3 - 24 weeks
from € 1.320
Ecuador

Eco-Lodge: paths through the cloud forest

  • Urban everyday life
  • Diverse cuisine
  • High recreational value

On your journey you will dive into the ancient forests of Ecuador near Quito that are thousands of years old. Climb up through jungle paths to a unique eco-lodge. There you will feel the overwhelming power of the forests and become part of nature in ecological gardening.

Location icon Quito
Minimum age icon from 18 years
Icon Duration 3 - 24 weeks / from €1.320
Departure days icon Sunday
Eco-Lodge environmental protection
Sustainable Development Goal 13 - Measures to protect the climate
Measures for climate protection

Take immediate measures to combat climate change and its effects.

Project ID : FA-EC343

As a volunteer
Ecuador

3 - 24 weeks / from €1.320
to the cost overview

Register now

What's the matter?

The cloud forests north of Quito are a particularly sensitive ecosystem. Located on the equator, these forests, over 1.500 meters high, are very vulnerable to the effects of climate change and human exploitation. This region is one of the most biodiverse on the planet and needs special protection. 1988 declared the government an area north of Quito nature reserve. However, this had its downsides for the peasant population of the region: hunting and deforestation became illegal, which meant that the farmers had fewer opportunities to farm and earn a living.

The eco-lodge Santa Lucía wants to offer a solution together with the community on a local level: Here, sustainable management can be combined with nature conservation. The lodge is a bit remote from the nearest major town. On the last meters to the farm you will be accompanied by a staff member with donkey. The way is not easy - the surroundings for it all the more beautiful. The lodge is located on a hill. From here you have the opportunity to overlook the whole valley with the cloud forest. On intricate paths, you can immerse yourself in the magnificent nature in the middle of the jungle, which has been producing specific plant species here for millennia.

In order not to burden nature, the eco-lodge wants to find its own little niches and fit into the forests. For this she works with sustainable cultivation methods in the field of field work. The fields are not created by deforestation - on the contrary: The project participates in the afforestation of the environment. With small gardens and flowerbeds, it offers an oasis of well-being, in which the effect of the cloud forests on people even more unfolds.

Your tasks as a volunteer

One of your tasks is to help with the field work and in the gardens, for example tending the orchids, growing sugar cane, composting or feeding and caring for the donkeys. The gardening is designed with sustainability in mind: the food served at the lodge comes fresh from the garden. You can get crunchy cucumbers and tomatoes just as fresh from the field as some rare South American fruits.

The lodge itself can also use support: Occasionally you can help build bridges over the small streams, make existing paths through the jungle accessible and support renovation work in the lodge and community. Or help build an observation deck for bird watching. Your manual skills are needed here. In addition, the daily tasks, such as cleaning up and cooking, are shared between staff and volunteers by arrangement.

Your working hours are usually Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 17 p.m. You plan the time in the garden or in other projects together with the project management. At 12:30 there is lunch at the lodge. You have weekends off. You can stay at the lodge or use the time for excursions.

The team speaks partly English, partly only Spanish. You will also meet international guests, student groups and volunteers with whom you can speak in English. In order to communicate with the local population, basic knowledge of Spanish is important. For this it is possible to book a 5-day language course.

If you get involved, you will have time to rest at the lodge and immerse yourself in nature without much distraction. Accordingly, there is rarely any electricity in the facility.

Accommodation Catering

Dormitory in the Eco Lodge

The lodge is simple on the inside, which makes it look all the more elegant in its natural surroundings with the pleasant wood tones. You sleep in a room for up to 8 people. There are shared bathrooms across the hall. There are also dining and living rooms and balconies where you can enjoy the incredible view.

You will be spoiled with culinary delights three times a day, with a choice of vegetarian, non-vegetarian or vegan meals.

Note: There is rarely electricity at the lodge.

Location

Quito, Ecuador

Quito

Quito is the capital of Ecuador and is located in the province of Pichincha, which in turn is part of the Sierra Norte region. A total of around 2,7 million people live here, making Quito the second largest city in Ecuador after Guayaquil. 

The cityscape is characterized by hustle and bustle and bright colors. Thanks to the mild climate, everyday life in Quito revolves around the streets, parks and public squares. In the metropolis you will find an exciting mix of different lifestyles and architectural styles. In clear weather, the snow-capped peaks of the volcanoes surrounding Quito can be seen in the distance. 

