Trips with Intention for Individuals

Join Hands with Tandana in Otavalo, Ecuador!

Go beyond your typical travel or volunteer experience on a "Trip with Intention" with us to Highland Ecuador. These trips provide you and fellow travelers an exciting opportunity to connect with community members and contribute to their projects - all the while learning about the local Kichwa culture and enjoying the region’s majestic natural beauty.

Upcoming Trip with Intention for Individuals:

July 18-25, 2026

Feb. 13-20, 2027

All are welcome!

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"You will go home absolutely overwhelmed by what you saw, who you met, what you've learned, and how your heart has expanded. You will be inspired to exceed your own expectations of yourself." - Jim, volunteer from Montana

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Overview & Itinerary

Overview

When you travel with intention amazing things can happen. Join other adults for an experience that will open your eyes and hearts and may lead to new directions in life. Connect with community members of all ages, while supporting local projects. No special skills are required, just a willingness to learn, help, and have fun.

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Why a Trip with Intention

Experience life and the natural wonders of highland Ecuador
Be immersed in the indigenous Kichwa culture and traditions
Make friends with community members & learn from each other
Help dreams become reality
Leave with unforgettable memories

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What You’ll Do

We call this a "Trip with Intention" because each trip gives you the opportunity to put your intention to connect, learn, and serve into practice. Spend your trip working side by side with local community members working on the projects that they decide on - from gardening to supporting community infrastructure, or installing clean water systems. Most days are spent working hand and hand with the community to accomplish these projects, building intercultural friendships along the way. No special skills are required, just a willingness to learn, help, and have fun. We also organize interactive cultural and sightseeing activities to fully immerse participants in the highland region. Trips often include a traditional cooking class at Kawsaymi Cooking School, hikes to natural wonders like the Peguche waterfall, and visits to the world-renowned Otavalo market, one of the largest indigenous markets in Latin America.

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What Participants Say

"The part of this trip I valued the most was being able to interact and get the know the community members themselves. Our group was able to see how they were such generous and hard-working individuals, and their emphasis on community and making sure everyone feels included was unparalleled." - Kelly, volunteer from Massachusetts

"It is impossible to describe how impactful of an experience a Tandana program is. It is incredible how close you feel to the community members and the people you are traveling with. It is an unforgettable and life-changing experience." - Magdalene, volunteer from New York

"I value the connections that I made with community members, Tandana staff, and my team. My favorite memories of this trip all include enjoying the company of others." - Kayla, volunteer from South Carolina

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Where You’ll Be

We work primarily in communities of the Quichinche parish, which is just outside the market center of Otavalo in the Ecuadorian Sierra. This enchanting area is only two hours by bus from Quito, but offers a rural atmosphere and connection to the land very different from life in the capital. The father and mother volcanoes, Imbabura and Cotacachi, stand guard over the valleys and hills where indigenous Otaveleño and mestizo families grow their sustenance. Diverse in their customs, residents are united by their need to work together to improve their communities.

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Cost

$1,379 for double occupancy, $153 additional for single occupancy. The trip fee covers all the basic expenses (food, lodging, transportation, activities) from when you land at the Quito airport until we drop you off there. Discount available if paid in full by check at least 6 weeks prior to program start - $1,350 double occupancy, $150 additional for single occupancy. (We provide one airport pickup on the first evening, and one bus back to the airport, on the last night. If your plans require different pickups or drop-offs, you will need to cover those on your own). Airfare is not included, and you'll want to bring extra money for personal expenses.

We also offer Participant Financial Assistance.

Did you know that your trip with Tandana is a net zero-emission trip? Click here for more details.

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Sample Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive in the evening and settle in. We provide one bus to pick up the group from the airport and bring you to Otavalo.

Day 2

Receive a thorough orientation and participate in a cooking class at Kawsaymi cooking school.

Day 3

Work at a local school to help create a garden, supporting nutrition and well-being for the school community. In the afternoon, visit the Otavalango Museum to learn more about local culture.

Day 4

Continue the project in the school garden. In the afternoon, visit Tandana friend and author Segundo Moreta to learn the traditional game of triki traka, and try a delicious local drink called colada morada.

Day 5

Support the construction of a new potable drinking water system in a local community. In the afternoon, visit another community to see the impact of their own recently-completed water project.

Day 6

Continue supporting the construction of a water system. After a pambamesa potluck lunch with the community, enjoy a hike to the beautiful Taxopamba waterfall.

Day 7

Take an excursion to El Juncal, an Afro-Ecuadorian community, to experience a culture very different from those of the communities we have already worked with. Visit a fruit farm and learn about the arts, history, and business efforts of this community.

Day 8

Visit the world-renowned Otavalo market, then spend the afternoon at the sacred Lechero tree for a final group reflection. After a celebratory dinner, head back to the airport and fly out at night.

About Ecuador

In Ecuador, we work primarily in communities of the Quichinche parish, Otavalo canton, in the Ecuadorian Sierra. Just outside the market center of Otavalo, this area is only 2 hours by bus from Quito but offers a rural atmosphere and connection to the land very different from life in the capital.

The father and mother volcanoes, Imbabura and Cotacachi, stand guard over the valleys and hills where indigenous Otaveleño and mestizo families grow their sustenance. Diverse in their customs, residents are united by their need to work together to improve their communities. They farm corn, potatoes, beans, and other crops, weave textiles and baskets, and commute to Otavalo for secondary education or formal-sector jobs. The Kichwa Otavalo are one of Ecuador's indigenous groups most successful at maintaining their cultural identity and traditions. Speaking both Kichwa and Spanish, they have learned to negotiate the power structures of their nation while retaining pride in their indigenous heritage. The people of Quichinche work hard and also love to celebrate. In general, they are very welcoming to visitors and enjoy sharing food, joking around, and discussing their culture with guests. The landscape that surrounds their home, meanwhile, offers high lakes, waterfalls, and volcanic peaks to inspire a sense of nature's grandeur. The region's 9000-ft. elevation and proximity to the equator combine to give it consistently comfortable temperatures (50's to 80's) all year round.

