Welcome Package & Trip Plan

World Bound – Amazon: Climate Change Education and Outdoor Youth Leadership Course

J U L Y 2 2 - A U G U S T 1 1 2 0 2 0 Important information to help prepare for an amazing experience!

Locations: Andean and Amazon Regions of Ecuador

Starting Date: July 22, 2020 @ International Airport of Quito

Ending Date: August 11, 2019 @ Quito – Downtown (if you need a ride from the hotel to the airport, please contact us to arrange pick up time. Extra cost of $50.00)

Contact: Maria Jose Obando (+1 639 317 6811) [email protected]

WITH FIRESIDE ADVENTURES YOUTH ARE SEEN, HEARD AND BELIEVED

World Bound - Ecuador is not only connects you directly with Indigenous and Ecuadorian communities, culture, people and art, but also enjoy a fine balance of being on and off the beaten path of an Ecuadorian & Amazonian adventure. You are officially invited to join Fireside’s Jeff Willis and Majo Obando who have teamed up with an amazing Ecuadorian Indigenous tour operator Equator Face to co-lead a 21-day adventure and travel experience.

Sincerely, Jeff and Majo

Preparing for a Successful Experience

This welcome package will help make your planning for one of the most amazing adventures you will ever have stress- free. This welcome package contains everything you need to know, but if you have any further questions, please give us a call or send us an email and we’ll be happy to help.

What is Fireside’s World Bound - Ecuador We know that Climate Change has Amazon: Climate Change Education and Outdoor fundamentally reshaped the lives of future Leadership Course? generations; we know that our present lives must shift too. It has been said that leadership This unique 21 day outdoor youth leadership course will define present and future generations. allows youth to embrace the biodiversity of the What’s missing is connection, education and Amazon Rainforest, learn about Indigenous outdoor leadershipIn this moment, our perspectives, knowledge and history, connect with understanding of leadership is vital in facing Ecuadorian culture, eat fantastic food and participate Climate Change, our future depends on it. We in impactful and educational climate change believe Climate Change is fundamentally forcing workshops. World Bound - Ecuador is not only connecting youth the world to rethink the leadership paradigm. directly with Indigenous and Ecuadorian We need leaders who will facilitate economic communities, culture, people and their art, we are and social transformations to help curb global also enjoying the fine balance of being on and off the warming. beaten path in an Ecuadorian/Amazonian youth “Climate Change will define our idea of leadership adventure. leadership rather than leadership defining our idea of climate change” -Jeff Willis (founder of Fireside Adventures) Itinerary

DAY 1: QUITO

We recommend arriving at least one day prior to the adventure start to acclimatize. (Dinner and information: July 22nd, 2020) Youths will be transferred to a hotel in Quito where they will have a welcoming dinner. It is an Ecuadorian tradition to celebrate your arrival. Visit the Middle of the World City and Ruminahui Museum. Learn about how Incas thanked their God Sun for their crops.

Accommodation: Hotel Reina Isabel Breakfast (not included) Lunch (included) Dinner (included)

DAY 2: QUITO’S HISTORIC CENTER – YAMBOS COMMUNITY Visit the historical center of Quito - capital of the sun, where youths will witness colonial works in the best-preserved historical center of Latin America. Visit TULIPE MUSEUM, which shows the cultural evidences of the Yumbo people. The museum is divided into two parts: the museum, and the ceremonial. Enjoy a half day walking tour while also practicing basic Spanish.

Accommodation: Hacienda Guachala Breakfast (included) Lunch (included) Dinner (included)

DAY 3: CAYAMBI COMMUNITY

Visit Cayambe and the Cochasquí archaeological ruins. The Karanqui community will host and welcome youths with a delicious dinner. In the evening, the community leader will talk about the impact of western culture on their traditions, knowledge, language and indigenous identity. Share his knowledge about the interpretation of dreams and the position of the stars. Be part of our Cultivating Relationship to the Land Module

Accommodation: Karanqui Families Breakfast (included) Lunch (included) Dinner (included)

Days 4 : CONDORES PROYECT – OTAVALO

Prepare and share breakfast with Karanqui families. The products will be obtained from the family gardens or farms. Visit part of the Zuleta farm where we will observe pyramids built by ancient civilizations. Have lunch with the Karanquis families. Visit the traditional town of Otavalo and its indigenous market. Be hosted by Otavalo Families who have ventured into community tourism to protect their culture and knowledge.

