Rainforest Tours Programs in Ecuador

This was an amazing experience in which I learnt a lot about the world around me and myself. The trip has the perfect balance of Independence and being led as well as a balance of adventure and chill time, all amazing to bond with team mates. The trip has a nice mix of urban areas and countery side and beautiful views. Would definitely recommend. There are so many awesome opportunities to take part in and range of activities keeping you on your toes.

This was my first travel experience and it was great. Starting in Cusco was a great place to meet everyone and the city is amazing. The Salkantay trek was some of the best days of my life with Machu Picchu capping it off. So the whole trip with Quilatoa,the activities in Baños, the wildlife volunteering and the otovalo market it’s overall a great trip. I would also say though if you are going bring a bit of soap unless you’re ok with 3in1 :) and pack a bit of variety in your clothing as you will be trekking but there are opportunities to go out at night with the others on the trip.

I was nervous about the decision to take a gap year. Pacific Discovery facilitated a life changing experience that not only made me a better person but connected me with life long friends. I’ll recommend this program to anyone who will listen.

Pacific Discovery was recommended to us by parents of a PD alumni (Aus/NZ) and it made a huge difference to us in our review of alternative programs. The points highlighted by the parents that appealed to us centered around personal growth, world/cultural/travel experience, great planning, and excellent guides; our student's experience was terrific in all these aspects, and we so appreciate the guidance he received during the program to help contextualize all of the amazing and mundane experiences he had on the progam. The opportunities and emphasis on the 'discovery' aspect of the program particularly for his individual development, was, for us, the main reason for selecting PD, and we couldn't be more pleased with how that purpose was achieved.

We loved the communication between Pacific Discovery and parents. The portal offered detailed information and forms prior to the trip. During the trip, the weekly summaries gave us a window into the activities and the spontaneous discoveries the group was making in their towns, service sites, and local hosts.

The South America Gap Semester pushed me out of my comfort zone both mentally, physically, and socially. Pushing my body beyond what I thought it could do, opening up to - and being vulnerable with- a new group of people, and communicating in a different language in a place so vastly different than I’m used to, were all challenging and rewarding experiences. I feel like I’ve grown a lot and learned a lot about myself from stepping out of my comfort zone and opening myself up to new opportunities and possibilities.

Amazing experience. A good mix of adventure activities and volunteering. The leader was great and made sure everything was fun and safe. One of the best experiences of my life. This last sentence is just to hit the 200 mark

I really liked how we basically had a new adventure every week but it didn’t feel rushed either. All of the activities were very fun and we had enough free time to explore each town or city we stayed in.

In this one month adventure trip in Ecuador I have all type of new experiences in different places and situations, all the factors I build up during the trip has also strengthen my personality and independence that made a new strong version of me. One of my favorite schedule is the week in The Galapagos, to live on a yacht with a group of friends and caring people, and experiencing new aspect of the world such as through snorkeling. This trip to Ecuador have a unbeatable special place in my heart with tons of unforgettable memories, I am extremely thankful for everyone that made this trip happen, and special thank you to our two leaders, local leaders, and group members that made this trip one of the most wonderful things in my life.

When I first found out that I was accepted for the Experiment’s Ecuador trip, I was absolutely overjoyed. However, I don’t believe it actually hit me that I was going away for an entire month without anyone that I knew. It certainly was a bit overwhelming and daunting when I came to that realization. Now, after having experienced what I did, I should have never been even a little apprehensive about going. Being spoken to and forced to speak Spanish every day was at first annoying and made me nervous, but I quickly realized that it was extremely beneficial for my Spanish skills. I was forced to understand Spanish and speak it constantly, as opposed to learning Spanish in school, where you have to understand and speak it very little. At the end of the trip, my Spanish comprehension and speaking fluency had drastically improved, and I learned twice as much in one month as I have in all of school. We got to go to three of the four regions of Ecuador. The four regions are the coast, the highlands, the Galápagos, and the Amazon, and we went to the highlands, Galápagos, and Amazon. Doing so allowed us to experience the country from many different perspectives. The activities and learning that we participated in in every location added to the experience and understanding of where we were and the culture and norms. The home stay was the most culturally immersive experience of the trip because we got to spend a week with an Ecuadorian family and part take in their everyday lives. It showed me what the average day of an Ecuadorian family looks like, how they live, family norms and traditions, etc. It was incredibly engaging and an amazing experience. Going to the Galápagos was a truly unforgettable and amazing opportunity. I had read a lot about the islands, and seen countless documentaries, but never did I ever think that I would be able to go there for myself, but it happened. We got to stay on a boat for four days while touring the islands, and we explored and learned about the diversity of the life and unique ecosystems, and learned about the historical significance of the islands, and it was an unbelievable experience. Overall, with all the other locations, things we did, people we saw, and the things we learned, my Experiment experience has unequivocally changed my overall appreciation for and perspective on other countries all around the world and their cultures, and has made me a better, more independent individual.

