June 27: Departure Day, Miami to Quito
Group Meeting:
At 3:00 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 6:05 PM, arriving in Quito, Ecuador (UIO), at 9:23 PM local time (4 hours, 15 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: Iltaquí
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
Return to Quito and prepare for your journey to the Galápagos Islands.
July 19–21: Isabela Island, Galápagos
Fly from Quito to Baltra airport (GPS) in the Galápagos. Then, travel by boat to Isabela, the largest island in the Galápagos archipelago. 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 safely swim with sea lions and Galápagos sharks. Celebrate as a group with your last dinner together on the islands.
July 26: Travel Day, Galápagos to Quito
Fly from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno airport (SCY) on San Cristóbal Island to Quito, and prepare for your journey home.
July 27: Return Day, Quito to Miami
Group Flight:
The group will fly on American Airlines flight #946 departing Quito, Ecuador (UIO) at 11:30 PM local time on July 26 and returning to the International Arrivals Area of Miami International Airport (MIA) at 4:38 AM on July 27 (4 hours, 15 minutes en route).