Accommodation: Families in Otavalo Breakfast (included) Lunch (included) Dinner (included)

DAY 5: TREN DE LA LIBERTAD – OTAVALO COMMUNITY – MOROCHOS COMMUNITY.

Travel in the "Libertad" train to the town of Salinas which is populated by Afro-Ecuadorian communities Be welcomed by the community with a traditional dance and a delicious gastronomy. Visit the museum of the Afro - Ecuadorian people. Camp under the stars in Cuicocha Lagoon, the main energy point of the Otavalo community.

Accommodation: Campsite in Cuicocha Breakfast (included) Lunch (included) Dinner (included)

DAY 6: CUICOCHA – RUTE OF WORKSHOPS

Hike around Chuicocha Lagoon while learning about the work of the community within the conservation of this protected area. Visit the Compañia community and go to the Equator Face Workshop House.

Accommodation: Families in Otavalo Breakfast (included) Lunch (included) Dinner (included) Day 7: PAPALLACTA – SAN RAFAEL – SHAYARI

Start the journey to the Amazon of Ecuador making short stops in Papallacta and the waterfall of San Rafael (the highest in the country). Visit the Kichwa Shayari community. Visit the CTC (community tourist center) and the rescue center. In the evening, youths will have a talk with the community, who is going to introduce them to their knowledge about medicinal plants.

Accommodation: Families of the Shayari Community Breakfast (included) Lunch (included) Dinner (included)

DAY 8 - 11: SHAYARI Walk along the trail of the Tamia and Supay waterfalls and observed the unique the flora and fauna that the landscape offers Take a bath in the waterfalls in the middle of a healthy and welcoming environment. After having lunch with the community, participate in traditional Kichwa games (target practice with a blowgun, a swinging game, and tarabita). Participate in making elaborate handicrafts from straw shawl, mud and seeds. Learn and experience the everyday activities of the community's members.

Accommodation: Families of the Shayari Community Breakfast (included) Lunch (included) Dinner (included)

DAY 12: MACAS - JAGUAR RESCUE CENTER After breakfast, head off to Macas - Jaguar Reserve where participants will be part of the volunteering program of the center that aims to provide integral training and practices for students and volunteers in areas like wildlife feeding and care, environmental education, paths maintenance, seedlings production and cultural and linguistic exchange. Students will have an information session and a tour around the Rescue Center and

Accommodation: Jaguar Rescue Cneter Breakfast (included) Lunch (included) Dinner (included) Day 13 - 17: MACAS - JAGUAR RESCUE CENTER

Participants will be volunteering in activities like: wildlife feeding and care, environmental education, monitoring of Sangay National Park, Seedling production and cultural and linguistic exchange. All of these activities will be distributed in a 5 hours a day. Youth will be visiting Shuar Community where they will learn about how Climate Change and anthropological activities like mines have been affecting their lands and lives

Accommodation: Jaguar Rescue Center Breakfast (included) Lunch (included) Dinner (included)

DAY 18: SALINAS DE GUARANDA/ CHIMBORAZO

Head off to where students will witness the highest mountain in Ecuador with 6310 meters over the sea level. Visit Salinas de Guaranda where students will be hosted by local families learning about their culture, knowledge and gastronomy.

Accommodation: Families from Salinas de Guaranda Breakfast (included) Lunch (included) Dinner (included)

DAY 19: QUILOTOA -

After a nutritive breakfast, participants will be transported to "Quilotoa", a water-filled caldera and the most western volcano in the Ecuadorian Andes. Hike down to the crater and learn the history about this natural formation Head off to Cotopaxi Province and be hosted in Papagayo Hotel.

