Conference location

Education That Pays For Itself 2009, a unique international conference on financially sustainable education, will be hosted by the Yachana Foundation , in the Amazon region of Ecuador.

Located in the heart of the Amazon rainforest, the Yachana Lodge owes its beauty to its complete isolation. It can only be reached by canoe, and the journey will take you through some of the most amazing scenaries that Ecuador has to offer.

Due to the remoteness of this year's venue, participants to Education That Pays For Itself 2009 will need to arrive in Quito on December 6th and leave Quito on December 12th. Participants wishing to leave Quito on Friday 11th need to consider the internal filght schedule and take into account possible delays of local transport. Please check the section below for more details.

Travel to the Conference

1) International travel - Flight options

When booking your flight to Ecuador, please bear in mind that you wil need to arrive in Quito on Sunday 6th December and leave on Saturday 12th. Participants wishing to leave Quito on Sunday 11th need to consider the internal filght schedule and take into account possible delays of local transport. Please check the section below for more details.

A wide range of international airlines fly to Quito in Ecuador - please see the list below for more information. Some of them offer direct flights from London or the United States.

Air Canada

Air Comet

Air Europa

Alitalia

American Airlines

Avianca

Continental Airlines

Copa

Cubana de Aviación

Delta Airlines

El Al

Iberia

Icelandair

Japan Airlines

KLM

Lan

Lufthansa

Mexicana de Aviación

Qantas Airways

Saereo

Santa Barbara

Taca

United Airlines

Varig

For additional information on international flight options to Quito, please visit eDreams or Expedia, or contact the Conference Manager.

2) Internal transport

Participants will leave Quito on the morning of Monday 7th December and will return on the afternoon of Friday 11th December, with a total stay at the Yachana Lodge of 4 nights.

If you are unable to be present for the full conference, but are still interested in attending, please contact the Conference Helpdesk for further assistance.

Transport options from Quito to the conference are detailed below, and must be booked as part of your conference registration.

OPTION 1 - Flight from Quito to Coca - Canoe ride from Coca to Yachana Lodge

For participants with limited time, the quickest way to reach Yachana Lodge is by taking an internal flight from Quito.

The closest local airport is in Coca, a city in the province of Orellana. It is a short 25 minute flight from Quito. There, our representative will meet you at the airport and escort you to the river port where our motorized canoe will take you the 2 ½ hour ride up the Napo River to Yachana Lodge.  This will be your first introduction into the lush tropical Amazon rainforest. 

Monday 7th - flight at 7.30 am, participants will need to be at the Quito airport at 6.30 am.

Friday 11th: departure at 11.45am - arrival in Quito at 12.15 pm.

In order to book your flight, you will need to provide the Yachana representative with your full name and passport number before they will be able to confirm your flight reservation.  Yachana representatives will meet you in the Coca airport and escort you to the river port for the canoe ride to the lodge. It is our recommendation to spend your arrival day or night in Quito and then leave Monday morning to Yachana. If you wish to leave Quito on Sunday 11th please consider the internal flight schedule and take into account possible delays.

Our travel representative, David Roveré, will make all flight and logistical arrangements. 

OPTION 2 - Bus from Quito to Comuna de los Rios - Canoe ride from Comuna de los Rios to Yachana Lodge

We will be offering charter bus trips on Monday and Friday from Quito to Comuna de los Rios, the river port that is 20 minutes by canoe from the Yachana Lodge.  This trip takes approximately 8 hours and takes you over a 14,000 foot pass in the Andes and then down through many beautiful and interesting areas of the tropics to reach the headwaters of the Amazon, the Napo River.  There, our canoes will meet you to take you the remaining 20 minutes. 

The charter coaches will be leaving at 6am and 7am of 7th December from Quito picking up guests staying at the hotels listed below - participants will arrive at Yachana Lodge at 3.00 or 3.30 pm. Our travel representatives will make all arrangements. 

On Friday 11th, participants will leave Yachana Lodge at 9.00 am and arrive in Quito at 5.00 pm.

One can travel by public bus.  This requires changing buses in the provincial capital of Tena.  The travel time is approximately 9 hours.  Our representatives can help you with all of the details for making this trip. 

NOTE: All the canoe rides will be covered within the registration fee.

If you have any question about LOCAL transport to/from the Yachana Lodge not covered above - or for details on reservations, payment, tourist options pre- or post-conference - please contact David Roveré via helpdesk@teachamantofish.org.uk. Please do NOT contact him for enquiries about international travel options.

Accommodation in Quito

Whatever option you choose for internal transportation to/from the Yachana Lodge, you may need to spend one or more nights in Quito. Here is a list of cheap and comfortable hotels and hostels where you can be sleeping. Please note that pick up service will be provided for delegates choosing to travel by coach to Yachana, if they are staying in one of the hotels suggested. Pick up from hotel for those delegates flying from Quito to Coca can be provided upon request, but the price is not included in the Conference fee.

Hotel Quito:
Hotel Quito is one of the most traditional five stars hotels in the city; it is well know by its hospitality and service. The hotel is located on top of hill from which there is an exceptional view of the city and the neighboring valley. You could have a double or single room for $96 and $85 respectively included taxes. Breakfast is not included.

Hotel Sebastian :
Close to a business and a tourist district, Hotel Sebastian (four stars) provides comfort and a cozy stay in Quito. You could have double or single room for $85 and $75 respectively. Breakfast is not included in this rate.
La Casona de Mario:
Located in a residential part of town, La Casona de Mario offers a friendly atmosphere in a safe and well located area.  The price is $10 USD per person per night.
Hotel Sierra Madre:
Close to main avenues and located in the heart of the tourist area of La Mariscal, Hotel Sierra Madre welcomes you to a world of Spanish enchantment and charm.  The price is $39 USD per night.
L’ Auberge INN Hostal:
Hostel between old town and the modern city. Prices range from $8 USD to $11 USD per person.  Known for its good atmosphere.

Note: If you need assistance to book your accomodation in Quito, please contact the Conference Manager

Visa requirements

Ecuador welcomes tourists and travelers from every country. Citizens of any country traveling to Ecuador for tourism, business or to study do NOT require a visa for an intended stay of 90 DAYS to gain a visitor’s permit. However, foreigners entering Ecuador must hold a passport valid until six months after the end of their stay in the country.

Visas ARE required for CHINESE nationals to gain a visitor’s permit.

Colombian nationals need to provide a police clearance stating that they have no criminal conviction in order to enter Ecuador.

Please keep in mind that delegates flying through the United States might need to comply with US Visa requirements for stopovers and transits.

If you need a letter confirming your registration, this can be provided; however it can only be issued after a delegate has registered for the conference and payment has been received. Letters of invitation can be obtained from the conference helpdesk.

Side Trips

If you prefer to stay a couple more days before or after the conference (and we are pretty sure you will after your arrival at Yachana) here are the add on days prices.

1. At the lodge: 150 USD per person/night.
2. At Casa Quest: 70 USD per person/night.

This includes: 3 meals a day, snacks, bilingual native guides and tourist activities per day, per person.

Moreover, we offer a wide range of side trips that delegates con enjoy after the conference. Side trips include visits to The Historical Center in Quito and the Middle of the World, Cotopaxi National Park, Papallacta Hot Springs and the Otavalo Market. These day trips are available on December 12th, 13th and 14th, and cost US$95 each. The price includes bilingual guides, lunch, transportation and main activities - for more information, please contact David Roveré.

NOTE: Side trips are not covered within the conference fee.

Accommodation & Travel Enquiries
For any logistical or local enquiries related to the conference please email the Conference Manager.