COSTS & POTENTIAL STIPENDS
Because the rates charged by LSC vary depending on the number of participants and the length of stay, and (to a lesser extent) the time of year, we omit any specific listing of prices here (except to proclaim LSC an extremely affordable, great value!). Rates are scaled according to the number of persons in a group and the length of stay; smaller groups for shorter periods pay the highest rates, while larger groups staying longer periods pay the lowest rates (on an overall per person, per day basis). Regardless of length of stay, one faculty/group leader stays free with a minimum of 10 participants, and a second is free with a minimum of 15 participants.
Many institutional field-course and eco-travel programs offered in the U.S. provide for faculty/guide stipends as a standard feature of the program (such as university summer programs). The need for a stipend thus may not apply in your case; we can provide help, however, for those who need a stipend but have no available institutional support system.
Based on our experience with previous groups, it is possible for a single group leader to offer a two-week trip to LSC-Jatun Sacha, including airfare and all expenses in Ecuador, for as little as $2000 per person, with a minimum of 5 - 7 paying participants (and all expenses paid for one leader). With larger groups, it is also possible for group leaders to earn a stipend, ranging from $500 to $2500 or more per group.
The LSC is most interested in recruiting faculty-led course groups from college and university programs, in particular those programs that can be expected to send groups on a repeat basis, although we welcome inquiries from all qualified persons who wish to recruit participants for a study-group (especially museums and zoos). The month of June is already booked by annual university course-groups, but other months are open at this point in time.