A traveling classroom where you learn Spanish in four locations!

A unique 4 to 12 week program! You spend Monday to Friday learning Spanish (4 hours per day, 20 hours in total) in the mornings and in the afternoons become involved in a variety of interesting local Ecuadorian activities, indigenous experiences and incredible adventures!

The first destination is Quito, the capital and historic centre of Ecuador. Included in this segment are trips to Mitad del Mundo (the ‘center of the world’), a magnificent natural hot pool, the indigenous market at Otavalo and biking through the stunning Cotopaxi National Park.

Next stop is Cuenca, the UNESCO old historic colonial city. Here you enjoy the abundance of art and museums based in the colonial buildings and the magnificent 275 lakes and diverse wildlife that make up the Cajas National Park.

Then it’s on to the funky and lively small town of Montañita. This is a popular beach destination in Ecuador. Here you will learn to surf and sample the amazing local food. Then you will see the wildlife of Isla Del Plata, the important archaeological site of Agua Blanca, the stunning beach of Los Frailles and do some dolphin and whale watching (in season).

Last stop is the seaside city of Manta. From here you can try a tandem paraglide, sample the optional additional activity of kitesurfing and as you return to Quito you can try white water rafting, stay at an old hacienda and travel through the Mindo cloud forest.

Then... it’s up to you! You can choose between returning for a week or more to your favorite location to revisit friends you have made and get back to your favorite activity. Or you can volunteer in one of the excellent project available (helping out at orphanages, schools, etc.) or even visit the world famous Galapagos Islands!

Click here for a sample itinerary

Explore Ecuador

Sample program itinerary

Program can be started any Monday.

Program starts at:

Quito 1st Monday of the month

Cuenca 2nd Monday of the month

Montanita 3rd Monday of the month

Manta 4th Monday of the month

Please plan to arrive (if possible) on the Sunday prior. Please make sure you arrange your travel arrangements to arrive at the correct start location depending on which Monday of the month it is. We can help your planning with information on the best ways to get to each location.

Once your program has started, the following is included in the four week program:

20 hours of Spanish per week*

Accommodation is homestay in Quito Cuenca and Manta, and shared Dorm in Montanita (you can upgrade to private cabana in Montanita depending on availability)

2 meals per day in Quito, Cuenca and Manta. Does not include alcoholic and soft drinks

All the activities listed below (except those listed as additional optional extras)

All transport to activities and between the four locations.

Free memorable T Shirt

Sample Itinerary (NB there may be slight changes to this due to unforeseeable circumstance)

The below is based on a Quito arrival -but please note you can start any Monday.

Sunday: Arrive at your location. You will be meet and taken to your accommodation

Quito first Monday of the month

Day 1 am 4 hours Spanish pm

Day 2 am 4 hours Spanish pm Discover the secrets of the Quito Old town

Day 3 am 4 hours Spanish pm Cooking lessons: Traditional recipe from Ecuadorian cuisine AND visit the beautiful Papallacta Hot springs

Day 4 am 4 hours Spanish pm Visit the Monument of Middle of the World AND Salsa lessons

Day 5 am 4 hours Spanish pm Optional activity not included in the program: You visit the cable car and get the best views from Quito and snow peaks around.

Day 6 Visit the Cotopaxi National Park, The highest active volcano in the world. Trekking and downhill biking tour.

Day 7 Travel to Cuenca,

Cuenca Second Monday of the month

Day 1 4 hours Spanish

Day 2 4 hours Spanish. City Tour in Cuenca

Day 3 4 hours Spanish. Cooking lessons: Traditional

recipe from Ecuadorian cuisine

Day 4 4 hours Spanish. Visit to the Central Bank

Museum: Ruins of Pumapungo and the Inca Garden AND Salsa lesson

Day 5 4 hours Spanish. Optional visit "Baños Hot Springs" very close to Cuenca for an extra fee.

Day 6 A day trip to the Andean Inca Sanctuary: Cojitambo and Ingapirca: It includes: transportation, guide, entrance fee and lunch

Day 7 Travel to Montañita

Montanita Third Monday of the month

Day 1 am 4 hours Spanish pm Surfing lesson (2 hours) including board. Evening Salsa lesson and dancing

Day 2 am 4 hours Spanish pm Surfing lesson and surfing

Day 3 am 4 hours Spanish pm Surfing lesson and surfing

Day 4 am 4 hours Spanish pm Surfing lesson and surfing.

Day 5 am 4 hours Spanish pm Surfing lesson and surfing

Day 6 Surf trip

Day 7 Travel to Manta

Manta Fourth Monday of the month

Day 1 am 4 hours Spanish lessons

Day 2 am 4 hours Spanish lessons / pm Salsa lessons and cocktails644

Day 3 am 4 hours Spanish lessons / pm Visit to Montecristi (cuna of "panama hats")

Day 4 am 4 hours Spanish lessons / pm Paragliding in Crucita, and visit to "tagua" handicraft shops (ivory nut)

Day 5 am 4 hours Spanish lessons / pm Cooking lessons

Day 6 am Isla del Plata (amazing wildlife, often called the 'poor mans Galapagos'), snorkelling (many fish) whale watching (in season). 

Day 7  End of the program

Total price: $1644

Additional weeks:

Many students love this program and love Ecuador, and wish to continue. These are some options available:

Option 1: Return to your favourite location to continue. Includes 20 hours Spanish, and accommodation $285 per addition week

Option 2: Spanish and Volunteer. includes 20 hours Spanish, accommodation and a worthwhile volunteering options (schools helping, ecological farm, orphanage, street kids) $285 per week

Option 3: Galapagos tour. 7 days on a specialised tour boat, sampling the best Galapagos has to offer. $1300

* In Cuenca, Montanita and Manta if there are no other students at your level, the 20 hours of group will be replaces by 15 hours of private one on one.