Ecuador Program
November 20 - 30, 2025
Not quite ready to apply or looking to travel in 2025?
Mission & Vision
Our mission in the vibrant land of Cotacachi, Ecuador, is an eleven-day immersive journey designed to bridge the worlds of modern birthworkers with the ancient wisdom of traditional midwives. This program aims not only to foster a deep, cross-cultural exchange of knowledge and practice but also to preserve the sacred ancestral wisdom of traditional midwifery that risks being lost in our rapidly globalizing world.
The heart of our vision is to soak in the profound knowledge of Pachamama and learn directly from the parteras, who are the custodians of extensive wisdom in pregnancy, birth, postpartum care, herbal medicine, rebozo techniques, womb healing, vertical birth, and ceremony. These midwives, possibly the last of their kind, offer a connection to plant medicine, ancient divine wisdom, and a treasure trove of experienced hands and hearts. Our presence not only financially supports their invaluable work but also aims to bring a mindful awareness to this endangered art.
This program is specially curated for birth professionals worldwide to learn in solidarity, exploring the beauty of Ecuador, connecting deeply with fellow birthworkers, and enriching our individual doula practices. It is an opportunity to dive into another culture, witness the power of traditional practices, and return home with new insights and tools to support the perinatal process with even greater respect, compassion, and knowledge.
By uniting birthworkers from diverse backgrounds, we embark on a collective journey of discovery- about ourselves, each other, and the universal thread that connects all birthwork. Together, we commit to the preservation of invaluable traditional knowledge and the celebration of birth as a sacred ceremony.
(Please note, this program does not involve hands-on clinical birthwork like our Tanzania Program .)
Before fully diving into your application, please read over our Mission. Vision & Values page to make sure you align with our approach.
Meet our Partner - Partera di Anaku
We are beyond grateful to partner with the incredible Martha Arotingo, a true powerhouse in her community. Martha wears many hats- mother, midwife, wife, daughter, community leader, teacher, and founder of the revolutionary "Unanchu Mamakuna" midwifery school. As if that weren’t enough, she’s also on the verge of becoming a lawyer after years of dedication and hard work. Martha’s wisdom, magic, patience, and strength are gifts she generously shares with us on our trips.
Discover more about Martha’s transformative projects and find out how you can support her important work.
How to Join Our Ecuador Journey
Step 1
Submit Application & Attend Info Session
Begin by applying with a $50+ fee, which supports our scholarship fund, increasing program accessibility. Then join us for an enlightening webinar. It’s an opportunity for you to fully understand the program
Step 3
Online Cultural Awareness Training
Leading up to the trip, you will be required to complete our virtual Cultural Awareness Training, dedicated to reflecting on sensitivity, curiosity and competency, ensuring you are prepared for what this trip has in store.
Step 2
Intention Form & Trip Deposit
Once you are committed to joining us, fill out an intention form with your choice of dates and a pay a $500 non-refundable deposit (towards total tuition) to secure your spot on a future trip. From there, payment plans are available.
Step 4
Pre-trip Zoom Calls
Prior to departure, you will be added to a group WhatsApp and invited to several group zoom calls with your trip facilitators to connect before you travel. We will make sure we are prepared and connected as a group before our journey begins.
We welcome a diverse group of birthworkers who share a giving heart, open mind, humility, adaptability, a thirst for learning, and a service-oriented spirit. No hands-on clinical experience is required, making this program accessible to a wider range of birthworkers.
Sample Itinerary
Here is a sample of what our trip could like, this is potentially subject to change due to weather or the twists and turns of travel!
Day 1: Arrival in Quito
Get picked up and brought to Friends Hotel and Rooftop. Settle in and get a good night rest.
Day 4: Exploring Origins
Includes a visit to Cuicocha, engagement with community midwives, and learning about the uses of a rebozo.
Day 7: Herbal Medicine
Gathering medicinal plants, gestational control practices, and honoring pregnant women.
Day 10: Saying Goodbye
Breakfast, a farewell ceremony, and departure to our surprise destination closer to the airport.
Day 2: Explore Quito
Explore Quito, get to know your group, and “swing” into the adventure. We hope you like chocolate.
Day 5: Energy Work
Journey to Agato Yachak, a visit to Otavalo for artisan crafts, sweat in a traditional Temazcal and a Pachamanka dinner.
Day 8: Buzzing About
Visits to an Apiary to learn about bees, free time in Cotacachi, and a cultural night of music and dance.
Day 11: Departure
Soak up the last day and head back to the airport, or to wherever your adventure is going to take you!
Day 3: Travel North
Depart for Cotacachi. Settle into our homes, followed by a welcome ceremony, and pottery making class.
Day 6: Learning and Reflection
Workshops on recognizing one's own womb and postpartum ritual practices.
Day 9: Natural Connection
A trip to Laguna de Mojanda, nettle ceremony, personal introspection time, and communal dinner.
The Investment
TUITION
$3750 USD*
*Subject to change due to inflation
INCLUDES
Everything you need from the time you land to the time you leave.
ALL LODGING
ADVENTURE ACTIVITIES
ALL MEALS
ALL BIRTH WORKSHOPS
TRANSPORTATION
DOULA PREPARATION CURRICULUM
CEREMONIES
DOES NOT INCLUDES
Airfare, Travel Insurance, Souvenirs (make sure you have PLENTY of extra room in your luggage, the region is famous for alpaca blankets).
We offer flexible payment plans. We strive to make our programs as accessible as possible, and understand birthwork is a labor of love. We regularly teach fundraising workshops to share how others have successfully raised the funds needed to travel, as well as an affiliate program. Partial scholarships are also available based on our available funding.
Step one if to apply, then scholarship applications will be made available.
Fund Your Journey with Our Affiliate Program
We know birthwork is a labor of love, and we don’t want finances to be your barrier to travel.
That’s why we created a community-powered affiliate program. When you share our online childbirth education course, Preparing for Parenthood, with your pregnant community, you earn money toward your trip.
Spoiler alert: selling just 63 classes covers your full tuition to Ecuador.
It’s a win-win-win that supports your journey, spreads empowering education, and funds our global birthwork initiatives.