Living and Learning in Cuenca: Independent Stay and Language Study

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Overview
Highlights
- Live like a native Ecuadorian as you move into your own apartment and explore local cafes, museums and more
- Improve your Spanish during daily language classes and opportunities to practice your new skills as you maneuver through daily life in the city
- Join your Group Leader and fellow participants for weekly field trips and a three-day excursion in the Galápagos Islands to cap your adventure
What's this trip about?
Details
Travel Themes
Destinations
Activities
Trip includes
- 42 nights of accommodations
- 21 expert-led lectures
- 24 expert-led field trips
- 1 flight during the program
- 2 hands-on experiences
- An experienced Group Leader
- Customary gratuities throughout the program
- Road Scholar Assurance Plan
- Taxes
Itinerary

Accommodation: Hotel Quito
In Transit to Program, Arrive Quito, Check-in
Activity note: Elevation in Quito is approx. 9,350 feet. To minimize your chances of experiencing altitude sickness, get plenty of rest before you travel, stay hydrated, avoid alcoh...
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Quito
Orientation, Historic Quito, Guayasamin Museum
Activity note: Walking up to 1 mile, standing during field trips.
Breakfast: At the hotel, choose what you like from the buffet tha...
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Hacienda Abraspungo
Transfer to Riobamba, Cotopaxi National Park
Activity note: The drive from Quito to Cotopaxi National Park is about 48 miles; approximately 2 hours. Cotopaxi National Park...
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Gran Colombia Suites
Transfer to Cuenca, Devil's Nose
Activity note: The drive from Riobamba to the rail station is about 60 miles, approximately 2 hours. Autoferro ride is approximately 3 hours. T...
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Accommodation: Gran Colombia Suites
Orientation to Cuenca
Activity note: Walking up to 1.5 miles; some cobblestone surfaces. Elevation at Cuenca is approximately 8,300 feet.
Breakfast: At a nearby restaurant, coff...
Accommodation: Gran Colombia Suites
Spanish Language Placement Test
Activity note: The walk from the hotel to the language school is less than 1/2 mile, approximately 5-10 minutes. Amauta Spanish School is an accredited non-profit language school regulat...
Accommodation: Gran Colombia Suites
Spanish Lessons, Cuenca City Field Trip
Activity note: Walking to language school. Walking up to 2 miles; standing during field trip.
Breakfast: Independent meal.
Morning: We'll make our way independently...
Accommodation: Gran Colombia Suites
Spanish Lessons, Gualaceo & Chordeleg, Happy Hour
Activity note: Walking to language school. The drive from Cuenca to Gualaceo is about 24 miles, approximately 1 hour; winding mountain roads. From Gualaceo to Chord...
Accommodation: Gran Colombia Suites
Spanish Lessons
Activity note: Walking to language school. During free time, walking and use of public transportation according to personal preference.
Breakfast: Independent meal.
Morning: We'll make our...
Accommodation: Gran Colombia Suites
Free Day
Breakfast: Independent meal.
Morning: Free Time. A day for personal independent exploration, practicing your Spanish language skills, spending time with fellow Road Scholars, or enjoying some R&R.
Lunch: Independent meal.
Afternoon: Free Time.
Dinner: Independent meal.
Evening: At leisure.
Accommodation: Gran Colombia Suites
Free Day
Breakfast: Independent meal.
Morning: Free Time. A day for personal independent exploration, practicing your Spanish language skills, spending time with fellow Road Scholars, or enjoying some R&R.
Lunch: Independent meal.
Afternoon: Free Time.
Dinner: Independent meal.
Evening: At leisure.
Accommodation: Gran Colombia Suites
Free Day
Breakfast: Independent meal.
Morning: Free Time. A day for personal independent exploration, practicing your Spanish language skills, spending time with fellow Road Scholars, or enjoying some R&R.
Lunch: Independent meal.
Afternoon: Free Time.
Dinner: Independent meal.
Evening: At leisure.
Accommodation: Gran Colombia Suites
Spanish Lessons, Free Time
Activity note: Walking to language school. During free time, walking and use of public transportation according to personal preference.
Breakfast: Independent meal.
Morning: We'...
Accommodation: Gran Colombia Suites
Spanish Lessons, Cooking Class
Activity note: Walking to language school. During free time, walking and use of public transportation according to personal preference.
Breakfast: Independent meal.
