2026 ECUADOR SUMMER HS IMMERSION PROGRAM ITINERARY
2026 ECUADOR SUMMER HS IMMERSION PROGRAM ITINERARY
Monday, June 1, 2026
Leave for Ecuador
Indianapolis, Indiana -> Quito, Ecuador
Gather at the Indianapolis International Airport in the morning to depart for Ecuador. Upon arriving at the Quito International Airport in Ecuador that evening, group will take airport shuttle to Wyndham Quito Airport Hotel. Upon arrival at the hotel, a buffet dinner will be provided before retiring for the evening.
Tuesday, June 2, 2026
Day Tour - Quito / Fly to Cuenca
Quito, Ecuador -> Cuenca, Ecuador
Breakfast at Wyndham Quito Airport Hotel, followed by morning tour and lunch at key sites around Quito, such as the Mitad del Mundo (Equator line) and Intiñan museum. Return to airport at 2pm for flight to Cuenca. Evening meeting at Fundación Taylor offices for program orientation, followed by introduction to Ecuadorian host families before beginning homestay experience. Dinner and free time with host families.
Wednesday, June 3, 2026
Getting to know Cuenca and host families
Cuenca, Ecuador
Before diving into the rigors of a fully-immersive university Spanish class abroad and accompanying professional job shadowing rotations, the first day in Cuenca will be dedicated towards an extensive walking tour of the city. Since lunch is the main meal of the day, when Ecuadorian families return from work and school to eat and rest in the early afternoon, students will return home for their first of many daily lunches with their respective host families. They will have the rest of the afternoon and evening to unpack, unwind, get comfortable, and connect with their Ecuadorian host family.
Weekday conversational Spanish classes from 8am to Noon with native-speaking professors at Universidad del Azuay in Cuenca begin, followed by midday lunch with Ecuadorian host families. After-school activities include traditional Ecuadorian dinner in downtown Cuenca and afternoon trip to Agua de Piedra thermal baths in the Baños suburb.
Full-day trip (Saturday) to el chorro de Girón, one of the Azuay province’s most breathtaking natural waterfalls, followed by lunch and a tour of local Ecuadorian coffee farm and producer.
Full-day trip (Sunday) to El Cajas national park, a hiking tour over 12,000 feet above sea level in the páramo of the Ecuadorian Andes, with unique highland vistas and landscapes unlike anywhere in the world. Traditional Ecuadorian luncheon before returning to Cuenca.
Evening time both days dedicated to life with Ecuadorian host family.
Weekday conversational Spanish classes and/or professional shadowing rotations (Healthcare/Medicine, Business, and Law) from 8am to Noon with native-speaking professors at Universidad del Azuay in Cuenca continue, followed by daily midday lunch with Ecuadorian host families. After-school activities include traditional Ecuadorian cooking classes, intensive conversational clubs, Latin dance classes, and local museum excursions. Some evenings free for leisurely activities with Ecuadorian host families.
Full-day trip (Saturday) to Incan ruins in province of Cañar, including traditional Ecuadorian lunch.
Saturday evening and all day Sunday free for leisurely time of cultural immersion with Ecuadorian home family. Deportivo Cuenca soccer game, pending release of team schedule.
Weekday conversational Spanish classes and/or professional shadowing rotations (Healthcare/Medicine, Business, and Law) from 8am to Noon with native-speaking professors at Universidad del Azuay in Cuenca continue, followed by daily midday lunch with Ecuadorian host families. After-school activities include traditional Ecuadorian pottery classes, intensive conversational clubs, Central Bank Museum, horseback riding on the Inca Trail, and Latin dance classes. Some evenings free for leisurely activities with Ecuadorian host families.
Farewell dinner with all students and host families on evening of Thursday, June 18, 2026.
Early Saturday morning bus departure to Macas, Ecuador, capital of the Ecuadorian rainforest province of Morona Santiago. Visit to indigenous Shuar community after hotel check-in, followed by trip to Finca el Piura nature park
All-day (Sunday) cultural immersion visit to indigenous Shuar community, along with river canoe trip, exploratory rainforest walking tour, and archaeological/artisanal overview of region.
All-day (Monday) hiking trip to waterfalls and natural pools in the Ecuadorian Amazon rainforest.
Return to Cuenca by private bus on Tuesday morning for a final afternoon and evening of rest and relaxation with Ecuadorian host families. Pack and prepare Wednesday morning for return flights to the United States, followed by final lunch with Ecuadorian host family before flying to Quito.
NOTE: International return flights from Quito to Indianapolis involve late evening/early morning departures and U.S Customs layovers that will most likely result in a return to Indianapolis on the morning of Thursday, June 25, 2026.
Thursday, June 4, 2026 - Friday, June 5, 2026
University classes begin
Cuenca, Ecuador
Saturday, June 6, 2026 - Sunday, June 7, 2026
First weekend - Natural wonders and cultural immersion time with host families
Cuenca, Ecuador
Monday, June 8, 2026 - Friday, June 12, 2026
Full week of university classes and professional shadowing rotations
Cuenca, Ecuador
Saturday, June 13, 2026 - Sunday, June 14, 2026
Second weekend - Incan ruins and cultural immersion with host families
Cuenca, Ecuador
Monday, June 15, 2026 - Friday, June 19, 2026
Full/final week of university classes and professional shadowing rotations
Cuenca, Ecuador
Saturday, June 20, 2026 - Monday, June 22, 2026
Extended weekend trip to Ecuadorian Amazon rainforest
Macas, Ecuador
Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - Wednesday, June 24, 2026
Final days with Ecuadorian host family
Cuenca, Ecuador