Accommodation: Papagayo Hotel Breakfast (included) Lunch (included) Dinner (included)

DAY 20: COTOPAXI

Visit the Panzaleos indigenous community. Head off to the Cotopaxi volcano. Transportation to the International Airport of Quito

Breakfast (included) Lunch (not included) Information about Ecuador

Geographic location:

Ecuador is located in South America, about 7,120 km from Vancouver. Ecuador borders Colombia to the north, Peru to the south and east, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. If you want to know more about Ecuador's geography, please click on the following link:

C L I C K H E R E Population:

Ecuador has a population of 16,144,363 inhabitants (71.9% Mestizos, 7% Indigenous, 6.1% White Ecuadorians and 7.2% Afro-Ecuadorians). To know more about Ecuador’s population, please click on the following link:

C L I C K H E R E Capital City:

Quito, declared the First Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO, is located at 2,850 meters above sea level in a valley surrounded by mountains. It is the second highest capital in the world. The Historic Center of Quito is one of the largest and best preserved in Latin America. Its history is reflected in its churches, museums and cultural centres. To learn more about Quito, please click on the following link:

C L I C K H E R E Time Zone:

ECT – Ecuador Time – UTC -5

Water:

Although water in Ecuador is potable, we suggest drinking bottled water throughout the duration of your adventure. We will assist you with access to drinking water.

Issue 27 | 234 Language:

The Ecuadorian constitution recognizes Spanish as the official language. Additionally, 14 more ancestral languages are widely spoken by different Indigenous populations. Quichua is spoken the most with 1,161,800 speakers, followed by Shuar (42,300), Cha’palaachi (5,870), Achuar (3,520), Awapit (2,100), Wao Terero (1,650) and Tsáfiqui (1,870). There are many other Indigenous languages at risk of disappearing, such as Cofan (640), Siona (260), Redwood (85), Emberá (52) and Zaparo (3). The most spoken immigrant languages are German, Chinese, French, Portuguese and English. For more information on languages, please click on the following link:

C L I C K H E R E Climate:

Ecuador has two seasons: the wet season, from December to May, which is hot and rainy; and the dry season, from June to November, which has cooler temperatures. The average temperature in the Andean Region is between 13 ºC and 21 ºC. The Amazon Region is hot and humid with abundant rainfall from March to November, and dry from December to February. The average temperature is between 25-31 °C If you want to know more about Ecuadorian climate, please click on the following link:

C L I C K H E R E

Government:

The Republic of Ecuador is defined as a constitutional state of rights and justice. It is democratic, sovereign, independent, unitary, intercultural, pluri-national and secular. Ecuador’s government is decentralized and it is currently administrated by the President Lenin Moreno.

Electricity:

110 V. Please click on the following link for more information.

C L I C K H E R E

Issue 27 | 234 GENERAL To know more about vaccines, please click on the RECOMENDATIONS following link:

For Emergencies: C L I C K H E R E Health: When traveling with a Smartphone, you can install the free application ‘ECU 911’ of the Integrated Security Ecuador has some of the best health services in Latin- Service to be attended immediately. Dial 911 and report America. Visitors have free access to public health any emergency or illegal act. establishments. We will assist you should you need a Health Center during our journey. To fully enjoy your trip, keep these recommendations in mind: If you suffer 911 Emergencies: from any illness, it’s necessary that you carry a double 131 Red Cross: does of your medication as a backup in case of loss. The National Police: 101 Public Health Network in the country is activated. In Firemen: 102 case of an emergency or if you need personalized Blood Bank: +593 2582482 attention, you can go to the nearest health center. Wear protective clothing with sleeves and long pants, Civil Defense: +593 2469009 especially at dawn and dusk to avoid stings. In high density mosquito zones, use mosquito nets or screens Currency and ATMs: in the windows. Use mosquito repellent according to your skin type. Use sunscreen. Since 1999, Ecuador’s official currency is the American Dollar (USD). If you need to exchange money you must Altitude Sickness: do it exclusively in banks and exchange houses. Where possible, carry out transactions in a bank branch that is Altitude Sickness is the combination of physiological inside a Shopping Center. We can assist you when you reactions caused by the lack of oxygen when we visit the bank. Use ATMs in well-lit public places. Do not ascend rapidly to altitudes higher than 2400 meters accept the help or company of strangers. above sea level. Some of the symptoms are headaches, dizziness, fatigue, physical exhaustion and agitation. There is also the "zombie sensation", which is Wi-Fi and Phone Cards: characterized by a lack of concentration, hunger and energy. Sleep disorders, digestive disorders, nausea or You will have Wi-Fi access during your stay in most of vomiting may also occur. our accommodations, as well as in some restaurants If you have a chronic illness or medical condition, and public spaces we will visit. In case you want to check with your doctor before traveling. purchase a phone card, Ecuador has some good SIM The acclimatization time should be gradual. card deals for South America and you can buy 1GB of Drink before you are thirsty, eat before you are data for as little as CAD4.30. For more information, hungry, warm up before you are cold and rest before exhaustion. please C L I C K H E R E Move at a slow pace.

