have a question?
Purposeful Nomad knows from experience how important it is to feel informed and prepared for travel abroad. We always want to make sure we’ve answered your every question and provided you with all of the details you need. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you've got a question that isn't answered here.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON ALTITUDE
Please be aware that during this trip we will be at high altitude. Quito is about 9,300 feet and Chimborazo volcano is 13,000 feet! While breathtakingly beautiful, being at high elevation can sometimes make one feel sick and weak. Your bodies will start acclimating the minute we land in Quito and by the end of the trip we will end up at Chimborazo base camp. For the most part your bodies should feel fine but coming down with mild altitude sickness is very common. Symptoms include headaches, trouble sleeping, dizziness, nausea, shortness of breath and loss o f appetite. Some important things to remember:
Take it slow! The air is thinner and it takes a lot more energy to fill your lungs. Go slow and listen to your body. If you are feeling light headed sit down and rest immediately.
Limit alcohol consumption.
Drink lots of water
Eat foods rich in Iron and Vitamin C- leafy greens, meat, citrus
May be helpful to bring Ibuprofen, Tylenol or Chlorophyll (liquid or tablets)
A word about different locations:
Quito: Quito stays in a constant state of “springtime” Often sunny and warm during the day but cooler at night. Quito is about 9,300 feet. In our time in Quito layers will be very helpful. Wear comfortable walking shoes for our city tours.
Highlands: Can get cold at night. The sun can be strong during the day
Cloud Forest: This is where we will be working on the chocolate farm. It can be very wet and humid so having rain pants and jackets is great. If you don’t have those make sure you have stiff to work in and get dirty. We will supply you with rubber boots for working.
Chimborazo Volcano: Can be extremely cold and windy!! Please make sure you bring clothes you can bundle up in!
Is it safe for women to travel to Ecuador?
Yes. Ecuador is a highly traveled country and typically very safe. In the most tourist areas it is always a good idea to bring only what you need and leave all valuables at home. Like most countries in Latin America it is not uncommon for men to cat call or whistle. Generally this is pretty harmless and best to ignore.
What type of clothes should I pack?
A more concise packing list will be sent along in your trip packet. Bring layers!! Where we are going in Ecuador can range quite dramatically between hot and cold- especially at the higher elevations. Definitely pack a warm jacket and hat, comfortable hiking clothes, versatile clothes for hot/warm weather, a good pair of hiking/walking shoes and swim attire for spa. What you will not need to bring is lots of tanks tops and shorts- it doesn't get that hot in the highlands. Ecuador is near the equator and remember the sun is strong even in the colder temperatures, so best to bring a hat or some sort of sun protection. Also, please keep in mind Ecuador is fairly conservative country and please dress accordingly when you are going to work with the rural communities. They are not accustomed to seeing a lot of skin and that may make things uncomfortable.
What is the weather like in Ecuador?
A loaded question indeed since Ecuador has every micro-climate you can imagine! Quito tends to be like a year-round Spring. Warm during the days and cooler in the evenings. The Cloud Forest tends to be more hot and muggy but can rain a lot so come prepared. The Central Highlands are constantly changing. Usually it is warm during the day but drops dramatically down during the night to sometimes the 40's/30's!
What extra money do I need? Can I use US Dollars?
The US dollar is the currency of Ecuador. We recommend bringing your money in SMALL BILLS as it is difficult to change large bills especially in the more rural areas. ATM's are throughout the country in case you need to withdraw money. Credit cards aren't always accepted so please don't depend on them as your only means of buying something. You will need money for a few meals that aren't included, personal shopping, alcohol and any other added adventure.
TIPPING: There will some situations where you may feel the need to tip but as always it is up to your discretion. Typically it is customary to tip our local guide and driver at the end of the trip. Most clients tip about $5-$8 PER DAY for each of them. If you choose to do an extra activity such as horse back riding, tubing etc a small tip is expected. Leaving a little extra at your homestay is also customary. About $5 per person.