Scroll down through the story map below to learn about the communities we partner with and see their locations on a map.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need vaccinations to go on this trip?

The CDC recommends vaccinations against Hepatitis A, typhoid, tetanus-diphtheria and measles. Yellow fever is recommended for other parts of Ecuador but not necessary in the mountains where we work. Vaccinations are up to your own discretion.

I've heard about the Zika virus. Should I be concerned for my health?

The Zika virus is carried by mosquitoes that generally live below 1200 meters, but Tandana works at much higher elevations--typically above 2000 meters. So the chances of encountering a Zika-carrying mosquito while with Tandana is quite low. Moreover, the main concern for Zika is the damage it can do to fetuses if the mother contracts the virus; for others, the clinical symptoms are mild. Nevertheless, if you plan to travel in lower elevations before or after your time with us, you might want to take precautions with an insect repellant approved by the EPA.

What are the accommodations like?

Tandana's gardening volunteer vacation participants are provided lodging at a wonderful facililty right in Otavalo, Ecuador: La Posada del Quinde. Rooms all have private baths, comfortable beds, and outlets with the same electricity as the U.S. Wi-fi is available in the common area. Breakfast each day is a treat that offers fresh local fruits and juices, excellent coffee, and a selection of hot breakfast items to start your day off right. The garden and patio area are an oasis with a view of 2 inactive volcanos. And the location is perfect for market shopping just 4 blocks away.

Will my electronic devices work in Ecuador?

Yes, Ecuador uses the same electrical currents and plugs as the United States does, so you don't need a special adapter.

What kind of clothing, etc. should I pack?

We will send you a "welcome" packet about a month before your departure, which includes a suggested packing list.

What if I don't speak Spanish?

It's not necessary to speak Spanish in order to do good work and have a good time on this trip. You'll learn the important basics during orientation, and Tandana staff will be able to translate for you.

Who leads the groups of volunteers? Who do I turn to when I need help?

All of Tandana's volunteer programs are led by a team of Program Coordinators who have first-hand knowledge of the region, speak both Spanish and English, have expertise in experiential education and group leadership, hold WFA (Wilderness First Aid) or other certifications that have prepared them to handle emergencies, and are caring and capable individuals. Our permanent local staff is always on hand to help with translation, activities, logistics, and anything else to make sure the volunteers' experience is the best it can possibly be. See here for bios of some Program Coordinators.

What if I can't find the answer to my question on the FAQ page?

Please email your question to us at info [at] tandanafoundation.org, and we'll answer it as quickly as we can.

Stories

Below you can read stories from our blog to get excited about your upcoming trip!

Apr

Hard work and cooperation make us all winners: Lessons learned from teaching theatre in Otavalo

The Tandana Foundation has been great for me and great for the citizens and students of Otavalo Ecuador, too. This nonprofit organization is all about communication and service to others. This summer will be my eleventh trip to Otavalo, where I teach theater to indigenous rural junior high and high school students for four weeks. … Continue reading "Hard work and cooperation make us all winners: Lessons learned from teaching theatre in Otavalo"

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Mar

Travel with intention to Ecuador: What you may not know until you go

My husband and I set off on our first travel experience with The Tandana Foundation on Valentine’s Day in 2026. This was an adventure that we will never forget! We came to serve, but what we received in return was both unexpected and far greater than what we gave. Our hearts were expanded, and we … Continue reading "Travel with intention to Ecuador: What you may not know until you go"

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Feb

Feeling at home on my gardening volunteer trip to Ecuador

Eleven people from the Ohio State University Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Program boarded various planes on January 31, 2026, with one shared mission: to experience, learn, and cultivate. After long hours of travel and building anticipation for the week ahead, everyone finally smelled the fresh and damp air of Otavalo, Ecuador. We were greeted with … Continue reading "Feeling at home on my gardening volunteer trip to Ecuador"

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Oct

7 years later, I’m still witnessing the impact of my volunteer trip to Ecuador

My name is Vanessa Escobar, and I participated in a volunteer trip to Ecuador in 2018 which was organized by The Tandana Foundation. While on the trip, I worked alongside a group of my peers and two professors from Colgate University, as well as the Tandana staff and community members we met onsite. Español Français … Continue reading "7 years later, I’m still witnessing the impact of my volunteer trip to Ecuador"

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Sep

All about the volunteer trips to Ecuador this year

As the last volunteer group wraps up, we wanted to check in with Omar Flores, The Tandana Foundation’s Program Manager in Ecuador, on what volunteer groups have been up to on trips in 2025. Español Français “This cycle of Tandana volunteer groups was special. We were able to work with communities toward a meaningful goal … Continue reading "All about the volunteer trips to Ecuador this year"

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Jul

Two Bills, one unique story of intercultural friendship

There is a tradition in the Dogon region of Mali by which babies are given names of an ancestor that has passed on or one that is still alive. Sometimes, this is done when a baby is born following the death of a close relative or important friend. This was the case in a very … Continue reading "Two Bills, one unique story of intercultural friendship"

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Jun

Tandana strives to build health center in Mali in honor of longtime friend

The Tandana Foundation recently lost a very special member of its family, Susan Napier. Español Français Napier was a member of Tandana’s Board of Trustees for 12 years, participated in the organization’s volunteer trips to Ecuador and Mali three times each, and was a passionate donor to a number of community projects. Many of the … Continue reading "Tandana strives to build health center in Mali in honor of longtime friend"

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