Itinerary

During this 4 week trip, combining fun and educational Spanish lessons with amazing once-in-a-lifetime activities, there is a general structure that involves 20 hours per week of language tuition in each location.  It takes place from Monday to Friday, comprising of 4 hours each day, and the best thing is that there are different classes according to level and ability, so there is no need to worry about making a 'culo' of yourself!  If you don't know what that means we'll let you Google it - think of it as homework ;0)

When you're not in the classroom you'll be out and about with your new trip mates exploring the cities or getting your adrenaline pumping with some uber cool activities like mountain biking around a volcano, gliding off cliffs and surfing the waves in a gorgeous beach town that would make the Aussies jealous.  Once a week there are also cookery lessons that teach you to whip up some hot Ecuadorian cuisine, and salsa lessons so that you can sizzle on the dance floor.  Don't worry guys, we don't make you wear sequins (unless you really want to!).

The trip starts in Montanita on the first Monday of the month and follows a rotation around the following destinations.

• 1st Monday of the Month : Montanita
• 2nd: Manta
• 3rd: Quito
• 4th Cuenca

First week of the month: Montañita Baby!

You start this epic adventure on  the gorgeous pacific coast and the so-laid-back-it’s-horizontal village of Montañita.  This is a little slice of paradise where you get to stay in a cool eco resort that is basic yet idyllic – right by the pool, a sparkling blue pool and comfy mini dorms (or privates on requests).  You’ll spend your days in the classroom and on the waves and evenings partying in this surfing/backpacking mecca.  You’ll be surfpacking!

The Town

By day life revolves around the beach.  Picture it – soft golden sand, warm turquoise water and a melting pot of people from all over the world enjoying the best surf in Ecuador.  Thanks to the mixture of different cultures and languages that visitors bring to Montañita, it has a unique Ecuadorian/Western flavour and provides a good alternative to the cities that you’ve seen so far.

At night the village turns into fiesta central!  You’ll find yourself strolling down ‘Cocktail Alley’, a road that leads to the beach where you can sample every imaginable concoction from the little stalls.  The owners will be vying for your custom by blasting rhythmic beats and by the time you get to the beach you might want to have a little siesta before continuing the night in one of the many live music venues or Latin dance clubs.  Remember those weekly salsa lessons?  They’ll come in really handy now!  If you’re too worn out from your surfing lessons then plonk yourself by a beach bonfire and listen to the reggae sounds.

You might find that your biggest challenge this week is dragging yourself away from this awesome place.

The Surf

We are lucky enough to have an Ecuadorian surfing legend teaching you to ride the waves at Montañita.  Luis Malave, known by his friends as Vago, is an all round awesome dude and can provide tuition for anyone from a total beginner to someone looking to build on their skills.  His knowledge of the sport, wave conditions and the best spots in the area are unrivalled, so you are definitely in good hands, plus, he is happy for you to practice your newly learned Spanish and he may even have a word or two you can add to your vocabulary.  All you need to do is bring along your sense of fun and adventure!

Isla Del Plata, Agua Blanca and Los Frailes Beach

This island is home to a plethora of sea birds, including the impressive albatross, not to mention sea lions, iguanas and indigenous plant life.  There are two hiking routes to explore or if you prefer to can discover the underwater world of coral reefs and colourful marine life.  If you visit between June - September you even have a chance of seeing the humpback whales, with July and August offering almost guaranteed sightings.

Agua Blanca is an important community of the Manteña people where you can learn more about their culture at the museum, which also has some interesting archaeological artifacts.  Also in the village there is a natural sulphur pool where you can take a dip and cover yourself in the therapeutic black mud.

The beach is Los Frailes is thought to be the most beautiful in Ecuador, with its pristine white sand and backdrop of forested cliffs.  It's not easy to get to - it involves a 2 hour hike - but it is well worth it, especially on a clear sunny day.  To speed things up you can hire mountain bikes

Second week of the month: Manta

The second week of this adventure is spent in the lovely coastal town of Manta, which is the perfect place to try out some of Xtreme's favourite pastimes - kitesurfing and paragliding.  After a week of surfing you will be well used to the water and paragliding gives you the chance to imagine soaring above the earth like the bird life you've seen over the last few weeks.

