Mi Querido Ecuador is an 11-day educational travel experience designed for student groups seeking meaningful cultural connection through language and daily life. This Ecuador travel itinerary begins in Quito, where students combine guided exploration with immersive time spent living alongside local host families.
The program is structured around morning Spanish classes at Academia Guayasamín, cooking, salsa dancing and various hands-on cultural experiences. Students then apply their language skills in real-life settings such as sharing meals, participating in community activities, and navigating everyday routines with their host families.
With excursions to Otavalo and the cloud forests of Mindo, students explore Ecuador through its people, landscapes, and traditions. This in-depth and supportive experience emphasizes confidence-building, cultural understanding, and personal growth for both students and educators.
*Travelers do not need to arrange their own air. Air travel is included in the program, but the cost will be added once the group air contract is confirmed. Price is valid for 2027
11 days
Programs are led by experienced, local guides with deep cultural knowledge. The role of guides is as follows:
Day 1 | Quito
Arrive in Quito and transfer to your hotel.
Meals Included: None
Day 2 | Quito
Explore Quito with a costumed historical character, visiting la Plaza de la Independencia, el Palacio Presidencial, and la Basílica del Voto Nacional. Enjoy an Xperitas welcome dinner.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Days 3–5 | Family Stay
Begin Spanish classes at Academia Guayasamín and settle in with your host family. Activities include a local fruit market visit, Casa Museo Guayasamín, and a salsa dance class, with afternoons and evenings spent immersed in daily Ecuadorian life.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 | Mindo
Travel to the cloud forest of Mindo for ziplining, relaxation at the lodge, and a nocturnal nature hike featuring the famous “frog concert.”
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 | Family Stay
Hike to Mindo’s waterfalls, enjoy a farewell lunch, visit the butterfly garden, and return to Quito to rejoin host families.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Days 8–9 | Family Stay
Continue Spanish classes and participate in a volunteer visit to a local senior center. Enjoy a cooking class, then travel to Otavalo for the artisan market, weaving workshop in Peguche, Cascada de Peguche, Andean music presentation, and a stop in Cotacachi.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10 | En Route
Final Spanish class, visit the Teleférico, Mitad del Mundo, a chocolate tour, and Pululahua volcanic crater. Evening transfer to the airport for overnight return flight.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11 | Return
Arrive in the United States.
Meals Included: None
Prices are based on a minimum group size of 10 students. If the minimum is not met and your group cannot be combined, a small-group supplement will apply. Final pricing is determined by confirmed dates, air arrangements, family stay communities, program components, group size, and number of leaders at final billing.
Prices are subject to change due to fluctuations in fuel prices, exchange rates, and airfare costs beyond the control of Xperitas.
The order of itinerary items may change due to unforeseen circumstances prior to or during the program.
Know that your child will grow in so many ways from this experience. The program has just the right amount of structure and freedom for the kids to explore in a safe and enjoyable manner. The family stay, while intimidating at first glance, is a unique and amazing opportunity for the kids to really experience the culture that they are being immersed in.
The partners in Costa Rica are fabulous! Everything was well-organized, and kids were always engaged. Our guide, Jimmy, truly is an educator and ambassador of his country. All of the students and leaders really enjoyed his personality, love of his country and knowledge. The Family Stay Experience was also very wonderful!
Immersing students in the language and culture are keys to a successful trip overseas with students, and I can always count on our in-country Xperitas guides to communicate exclusively in the target language with our students while showing them a new culture.
The focus on language and personalized touch sets this program apart from the rest.
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