Become a better surgeon. Experience an extraordinary place.
January 2–10, 2027
Eight nights in Ecuador combining hands-on HVSN surgery, surgical education, meaningful community work, adventure, wellness, and time to experience the Andes.
Only 9 participant spots available
THE EXPERIENCE
Eight nights. A lot more than surgery.
This is a hands-on HVSN training experience designed for veterinarians who want to improve their surgical skills without giving up the opportunity to experience an extraordinary destination.
3
SURGICAL DAYS
15
HOURS HANDS-ON HVSN SURGERY
15
CE HOURS
1
COMMUNITY OUTREACH DAY
You’ll still have time for yoga, wellness, adventure, and exploring Ecuador.
WHAT YOU'LL DO
HANDS-ON HVSN SURGERY
Three full surgical days and approximately 15 hours of hands-on HVSN surgery.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Spend a day working alongside local veterinary professionals providing vaccinations and health checks for pets in the community.
CE & SURGICAL TRAINING
Earn 15 hours of CE while learning alongside experienced veterinary surgeons. RACE approval pending.
YOUR ECUADOR EXPERIENCE
The veterinary work is only part of the journey.
Experience Cotacachi and the surrounding Andes through a mix of adventure, culture, wellness, and time to yourself.
ITINERARY
JANUARY 2 — ARRIVE IN QUITO
- Arrive in Quito
- Airport-area hotel
- Easy evening before the journey begins
JANUARY 3 — QUITO → COTACACHI
- Group breakfast
- Travel by private transportation to Cotacachi
- Stops along the way
- Check in at La Mirage
- Group dinner
JANUARY 4 — MEET COTACACHI
- Morning yoga + breakfast
- Cotacachi town walk
- Hospital tour + meet the local veterinary team
- Dr. Steyn's sustainable farm
- Afternoon flexible for rest or an optional adventure
JANUARY 5 — SURGERY + ADVENTURE
- Morning yoga + breakfast
- Approximately 5 hours hands-on HVSN surgery
- Afternoon Andean/volcanic adventure
JANUARY 6 — SURGERY + CONDOR CENTER
- Morning yoga + breakfast
- Approximately 5 hours hands-on HVSN surgery
- Condor Center
- Peguche Waterfall
JANUARY 7 — COMMUNITY DAY
- Morning yoga + breakfast
- Vaccinations + health checks for local pets
- Work alongside the community veterinary team
- Optional evening adventure
JANUARY 8 — FINAL SURGERY + HOT SPRINGS
- Morning yoga + breakfast
- Final approximately 5-hour surgical day
- Bags left at reception before surgery
- Travel to Termas Papallacta
- Evening hot springs + relaxation
JANUARY 9 — SLOW DOWN
- Breakfast
- Enjoy the hot springs
- Relax or explore
- Return to the airport area for the final night
JANUARY 10 — DEPARTURE
- Breakfast
- Depart for your flight home
Experiences may be adjusted based on weather, local availability, and group interests.
COTACACHI
Andean town + local culture
CONDOR CENTER
See Andean condors up close
PEGUCHe FALLs
Explore one of Ecuador's beautiful natural sites
ANDEAN ADVENTURE
Mountains, volcanoes, and dramatic landscapes
HOT SPRINGS
Relax at Termas Papallacta
WELLNESS
Morning yoga + one included massage
WHAT'S INCLUDED?
-
8 nights of accommodations
-
Airport transfers
-
Ground transportation throughout the program
-
Breakfasts
- Select prix-fixe meals
-
3 days of hands-on HVSN surgery
-
15 hours of CE (pending RACE approval)
-
Community outreach
-
Morning yoga
-
One massage
-
Planned excursions and activities
-
Surgical instruction and support
-
Group experiences
-
EQ and wellness materials and discussion
International flights, room service, additional spa services, spa gratuity, alcoholic beverages or other items outside the prix fixe menu offerings, and meals you choose are not included.
IMPACT
Your trip can do more than change you.
Up to 40% of your trip cost goes directly to Amici Cannis, our Ecuadorian animal-welfare partner.