The school where your Spanish lessons take place is located centrally in downtown Manta, so you're well placed to explore the town.

The City

Manta is set around a bustling bay and offers a great combination of cultural and natural attractions.  The Malecón is the esplanade that follows the curve of the bay and it's a great place to go for a stroll and enjoy the sea breeze, while the main beach, Murciélago, has a vibrant boardwalk lined with restaurants and cafes where you can try some local specialities such as the dish 'Viche de Pescado', tuna with peanuts, yucca, corn and sweet potato.  You should also look out for and try any dishes that you've had a go at making in the cookery lessons to see if you should be applying for Masterchef!

At night the beach area comes alive with people who like to party, particularly on weekends and there is no shortage of bars and clubs where you can shake your ass until the sun comes up.  It's the last week of this trip so make the most of it!

Montecristi

This is the town where the famous Panama hats are made.  That’s right, Panama hats actually come from Ecuador.  This is partly because it's the area where they were mostly sold in the 19th century  (it was a busy area for travellers, therefore more lucrative), but also thanks to one Teddy Roosevelt who was photographed wearing one whilst viewing the construction of the Panama Canal. 

In addition to the hats Montecristi is a great place for buying other local crafts, such as ceramics, at the shops in the main plaza, as well as admiring the ornate colonial architecture.

Crucita

This beach town is well known for its paragliding, thanks to the impressive cliffs, and this is exactly what you’ll be doing!  Soaring off and flying like a bird, whilst admiring the beautiful scenery below.  It’s an awesome feeling and well worth building up the courage to do.  We’re not called Xtreme for nothing you know!

Tagua Shop

The Tagua is a type of palm tree that produces nuts that when dried look very much like ivory and for many years, before the introduction of plastic buttons, tagua accounted for 20% of buttons manufactured in the US.  Nowadays many beautiful items are made by skilled artisans, including carvings and jewellery, so these items make fantastic souvenirs.

Week 3 - Quito

Our third stop is Quito, the capital and historic centre of Ecuador. We will take you to the Mitad del Mundo (the centre of the world), a stunning natural hot pool, the famous craft market at Otavalo and then mountain biking through the stunning Cotopaxi National Park.  See below for more tantalising details!

The City

With a beautiful old town worthy of UNESCO World Heritage Site status, a modern new town with museums galore and a vibrant atmosphere, Quito certainly has plenty to keep you busy.  A city tour will show you all the main sights of the city as well as get you oriented for exploring on your own throughout the week. 

The old town consists of some lovely streets with colonial style buildings as well as a main plaza with some impressive government and religious buildings, including the oldest cathedral in South America, whereas the new town has the fantastic Casa de Cultura Ecuatoriana, which houses some of the best museums on archaeology, art and traditional culture.  This area is also home to Parque el Ejído and the Vivarium, which lets you get up close, but luckily not too personal, with some of Ecuador's wildlife including snakes, lizards and iguanas.

For wildlife of a different kind you'll find a buzzing bar and club scene in Quito, with venues to suit just about any tastes, whether you are looking to salsa the night away, listen to some live music or even get a taste of home at an English pub (shame on you!).  You may well need to have had a drink or two in order to try Ecuador's most loved dish of roasted guinea pig.  It tastes like chicken.  Probably.  If you find yourself struggling to acclimatise to the altitude or you just need a pick-me-up for staying out late then try a cup of Coca Tea or chew on some coca leaves - Ecuadorian Red Bull.

Quito also makes a great base for exploring the surrounding area, with its stunning landscapes and interesting villages, which is exactly what you get to do whilst your here.

Otavalo Craft Markets

Otavalo is a town just north of Quito and is famous for its amazing craft markets.  There is a myriad of stalls brimming with authentic Indian items that are really hard to resist and with the bright in-your-face colours of the textiles and bustling atmosphere it's a sensory overload!  Knowing how to haggle is a bonus so if you haven't been to Morocco read our guide and ensure that you get that Ugly Betty style poncho for the best possible price!

In addition to the markets Otavalo has beautiful surrounding landscape, with green rolling hills, waterfalls, lakes and mountains.

