Nowhere else on earth will you find so much natural diversity -- and all the fun that accompanies it -- in so tiny a place. Ecuador is the second-smallest country in South America, but its range of offerings is no less than astounding.

As you tour Ecuador, you'll have the opportunity to learn more about Compassion by meeting the Compassion country staff and also visiting a Compassion-assisted child development center. You'll learn about the day-to-day workings of the centers and better understand how you and thousands of other sponsors like you are changing the lives of children around the world. 

The children at the centers prepare months in advance to welcome their guests. You will have plenty of time to exchange hugs and smiles while spending a day serving the children through crafts and sports activities. Some families will open their homes so that you can see how these children live on a day-to-day basis.  

One of the highlights of your trip will be the days you spend with your own sponsored child. Compassion will bring all the children sponsored by tour members to a central location to spend a full two days together in fun activities, personal time and relationship building. You and your sponsored child will also have your own translator, to ensure a day of meaningful communication.

Day 1: Our Journey Begins

Thursday, June 17: Our journey begins with a brief orientation to help us get to know each other and prepare ourselves for what God has in store for us. We arrive in Quito in the evening. We'll get a good night of rest and prepare for an unforgettable week ahead.

Day 2: Expand Your Heart

Friday, June 18: We will begin the day sharing breakfast with our brothers and sisters in Christ who work for Compassion at the main Ecuador office. In the afternoon we'll visit a Compassion center where we'll spend time with the children and families in the community and a possibly enjoy a craft or game.

Days 3-4: Connect With Your child

Saturday, June 19 -- Breaking the ice first: You'll spend a very special day filled with laughter, hugs, stories and fun with the incredible child or children you sponsor. The Compassion staff has planned a day that you and your sponsored child will never forget. This is what you've waited for, so treasure every moment!

Sunday, June 20 -- Quality time: Worship side by side with your sponsored child in the Ecuadorian way. A fun afternoon activity will be planned for all sponsors and children.

Day 5: Exposure to the Culture

Monday, June 21: This day we will spend time learning about the Child Survival Program, which serves mothers and babies. We'll visit the center where mothers learn important skills about motherhood and raising a healthy baby. A visit to their homes is included. The afternoon will include some tourist activities and shopping!

Day 6: Bringing the Tour to a Close

Tuesday, June 22: After a week of immersing ourselves in the beauty and grandeur of this beautiful country, tasting a bit of the culture through our visits to the Compassion child development centers, and investing in the lives of children, it is time to return to our lives back home. Yet as we return, our outlook on poverty and our response to it returns with us to fan into flame a lifelong investment as champions who work together to release children from poverty in Jesus' name!

Tour Schedule Details:

Registration: Our trips fill up quickly on a first-come basis, so it is important to register by Dec. 9, 2009. Once we have received your registration along with a deposit of $280, we will confirm your place on the tour and you may then purchase your domestic air ticket. The final payment of $2,170 is due no later than Feb. 26, 2010.

Please click on the Register Now button below to complete the registration form online. If you'd rather register by mail, click on the link to the printable Registration Form above right, below the photo.

Price: The cost of this tour is $2,450 per person for double occupancy.

Included in our tour price are round-trip airfare between Miami International Airport and Quito, Ecuador, lodging, all meals, travel within Ecuador, tips, your child's travel, guides and translators during the tour, admission fees, departure tax and administrative costs.

Costs not included in the tour price are transportation to and from Miami International Airport, passport and incidentals such as snacks, additional beverages, laundry, phone calls, film and other personal items. You may want to bring extra spending money for shopping at the local markets.

Safety and Preparation: This tour will be moderate in difficulty because of impoverished conditions. Also, there will be some walking, rides on bumpy roads, and long days. We will have a light work element in this tour.

Compassion constantly monitors the safety of our destination countries and will make any adjustments necessary to protect our tour participants, sponsored children and in-country staff. We believe it is important to provide safe, comfortable accommodations, traditional meals and reliable transportation so that your focus can be on what God is teaching you and the impact of the experience rather than concern for your personal safety and well-being.

Please read the Tour Conditions and General Information document before finalizing your decision.

BACKGROUND CHECK: 

In order to ensure the safety of our children and determine eligibility to travel with Compassion, we now require all travelers (over the age of 18) to complete a criminal background check. Please visit https://www.ministryopportunities.org/USCITours to complete your online background check at the time of registration. If you are unable to complete this online, please contact us and we will send you a paper form for you to fill out and return. Compassion uses a third-party vendor, Protect My Ministry (www.protectmyministry.com) to process background checks. The results of your background check are confidential and all personal information is encrypted and secure. 

RESERVATIONS should be made well in advance and require a nonrefundable deposit of $280 per person. Final payment of $2,170 is due no later than Feb. 26, 2010. 

AIR TRANSPORTATION and FUEL SURCHARGES: 
Air transportation as included in the tour is based on economy-class transportation and is subject to all rules and regulations governing these fares. Fuel surcharges are added on a per-ticket basis at time of confirmation. In the event these surcharges are increasingly higher than budget estimates, we may require additional funds to cover these surcharges. We will communicate any pricing changes immediately. 

In the event that you need to cancel your trip, please refer to our cancellation policy below:

All deposits are nonrefundable.

Fifty percent of the tour cost will be required for cancellations 59-31 days prior to the Sponsor Tour.

One hundred percent of the tour cost will be required for cancellations 30-0 days prior to the Sponsor Tour.

Only written cancellations accepted.         

IMPORTANT NOTICE: COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL reserves the right to adjust or alter any travel program when necessary or desirable for the protection, safety or improvement of said travel program, or when local conditions do not permit operation as published. COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL reserves the right to accept or deny participants application at its sole discretion.
RESPONSIBILITY: COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL makes arrangements with airlines, hotels and other independent parties to provide you with the travel services you purchase. These parties are independent suppliers over whom we have no direct control. In the absence of negligence on our part, we are not responsible for any claims, losses, damages, costs or expenses arising out of injury, accident or death; damage, loss or delay of baggage or other property; or delay, inconvenience, loss of enjoyment, upset, disappointment, distress or frustration, whether physical or mental, resulting from (1) the act or omission of any party other than COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL or its employees; (2) mechanical breakdown, government actions, weather or other factors beyond our control; (3) failure to obtain documents, passports, visas and health certificates valid through the date of reentry, when required, in which case a cancellation charge will be assessed; (4) failure to follow instructions including but not limited to check-in and checkout times and baggage handling; (5) cancellation or change for any reason in the travel services offered; and (6) medical or health problems or physical disabilities. COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL reserves the right to cancel or alter the travel services at its discretion, except as otherwise noted herein. In the event of change, COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL will try to substitute comparable services; in the event of complete cancellation by COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL, we shall refund all monies paid to us. COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL will not be responsible for any other cost incurred by participants.