Vivere works alongside local veterinary and animal-welfare organizations rather than operating separately from the community. Your participation supports meaningful veterinary care while helping strengthen organizations already serving animals in Ecuador.
WHO IS THIS FOR?
VETERINARIANS
Build or refine HVSN surgical skills.
VETERINARY TECHNICIANS / LVTs
Participate in the veterinary and educational experience.
VETERINARY PROFESSIONALS
Combine meaningful international work with exceptional travel.
Join the destination, wellness, adventure, and non-clinical experiences.
SIGNIFICANT OTHERS
You do not have to be an experienced HVSN surgeon to participate. This is a hands-on training experience designed to help veterinarians build and refine their skills.
PRICING
RESERVE EARLY
Before November 1, 2026
$4,000 per person
Shared room
$4,700
Single room
$1,000 DEPOSIT RESERVES YOUR SPOT
Deposit becomes non-refundable November 1, 2026.
Remaining balance due December 1, 2026.
Remaining balance is non-refundable after December 1.
Flights are not included.
REGULAR PRICING
November 1, 2026 onward
$4,300 per person
Shared room
$5,000
Single room
TRAVEL & LOGISTICS
YOU ARRANGE
-
Flights to and from Quito
-
Passport and travel documentation
-
Travel insurance
Participants should arrive in Quito January 2 and depart January 10.
Travel insurance is strongly recommended.
Participants may opt out of most group activities if they prefer to rest or explore independently.
VIVERE HANDLES
-
Airport transfers
-
Accommodations
-
Ground transportation
-
Veterinary programming
-
Excursions
-
Group activities
-
Overall trip coordination
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The retreat is designed primarily for veterinarians and veterinary technicians/LVTs. Significant others are welcome to join the trip and participate in the non-clinical portions of the experience.
No. This is a hands-on HVSN training retreat designed for veterinarians who want to build or refine their surgical skills.
Every participant will have three full surgical days, totaling approximately 15 hours of hands-on HVSN surgery.
Yes. The retreat includes 15 hours of CE, calculated into the costs.
RACE approval is pending.
No. Participants arrange their own flights to and from Quito.
Airport transfers and transportation during the program are included.
Accommodations, airport transfers, transportation to planned activities during the program, breakfasts, three days of hands-on HVSN surgery, 15 hours of CE, community outreach, morning yoga, one massage, planned excursions and activities, surgical instruction/support, and group experiences are included.
Flights and meals not specifically identified as included are not included.
Yes. Significant others are welcome to join the journey and enjoy the destination, wellness activities, excursions, and other non-clinical experiences.
Contact Vivere for rooming and pricing details.
A $1,000 deposit reserves your spot.
The deposit becomes non-refundable November 1, 2026.
The remaining balance is due December 1, 2026 and is non-refundable after that date.
​
Please contact Vivere if you need to make a cancellation beyond our policy and we will make every effort to support you.
-
Participants are responsible for arranging their international flights and personal travel documentation.
-
Vivere will provide detailed pre-trip information and travel guidance before departure.
-
Travel insurance is always recommended.
-
Ecuador is located near the equator and climates are temperate and comfortable year-round
-
The currency in Ecuador is the US dollar
-
The official language in Ecuador is Spanish, but the community is very welcoming, with a large ex-pat population. Non-spanish speakers will be comfortable.
-
​We will be staying in comfortable locations with no known conflicts.Â
-
Morning yoga throughout the retreat
-
Curated meals designed to support the pace and experienceÂ
-
One included massage
-
Dedicated time for rest, reflection, and personal wellness
-
Guided conversations around emotional intelligence, communication, and group dynamics, with opportunities for both group discussion and individual conversations
​
There will also be unstructured time to slow down, enjoy the destination, or simply do nothing - which is sometimes exactly what you need.
Thank you so much for your interest! Whenever possible, we use local veterinarians and staff to teach and support our work.
However, we are looking to grow. If you have a connection to a region or clinic that could support our ideals, please let us know and we would love to involve you in those retreats!