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Testimonials & FAQ's

FAQ's

Once you let us know your group’s preferred activities, accommodations, duration and specific services you require, we will collaborate with you to create a specific plan that adjusts to your budget. If you are an individual looking for a long-term stay, you can consider joining our Internship Program run by Tangaré Foundation in which case accommodation will be covered.

Group TVL: N/A 
Individual TVL: we require a minimum 4 weeks maximum 6 months

Rubber boots, work gloves, long-sleeved shirts, T-shirts, quick-drying trousers, socks and undergarment, rubber sandals, walking shoes, hat or cap fleece jacket or a sweater, poncho or rain gear, swimming suit, water bottle, flashlight, general toiletries, sunscreen, insect repelente, small backpack, bath towel.

Group TVL can arrive any day of the week.
Individual TVL is required to arrive on a Monday.
In order for you to receive the best experience we require a medium comprehension and expression level of Spanish. If you want to improve even more, we do offer Spanish Language Lessons.

Your enthusiasm and love for nature is the best preparation you can have. That said, we do have information available in our Resources Page that you can access before arriving.

Yes! You can participate in a Group TVL as long as you count with an adult in your group.

Program Information

People who have trusted us

Boston University, the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague (CULS), Deakin University of Australia, Kent University, Universidad Católica Universidad de San Francisco de Quito, Universidad Técnica Equinoccial, Universitat de Girona, University of British Columbia, University of Wisconsin, HAS University of Applied Sciences, Van Hall Larenstein University of Applied Sciences

Academia Cotopaxi, Colegio Binacional La Condamine, Liceo Campo Verde, Colegio Rincón del Saber, Colegio Benalcazar, British School, Liceo Internacional, Liceo del Valle,  School for International Training, River fall Valley School

Aves y Conservación, The Rain Forest Foundation, Fundación Tangaré, Earth Restoration Service, Corporación de Bosques y Reservas Privadas del Ecuador, Asociación de Caficultores de Manuel Cornejo Astorga

No TV, no internet, no alcohol, and I haven’t missed any of them! I have had a wicked time and learned plenty, even my Spanish has improved. I love this place and will be sure to spread the word. I hope to return some day to give the football team a chance for revenge…
Steve Tweedle
England
I’ve learned so much not just about the cloud forest but about the importance of volunteer work. The hikes were awesome, along with fond memories of camping and swimming in the waterfalls. The atmosphere was the greatest; there aren’t many places where everyone gets together for international cuisine and obstacle races.
Mark Wright
England
I came to this place wanting to make a bit of change in the world, but after 8 weeks in La Hesperia, I’ve come to realize that the change always starts from inside. In the past 8 weeks, La Hesperia has given me every chance possible to be a better me and I’ve changed not just physically but I’ve challenged myself to the point where I thought it wasn’t possible.
Nurman Noor
USA
At the beginning, I was going to stay only for one month at La Hesperia, but in the end I stayed for almost 4! I don't hesitate when I say that my experience there was one of the best of my life. I met amazing people from all over the world, made wonderful friends, and learned a lot about things that are very practical for life. Doing all this while we contributed to the conservation of a huge area of tropical cloud forest was really great. I want to thank everyone for making my stay at La Hesperia so enjoyable. I’ll be back for sure.
November 2013-March 2014
Diego Teje
Spain
I visited and worked in La Hesperia for 6 weeks. I think that this place is perfect for all people who want to see the real life of Ecuador. It is an amazing experience to be part of this little community in the jungle. The work is sometimes hard and the weather conditions sometimes make it not easy, but the workers here are nice, helpful, and funny, and you can have a great time with the other volunteers. It is absolutely worth it to visit La Hesperia. I'm glad that I did it, and I'm thankful for the experiences I had there and for the people I met there.
October 2015-December 2015
Benjamin Gärtner
Germany
Soy la primera de Finlandia, pero seguramente no la última, si depende de mí. Yo voy a aconsejar para todos los que quieren hacer el trabajo voluntario que se vayan a hacerlo a Ecuador y más a La Hesperia. In these three weeks I have done as much as I could to protect the nature here (reforestation, tree caring, harvesting, etc.) but I know it has been only the beginning. But I will continue the good work from Finland. It has been very nice to work with animals as well as I love them a lot. I also like to teach English to these wonderful kids in the school and to make all kinds of work together with the local workers.
Rina Juuri
Finland
When I told other people that I would be volunteering at La Hesperia for three months, I got a lot of different reactions. Of course there were those who thought the whole idea of taking time off from work and volunteering was just a really cool idea. But then there were some people who wondered why I’d want to do this kind of work and get paid. Others asked why I didn’t want to shorten my volunteer stay and focus more on traveling during my time in Ecuador. Now that my work at La Hesperia has come to an end, I wouldn’t change a thing.
Volunteering for a cause that I really believe in and learning about what it means to “work in conservation” has been rewarding beyond expectation. Also, working at the station for three months has enabled me to have a very different experience than I would have had if I had only stayed for a few weeks. In addition to developing a friendship with Juan Pablo and Alexandra and learning about their vision for the station, I came to feel like La Hesperia was home. After settling in during the first few weeks, I took on special projects like coordinating volunteer activities and helping Alexandra with research that will eventually help the community. I became invested in the work of the reserve and got far more out of the experience than I gave. But this took time, and I don’t think I would have felt the same if I had only been here for two or three weeks.
I left La Hesperia with a better understanding of conservation, Ecuadorian culture, and ideas for staying involved in the station’s efforts to protect our natural resources. I hope to return one day to see the continuation of the work we have begun.
Michael Warner
USA
When I first got here, I was scared, nervous, and not quite sure why I decided to take the risk of traveling by myself to Ecuador to work on a reserve for six weeks not knowing anyone or knowing if I will be happy here. I am so happy I overcame that fear and ended up at La Hesperia. I arrived one person, and I am now leaving that same person, except I have grown so much. My experience here has taught me so much about my ability as a worker and about my passion for a cause. Your passion for La Hesperia is inspiring; it has made me love this place and invest myself in it. Also, I cannot tell you enough what an absolute wonderful job you do for the volunteers. You work so hard to make our experience absolutely wonderful, and it does not go unnoticed. Your work and love for the reserve is what has made me fall in love with La Hesperia.
Zoë Lees
USA