June 30: Departure Day, Miami to Quito
Group Meeting:
At 3:30 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 6:14 PM, arriving in Quito, Ecuador (UIO), at 9:21 PM local time (4 hours, 30 minutes en route).
June 30 & July 1: Quito
Spend your first days exploring Ecuador’s capital city, Quito. Get to know your leaders and the other students, 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 2–July 11: Community Service in 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. You’ll also take part in regular language lessons and games to complement all of the Spanish learning that is happening around you in the village. On weekends, take day and overnight trips to areas of interest such as the town of Mindo, the surrounding cloud forest, and Bosque Protector Mindo-Nambillo to hike, go on outdoor adventures, and learn about indigenous cultures.
July 12–July 18: Homestay in Las Tolas
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 19 & 20: 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 21: Quito
Spend an evening at a residence near the Quito airport before your trip to the Galapágos Islands.
July 22–24: Isabela Island, Galápagos
Our Galápagos exploration begins with a morning flight to the Galápagos Islands. 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 25: 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 26–28: 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 (if you are lucky!) swim with sea lions and Galápagos sharks.
July 29: Quito
On your last day in country, fly from the Galapagos back to to Quito. Stay near the airport and enjoy a final, celebratory dinner with your group.
July 30: Return Day, Quito to Atlanta
Group Flight:
The group will fly on American Airlines flight #932 from Quito, Ecuador (UIO), returning to the International Arrivals Area of Miami International Airport (MIA) at 12:12 PM (4 hours, 15 minutes en route).