Ecuador Corporate Brochure

Ecuador Corporate Brochure

CORPORATE TRIPS

Change lives together. Grow stronger together.

Ecuador Find adventure and a warm welcome from the local Kichwa people in the Amazon

India Connect with the people and culture of Rajasthan, nestled in the ancient Aravalli Mountains

Kenya Meet the Maasai and Kipsigis Communities, and discover the beautiful Mara they call home

WE.ORG/TRIPS | [email protected] | 1.855.959.8330

Introducing ME to WE Corporate Trips

When you give back, the benefits are endless. On a ME to WE Corporate trip, your team will have the unique opportunity to bond over meaningful experiences while making a profound difference. From building a company culture that does good to creating a sense of community, purposeful travel has an unparalleled way of engaging everyone at work. When colleagues make a difference, they’re empowered and inspired as a team to help your organization succeed.

We build better travel experiences.

Our expertise comes from over 20-years of working alongside communities around the world. With years of experience, on-the-ground knowledge and our passion for doing good, we offer a travel experience unlike any other.

Hands-on experience

Discover a new country and learn about the issues its residents face by experiencing daily life and engaging in thought-provoking discussions with our knowledgeable facilitators and local staff.

Adventure & discovery

From safari excursions to jungle hikes, dive into incredible new experiences. Plus, we offer exciting extensions to create the perfect trip for all!

Volunteering We understand that every organization is unique. That’s why our trips are customizable to meet your company’s needs; however, activities such as school building and water walks are always included for a truly authentic, genuine experience.

Community immersion Our itineraries are designed to actively demonstrate the WE Villages sustainable development model. Guests will participate in new experiences, meet a community and get to know a new culture firsthand.

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We didn’t start as a travel company—we started as a movement to change the world. For over 20 years, we’ve worked hand in hand with communities in Kenya, Ecuador and India, helping to empower them with the tools to lift themselves and their families out of poverty. Along the way, we’ve met remarkable communities who have welcomed us into their homes and lives, sharing with us their stories. Today, we’re privileged to call them our friends and family, and because of that, they’re welcoming our travelers, too. Forget tour groups and buses— your team will have the opportunity to experience the joys and challenges of daily community life, along with getting to know a country and its people through an extraordinary, unforgettable lens. We invite you and your team to join us at our signature lodges in Kenya, Ecuador and India for a travel experience you won’t find anywhere else. Go beyond a safari to walk in the footsteps of families in rural Kenya, trek the Amazon jungle to meet the indigenous communities who call it home and discover India’s vibrant culture through the eyes of locals. With our over 20- year history of working with our charity partner, WE Charity, we’ve formed close bonds with local communities around the world, giving us the honor of offering our travelers an authentic, immersive travel experience. Our travelers connect with the people and places around them—joining families to collect water, participating in cultural traditions and even having the opportunity to contribute to a local project. This is a travel experience that stays with you. Meaningful. Purposeful. Downright unforgettable. What makes us unique? Our story.

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Why we work in Ecuador The province of Chimborazo in central Ecuador, as well as the Amazon region, are home to large numbers of indigenous communities who suffer from some of the highest rates of poverty in the country.

POPULATION 16.9 Million

CURRENCY US dollar ($)

TIME Central Time (GMT/UTC minus 5 hours)

LANGUAGE Spanish

• The average length of schooling for the indigenous population is just 3.3 years. • Due to the unavailability of secondary schools and remoteness of communities, nine out of 10 children in rural regions do not continue their education past the primary level. • Thirty-five percent of the Ecuadorian population live below the income poverty line. • Almost 8 percent of children ages five to 14 are engaged in child labor. • Illiteracy continues to affect almost a third of the indigenous population.

Ecuador

Our work in Ecuador In Chimborazo and Napo provinces, we work alongside the local communities to implement WE Villages programming that includes:

WATER 3 water systems established

FOOD 4

pilot gardens implemented, with three kitchens and dining halls currently being rehabilitated

EDUCATION 1,000+ students we have helped support

Ecuador

OPPORTUNITY 8000

In the lush Amazon, witness the sights and sounds of the biggest rainforest in the world. With a ME to WE trip to Ecuador, you will explore your surroundings, not as tourists, but as part of the community who have lived in the jungle for generations.

community members impacted through the Women’s Empowerment Center, serving as a training space for artisans.

HEALTH 200+ people have been provided with medical care.

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Trip highlights

Discover the Amazon rainforest Join your naturalist guide on optional hikes to discover the Amazon’s incred- ible array of plant and animal life.

Explore the community

Step into the shoes of locals to learn about daily life in the rainforest and indigenous traditions—from seeing how chocolate is made to learning how to shoot a blowgun.

Get hands-on

Participate in a ceremony with a shaman Be invited to the home of a local shaman, who will guide you and your team through a traditional cleansing ceremony.

Give back directly to the places you’re visit- ing—volunteer on a local project like building a school or working on a community farm.

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Minga Lodge

A luxurious, peaceful oasis nestled in the Amazon on the banks of the Napo River that marries local design with comfort and convenience. After a day of volunteering, Minga Lodge offers serene and comfortable spaces to refresh and recharge. Accommodations : • Deluxe and Standard luxury, cabin-style accommodations available, furnished with local décor and modern amenities. • Inspired common spaces that include an al fresco dining platform overlooking the Rio Napo, offering spectacular sunset views. • Eco-friendly conveniences, including hot water, electricity and en suite bathrooms. Food: Start each day with fresh Ecuadorian coffee served alongside an array of tropical fruits such as fresh papaya. Enjoy family-style meals prepared fresh daily by expert chefs, including Western favorites and Ecuadorian specialties like yucca, rice and beans. Pricing: Starting at $4,495 USD per person based on double occupancy during high season.

