10 days / 9 nights
Costs: $995 December 30 - January 8, 2011 Age Restriction: 18 & over Costs include: • All accommodation in Ecuador • Breakfast & Dinner each day (vegetarian options available) ratio) sponsors)
• All domestic (Ecuador) transportation
• Four hour daily guided surf tour
• Two hour daily surf instruction (2:1 student/instructor
• All day use of surfboards
• Four hour daily volunteer work
• Animal Sanctuary Excursion
• Surf Safari to Remote Tropical Beach
• Salsa Dancing Lessons
• Beach Parties, Bonfires, Live Music
• Spanish Immersion Discussion Groups
• Rash guard & t-shirt (and various other treats from our
• Certified EMT, First Aid & CPR supervision
Day 1
Travel with Eco Surf International Chaperon or meet Eco Surf Staff in Guayaquil, Ecuador.
Explore Guayaquil, a group dinner and a night on the town.
Day 2
Breakfast in Guayaquil.
Our group travels to Canoa, Ecuador.
Lunch upon arrival.
The afternoon is spent with your fellow volunteers exploring the village, relaxing in hammocks under coconut palms or taking a swim in the refreshing tropical Pacific.
Sunset at 6:30 - most of us like to dig our toes in the sand and admire the sun as it sinks below the equatorial horizon.
Group dinner and welcome party that evening, followed by a night on the town Canoa-style.
Day 3
Breakfast at our accommodations.
The volunteer project begins. On our walk over we can hear the far off excitement of the goofy youngsters as they peak out the classroom doors awaiting our arrival. We begin to feel bad for the teachers as hardly a child is in his seat when we open the bamboo gate to the schoolyard.
Mid-day we break for lunch. Volunteers are on their own to explore the community and discover the remarkable cuisine simmering in Ecuadorian kitchens. Many volunteers are often found in communal hammocks around the posada shortly thereafter.
Afternoon is made for surfing. Our group meets down on the sand as the Ecuadorian surf instructors are waiting. After two hours with these guys our shoulders are exhausted from paddling and an ice cold drink is all we can think about. Every volunteer has all-day access to a variety of boards throughout their entire week in Canoa.
6:30p and another pristine sunset from these tropical shores.
Group dinner and then we're off to a number of nighttime activities: Salsa Dancing lessons, Beach Parties, Bonfires, and Local Live Music all enjoyed with our new local Ecuadorian friends.
Day 4 - Day 6
Very similar to Day 3.
Day 7
Breakfast at our accommodations.
The last day of our volunteer project and the kids are sad to see us go. They ask you repeatedly if you will be back on Monday, apparently hoping that if they ask enough the next time you'll be more agreeable.
Loaded up in our vehicles, we head out of town for a quick road trip to the center of the earth - little did we realize the actual equator lies only minutes north of our location. After Mr. Wizard finishes his science experiments, we're off to explore the majestic Isla Corazon. This reforested mangrove island animal wildlife sanctuary is home to dozens of unique birds and sea life. A canoe trip through the island with our indigenous guide teaches us about the history of the area and the importance of the endangered habitat.
Group dinner and more Canoan nightlife. You begin to really like Reggaeton music and are certain you will miss it when you return home.
Day 8
Breakfast at our accommodations.
Our last day in Canoa and we're determined to make it the best. Once again loaded into our vehicles, this time we include many of our local friends. We pack up surfboards and lunch supplies, shoes and shades. We're off to Cabo Pasado, a beach many volunteers describe as the most beautiful they have ever seen in their lives. A true Surf Safari, we drive off-road and onto the sand. Boats on the shore await our arrival to head out to sea whale watching. The waves are eager for our Eco Surf - Surf Contest, and the Howler Monkeys in the jungle behind the beach are screaming in anticipation for our return.
Group dinner that night, and a farewell party and slideshow that evening.
Day 9
Early trip back to Guayaquil, as some volunteers will be departing early that morning. The rest of us enjoy our final hours in Ecuador while exploring the city.