What indigenous cultural and farming traditions are still practiced today? Travel to the highlands of Ecuador to learn about traditional agriculture and its connection to sustainability, participate in dance and Kichwa classes, enjoy a pampamesa meal, and celebrate nature and pachamama through various hikes and participation in a traditional indigenous ceremony. Meet local leaders, food producers, community organizations, and youth working to preserve indigenous cultural traditions and/or make an impact on food systems in the region.
Length Requirements Dates Ages Application
Deadline
Price
Session A 3 weeks

Minimum 2 years of Spanish

Passport valid 6 months after project end date

Pre-departure training, online or in-person

Attend Health and Safety and Project webinars in the Spring

June 19–July 10, 2024

15–19 Priority Deadline: December 5
Local Chapters: January 16
National Chapter: April 16

$5,875 – National Chapter

$4,875 – Local Chapters

Fees include all in-country expenses

Flight costs are not included

Session B 3 Weeks

Minimum 2 years of Spanish

Passport valid 6 months after project end date

Pre-departure training, online or in-person

Attend Health and Safety and Project webinars in the Spring

July 17–Aug 7, 2024

15–19 Priority Deadline: December 5
Local Chapters: January 16
National Chapter: May 14

$5,875 – National Chapter

$4,875 – Local Chapters

Fees include all in-country expenses

Flight costs are not included

  • Session A
  • Length
    3 weeks
  • Requirements

    Minimum 2 years of Spanish

    Passport valid 6 months after project end date

    Pre-departure training, online or in-person

    Attend Health and Safety and Project webinars in the Spring

  • Dates

    June 19–July 10, 2024

  • Ages
    15–19
  • Application Deadline
    Priority Deadline: December 5
    Local Chapters: January 16
    National Chapter: April 16
  • Price

    $5,875 – National Chapter

    $4,875 – Local Chapters

    Fees include all in-country expenses

    Flight costs are not included

  • Session B
  • Length
    3 Weeks
  • Requirements

    Minimum 2 years of Spanish

    Passport valid 6 months after project end date

    Pre-departure training, online or in-person

    Attend Health and Safety and Project webinars in the Spring

  • Dates

    July 17–Aug 7, 2024

  • Ages
    15–19
  • Application Deadline
    Priority Deadline: December 5
    Local Chapters: January 16
    National Chapter: May 14
  • Price

    $5,875 – National Chapter

    $4,875 – Local Chapters

    Fees include all in-country expenses

    Flight costs are not included

Ready to apply?

Click Here

About the Project

Project Type

Group travel with homestay.

Who is this project good for?

Students looking to step out of their comfort zone with the support of supervisors and fellow volunteers. Volunteers will divide their time between group housing and a short homestay, which includes meeting up with their group for daily activities. This project is a good fit for individuals who aren’t afraid to roll up their sleeves to do hands-on agricultural work. Service activities may vary on a day-to-day basis so it is also important for volunteers to be flexible, open-minded, and have a can-do attitude regardless of the volunteering activities that are thrown their way.

College Credit

Receive college credit for joining this project! Learn more here.

Food and Dietary Restrictions

Most meals will be typical Ecuadorian food which can include rice or quinoa with a protein (often chicken), vegetable soups (including potatoes, Andean corn, and onions), patacones (fried plantains), and eggs. This project is not suitable for volunteers with severe dietary restrictions due to limited food variability. We are also unable to accommodate volunteers with peanut allergies.

Homestay and Lodging Info

This project includes a combination of dormitory style lodging and homestays. Volunteers will be together at the beginning and end of the project, with a homestay in the middle. The homestays will all be in the same community with typically 1-3 volunteers per host family. Project staff also live with a host family in the same community as volunteers during this time.

Climate and Terrain

This project is primarily located in the highlands of Ecuador. Temperatures are cool, ranging from lows in the 40’s to highs in the 60’s/70’s. June-August is typically the dry season, though some sporadic rain is possible. Homes in Ecuador often do not have heating or insulation so warm pajamas, sweaters, and sleeping bags are useful for keeping volunteers warm at night.

Slang

achachai = how cold!

Service Hours

Earn 36 service hours.

AMIGOS History in the Region

AMIGOS began working in Ecuador in the 1970s implementing vaccination programs and public health initiatives. Today, AMIGOS operates Summer Program projects in various provinces and a Gap Program from September to May in Cuenca.

What makes this project unique?

Learn about indigenous traditions in the Sierra region by participating in ceremonies, eating a typical pampamesa meal, and by learning some Kichwa phrases. While volunteers will primarily be in rural areas in Azuay and Cañar provinces, volunteers will also get to experience an Andean city through a day-long excursion to museums and touristic locations in Cuenca. Perform hands-on farmwork at an organic farm and learn about indigenous agriculture through seed preservation and reforestation service activities.

Cajas National Park, Azuay, Ecuador
Find out more about AMIGOS programs

Join an online info session!

RSVP HERE

Andean Culture

Cañar and Azuay Provinces

Through visits to farms, communities, and national parks, experience Ecuadorian agricultural practices and learn about the connection between rural and urban areas via food production. Understand the impact of agriculture on indigenous communities, ancestral cultures, and traditional medicine. Hear from community members and learn about cosmovisión, the way in which the indigenous culture understands the world. 

