Animal Rescue (days 3-6) Puyo, Ecuador

Yana Cocha is the animal rescue place where we worked. Once we arrived we were divided into teams. Each team cut up breakfast for the animals and then brought it to their assigned animals. There was the bird group, mammal group, monkey group, and group serving those who are rehabilitated and soon to be released. I was in the mammal group, which means I got to work with muskrats, an animal related to anteaters, oversized rats and guinea pigs.

 


One of my favorite animals was Oda, the bush dog. Bush dogs are extremely rare. It's cute and very small. And it sounds like a pig.

We spent the afternoon completing some additional tasks and learning more about the native birds of Ecuador.

Also we went to an artisan market.

Day 7 Ecuador

Today we woke up in Puyo then left my favorite hotel to travel to Banos! In Banos, I completed a circuit that included zip lines, a walking bridge, and rock climbing. (All while connected to the emergency cable, so no worries.)

Here's a link to a video of me ziplining! 

We had just enough time at the hotel to enjoy the pool and clean ourselves up. Then we headed out on the town on foot to attend Mass and eat dinner.

ECUADOR DAY 2

Today we ventured out in Banos. The rain could not keep us down! (Though it did keep us from being dry!) We first went to the swings at the end of the world, where we flew high on swings nearly in the clouds and got a little zip lining practice in. 

 

From there, we went to a waterfall. 

 

We took a cable car to be right over the falls. See that tiny red dot headed to the falls.... that's the cable car we rode in to get to the falls.

 

We continued on to one of the most powerful and stunning falls. Not only did we hike down to the falls, but I squeezed through the path to get behind the falls.

 

We ate at a local restaurant for lunch and then made our way to Jungle Lodge El Jardin. We walked through the small town of Puyo, which is an incredibly authentic South American small town.

This is our hotel. I really liked relaxing in the hammock.

Ecuador Day 1

After finally making it to the hotel in Quito last night at 11:30pm, we started early this morning with some local breakfast foods then ventured out before 8am. From the hotel we went straight to the EQUATOR! We learned many interesting scientific and historical facts! One fact is that on the equator gravity pushes straight down.

This is me standing in the Southern and Northern Hemispheres at the same time.

 We also learned about and ate some delicious chocolate! 

We then toured Quito, which was hustling and bustling! We saw stunning churches and city skylines! We even went to a monastery. We learned all cultural aspects of Ecuador like the history of the shrunken heads and  martyrs.
We then ate a delicious lunch at a restaurant downtown. After that, we headed to Banos. The volcano scenery was spectacular!

Ecuador Animal Rescue Trip

Day 1

Monday, June 12, 2017, Quito

Depart from the USA and arrive in Quito. Hotel Rio Amazonas (Cordero E4375 & Av. Amazones).

 

Day 2

Tuesday, June 13, 2017, Banos

This morning, students will get acquainted with Quito, the lovely capital of Ecuador. A guided tour will take them around the colonial center of this beautiful city, including Itchimbia’s scenic views, Independence Square, and the church of La Compañia. Then travel to the Mitad del Mundo, just north of Quito, to view the world from the equator. In the afternoon journey to Baños, which stands in the foothills of the Tungurahua volcano and is known as a gateway to the Amazonian jungles. Hotel La Floresta (Juan Motalvo y Thomas Halflants Esquina).

Day 3

Wednesday, June 14, 2017, Puyo

Today travel into the Amazon region towards the site of your service project. Along the way, they’ll stop to enjoy hiking along a waterfall route lined with stunning cascades. Tonight’s destination is a scenic lodge located in the jungle near the village of Puyo. Hotel: Jungle Lodge el Jardin.

 

Day 4-6

June 15-17, 2017 Puyo 

Today marks the first of three days in which they’ll participate in an Amazon animal service project at one of two facilities outside of Puyo, depending on the current needs. The Monkey Sanctuary is dedicated to the conservation and rehabilitation of rescued primates and the Amazon Animal Rescue Centre partners with the Ecuadorian Environmental Police and the Ministry of Environment in the fight against trafficking and abuse of wild animals. As a volunteer, her duties will include day-to-day care of animals (cutting up fruit, feeding and so forth), helping new animals adjust to the center, general maintenance and cleaning work, repairing animal enclosures or building new ones and daily hikes to pick fruit and catch insects for the animals. They might also be asked to harvest yucca, corn, sugar cane or cocoa.  Hotel: Jungle Lodge el Jardin.

Day 7

Sunday, June 18, 2017, Banos

The morning begins with a trip back to Baños, known worldwide as an eco-tourism paradise. Here they’ll enjoy an afternoon canopy tour above the Andean landscape, exploring via an elevated circuit that includes thrilling zip lines, a Tibetan bridge and rock climbing. Later enjoy time to explore more of Baños. Perhaps soak in the famous thermal mineral baths for which the town is named or shop for souvenirs—taffy made from cane sugar and balsa-wood parrots are two of the town’s locally-made signature products. Hotel Monteselva (Thomas Halflants s/n Banos).

 

Day 8

Monday, June 19, 2017, Cotopaxi

Today they’ll visit Cotopaxi National Park, located at an elevation of nearly 15,000 feet and home to a dormant volcano. Here they may hike or mountain bike up to a glacier, or spend time observing the stunning landscapes and amazing flora and fauna. They’ll stay here overnight in a mountain lodge that offers a beautiful view of the snow-capped volcano.  Hotel: Chuquiragua Lodge.

Day 9

Tuesday, June 20, 2017, Departure

Depart for the USA.