June 29: Departure Day, Miami to Quito
Group Meeting:
At 3:00 PM, meet your leader and fellow students at the American Airlines check-in counter (outside of security) at Miami International Airport (MIA). This is the official start of your Putney program!
Group Flight:
The group will fly on American Airlines flight #939 departing Miami (MIA) at 6:05 PM, arriving in Quito, Ecuador (UIO), at 9:23 PM local time (4 hours, 15 minutes en route).
June 29 & 30: Quito
Spend your first days exploring Ecuador’s capital city, Quito. Get to know your leaders and your group, visit the colonial Old City (a UNESCO world heritage site), ride the teleférico, savor rich Ecuadorian coffee in an outdoor café, and participate in an in-depth orientation discussing life in Ecuador, your individual language goals, your project, and group dynamics.
July 1–9: Las Tolas
Travel by bus to our small host village located in the Ecuadorian cloud forest a few hours north of Quito. Work together with the local community to complete a series of construction, education, agriculture, and conservation projects. Take part in regular language lessons and games to complement all of the Spanish learning that is happening around you in the village.
July 10: Mindo
Take an overnight excursion to Mindo, and explore the surrounding cloud forest and the Bosque Protector Mindo-Nambillo Reserve. Spot some of Ecuador’s 1,500 bird species, zipline through the unspoiled cloud forest, and hike to crystal-clear freshwater pools and waterfalls. Spend time bonding with your group and prepare for your homestay week.
July 11–17: Las Tolas
Return to Las Tolas to live with an Ecuadorian family for one week and become fully immersed in Spanish language and local culture. You and your fellow group members continue to work on service projects during this last week in your host village.
July 18 & 19: Cotopaxi National Park
Visit magnificent Cotopaxi, a snow-capped volcano. Stay at a cozy hacienda, hike to the mountain’s breathtaking glacier and refugio, and ride on horseback across the surrounding páramo.
July 20: Quito
Return to Quito and prepare for your journey to the Galápagos Islands.
July 21–23: Isabela Island, Galápagos
Fly from Quito to Baltra airport (GPS) in the Galápagos. Then, travel by boat to Isabela, the largest island in the Galápagos archipelago. Hike the lava flows on Sierra Negra volcano, visit the Breeding Center of the Giant Tortoise, kayak, snorkel, and explore Isabela island and its unparalleled wildlife.
July 24: Santa Cruz Island, Galápagos
Surf and swim on the white-sand beach of Tortuga Bay, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, walk the highlands, explore lava tunnels, and observe wildlife.
July 25–27: San Cristobal Island, Galápagos
Mountain bike through the lush grasslands and observe blue footed boobies and sea turtles. Visit famous Kicker Rock where you can snorkel along an underwater channel and safely swim with sea lions and Galápagos sharks.
July 28: Travel Day, Galápagos to Quito
Fly from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno airport (SCY) on San Cristóbal Island to Quito, and prepare for your journey home.
July 29: Return Day, Quito to Miami
Group Flight:
The group will fly on American Airlines flight #946 departing Quito, Ecuador (UIO) at 11:30 PM local time on July 28 and returning to the International Arrivals Area of Miami International Airport (MIA) at 4:38 AM on July 29 (4 hours, 15 minutes en route).