 

Partner Agencies

We have three main partner agencies on the La Sierra Project: 

The first is located on Cerro Cabogana, an expansive farm where vegetables are grown according to the cycles of the plants and their seasons using the lunar calendar. They also produce dairy products while taking care of the animals responsibly. You can enjoy horseback riding, beautiful views of the city and the countryside, and hikes to waterfalls and mountains. 

While living with host families, volunteer will support the work of the municipal government in their host community. Volunteers may work on reforestation projects, at a seed bank, on rural tourism initiatives, or with women-led artisan or agricultural cooperatives.  

Our third partner is an organization led by three indigenous women who have built an enterprise focused on community-based tourism. Unlike other forms of community tourism in the province and the country, this organization focuses on the correlation of the four natural elements of earth, air, water, and fire while weaving in Andean wisdom and its influence on agriculture, gastronomy, medicine, language, music, architecture, and spirituality. 

Earn 36 service hours while volunteering!

 

Example Activities

  • Volunteer on an organic farm outside of Cuenca. Get hands-on with activities like planting trees, picking crops, tilling harvest beds, making cheese, etc.
  • Support local community initiatives including reforestation, seed bank projects, small-scale agriculture, and contribute to the development of rural tourism
  • Attend a Kichwa class and participate in different workshops related to indigenous rights and feminism
  • Go on excursions and hikes to explore the gorgeous Andean mountain views

SAMPLE ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrive in Ecuador – Stay in hostel overnight with group
Day 2-4: Rio Amarillo, Cuenca, Azuay – Group lodging – Begin Spanish classes, briefing activities, hands-on farming activities, go on a group hike, and participate in a Cuenca City Tour
Day 5-16: Rural parish in Cuenca – 1-3 volunteers per host family – work with partner agencies to support community tourism, female empowerment, and local conservation initiatives, visit Cajas National Park
Day 17-21: Suscal, Cañar – Group lodging in an indigenous community – Plant trees, quinoa plants and weed. Support a bioconstruction activity. Attend Kichwa, cooking, and dance classes. Participate in workshops and discussions surrounding indigenous rights and learn more about the indigenous culture in Ecuador
Day 21: Travel back for return flight and fly home
*Itineraries are subject to change.

Field Notes

Let`s welcome our new Gap group ❤️🙌🏻

Demos la bienvenida a nuestro nuevo grupo de Año Sabático ❤️🙌🏻
...

¡Gap está de vuelta! recargado y listo para este nuevo ciclo 🙌🏻 Vanessa, Natalia y Leticia están listas para recibir a un nuevo grupo de increíbles jóvenes que se están aventurando en esta experiencia única 🇪🇨

Gap is back!! recharged and ready for this new cycle 🙌🏻 Vanessa, Natalia and Leticia are ready to welcome a new group of incredible youths who are venturing into this unique experience 🇪🇨
...

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I learned a lot about different cultures, different ways of life, and different peoples’ experiences. It was amazing to see how people on the farms depended on the land and cared so deeply about the environment, and I really enjoyed talking to them about their experiences.

-Madeline, Ecuador Volunteer, 2022

Program Requirements
  • Meet the health criteria for AMIGOS participation
  • Receive required immunizations
  • Be age 15–19 on the project start date
  • Have taken 2 years of Spanish or the equivalent
  • Passport valid 6 months after project start date
  • Complete pre-departure training, online or in-person
Apply Now

Program Pillars

Ethical Service

Learn how to create ethical service initiatives by working with–not for–a community, engaging local organizations and partners, and evaluating the impact of your work. AMIGOS works with trusted local partners that are passionate and committed to working with our volunteers on community service projects.

Cultural Humility

Cultural humility is a process of both self-reflection about your own culture as well as learning about other cultures. You will examine your own beliefs and cultural identity and gain an understanding of how structural racism has impacted societies and the roles that communities can take to lead systemic change.

Leadership

Learn, grow, and discover your leadership potential! Explore your sense of purpose and start to establish your personal goals and values through introspection and inquiry.

Why Choose AMIGOS?

Practice Spanish

AMIGOS programs provide a unique opportunity to experience a new culture. Volunteers report increased fluency in Spanish after completing our program. Activities go far beyond the classroom — you’ll lead activities in Spanish, learn local slang, and increase your confidence with real-world practice. You will not believe how fast your Spanish improves when you use it in conversation every day!

Have an Adventure

Travel to must-see spots in your host country! You’ll travel as a group to experience unique destinations like volcanoes, ancient ruins, national parks, and historical sites. You’ll get to see these places from the distinct perspective of someone who has spent time in that country and learned about the culture firsthand. Plus, you’ll bond with their fellow volunteers and have fun!

Travel with Trust

AMIGOS is the industry leader in health and safety management. Our staff is prepared to help you with any situation that may arise. Each volunteer receives a personalized emergency plan, as well as support from local staff teams and a professional 24-hour On-Call Safety Team of travel specialists, doctors, and mental health specialists. A Health and Wellness Coordinator is on staff with the group throughout the duration of their stay. AMIGOS also has an established network of vetted medical clinics and hospitals throughout the region.

Find out more about AMIGOS programs

Join an online info session!

RSVP HERE

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