Trips with Intention for Families

Why a Trip with Intention

• Experience life and the natural wonders of highland Ecuador

• Be immersed in the indigenous Kichwa culture and traditions

• Make friends with community members and learn from each other

• Help dreams become reality

• Leave with unforgettable memories

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What You’ll Do

We call this a "Trip with Intention" because each trip gives you the opportunity to put your intention to connect, learn, and serve into practice. Spend your trip working side by side with local community members working on the projects that they decide on - from painting schools to helping students learn English. Most mornings are spent working together with the community to accomplish these projects, building intercultural friendships along the way. No special skills are required, just a willingness to learn, help, and have fun. Spend your afternoons on interactive cultural and sightseeing activities to fully immerse participants in the highland region. Trips often include a traditional cooking class at Kawsaymi Cooking School, hikes to natural wonders like the Peguche waterfall, and visits to the world-renowned Otavalo market, one of the largest indigenous markets in Latin America.

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What Participants Say

"It is clear that Tandana focuses on people first, as their success and impact is most clearly seen in the intangible and immeasurable traits of loyalty and trust that is clearly present in the relations they have with the people they work with. I don't feel like I helped anyone else. Rather, I worked with people, and through that, we both learned, and my kids and I came away changed. The Tandana program is a serious one, and one that enjoys massive respect and loyalty from the people in its community because of its dedication and care. For people looking to greatly expand their understanding of the common bonds of humanity while learning about the Otavaleño people and their traditions and current conditions, I highly recommend Tandana." 

- JP, volunteer from California

Where You’ll Be

We work primarily in communities of the Quichinche parish, which is just outside the market center of Otavalo in the Ecuadorian Sierra. This enchanting area is only two hours by bus from Quito, but offers a rural atmosphere and connection to the land very different from life in the capital. The father and mother volcanoes, Imbabura and Cotacachi, stand guard over the valleys and hills where indigenous Otaveleño and mestizo families grow their sustenance. Diverse in their customs, residents are united by their need to work together to improve their communities.

Cost

$1,379 for double occupancy, $153 additional for single occupancy. The trip fee covers all the basic expenses (food, lodging, transportation, activities) from when you land at the Quito airport until we drop you off there. Discount available if paid in full by check at least 6 weeks prior to program start - $1,350 for double occupancy, $150 additional for single occupancy. (We provide one airport pickup on the first evening, and one bus back to the airport, on the last night. If your plans require different pickups or drop-offs, you will need to cover those on your own). Airfare is not included, and you'll want to bring extra money for personal expenses.

We also offer Participant Financial Assistance.

Did you know that your trip with Tandana is a net zero-emission trip? Click here for more details.

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Sample Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive in the evening and settle in. We provide one bus to pick up the group from the airport and bring you to Otavalo.

Receive a thorough orientation and plan lessons and activities. Get to know Otavalo through a scavenger hunt. 

Assist at Tandana's summer school program, providing English conversation and a fun activity. After class, play soccer with local students. In the afternoon, participate in a cooking class at Kawsaymi cooking school.

Day 4

Older volunteers start work on improving the school building. Younger ones focus on English conversation and games with local students. In the afternoon, enjoy a boat ride on Cuicocha Lake.

Day 5

What are the accommodations like?

Tandana's participants are provided lodging at a wonderful facility right in Otavalo, Ecuador: La Posada del Quinde. Rooms all have private baths, comfortable beds, and outlets with the same electricity as the U.S.  Wi-fi is available in the common area. Breakfast each day is a treat that offers fresh local fruits and juices, excellent coffee and a selection of hot breakfast items to start your day off right. The garden and patio area are an oasis with a view of 2 inactive volcanos. And the location is perfect for market shopping just 4 blocks away.

Will my electronic devices work in Ecuador?

What kind of clothing, etc. should I pack?

What if I don't speak Spanish?

Who leads the groups of volunteers? Who do I turn to when I need help?

All of Tandana's volunteer programs are led by a team of Program Coordinators who have first-hand knowledge of the region, speak both Spanish and English, have expertise in experiential education and group leadership, hold WFA (Wilderness First Aid) or other certifications that have prepared them to handle emergencies, and are caring and capable individuals. Our permanent local staff is always on hand to help with translation, activities, logistics, and anything else to make sure the volunteers' experience is the best it can possibly be. See here for bios of some Program Coordinators.

 

What if I can't find the answer to my question on the FAQ page?

Below you can read stories from our blog to get excited about your upcoming trip!