Course schedule
From EcuadorWiki
Although the course schedule is becoming firmer and firmer, some of the details below may still change.
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On-Campus: April 29 - May 5
This week we will spend 3 days on campus doing preliminary work for our trip. We meet each day at 9am in SAC 215. Thursday and Friday are a planned "off" days, so that students can go home to get organized for departure to Ecuador on Sunday.
Travel to Ecuador
Sunday, May 6
Arrive Quito from USA. Meet host families at airport.
Airline Details
Depart Detroit at 6:30 am on American Airlines flight 683. Arrive Miami 9:20 am.
Depart Miami at 3:35 pm on American Airlines flight 931. Arrive Quito 6:30 pm.
First Week in Ecuador: May 7 - 11
Monday, May 7
9:30 City tour of Quito and learn how to use bus public system (ecovia). Walking tour around the center of Quito. Independence square, with the Presidential Palace and the Cathedral. Visit the church and monastery of San Agustin (1580) and San Francisco (1535) with its breathtaking gilded altars, considered the finest example of baroque art in America. General orientation.
13:15 Lunch at the Academy.
15:00 General orientation about the school and Ecuador trip.
Tuesday, May 8
8:30 Spanish lessons at the Academy.
10:30 Coffee break.
11:00 Spanish lessons.
13:15 Lunch at the Academy, then free afternoon.
Wednesday, May 9
8:30 Spanish lessons at the Academy.
10:30 Coffee break.
11:00 Spanish lessons.
13:15 Lunch at the Academy.
15:00 Dance lessons (salsa & merengue).
Thursday, May 10
10:30 Coffee break.
11:00 Spanish lessons.
13:15 Lunch at the Academy.
14:00 Visit to monument at Mitad del Mundo. We will start at the northern part of the city heading up to the “Middle of the World City”, where the monument that divides the Northern Hemisphere from the Southern Hemisphere will be visited. It was built during the XVII century when a French Expedition defined the precise location of the equatorial line. A fabulous museum will also be visited in order to understand the great diversity of cultures and indigenous groups in Ecuador. See how water spins, how you can stand an egg on a nail, learn how you can lose pounds in seconds all at Latitude O. Just 30 minutes north of Quito is the monument that celebrates the measurement of the earth, just as important the Equator line determined the meaning of the country of Ecuador that could of also had the name of Reino de Quito (Kingdom of Quito).
Friday, May 11
8:30 Spanish lessons at the Academy.
10:30 Coffee break.
11:00 Spanish lessons.
13:15 Lunch at the Academy.
14:00 Briefing on weekend trip to Cotopaxi, then Free Afternoon.
First Weekend in Ecuador: May 12 - 13
Saturday, May 12
7:30 Pick up at the Academy and hike around the waterfalls of Santa Rita in the Pasochoa biological reserve, great chance to discover the difference between the paramo and the montano climate level. Learn about the diversity of birds and plants of the area.
13:00 Lunch in a beautiful Hacienda El Porvenir in the middle of the four volcanoes.
14:30 Horse back riding dressing like a "chagra" or andean cowboy with poncho blankets, scarf, hat and leather zamarros....great fun with easy adventure.
19:00 Dinner and overnight at Hacienda El Porvenir.
Sunday, May 13
9:30 Trip to Cotopaxi volcano (highest active volcano in the world), hike to the refuge (4,800 meters above the sea level).
13:00 Lunch: Taste the wonders of the Andean cuisine.
17:00 Return to Quito.
Second Week in Ecuador: May 14 - 18
Monday, May 14
8:00 Group Projects.
TBA Part of Group departs to cloud forest lodge Bellavista.
13:15 Lunch at the Academy, then free afternoon.
Tuesday, May 15
8:00 Group Projects.
13:15 Lunch at the Academy.
14:00 Visit Pichincha Volcano. Ecuador´s capital of 1.5 million people lies at the eastern foot of Mount Pichincha (4,800 meters – 15,360 feet). We will take the cable car or “teleférico” on the Av. Western, to be able to enjoy the beauty of the city, the valleys, the snow-capped mountains (Cotopaxi, Cayambe, Antisana, Rumiñahui, Cotacachi and Pichincha it self), getting the name by Alexander Von Humbolt in 1802 as the Avenue of the volcanoes and all it natural and ecological environment.
Wednesday, May 16
8:00 Group Projects.
13:15 Lunch at the Academy, then free afternoon.
18:30 Jacchigua Folkloric ballet. We meet at the Academy. Jacchigua, quichua term means “The infinite joy of the harvest”. It gathers the richness of our popular culture, showing the world the ancestral traditions and customs of Ecuador. Ninety dancers, musicians to show the past and present splendor of the people of Ecuador.
Thursday, May 17
8:00 Group Projects.
13:15 Lunch at the Academy.
16:00 Visit to the fruit and vegetable market. Cooking classes “Ensalada de frutas".
16:30 Group returns from cloud forest lodge Bellavista.
18:00 Awarding of certificates & farewell party.
Friday, May 18
Free Day.
Second Weekend in Ecuador: May 19 - 20
Saturday, May 19
14:00 Lunch at the indigenous home of Antonio Quinotoa and have the opportunity to try "cuy" (Guinea pig).
16:00 Small hike to visit the sacred waterfall of Peguche.
16:30 Visit to San Antonio de Ibarra (woodcarving).
18.30 Enjoy the countryside of the Imbabura province. Dinner at a private Hacienda in Urcuqui. Overnight at a hotel in Imbabura province.
Sunday, May 20
8:30 Breakfast at the hotel.
9:00 Visit and hike around the lake & volcano of Cuicocha.
11:30 Visit the town of Cotacachi, world renowned for the quality of leather goods.
13:30 Lunch in San Pablo lake (we will enjoy a great view of the lake and Imbabura volcano from the Puerto Lago restaurant).
15:30 Return to Quito.
Third Week in Ecuador: May 21 - 25
Trip to Galapagos. Four days will be spent touring the Galapagos Islands on the cruse ship the Galapagos Legend. Planned stops include Baltra Island, North Seymour Island, Bartholome Island, Puerto Egas on James Island, Darwin Bay and Prince Philip's Steps on Tower Island, and Puerto Ayora and the Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz Island. The days will be spent hiking, watching wildlife up close and personal, swimming, enjoying the beaches, and snorkeling in crystal clear waters. During the night the ship travels to the next island. The meals onboard feature the very best in international cuisine and Ecuadorian dishes.
Monday, May 21
Tuesday, May 22
Wednesday, May 23
Thursday, May 24
Friday, May 25
Free Day.
Return from Ecuador
Saturday, May 26
Transfer from host family to airport, return to USA.
Airline Details
Depart Quito at 8:25 am on American Airlines flight 966. Arrive Miami 1:25 pm.
Depart Miami at 5:35 pm on American Airlines flight 1206. Arrive Detroit 8:35 pm.
