Ecoadventure: Explore Ecuador’s Andes and Amazon
The Amazon Basin is in the news a lot these days. Whether for its remarkable biodiversity, culture, and beauty OR for the fires, deforestation, and corporate interests impacting the region; the Amazon is a hot topic. While we do our best to introduce complex socioenvironmental issues in the classroom, we also want to provide opportunities to explore these places first-hand. We invite you, regardless of your major, to join us for an exciting 11-day journey to Ecuador! The course will focus on the impacts of tourism and development on the culture and environment of Ecuador. The course will be taught on the SOU campus, online, and during the 11-day trip. The course is offered for both undergraduate and graduate students and includes 6-credits of upper-division coursework. We will work as a team to better understand the changes going on in this remarkable part of the world.
Sustainable Development and Tourism
Ecoadventure: Andes to Amazon
(ES 408/508, 6 credits)
Faculty: Dr. Vincent Smith (smithv3@sou.edu, 541.552.6802)
Emphasis: Sustainable Development, Tropical Biology, Tourism
Who: Course and 11-day adventure open to SOU Students
When: Summer Term 2022
Where: Places visited during the 11-day trip to Ecuador include: Quito, Mindo, Tena, Banos, Otavalo
Course Structure: Enrolled students will attend 2 hours of on-campus orientation. Orientation will cover both trip logistics as well as specific environmental coursework. Students will also be asked to utilize provided online resources to prepare for the topics that will be covered in the course. The course will then culminate with 12 days in Ecuador.
Cost: The combined cost of the trip is approximately $5,300 (course trip fee: $4,100), six credits of resident tuition ($1,200).
Draft Tour Itinerary – Andes to Amazon
Day 1: Fly Quito, Ecuador
Enjoy dinner in Quito
Day 2: Quito and Mindo
Chocolate making workshop
Butterfly Garden Visit
Hummingbird garden visit
Mitad del Mundo Visit
Day 3: Quito–Tena
Travel to the Upper Amazon Basin region via Papallacta
Papallacta volcanic hot springs visit
Cross over the Eastern Andes and descend into Tena
Day 4: Amazon Basin Landmarks
School Visit
Amazon Animal Rescue Center Visit
Amazon jungle hike
Indigenous Kichwa community visit
Local school visit
Day 5: Whitewater Rafting
Napo River white water rafting guided excursion
Day 6: Tena–Banos
Travel to the cloud forest town of Banos
Balsa wood workshop and handicrafts demonstration
El Pailon del Diablo waterfall excursion
Explore the Rio Pastaza Canyon
Day 7: Banos Landmarks
Church of the Virgin of Agua Santa Visit
Melcocha workshop and candy workshop
Hiking at the Sendero de los Sauce
Day 8: Banos–Quito
Cotopaxi National Park Visit: Cotopaxi Volcano, Limpiopungo Lake
Travel back to Quito
Day 9: Quito–Otavalo
Otavalo Market
Plaza de Ponchos
Day 10: Quito
Free Time in Quito exploring shops, museums, and cafes
Day 11: Return Home
Learn More about Environmental Science & Policy Programs at SOU