Morning:...
Accommodation: Gran Colombia Suites
Spanish Lessons, Museum of Aboriginal Cultures
Activity note: The drive from the hotel to the museum is about 6 miles.
Breakfast: Independent meal.
Morning: We'll make our way independently to the languag...
Accommodation: Gran Colombia Suites
Spanish Lessons, Free Time
Activity note: Walking to language school. During free time, walking and use of public transportation according to personal preference.
Breakfast: Independent meal.
Morning: We'...
Accommodation: Gran Colombia Suites
Free Day
Breakfast: Independent meal.
Morning: Free Time. A day for personal independent exploration, practicing your Spanish language skills, spending time with fellow Road Scholars, or enjoying some R&R.
Lunch: Independent meal.
Afternoon: Free Time.
Dinner: Independent meal.
Evening: At leisure.
Accommodation: Gran Colombia Suites
Free Day
Breakfast: Independent meal.
Morning: Free Time. A day for personal independent exploration, practicing your Spanish language skills, spending time with fellow Road Scholars, or enjoying some R&R.
Lunch: Independent meal.
Afternoon: Free Time.
Dinner: Independent meal.
Evening: At leisure.
Accommodation: Gran Colombia Suites
Cuenca Gran Colombia Suites
Breakfast: Independent meal.
Morning: Free Time. A day for personal independent exploration, practicing your Spanish language skills, spending time with fellow Road Scholars, or enjo...
Accommodation: Gran Colombia Suites
Spanish Lessons, Free Time
Activity note: Walking to language school. During free time, walking and use of public transportation according to personal preference.
Breakfast: Independent meal.
Morning: We'...
Accommodation: Gran Colombia Suites
Spanish Lessons, Latin American Film
Activity note: Walking to language school. During free time, walking and use of public transportation according to personal preference.
Breakfast: Independent meal.
Mo...
Accommodation: Gran Colombia Suites
Spanish Lessons, Museo del Monasterio las Conceptas
Activity note: Walking to language school. The drive the hotel to the museum is less than 1/2 mile.
Breakfast: Independent meal.
Morning: We'll make our...
Accommodation: Gran Colombia Suites
Spanish Lessons, Free Time
Activity note: Walking to language school. During free time, walking and use of public transportation according to personal preference.
Breakfast: Independent meal.
Morning: We'...
Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Oro Verde
Transfer to Guayaquil
Activity note: We will not check out of our extended stay accommodations this morning; our rooms will be held until we return from Guayaquil. An overnight bag with a coup...
Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Oro Verde
Malecon, Las Peñas & Santa Ana Hill, Museums
Activity note: Walking up to 2 miles and standing during field trips; steps, inclines.
Breakfast: At the hotel, coffee, tea, water inclu...
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Gran Colombia Suites
Transfer to Cuenca, Free Time
Activity note: The drive from Guayaquil to Cuenca is about 122 miles, approximately 4 hours by bus.
Breakfast: At the hotel.
Morning: We’ll check out ...
Accommodation: Gran Colombia Suites
Spanish Lessons, Free Time
Activity note: Walking to language school. During free time, walking and use of public transportation according to personal preference.
Breakfast: Independent meal.
Morning: We'...
Accommodation: Gran Colombia Suites
Spanish Lessons, Baños Hot Springs
Activity note: Walking to language school. During free time, walking and use of public transportation according to personal preference.
Breakfast: Independent meal.
Morn...
Accommodation: Gran Colombia Suites
Spanish Lessons, Sig Sig, Happy Hour
Activity note: Walking to language school, mostly flat terrain. The drive from Cuenca to Sig Sig is about 39 miles, approximately 1.5 hours. Walking at Sig Sig; paths, irregular ter...
Accommodation: Gran Colombia Suites
Spanish Lessons, Free Time
Activity note: Walking to language school. During free time, walking and use of public transportation according to personal preference.
Breakfast: Independent meal.
Morning: We'...
Accommodation: Gran Colombia Suites
Free Day
Breakfast: Independent meal.
Morning: Free Time. A day for personal independent exploration, practicing your Spanish language skills, spending time with fellow Road Scholars, or enjoying some R&R.
Lunch: Independent meal.
Afternoon: Free time.
Dinner: Independent meal.
Evening: At leisure.
Accommodation: Gran Colombia Suites
Free Day
Breakfast: Independent meal.