The city has a mild climate all year round due to its proximity to the equator. There are only two seasons here: In the dry season between June and September, temperatures rise to around 30°C. In extreme cases, however, the rainy season between October and May allows the thermometer to cool down to 3°C.

Would you like to get to know life in a colorful city, but don't want to miss out on fascinating nature? Then off to Quito! Here you can also improve and apply your Spanish skills!

Free time in Quito

Your free time in Quito

After your project work in Quito, you can use the evenings and days off to explore your surroundings and go on excursions. The advantage of your location is that city and nature are close together here and you can spend your free time in a variety of ways.

Quito is an exciting city - not least because it is the highest capital city with its location at 2850 meters. In the city there is a perfect symbiosis of old and new, which is characterized by different architectural styles, cultures and ways of life. Quito's old town, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1978, is particularly worth seeing. There you will find numerous monasteries, churches and houses with inner courtyards, so-called patios, and other buildings worth seeing, such as the town hall and the cathedral.

You can get a unique view of the entire city from El Panecillo. The hill is to the west of the city. A statue was even erected on it in honor of the Virgin Mary. Or you can take the Teleferico cable car up the Pichincha volcano. From there you also have a sensational view of Quito.

There is actually much more to discover within the lively city, because there is always something going on here. But Ecuador also has a lot to offer outside of the city. For example, travel to the Equator Monument, located about 25 kilometers north of Quito. Even if, strictly speaking, the monument is about 250 meters off the actual center of the world due to a measurement error, it is worth a visit and attracts many visitors.

Also on your to-do list is a guided tour of Mindo's cloud forest and breathtaking waterfalls. There you can fully enjoy the tranquility and idyll of nature, experience a lush flora and admire numerous species of birds and butterflies. With a bit of luck you will also see a few monkeys swinging from branch to branch through the jungle.

On-site procedure

Arrival in Quito

Arrival in Quito

A member of our team will be waiting for you right at the Quito airport exit. The person will be holding a sign with your name on it so you can't miss them. From there you drive to your accommodation by car. Depending on traffic and accommodation, the journey will take between 40 and 60 minutes. If you live with the host family, you will have the first evening free to rest from the long journey.

Eco-Lodge

If you work in the eco-lodge, you will be driven directly from the airport to the project. Please note that your arrival time should be no later than 16 p.m. The drive to the project takes three to four hours, depending on traffic.

language course

If you have booked our language course in Quito, this five-day course will take place before the project. Here you can brush up on your Spanish skills and at the same time get to know everyday life in Ecuador in an interactive course through joint trips to Quito.

Orientation in Quito

Orientation program in Quito

During the first two days in Quito, our team will prepare you for your upcoming stay in Ecuador. You will be offered activities that will help you get to know the country and the people better and learn more about the local culture. Our team will show you what you need to consider so that you can find your way around the area and inform you about your activities and tasks in the project.

Volunteers in Quito

Your first day in the project

On Monday, after your language course ends, you finally start working on the project. On your first day, our contact person will accompany you to the workplace and introduce you to the project coordinator. On site you will receive an introduction to the activities.

Pricing

  • base fee
    € 1.320, -
    3 weeks of participation
  • extension week
    € 215, - / week
    up to 21 weeks respectively

included
Services

Before departure

  • Individual advice and support from our trained RGV team in Munich
  • Organization including placement in the project and coordination of your stay on site
  • Assistance with preparation: visa, health care, travel insurance, etc.
  • Non-binding flight advice
  • Travel ABC with packing list for your travel preparation
  • RGV t-shirt

On site

  • Airport transfer on the agreed day of arrival
  • Accommodation at the job site
  • Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
  • Orientation program with the team on site
  • Support and guidance from the on-site team
  • RGV 24h emergency number
  • Project t-shirt to wear during on-site activities

After return

  • Participation confirmation of your voluntary commitment
  • Reflection course on your experiences abroad
  • Evaluation sheet and optional feedback discussion
useful additional services

not included
Services

  • Round trip
  • Private expenses on site
  • Excursions with microlight flights
  • Travel and cancellation insurance
  • Visa and Vaccinations
  • All nights outside your agreed accommodation
  • Public transport and extra transfers
  • Airport transfer on departure day

Individual Recommended additional offers
& must-haves

Picture must-haves

Would you prefer to stay in a single room? Are you vegan or do you have special requests for food? Or do you want to do some cool trips with other volunteers in your free time and explore the country?

