Culturally Immersive Experience in Ecuador

First visit the town of Otavalo, famous for its indigenous market that is held every day, with the largest bargains and traders present on Saturdays. The market is an ancient tradition and cultural exchange site among the Otavalo community. Later, take a tour of Ibarra City, located in the beautiful Imbabura Province, San Antonio de Ibarra. It is also familiar to locals as La Cuidad Blanca or “White City”, is known for its talented artisans who create beautiful pieces of art from natural resources. The tour includes visiting local artisan workshops where you can admire and buy beautiful wood crafts.

Visit several indigenous villages in the Northern area of the highlands. Here learn about different kinds of artisanships and how they are made; for example mats made of totora reeds, musical instruments, weavings made from sheep wool and jewelry made of seeds. Visit the Peguche waterfall, a ritual site known for its healing powers and where locals sometimes bathe to prepare for spiritual festivals such as Inti Raymi. Finally, head to the spectacular Cuicocha Lagoon within the Cotacachi-Cayapas Ecological Reserve. There is time for a short hike to fully experience the diversity of the lagoon, take photos, and on clear days, one can appreciate the views towards Otavalo and the impressive Imbabura Volcano, and even the peak of Cayambe in the distance.

The Yunguilla area is protected with the conservational efforts of the community, but rests between the two different reserves of Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve and Maquipucuna Cloud Forest Reserve. Upon arrival get an introduction about the community’s beginnings, history and the different activities developed by the community project. Choose to hike on one of the trails to learn about the local flora and fauna and take in the breathtaking landscapes. After that, enjoy a delicious meal in the project’s restaurant with views of the valley below. In the afternoon participate in the different activities offered by the project such as helping in their organic farm, in the handicrafts workshop, or in the cheese and jam making processes.

This route goes through beautiful Andean landscapes with active volcanoes. The first stop will be at the town of Papallacta with some time to relax and enjoy the benefits of thermal pools in the highlands of Ecuador. Papallacta hot springs are naturally heated by the volcanic activity in the area. Thanks to the volcanoes, this water contains minerals that make bathing here benefiting mind and body. Afterwards continue down to the Upper Amazon, the landscapes slowly change into the lush green Amazon Rainforest. Along the way, there are several opportunities for small breaks to take photos and enjoy the stunning views of wonderful green valleys and waterfalls. The road trip ends at Punta Ahuano, a tiny port town on the north bank of the Napo River, where canoes are waiting for a 15-minute boat trip downstream to Casa del Suizo. Arrive at the beautiful hotel in the afternoon, right on time to enjoy a sunset in the swimming pool.

Start the adventure in the Amazon Rainforest. The guide first explains about the activities and the takes you for a walk through the forest, while telling about how specific plants are used for medicinal purposes by the local communities. Following the trail, spot birds, insects and a great variety of plants and trees. In the afternoon, after lunch, visit an Amazon community to experience the local lifestyle of this unique area. Women of the community show you around and tell you and the rest of the group about the crops they grow, such as yucca (cassava), coffee beans, tropical fruits and cacao. Also, witness how the Quichua women produce pottery and observe other traditional domestic skills. They even offer the typical drink of the jungle - Chicha de Yuca - a fermented beverage that is very important in their social events. Members of the community show you the traditional methods of searching for gold and fishing on the shores of the Napo River.

Leave the Amazon Rainforest behind to travel to the next destination. On the way, again enjoy beautiful landscapes, before arriving to Colibri Garden. In this special cooking class, learn about the most authentic food of the Kichwa Otavalo community. The experience of cooking with the local people not just highlights the delicious Andean food but also the ancestral methods of preparation. In this class use the traditional kitchen (“tulpa” or fireplace) and/or the wood-fire brick oven. Additionally, the class will focus on the dishes that form a pivotal part of the traditional festivities, and which align with the Andean agricultural calendar, “Sumak Kawsay. The class will be 100% participatory from the products harvesting process to the preparation of the food. A local chef will guide the entire process, step by step until its final and best stage: trying the food! Later, take a city tour of Quito including the Basilica Church, Presidential Palace, & colonial streets.