Morning: Free Time. A day for personal independent exploration, practicing your Spanish language skills, spending time with fellow Road Scholars, or enjoying some R&R.
Lunch: Independent meal.
Afternoon: Free Time.
Dinner: Independent meal.
Evening: At leisure.
Accommodation: Gran Colombia Suites
Free Day
Breakfast: Independent meal.
Morning: Free Time. A day for personal independent exploration, practicing your Spanish language skills, spending time with fellow Road Scholars, or enjoying some R&R.
Lunch: Independent meal.
Afternoon: Free Time.
Dinner: Independent meal.
Evening: At leisure.
Accommodation: Gran Colombia Suites
Spanish Lessons, Free Time
Activity note: Walking to language school. During free time, walking and use of public transportation according to personal preference.
Breakfast: Independent meal.
Morning: We'...
Accommodation: Gran Colombia Suites
Spanish Lessons, Salsa Dance Class
Activity note: Walking to language school. During free time, walking and use of public transportation according to personal preference.
Breakfast: Independent meal.
Morn...
Accommodation: Gran Colombia Suites
Spanish Lessons, Free Time
Activity note: Walking to language school. During free time, walking and use of public transportation according to personal preference.
Breakfast: Independent meal.
Morning: We'...
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Gran Colombia Suites
Spanish Lessons, Farewell to Cuenca Party
Activity note: Walking to language school. During free time, walking and use of public transportation according to personal preference.
Breakfast: I...
Meals: Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel Oro Verde
Transfer to Guayaquil, Churute Mangrove Ecological Reserve
Activity note: The drive from Cuenca to Churute is about 92 miles, approximately 2.5 to 3 hours. From Churute reserve to Guayaquil is about 38 m...
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel Mainao
Fly to Galapagos Islands
Activity note: Flying time from Guayaquil to the Galapagos Islands is about 2 hours. Sea conditions in the islands can change rapidly; anyone prone to motion sickness ...
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel Mainao
South Plaza & Punta Carrion
Activity note: The islands visited are subject to change by the national park without prior notification. From Puerto Ayora to the pier at Itabaca is approximat...
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel Mainao
Bartolome Island, Sullivan Bay
Activity note: At Sullivan Bay, wet landing and moderate difficulty due to rocky, volcanic terrain. The looping visitor trail is approximately 1 mile in length. ...
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Hosteria Rincon de Puembo
Highland Tortoises, Fly to Quito, Farewell Dinner
Activity note: Walking on irregular, potentially muddy, trails. Flying time from the Galapagos Islands to Quito is about ...
Meals: Breakfast
Free Time, Program Concludes, In Transit from Program
Activity note: Hotel day room check-out by 6:00 p.m. See your program’s travel details regarding transfers.
Breakfast: At the hotel with juice, coffee, water included.
M...
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The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
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Accommodation
Hotel Quito - 2 nights Quito
The Hotel Quito is housed in an attractive art deco building, located at the top of a hill in a residential area of the city. From the hotel, guests can enjoy exceptional 360º views of the city, the neighboring valley and the surrounding mountains.
Hotel Hacienda Abraspungo - 1 night Riobamba
The Hotel Hacienda Abraspungo is a charming highland hacienda located in Riobamba.
Gran Colombia Suites - 32 nights Cuenca
The Gran Colombia Suites offers extended stay accommodations in the heart of Cuenca. The 4-story, renovated colonial building is located just one block from the Abdon Calderon Park and is near shops and sites of interest.
Hotel Oro Verde - 3 nights Guayaquil
Oro Verde Hotel Guayaquil is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World in Ecuador. Strategically located in the downtown commercial and banking heart of the city and only eight minutes from the José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport.
Hotel Mainao - 3 nights Puerto Ayora
The Hotel Mainao is an attractive, family-owned hotel located in Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island. It is well situated, in a quiet corner between Matazarnos and Indefatigable streets, but within easy access of local restaurants and the port's downtown area. The hotel has a very organic structure with curvy whitewashed walls, exposed wooden beams, colorful mosaics, spiral staircases, and balconies that are oftentimes likened to Antonio Gaudí's creations in Barcelona.
Hosteria Rincon de Puembo - 1 night Puembo
The hotel is located conveniently near the Quito international airport in the beautiful village of Puembo.
11 Breakfasts, 11 Lunches and 6 Dinners
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