With us, you benefit from a variety of optional additional services that you can add individually to your booking, depending on your preferences.

Flight booking icon
" Round Trip
Cheap flights with our flight partner thanks to volunteer rates.
Flight offers with maximum flexibility

Would you like to receive a cheap flight offer for your stay abroad that is perfectly tailored to you? After you have successfully registered, you can have a non-binding offer created.

The excellent rates for volunteers, students and young people are a great advantage. Arrival times and flight time changes can also be sent directly to RGV upon request, so that our RGV teams in the destination countries are always informed about your arrival times.

These special tariffs give you special added value:

  • maximum flexibility for rebookings and cancellations
  • generous baggage allowance
  • Additional discounts on one-way flights: The new volunteer tariffs include attractive discounts to reduce your financial burden on one-way flights (e.g. for stopovers, project or country combinations).
Insurance icon
" Insurance
Benefit from the 4 in 1 ERGO travel insurance.
The 4 in 1 insurance cover for volunteers and internships abroad

You can easily book the long-term travel protection of ERGO Reiseversicherung after you have registered. You will receive the links to this automatically after a successful registration.

The following building blocks are included:

  • Health Insurance
  • Comfort protection: accident, liability and interruption insurance
  • Travel insurance

Quito Team
site

Liliana is mainly responsible for the coordination at RGV in Ecuador. As managing director, she oversees, organizes and supports the work and activities in the projects. She has been teaching Spanish for over 20 years and attaches great importance to always responding to the individual needs of international students and working together on solutions.

Lourdes is also a project coordinator on site and provides support primarily with logistics and the organization of joint activities. She has been working on international projects for more than 20 years and has gained a lot of experience in intercultural exchange.

Both do their best to give you special experiences and an enriching time in Ecuador!

Volunteers talk about their experiences Joint commitment - big impact!

Testimonials

Elli & Ann-Sophie at the eco-lodge in the cloud forest

We were received so warmly and openly in Santa Lucia, we belonged, like in a family, we were able to make a meaningful contribution, our work was valued and everything around it was just perfect.

More testimonials
Browse our magazine

RGV FAQ
to the project

What are the project fees used for?

Although we are a non-profit organization, there are costs associated with volunteering abroad. Find out here, why volunteering requires money and what your project fee is used for.

What visa do I need for Ecuador?

For Ecuador you need a tourist visa, which you can apply for upon arrival. This is valid for 90 days.

What language skills do I need for the project?

You don't need to know Spanish in advance, but as a beginner you will have to book the language course on site.

What vaccinations/ health precautions do I need?

If you are traveling from a yellow fever area, you need a yellow fever vaccination. Otherwise there are no compulsory vaccinations.

We generally recommend a consultation in a practice for travel and tropical medicine.

You can get general information about recommended health care and vaccinations online Center for Travel Medicine as well as on the side of Foreign Office.

What are the requirements for the environmental project?

No special prior knowledge is required to participate. Motivation, good health, the ability to work in a team, fun working outdoors and an interest in environmental issues are important.

What do I have to consider as an LGBTQ person?

Please be aware that homosexual acts are considered undesirable in many countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America and are even punishable by law in some places. In general, people who are identified as queer are often exposed to hostility.

For example, get information from Foreign Office about the exact regulations in your destination country.

General FAQ about volunteer work

Ready to volunteer in Ecuador? Start your adventure abroad with Rainbow Garden Village!

Rainbow Garden Village has been offering volunteer work and internships abroad since 1999. What started as a small student initiative in Ghana has now grown into an organization with over 250 projects around the world.

You can be sure that your work as a volunteer will be an unforgettable experience. Bring your commitment and your knowledge to do good locally - and at the same time benefit from the unique experiences that will promote your personal development.

Become part of our RGV community!
We look forward to you.

Register now

RGV Your way
to the volunteer

1
Choose your volunteer project and register online.

2
We will review your application and confirm your participation.

3
Prepare for your assignment online or in our preparatory seminar in Munich.

4
Here we go! During your volunteer work, we will support you at any time with our on-site team.

Gallery Impressions &
Impressions

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