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Program Highlights

Latitude 0˚ 0’ 0 ‘’. Quito is quite literally in the middle of the world, or as the Spanish say: la mitad del mundo. The 9,350-foot-high capital city of Ecuador straddles the Equator between Northern and Southern hemispheres. Over the course of eleven days, students will visit the cities of Quito and Otavalo, as well as neighboring towns like Agato and Peguche.

The city of Quito is home to the largest and best preserved Historical Center in America, declared a First World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1978. Quito is home to over 1 million people, the second largest city in Ecuador. Otavalo is considerably smaller, with 90,000 inhabitants. Approximately two hours north of Quito, the town of Otavalo is situated at 2560 meters above sea level. Most famous for it’s Saturday market, Otavaleños are known for their skilled weaving. The majority of the inhabitants in the actual city of Otavalo are mestizos. Two volcanoes are visible from town: Cotacachi (4939m) and Imbabura (4650m) that are the subjects of several legends told by the indigenous people.

Academic Programs

Classes will be held at the Otavalo Spanish Institute. Students will earn 2 credits of intensive Spanish language through 20 hours of class with an Ecuadorian instructor. After arriving in Otavalo, students will be given a placement test. This test will determine at what proficiency level students should best continue their Spanish instruction for the duration of the program. Following the placement test and orientation, students begin their studies with intensive language instruction.

Tentative Itinerary

DAY 1 Thursday 27
Arrival in Quito, evening at a hotel.

DAY 2 Friday 28
Morning visit to Museum “Intyñan” located at the Ecuadorean Line.
Afternoon departure to Otavalo, meet with host families.

DAY 3 Saturday 29
Morning visit and hike to Mojanda Lakes.
Afternoon visit to the Otavalo market.

DAY 4 Sunday 30
Trip to the Golondrinas Cloud Forest (all day)
We will depart from Otavalo at 6 a.m. headed for Ibarra. From Ibarra, we'll take the train to San Lorenzo (around 3 hours), crossing tunnels, long bridges, and beautiful landscapes on the way. Departing the train, we'll travel down the mountains to the cloud forest by car. We'll visit tropical fruit orchards and sample some typical local cuisine. Later we'll visit the forest's waterfalls and then return to Otavalo.

DAY 5 Monday 31
Morning Spanish classes
Afternoon visit to the towns of Agato (weaving) Peguche (tapestries/andean folklore instruments). Return to Quito to experience the Teleférico (cable car) for a spectacular view of the city on New Year’s Eve.

DAY 6 Tuesday January 1st.
Morning Spanish Classes
Ring in the New Year with an afternoon visit to Chachimbiro hot springs. Chachimbiro is a Quechua word meaning “strength,” and that’s just what the potent mineralized waters will impart to your body. The hot springs are volcanic in origin; some of the most healing waters in Ecuador, the chemical composition is high in iron, copper, iodine and other minerals.

DAY 7 Wednesday 2
Morning Spanish Classes
Afternoon short hike to Cuicocha Lake

DAY 8 Thursday 3
Morning Spanish Classes
Afternoon visit to “Parque Condor”. Parque Cóndor is a non-profit wildlife refuge for owls and raptors, including the endangered Andean Condor. It seeks to rescue, protect and rehabilitate these birds and, if possible, release them back into the wild.

DAY 9 Friday 4
Morning Spanish Classes
Afternoon visit to Cotacachi (leather town) and San Antonio de Ibarra (wood carvers)

DAY 10 Saturday 5
Return to Quito, evening in a hotel

DAY 11 Sunday 6
Flight home to U.S.

Housing
With the exception of 2 nights at a hostel (“La Posada del Maple”) in Quito, students will live with local families in Otavalo. Each host family will house 2 – 3 students, and provide 3 meals daily (unless excursions specify otherwise or alternative arrangements are made).

Foreign Entry Requirements

Passport
To enter Ecuador, you must have a valid passport. If you are a U.S. citizen and do not currently have a valid passport, or if your passport will expire during the time you will be overseas, please go to the U.S. State Department web site for information on how to apply for/renew your passport.

You are strongly encouraged to read the U.S. State Department's Consular Information Sheet. It will provide you with a great deal of information to help you prepare for your trip.

**Please be aware that you are responsible for obtaining the most up-to-date information on entry requirements. The Office of Study Abroad only provides general information, as visa regulations and procedures are constantly changing. Please consult the Consulate for more information. **