Can I drink the water?
No. It is not recommended to drink tap water. We will have big jugs of filtered water. Having said that, please bring a reusable water bottle as most hotels and tourist destinations offer refilling stations.
Do I need to speak Spanish?
It is certainly not a requirement but always fun to try! Every group has a bilingual guide so there is nothing to worry about.
Is there internet?
Yes but not always. Most of the lodging options have wifi but there are a few days where we will be without it. As always be patient if there is no signal or the electricity is down. These things can happen so embrace it!
WHO IS OUR IDEAL TRAVELER?
We like to say: It’s not about age but all about attitude! Our ideal client is open to trying new things, getting their hands dirty, looking to engage with local communities and most importantly they have an open-minded, curious attitude. All types of ages, sizes and women come on our trips.
IS PURPOSEFUL NOMAD INSURED?
Yes. Purposeful Nomad is a fully insured through American International Group, Inc. Here at Purposeful Nomad we do our best to ensure that every program is a success. However, in the event of something unexpected we want you to be fully protected. We REQUIRE that you purchase international medical insurance. This is different from your health insurance. International medical emergency travel insurance is short-term protection for any medical costs incurred outside your home country. It’s incredibly easy and usually below $100 depending on the coverage you want.
Purposeful Nomad is an affiliate partner with World Nomads. You can review and purchase travel insurance HERE.
WHAT IF I GET INJURED ON A PURPOSEFUL NOMAD TRIP?
Your safety is paramount and will be taken very seriously. In case of an emergency our drivers will be at hand to take anyone to the clinic or hospital. Because we will be in rural areas and partaking in adventurous activities having your own travel insurance in addition to our company insurance will protect you from any unwanted costs in the end.
WHAT IF I DON’T SPEAK THE LANGUAGE?
No worries at all!! Included in all our trips are local, bi-lingual guides. Wherever needed there is a translator.
DOES PURPOSEFUL NOMAD ACCOMMODATE DIETARY RESTRICTIONS?
There is a spot in the application to note all allergies and food restrictions. Purposeful Nomad will work with you personally to make sure this is something that we can accommodate.
CAN I ENJOY SOME ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ON THE TRIP?
You may. Alcohol is not included in the price of the trip and where available you may choose to purchase that on your own. There are certain settings during some trips where alcohol should not be consumed for cultural reasons, but our guides will give you a heads up when we encounter those moments.
WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING?
There is detailed packing list associated with every trip. You can find the link under “Additional Resources".
ARE THERE PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS TO TRAVEL WITH PURPOSEFUL NOMAD?
Each trip has varying levels of activity so it depends on the itinerary. Overall, everyone must be healthy and physically able to move about without complication. You are responsible for taking all necessary health precautions before and during your trip. It is the client's responsibility to ensure they seek professional medical advice before traveling and to take all necessary health precautions and preventative measures. Having said that, every activity is optional and should you choose not to participate in everything that is completely fine. We encourage everyone to take it at their own pace. Every hike will have different levels of length and difficulty, as well as different activities to choose from.
WILL THE GROUP BE TOGETHER THE WHOLE TIME?
Yes. Groups travel together at all times in a private van with driver and guide. There are specific days where you are welcome to choose your own adventure or wander out on your own if desired. A few meals are not included and they are noted on each itinerary.
HOW DOES PURPOSEFUL NOMAD VET AND SELECT IT’S PARTNERS?
The Purposeful Nomad team personally meets with the communities and/or non-profits which we partner with during the trip creation process. We ask the hard questions, for example: where do you get your funding? And, who benefits from the work being done? We also ask about the needs and strengths of each community and if we could provide a service, activity or new skill for one of our upcoming trips. Most importantly we listen to their answers. If we don’t like what we hear or it doesn’t align with our values then we simply move on. Meet some of our amazing partners!
Did we miss something? Feel free to contact us here and we’ll get right back to you.