 28
Saturday
Free morning – (Last shoppings)
Transfer Out with his host family for international flight
END OF SERVICES

Day 29 Sunday
ARRIVAL IN BRUSSElS OR AMSTERDAM


PRICE PER PERSON:
1 pax AL : 2750 euro
2 – 3 pax: 2400 euro
4 – 6 pax: 2300 euro
7 – 9 pax: 2200 euro
10 -+ pax: 2000 euro

POSIBILITY TO EXTEND FOR FREE VOLUNTARY WORK

INCLUDES:
Accommodation
All meals,
Transfers In – Out
Transportation for the trips
Guided trips
Spanish lessons PROGRAM
Dance lessons
All services mentioned in the itinerary


DOES NOT INCLUDE:
Tips, extra meals, airport taxes, not mentioned services