Ecuador Scouting Trip: The Harker School

Transfer from the airport to the hotel.

This morning after breakfast, visit Cochasqui Archeological Park, a complex of archaeological monuments located at 10,170 feet above sea level. The site and protected area is over 200 acres and has 15 pyramids and 21 funeral mounds called tolas. Their construction is attributed by archaeologists to the Quitu-Cara culture and have theorized that Cochasqui was a ceremonial and astronomical center, used for meteorological purposes. It is thought that the community leaders and the elite may have lived on the flat-topped pyramids and the site may have had military and political importance. The tolas were used as burial mounds and many skeletal remains have been unearthed there.

Continue to Peguche and Otavalo to learn about the Otavalos indigenous community, famous for their weavings since pre-Incan times during a walk in the famous Otavalo Market. Otavalo is famous for their wool ponchos, blankets, and wall coverings. Many in the area continue to practice traditional ways of life, including speaking the Quechua language, wearing traditional garments, and practicing the tradtional art of weaving by hand on a loom.

Finally arrive to La Esperanza, a Kiwcha Karanki community where you will spend the next two nights with a local family who will share with you their history, customs, beliefs and traditions. Welcome by the family and dinner.

Spend a full day with the community to learn about their close relationship with the natural environment. Learn about natural medicine, agriculture, gastronomy and community work. If possible, you will visit today a local intercultural school, to learn about the intercultural bilingual education which is aimed to promote an respect the cultural diversity.

Bid farewell to the community and continue to visit the Cuicocha Lake, formed in a crater after thousands of years of intense volcanic activity of the extinct Cuicocha volcano. The lake is part of the Cotacachi-Cayapas Reserve, managed by the Ministry of Environment, whose extension goes from the western Andean cordillera to the Pacific coast. Its name comes from the Kichwa indigenous language and means "Lago del Cuy" or Guinea Pig Lake because of the guinea pig shape of the largest Island. Guinea pigs are an important food source, especially for populations living in high altitude. Enjoy a short hike in the area before continuing the journey to Papallacta, a small town known for its hot springs.

Depart from Papallacta and continue to the Amazon Basin. Upon arrival to Punta Barantilla board a canoe for the final leg of the journey along the Arajuno River. The Arajuno river is one of the arms of the Napo river which is a tributary to the Amazon River. Upon arrival, meet with the Amazon Kichwa community. This afternoon, meet discuss and possible group activities like traditional fishing and panning for gold. After dinner, enjoy a walk around the lodge to check some nocturnal species like insects, reptiles, and amphibians.

Today have a full day to experience the possibilities for the academic program. After breakfast, visit Amazoonico, an animal rescue center that provides refuge to animals who were victims of illegal trafficking, and works to reintroduce them back into their natural habitats. They also take care of those who can't be released, and carry out environmental education activities and research. Their research focuses have been on development of effective enrichment protocols, prevalence and ecology of parasites, assessment of environmental education efforts, behavioral assessment of animals living in captivity and assisted freedom, innovative ways of using renewable energies and sustainable materials for the benefit of the center, and rehabilitation for release of lowland tapirs and yellow bellied spider monkeys. Have lunch back at the lodge and then this afternoon, visit Anaconda Island. A canoe ride will take you to the Anaconda river, where you will walk through plantains, manioc, coffee and tropical fruits plantations, to the Napo River. You will be welcomed by an Amazon Kichwa family who will introduce you to their culture. You will learn how to prepare Chicha and to use the cerbatana, an ancient hunting tool. Optional evening walk or canoe ride in search of nocturnal creatures.

This morning depart from the lodge after breakfast and start the approximately 5-hour drive back to Quito. Upon arrival, meet with local Academic Support contact.

Transfer for the airport for departure to US.