Each trip combines medical mission work with adventure ecotourism. Here is an example of a typical trip itinerary:
Saturday: Depart for Quito, Ecuador – Stay at Hotel Vieja Cuba – a very charming bed and breakfast.
Sunday: Tour of Quito’s Colonial District, Cathedrals, Mitad del Mundo, and time for shopping at the Indian Markets. Private Dinner Party for our group at a restaurant in Quito.
Monday: Depart for the Amazon!! We will fly from Quito to Coca, Ecuador and then take a boat ride into Yuturi Jungle Lodge. Arrival time is around 3 PM. There is time to unpack and then experience the jungle for the first time.
Tuesday – Thursday: Breakfast at 7 AM, then medical work in the villages from 8 AM until approximately 4 PM. In the afternoon, there is free time to hike, fish, nap, read a book, bird watch, visit the butterfly farm, watch monkeys, etc until dinner at 7 PM.
Friday - Sunday: We depart Yuturi, fly back to Quito and then take a bus to Papallacta Spa. This is a natural springs spa in the highlands of Ecuador at an altitude of about 11,000 feet. We will stay here until Sunday morning for some R & R, enjoy the natural hot springs tubs, go to the spa for very inexpensive treatments, and eat in the fabulous restaurant. There are also great hiking trails, horse back riding and time to sit around the fireplace and read a book. What a dramatic change to go from the hot jungle to a cozy fireplace!!
Sunday: Early Sunday morning we depart Papallacta and leave for the airport in Quito. Time to go back to the USA.
July 31 - August 10, 2009 Machu Picchu, Peru
Trek the Inca Trail and provide medical care in villages along the trail to Machu Picchu.
Doctors, Nurse Practitioners, PA's Dentists, Pharmacists, Nurses, Non-medical volunteers Needed. costnermedicalmissions@yahoo.com
Oct. 30 thru Nov. 7, 2004
La Selva Jungle Lodge, Ecuador - Completed!
October 15th thru 22nd, 2005 - Completed!
Galapagos Islands
November 4-12th, 2006 - Yuturi Ecolodge, Ecuador - Completed!
May 12-20, 2007 - Yuturi Ecolodge, Ecuador - Completed!