I had a great time on the South American Explorer program. I only did the 4-weeks, but I really enjoyed everything in the program. I’d have to say my favorite activity was the Salkantay trek to Macchu Pichu, despite it getting hard at times, it was a great experience and very rewarding once you stood overlooking Macchu Pichu. The culture is so different from my own and it’s very humbling and exciting to be immersed in the indigenous culture here. The people are very nice and I would one hundred percent recommend it for anyone looking to do it.

When I first signed up for this trip, my biggest fear was missing out on my summer because of this four week long trip with people I didn’t know. Now, when I look back on that fear, I am glad that it didn’t stop me. This trip has been the highlight of my summer and if I had the option to go back, I would. From playing Uno with my host family to snorkeling with sharks, penguins, and sea lions I enjoyed every second. I was able to do things I never imagined myself doing and that made for a memorable trip. The Experiment did an amazing job picking activities for us to do. One of those activities was traveling to the Galapagos Islands and living on a boat. Everyday we snorkeled and every night, the entire group would sit, talk and stare at the countless stars that we could see due to our proximity to the equator. This trip has made this summer my favorite by far.

It was very interesting but in a good way. I enjoyed every second and would do it again if I had the chance to. In the Galapagos, snorkeling with sharks, fishes and penguin was something I wasn’t able to do in Missouri. I can happily check off my buck list a lot of activities that I wasn’t able to complete in Missouri.

I never expected to fall in love on this trip, but I did. Ecuador took my heart and I don't think I will ever get it back. The environment and ecosystems there are so incredibly unique and unlike anything I have ever experienced before, and it was all amplified tenfold by the amazing job The Experiment did. I had amazing group leaders along with wondrous activities The Experiment planned for us. I made new friends, a new family, and experiences that will last a lifetime. I know that I will travel back in the future because of the huge impact it had on me this summer.

It's incredibly difficult to summarize two-months worth of amazing experiences that I know I'll cherish for my whole life. We adventured, we lost ourselves in nature, we were enchanted by the beautiful cultures, and through it all, our whole group became a close-knit family. Looking back, I can definitely say I've grown as a person - I've become more open to embracing new experiences and that sense of adventure compels me to keep exploring. Through all our adrenaline-pumping activities such as bridge-jumping, white water rafting, trekking, canyoning and so much more, I developed a deep love and appreciation for nature. Our traditional homestays were magical - not only did we hear our families' life stories and connect with them through language, but even more significantly, we connected through actions. We laughed, danced, sang, cooked and learned a lot with each other. It was amazing. Overall, I don't have to think twice about recommending this trip - you'll walk out rejuvenated, with your perspectives broadened and horizons expanded. It really is the trip of a lifetime.

This trip was definitely a trip of a lifetime. With everything from adrenaline-pumping adventure to rich cultural immersion and service projects, I can wholeheartedly say that this trip has been extremely character-building. I experienced the magic of the natural landscapes of Peru and Ecuador and the enchantment of its traditional communities through the numerous homestays that we participated in. I fell in love with being outdoors, trekking, running, rock-climbing - and even rappelling down waterfalls! Some of the most powerful things I took away from this trip were the deep and genuine connections I formed with my instructors and fellow travelers, a bond that will last for many years to come. It’s easy to recommend this nine-week adventure to anyone who wants to truly experience the culture of Peru and Ecuador, partake in a ton of exploration and lose themselves in nature. You’ll walk out a better person with a more worldly perspective and stories to last a lifetime, guaranteed. I know I did.

Can not say enough great things about this trip. I went on the South America trip during the fall of 2016 to Peru and Ecuador. This program is a perfect mix of everything-- homestays, outdoors, city-life -- and I would not change a single thing. You will meet amazing people, both in your group (including the BEST instructors), and in the local communities. The instructors are extremely adventure-driven, and join in on the bridge-jumping, paragliding, and snorkeling with sea lions. I would never have gotten an opportunity like this elsewhere, and I feel much more prepared, and matured, for college. Trips like these really open your eyes to the world and make you realize all there is to live for around you. Unlike if you planned a trip yourself, or even with other groups, this trip let us be part of the community, rather than seeing the world from the outside as tourist.

My trip to South America with Pacific Discovery was amazing! I was able to meet many new friends from my group, as well as many inspiring individuals and families, while traveling through Peru and Ecuador. Pacific Discovery provided me with incredible opportunities such as learning to surf in the Galapagos, paragliding in the "adventure capital of Ecuador", hiking to Machu Picchu and so many more. What I loved about the program was that we were able to explore the places we visited, while also giving back to the communities that welcomed us. Along with many activities we did, we also took part in community gardening, cleaning up mangroves and beaches and a few other things. PD did an awesome job of putting together two months of travel, and I would definitely do another one of their programs!

I love Pacific Discovery! They do such an amazing job at organizing so many different activities in a 2 month program. I got to see so many incredible things like Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca but we also volunteered quite a bit too. Those really made me feel like we were there to not only see the sights but give back and help out as well! Some of my favorite memories were while we were in Lake Titicaca at a school, I loved playing with the kids when we took breaks while volunteering. One thing that always makes these types of trips so fun is the people you meet in your group. It made every bus ride, bike trip and spanish lesson 10 times more fun. I made some really great friendships and had a great experience on this trip!