Length of Program: 18 nights/19 days
Visiting sites:
Pichincha: (2 nights)
Quito: Introductory presentation at the San Francisco University
by a faculty member. City tour and visit to an Ecuadorian artist.
Visit to the Middle of the World with the guide who is a naturalist
and ethnographer.
Guayllabamba Valley to visit Bromelia plantations and organic farms.
Cotopaxi: (1 night)
Zumbahua highlands and Lake Quilotoa at 4.200 mts a.s.l, tundra
where observations will be made of crops such as broad beans, barley,
potatoes and visits to Indian communities famous for their native
art. Stay in a typical farm of the province.
Bolívar: (1 night)
On the way to Guaranda we will make a visit to the village of Salinas
where different types of cheese, chocolates, dry mushrooms, body
oil, natural essences and other local products made by the local
community of Salinas.
Enjoy an spectacular mountain view of the town.
Chimborazo: (2 nights)
Opportunity to see camelids (llamas, alpacas and vicuñas)
in their natural habitat. Spectacular view of the Chimborazo, the
highest mountain in Ecuador and the Paramo vegetation typical of
this zone.
Visit to the Jambikiwa Foundation where you can observe the work
made by the local community with herbal medicine plants. Visit to
a country side plantations around Riobamba city managed by Indian
communities with an explanation of the chief of the Foundation.
Azuay and Cañar: (3 nights)
A colorful impression of the vegetable gardens managed by local
inhabitants of this region. Visit Ingapirca Inca ruins and a flower
plantation in Cuenca.
Visit to the towns Gualaceo, Chordelec and Sig-Sig to observe Panama
Hats handcrafts, silver jewelry and a lovely landscape.
A free day in Cuenca to enjoy the city.
Loja
and Zamora: (4 nights)
Continue to the Province of Loja. After traveling 105 kms we will
stop at the Indian community of Saraguro, where, amidst orchards
and handcrafts and agro tourism we see women spinning lamb´s
wool. If time permits, visit the Inca Baths located within an incredible
landscape.
Continue to Vilcabamba and lodging in a pleasant Hostería
where we can enjoy a therapeutic massage and a full Spa for relaxation.
There is a possibility of taking horseback riding tours.
After 2 nights of relaxation, we continue to the city of Zamora,
famous for its gold mines and the entry to the Podocarpus National
Park for a visit. Return to Loja for a presentation by an academic
of the institution to learn about agricultural production in this
Province.
El Oro : (2 nights)
Departure for the cities of Zaruma (Heritage of Humanity) famous
for their architecture and landscape. Overnight in Zaruma to enjoy
the city, visit to a gold mine, an orchid plantation. Visit the
Puyango Petrified Forest and continue to the city of Machala, where
you will have the opportunity of seeing plantations of bananas,
mangoes and other fruits typical of the Ecuadorian coast.
Guayas: (1 night)
Continue on to Guayaquil, on the way a visit a banana farm and cocoa
plantation, a shrimp farm and mangroves.
Free day for a visit of Guayaquil and surroundings. Return by air
to Quito late in the afternoon.
Quito: (1 night)
Overnight and free day for leisure.
Length of program: 13 nights/14 days
Same program as VO-AG 101 Quito to Cuenca ( 9 nights/ 10 days) plus
4 nights extension to Sun Route at the Pacific Coast (Guayaquil-Machalilla
National Park and Manta).
VO-AG-104 Agro and Rural
tourism (special community Eco-tourism tour)
Special Community Eco-Tourism
Tour
Same program as VO-AG-101 Quito to Cuenca (9 nights/10
days) plus 4 nights extension to visit the following the Pastaza
Province:
Tours to interpret the ancestral cosmic vision and
the magic of ancient wisdom of Indian cultures, by promoting cultural
exchange, strengthening adequate controls and protecting the habitat
and environment.
Human Resources:
People that belong to the Kichwa nationality of the Amazon and who
are members of the ORGANIZATION OF INDIAN PEOPLE OF THE PASTAZA.
Guides are familiar with secrets handed down over generations on
flora, fauna, natural medicine and jungle survival.
Lodging:
Cabins are built using local materials with plans that respect the
habitat, environment and architecture. An average comfort is provided
on platforms and thatched roofs, without windows.
Transport:
Entrance via river routes (5 hours) . Return by Cessna 206 aircraft,
maximum 5 passenger capacity.
Food and Health:
Food consists of fruits, vegetables, grains, yucca, bananas, fish.
Water is not potable, therefore bottled and filtered water are used.
Community Fund:
In order to strengthen Indian communities, a part of our income
is directed to development through educational and health that benefit
this sector.
Loja
and Zamora: (4 nights)
