Expedition Ecuador

An expedition to Ecuador gives you the opportunity to explore some of South America's most beautiful and varied landscapes. Real Gap has carefully put together an expedition to Ecuador designed to combine all of Ecuador's ‘must see' places of interest together with other travel more ‘off the beaten track' - the Gap Year Expedition - Ecuador' programme.

The aim of this expedition to Ecuador is to provide an insight in to the ‘real' Ecuador, its people and its culture. Travellers on the expedition to Ecuador receive Spanish lessons throughout their Ecuador expedition as, from our experience, it's important to speak some of the local language if you really want to get to know a country. If you make the effort to speak Spanish on an expedition to Ecuador the local people greatly appreciate your efforts and really open up to you. Another great way to immerse yourself in local life on an expedition to Ecuador is by getting involved with a worthwhile volunteer project. You can choose from several excellent volunteer projects if you travel on Real Gap's expedition to Ecuador and, as well as being a good way to experience local life on a far more intimate level, volunteering is also an opportunity to ‘give something back' on your travels.

For full details on Real Gap's expedition to Ecuador click on the above link or speak to one of Real Gap's team of expert travel advisers. If you are still not too sure about an expedition to Ecuador, however, here are just some of the programme's highlights to try and convince you!

Expedition Ecuador - Galapagos Islands

For wildlife enthusiasts no expedition to Ecuador would be complete without visiting Ecuador's Galapagos Islands. The wildlife of the Galapagos evolved differently from the wildlife on the South American mainland (Charles Darwin visited here and his exploration of the area was one of the factors that helped convince him that his theory of evolution was correct) and the islands are home to some unique animals and plant life. A great way to discover the Galapagos on Real Gap's expedition to Ecuador is by working on one of our volunteer projects on the islands. For example you could spend part of your expedition to Ecuador working hands-on with endangered Giant Galapagos Tortoises or by teaching children in Galapagos Island schools all about environmental awareness.     

Expedition Ecuador - Jungle trek

One of the classic South American travel experiences is to trek through the jungle - and Real Gap's expedition gap year to Ecuador includes a five-day camping tour in the beautiful and untamed virgin rainforest of Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve. This part of the expedition to Ecuador includes a night trek to enable viewing of the nocturnal wildlife, a canoeing trip in search of river dolphins and the infamous anaconda snake and also a spot of piranha fishing!

As well as some incredible wildlife viewing the jungle treks on Real Gap's expedition to Ecuador also provide an opportunity to discover the indigenous Indian tribes who still live in the jungle to this day.

Expedition Ecuador - Explore the Andes

The Andes mountains form an incredible natural ‘backbone' running the length of Ecuador and Real Gap's expedition to Ecuador visits some of the country's most beautiful mountain paths. An unforgettable highlight of the expedition to Ecuador is a horseback exploration of the area surrounding the town of Otavalo.

Expedition Ecuador - Beaches

While Real Gap's expedition to travel Ecuador is one of our most adventurous and challenging programmes it's important to stress that there's plenty of time on the trip for fun and relaxation. The expedition to Ecuador visits some of the country's best beaches and - if you have never done it before - it's possible to try your hand at surfing, which is particularly good at Montanita.

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