Ecuador's Indigenous Community Experience

Ecuador’s Indigenous Community Experience

3 Days

Go back in time by embarking on an adventure in the fertile valley of Ecuador, home to many indigenous communities who have maintained their traditions for decades!

On this three-day tour, you will be able to visit the snow-peaked Cotopaxi volcano, and then you will head towards the indigenous village of Guamote, where you will meet, learn and take part in the community's current projects for preservation and support. Activities such as helping local families, harvesting corn or potatoes, milking cows or even shaving the llamas for local production. Visit the local kindergarten which is supported by this community and play with the kids of the village! Enjoy the colourful sunsets of this hidden gem in the heart of the Andes and most of all take home unique friendships and love from the community.

Price	430 USD per person (based on 2 travelers). Prices may change depending on the size of your travelling group.
Private Trip	On this private trip, you’ll have our expert guide + transportation all to yourself and your travel party. Some activities have their own specialized guide on site. During those experiences, other travelers might also join your travel group, depending on the season.
Departure & Return	This trip starts and ends in Lago Agrio city. Please contact us if you need help getting to Lago Agrio from Quito or any other corner of the country.
Accomodation	We care about responsible tourism and supporting local businesses. We’ve hand-picked small, comfortable tourist class hotels, run by friendly locals. All rooms have their own private bathroom. We assure you that all accommodations are clean and safe.
Included	Accommodations for 2 nights (Option for private cabin available) Activities to support the community Our expert local guides 24/7 support. Meals: 2 x breakfast, 3 x lunch, 2 x dinner Private transportation
Excluded	Mandatory travel insurance Meals not mentioned Optional tours or activities

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Day 1: Hiking up an active volcano and arrival to the community

Leave the bustling metropolis of Quito behind for a three-day cultural trip in the magical Andes region. We are taking the scenic secondary route through the uncommon páramo ecosystem of the Cotopaxi National Park. The páramo mountain vegetation is completely different from other parts of the Andes
Upon arrival at the Cotopaxi National Park, you’ll hike up to reach the cosy mountain hut at an altitude of 4,800 meters (15,750 ft). It is only a walking distance of 1 km (0.62 mi) but ascending 200 m (656 ft) so it will take about one hour

Afterwards, it is time to refill those energy levels with a hearty lunch at our local hacienda while witnessing the Cotopaxi north face through the panoramic windows
In the afternoon, you will have your transfer to the local community in Guamote. You will check-in and take a well-deserved rest before dinner is served.

Meals included: Lunch and dinner

Day 2: Community visit, educational projects and cooking classes

In the morning you will visit the Chanchan rural community and help a local family in their daily activities such as milking the cows by hand and making cheese or working the land to harvest some organic vegetables.
After this activity, you will be able to enjoy a nice warm lunch.
In the afternoon you will visit the educational project that is developed by the Inti Sisa project and you will be able to spend some time with the kids of the local school, supported by the community project.
Afterwards, you will have a cooking class organized by the Inti Sisa guesthouse hotel where you will learn more about the local flavours with organic products of the region.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 3: Driving pass the Chimborazo & Balbanera church

After enjoying a delicious local breakfast, it is time to head back towards Quito.
You will drive through the Chimborazo National Park which is a wildlife reserve, located on the slopes of the highest mountain in Ecuador and home to a wide variety of Andean flora and fauna.
You will arrive around mid-afternoon and will be dropped back at your hotel in Quito.

Meals included: Breakfast and lunch