Itinerary

June 27: 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 27 & 28: 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 project, and group dynamics.

June 29–July 15: Chilcapamba

Travel by bus to our small host village in the central highlands a few hours north of Quito. Work together with the local community to complete a series of construction, education, and agricultural projects. On weekends, take day and overnight trips to areas of interest such as Laguna de Cuicocha and the open air indigenous market in Otavalo.

July 16 & 17: 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 18: Quito

Spend an evening at a residence near the Quito airport before your trip to the Galapágos Islands.

July 19–21: 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 22: 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 23–25: 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 26: 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 27: Return Day, Quito to Miami

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).