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Sample Itinerary

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

Day 7

Day 8

• Arrive in Quito and check in to your hotel.

• En route from Quito,

• Travel by motorized canoe down the Rio Napo and arrive at Minga Lodge to a welcome from our team.

• Take part in a local community project.

• Continue volunteering on a community project.

• Spend more time volunteering in the community.

• Explore how cacao is harvested and produced with a local farmer before trying your hand at making chocolate. community project and say goodbye to the new friends you have made. • Take in a grass-skirt- swaying spectacle of traditional Ecuadorian music and dance performed by local community members. • Finish building on your

• Depart Minga and

travel through the cloud forest on a scenic and relaxing bus ride into the Amazon basin.

check into your hotel for some rest and relaxation before your international flight home, or book an optional extension to the Galapagos Islands

• Meet your ME to WE guide.

• Meet a local artisans’ group and learn more about opportunity projects they’re working on with WE Villages. • Enjoy delicious meals on our terrace, which offers stunning views of the Napo River.

• Visit a farm to experience a day in the life of a family.

• Meet a local shaman and experience traditional jungle weapons training.

• Learn some Spanish and settle in.

• Enjoy dinner on our al fresco dining platform.

• Amazonian night walk with your guide to discover fascinating creatures of the rainforest.

or nearby Peru to experience Machu Picchu.

*Please note that this is a sample trip itinerary and details are subject to change. We are happy to work with you to customize an adventure.

Customize your trip with an Ecuador extension

OTAVALO AND COTOPAXI From Quito, drive overland to the regions of Otavalo and Cotopaxi. Both offer a unique glimpse into Ecuadorian life—from vast, open- air markets to snow-capped

GALÁPAGOS ISLANDS Embark on a breathtaking adventure, bringing you face to-face with the vast biodiversity of the Galápagos Islands. Be expertly guided through the flora and fauna

MACHU PICCHU AND BEYOND Start your journey in Peru’s bustling coastal capital of Lima, before traveling to the ancient city of Cusco. Spend a day

Explore more of Ecuador with your team on a trip extension. From the stunning Galapagos Islands to the historic Machu Picchu, enjoy all that Ecuador has to offer.

mountains in the highlands. Recharge and refresh at traditional and welcoming haciendas, set high in the Andean mountain range. Embark on optional daily hikes and excursions provided by our partner haciendas, leading you to breathtaking vistas, trickling waterfalls and tranquil villages. Optional activities extra.

of this famous archipelago on an unforgettable journey. Located 1,000 kilometers from the Ecuadorian mainland, enjoy a remote paradise made famous by Charles Darwin and mingle with the vast array of natural wonders—on land or by sea! No matter which option you choose, we are happy to create the perfect adventure for you and your team. Book early to secure your spot—Galapágos trips sell out very quickly. Price subject to availability and occupancy. Land and sea-based options available. Optional activities extra.

wandering the cobblestone streets, exploring Incan ruins and admiring beautiful Spanish architecture, all with the backdrop of the cloud-topped Andes mountains. Then, begin your journey to Machu Picchu itself, traveling through the Sacred Valley aboard a glass-topped Vistadome train. Along the way, take in stunning views of Peruvian villages nestled beside lush forests and rushing rivers. Your final ascent to Machu Picchu begins the next day! Price subject to availability and occupancy.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the weather like in Ecuador? A: Because Ecuador is so geographically diverse, different regions experience different climates. Minga Lodge is located in the Amazon rainforest, and therefore weather is generally hot and humid. The average temperate hovers around 26°Celsius (78°F). Travel to Ecuador all year round with the best times in April, May and June! Q: What time zone is Ecuador in? A: Quito is on ECT (Ecuador Time), and is the same as Toronto (Eastern Standard Time). However, they do not have Daylight Saving Time, so the region is an hour behind during DST periods. Q: Can I bring a laptop, iPod, expensive camera, etc.? A: We suggest traveling as lightly as possible to minimize the risk of damage to or loss of your possessions. The rooms and cabins at Minga Lodge can be locked and most have their own safe. We ask that you leave your key with reception if you choose to lock your room during the day. Q: Is there filtered water? A: The water at our lodge comes from natural springs, is purified before use to prepare food and is chlorinated in all other areas of the lodge. Our lodge provides filtered water stations so you can refill your water bottle throughout the day. Q: What is the electrical voltage in Ecuador? A: Plugs in Ecuador take 240v. Moreover, Ecuador’s outlets are the same as those in North America—two flat, parallel prongs. Q: What will my meals be like while I’m in Ecuador? A: Participants can expect to eat meals consisting of traditional cuisine, which includes beans, rice, meat, salads, soups and potatoes, as well as Western favorites. This food is prepared with great care by our local lodge staff. Minga Lodge is also able to accommodate any dietary needs—just let us know before you leave for your trip. Q: Can I bring gifts for the kids? A: We ask that you do not. ME to WE and WE Charity work in solidarity with the communities we are partnered with. Put simply, your gift is your presence. We ask that our trip participants do not bring candy, toys or presents for community members, as we would like to promote fairness for all children. A portion of your trip cost goes to in-country communities to support their basic needs.

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We build better travel experiences.

Your safety is our first priority.

• Professional Facilitators with first aid certification will accompany you for the duration of your experience. • All transportation provided upon arrival at the airport by in-country teams and trusted private providers. • 24-hour Risk Management team on call while you are in- transit and on the ground. We provide an 24/7 phone number in advance of your experience should you or your loved ones need to connect immediately in the event of an emergency.

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Join us! ME to WE Corporate Trips Katie Yigitoz Director, School & Corporate Engagement

[email protected] 1.416.964.8942 X1547