Building Bridges With Ecuador

(1)    What is the cost of the trip?

If you are traveling from Washington National  or from Charlotte, NC to Ecuador, the cost of the trip $2,495. This fee covers the cost of your meals (except for lunch in the market on the last Saturday of the trip), accommodations, on-site travel & transfers, booked sight-seeing trips and round trip airfare to Quito, Ecuador from Washington, DC/Charlotte, NC.

 If you are traveling from another city to Ecuador, the price of the trip will reflect the increase or decrease in the cost of your airline ticket.

PLEASE NOTE:  The airfare portion of the trip is subject to increase due to any additional fuel charges that may be imposed by the airline. We will give you notice of any fare increase if it occurs. In addition, once reservations are made, any changes you make to the itinerary/lodging/tours/transportation will incur a cancellation charge in addition to the full cost of the trip.

(2)    What expenses am I responsible for?

Your additional expenses will be: any side trips you decided to take & are not included in the trip itinerary: personal items such as email/phone charges, laundry, souvenir purchases, alcoholic beverages and soft drinks (juice, coffee/tea is included at each meal), and departure tax from Ecuador on your return trip home.

(3)    How do I pay?

In order to reserve a spot on the team, you will need to place a $900 non-refundable deposit.  The sign up for the trip is subject to space availability.  Because the team is limited to 45 – 50 participants, we accept deposits on a first come-first serve basis.  In recent years the trip has filled rapidly, therefore, we suggest you send you deposit as soon as you decide to join the trip.

4.    What will my accommodations/meals be like?

On the first 2 nights of the trip you will overnight at the Hotel Sierra Madre in Quito, Ecuador.  The hotel is a renovated Spanish Villa with a charming, casual atmosphere and friendly, English-speaking staff. All rooms have private baths and hot water.  Breakfast and dinner will be served in the hotel restaurant.  Accommodations are based on double occupancy.  Please feel free to visit Hotel Sierra Madre's website.

For the rest of the trip the team will stay at La Casa Sol, a countryside Inn situated on a mountainside near Peguche, Ecuador.  The group stays in cozy adobe cottages while partaking in gourmet organic meals at the inn. All rooms have private bathrooms, hot water and showers. Surrounding the Inn are spectacular views of the countryside and the 15,000 feet volcanoes.  You can view the accommodations/lodging/meals on La Casa Sol's website.  

La Casa Sol offers a limited number of private rooms which are reserved for families and couples. An extra fee of $100 dollars per person (one time fee) is charged for these private rooms.  Assignment is made on a first come, first serve basis.
  
Single occupancy is available in shared lodging quarters for men and women.  These common rooms accommodate 4– 8 individuals in comfortable and cozy rooms with shared bathroom/shower/toilet facilities in each room.



Two meals a day are provided in restaurant at La Casa Sol.   Wine, beer & soft drinks are available for purchase. Lunch consisits of bag lunches provided by La Casa Sol.  Dinner includes a 3 course, healthy and creative, home cooked meal.  The dinners are based on traditional Ecuadorian and international recipes and are prepared by the Inn's chefs in a kitchen that is open for guests to watch from their seats.   Special dietary needs can be accommodated if prior notice is received.

5.    Will I have easy and free access to portable water?

Yes, you will always have free and easy access to clean and portable water.  Clean water is provided for your entire stay in Ecuador.

6.    How many other members can the trip accommodate?

The maximum number of participants we can accommodate is 45 - 50.

7.    Do I need to speak Spanish?

Absolutely not!  However, if you do speak Spanish, you will have ample opportunity to use it. You will have translators to assist you in your service work in the community.  On the medical team, each physician/nurse team has a translator.  In the school, a translator is provided in each classroom setting.  For those who work on community projects, translators are provided as needed.

8.    Can I add on a visit to other destinations after the service trip?

Some people choose to visit the Galapagos Islands, the Amazon jungle, the rain forests, the Avenue of Volcanoes or other Ecuadorian/South American destinations at the end of the trip.  This is acceptable, however, travel expenses related to your non-program stay are not included in the price of this trip.  You will also be responsible for making reservations for your other destinations. 

9.    What do I need to bring with me?

We will provide you with a packing list in advance of the trip detailing the climate, conditions and recommended items to pack, but feel free to contact us with any questions.

10.      Is there electricity access?

Ecuador is on the same electric current as the US (120v), hence, your electric appliances will operate without a converter.  There is electric access in your rooms and plugs available in the bathrooms for electric shavers, hair dryers, etc.

11.      Do I need a passport?  A visa?

Passports are required and given the amount of time it can take to process them, participants should plan on securing passports at least 4 months before their travel begins.  No visa is required for entry to Ecuador.

12.      What currency do I need to take?

The Ecuadorian economy is based on the US dollar, hence, you can use your US currency for exchange in that country.  The only money you will need to bring is the amount you will spend on drinks, souvenirs, departure tax and travel/entertainment outside this program.

13.     How does the team transport their supplies/donated materials to Ecuador?

Each year, the team collects medical supplies and pharmaceuticals along with school and building supplies.  The best and most secure way we find to transport these goods is for team members to carry the supplies in their checked lugage.  The airlines allow each passenger to have 2 bags checked and one carry-on.  We suggest participants use one of their checked bags to pack supplies, staying within the airline regulations for weight and types of materials allowed for transport.