Papallacta Hot Springs

If the Spanish lessons are stressing you out (highly unlikely!) then a visit to Papallacta Hot springs is in order.  Located around one hour from Quito, this is a great day trip for chilling out and admiring the stunning surroundings, whilst wallowing in the healing waters.  There are a number of different types of pools in terms of the type of water and the temperature, so find your favourite, lie back and think of Ecuador.

Mitad Del Mundo

Although very touristy and hardly off the beaten track, you cannot visit Ecuador and not go to Mitad del Mundo - the Middle of the World.  You can straddle the bright yellow line that marks the equator and marvel at the fact that you're in both the northern and southern hemispheres. Weird!  It's a lot more impressive than telling your mates you've stood with one foot in England and one in Wales.

Cotopaxi National Park (trekking and downhill mountain biking)

For the adrenaline junkies amongst you how does whizzing down one of the world's highest active volcanoes on a bike sound?  At 19,347 feet, Cotopaxi is a beast of a volcano that is a bit like Mount Fuji's very similar looking brother and provides the perfect environment for some Xtreme cycling.  Obviously you won't be going up that high, but high enough for your breath to be well and truly taken away on the journey down.

In addition to the volcano there is a huge area of national park where you might get to see some of Ecuador's wildlife, including Andean foxes, pumas, llamas and even hummingbirds.

Fourth week of the month: CUENCA

Week four takes you to the lovely historic town of Cuenca, official name Santa Ana de los cuatro ríos de Cuenca, where you dive into what is one of the most important cultural centres of Ecuador.   Museums, galleries, artisan crafts, impressive archeological sites and stunning countryside await you here.  It’s a complete change from the capital city, giving you a real taste of the different faces of Ecuador and there are some real treats in store.

The City

Cuenca is a stunning old city that is much more relaxed than the hustle and bustle of Quito.  Walking around the narrow cobbled streets, lined with red roof colonial houses with ornate iron balconies, you could imagine that time has stood still.  Thanks to UNESCO Cuenca will stay this way, since it was awarded World Heritage Site status in 1999.  In addition to its aesthetic appeal, Cuenca is an important cultural and art centre in Ecuador and during your week you’ll have chance to totally immerse yourself with visits to the museums and art galleries.

It’s also a great place to pick up some authentic souvenirs, such as jewellery, ceramics and clothing and shopping trips are the ideal opportunity to practice your Spanish, not to mention ordering some local food and drinks in the bars and restaurants.  Look out for Motepillo, a Cuenca speciality that is even suitable for vegetarians (no guinea pig here!).

Cojitambo and Ingapirca ruins

Located around an hour from Cuenca are the Ingapirca ruins, which are a fantastic example of the ingenious work of the Incan and Cañari cultures.  This network of stone structures is built around a circular sun temple, which evidences the ancient cultures’ knowledge of solar patterns.  Not too far away are the less visited ruins of Cojitambo, which are actually thought to be larger than Ingapirca and resemble the shape of a sleeping lion.  The terraced walls and settlements are still in pretty good shape, providing great photo ops.

Baños Hot Springs

The peaceful little village of Baños is just a few miles from Cuenca and not to be confused with the large town of Baños in the Tungurahua region is home to some relaxing, therapeutic hot springs.  Ok, so it’s not exactly ‘Xtreme’ but everyone needs some chill out time occasionally and this is the perfect place.  This optional trip allows you to detoxify in the sauna, lounge in the pools and then explore the village and surrounding countryside.

The End.  Or is it.....

Your four week trip of a lifetime may have come to an end, but that doesn't mean you have to go home!  Why not add extra weeks to your package and extend your stay to practice your Spanish and return for a week, or more, to your favourite location - see friends again, make even more new ones.  You can make this an 8 week adventure!  If your budget will stretch you could even visit the world famous Galapagos Islands.  You've come all this way, it would be a shame not to!

Galapagos Extension

There is an optional 8 day wildlife and multi sport Galapagos extension available.

You will be on board the first class yacht, Valkiria, a ten berth, 15.5 metre catamaran that offers excellent value for money - the price we can offer you is far better than the normal price of economy and tourist class boats.  This trip will absolutely blow your mind!