Avoid consuming alcohol and smoking cigarettes. We recommend you download Duolingo in order to get Dress in layers to protect your body temperature. familiar with Spanish. Use sunblock, a hat and glasses.

Vaccines: Flight to Ecuador:

For your safety, you need to have the yellow fever As is the case everywhere in the world, the sooner you vaccine. The yellow fever vaccine is mandatory for book your flight the cheaper it will be. It is about a 15 travellers going to countries considered endemic, hour journey from Vancouver. There is not a direct flight where there is a risk of transmission of this disease, from Vancouver to Quito, but you can find very good such as Venezuela, Brazil, Bolivia, Panama or deals with one stop either in the United States or Colombia and some African nations. Other vaccines Mexico. Flights typically range from $850 to $1500 that are recommended for traveling to Ecuador are return. typhoid fever, Hepatitis A and B and Tetanus- Diphtheria. Food:

Important: If you have food allergies and/or a special diet, please mention it in your registration form. We will accommodate your diet.

Ecuadorian cuisine is known as "comida criolla". It is diverse, varying with altitude, and associated agricultural conditions. This diversity is partly because Ecuador has four geographical regions. The variety of ‘typical dishes’ around Ecuador is as diverse as its regions. In every town, every corner and in every house we can enjoy endless flavours, prepared with the love and seasoning that only Ecuadorians have. Whether they are soups, snacks or main dishes, each one carries the essence of the place and the person who has prepared it .Ecuadorian people’s diet mainly consists of seafood, yucca, potatoes, beans, corn, pork, chicken, beef, plantain and delicious sweets like peanuts with honey or corn flour. Some of the most popular ingredients in the preparation of traditional Ecuadorian dishes include: Seafood: sea bass, albacore, tuna, dorado, camotillo, crabs, shrimp, black shells, oysters, lobster, squid, octopus, and more. Meats: beef, pork, chicken, goat, duck, guinea pig, sheep, guanta, frog, chontacuros, chonta. Vegetables and legumes : cassava, bananas, corn, mote, quinoa, lentils, squash, sambo, potato, sweet potato, melloco, rice, barley, peanut, palm kernel, peas, white carrot, oka, zarandaja, chochos, cabbage, achogchas, avocado, tomato, onions, and beans. Fruits: naranjilla, passion fruit, papaya, coconut, babaco, badea, mango, banana, cocoa, coffee, tomato, apple, guava, guabas, pomarosas, currants, sweet lemon, tangerines, taxo, granadilla, claudia, pineapple, zapote, tumbo, Pitaya, cucumber, grape, pear, blackberries, watermelon, melon, capulí.

Documentation required to enter Ecuador:

Canadian Citizens do not need a Visa to enter Ecuador. To enter Ecuador, you will need a valid passport that will not expire 6 months upon arrival. We recommend you also bring copies of your passport, driver’s license and medical insurance which will be placed in safe keeping. To know more about the Canadian Embassy in Ecuador, please click on the following link:

C L I C K H E R E

Issue 27 | 234 W H A T T O B R I N G ?

See below for a complete packing list. It is important to pack the appropriate gear for an optimal experience. It is recommended to start collecting gear ASAP and not trying to pack last minute. If you have any gear questions, please email or call for more information! Below are some tips to help make packing easier:

Engaging with nature and participating in outdoor activities are an integral part of the experience! Therefore, please pack clothing that can get dirty. Choose functionality over fashion. Do not bring anything to the course that you are not willing to lose – things happen! Cotton is a poor material as it stays wet and cold for a long time. Please make sure to pack some polyester blend clothing. It is lightweight and dries quickly. Recommended equipment includes: Fireside Adventures PO BOX 56011 1st Avenue RPO Vancouver BC, V5L 5E2 | https://www.firesideadventures.ca | [email protected] 604.762.7163

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