Population: + 12 million inhabitants
Official language: Spanish and Kíchwa
Currency: US dollar
ECUADOR : A COUNTRY OF MEGA BIODIVERSITY
Attending our program you can experience a wide range of cultures, urban and rural communities, and an extensive variety of natural environments. The extraordinary ecological diversities of Ecuador are known throughout the world. Ecuador is one of the smallest countries in Latin America, yet it is one of the seventeen countries with mega biodiversity found in the world (20,000 to 25,000 plant species, 2,500 vertebrate species inhabit the country and ten percent of the world's bird species are found here).
There are four major ecological regions and many diverse ecological niches, theses include Coastal region, the Andean Mountains, the Amazon forest and the Galapagos Islands. In less than 7 hours you could change "seasons", from the wonderful, tropical and sunny beaches on the Pacific Ocean, to the cold snow capped Andean mountain peaks, and to the exuberance of the tropical rain forest of the Amazon region.
The cultural diversity in Ecuador is truly outstanding. You could directly learn about many ethnic groups, with unique traditions and cultures. Their worldviews provide important alternatives for a sustainable relationship of human beings with nature, as well as a strong sense of social solidarity, reciprocity and caring among communities.
The Galápagos Islands is about six hundred miles west of the mainland. It is an isolated and protected volcanic cluster, which includes thirteen major islands, six smaller islands, and over forty islets. The flora and fauna evolved in isolation, which makes the Galápagos Islands a fascinating place to visit.
It was a visit to the Galápagos that lead Charles Darwin to develop his theory of evolution. It is one of the most pristine environments in the world: giant turtles, pelicans, seals, penguins, iguanas, dolphins, whales, and many more species living together.
Cotacachi
Cotacachi is a small city with a lot of qualities. It is well known for its leather handicrafts, indigenous culture its music and dancing together with its traditions, festivities and rituals. You may also enjoy the excellence of the regional cuisine, and experience the climate diversity when you travel from the Cotacachi volcano at 4939 m above sea level, to the subtropical warmth of Intag Cloud forest at 1200m.
Cotacachi has been widely privileged with a broad diversity if authentic culture, especially in the rural communities where the indigenous music and dancing has kept their magical and ritual spirit. Also indigenous communities are known for the manufacturing sizzling ancient handicrafts containing different colorful manual creations created from assorted materials and using a technique that has been transmitted from generation to generation.The Community Tourism Network “Sumak Kawsay”
This is an organization with more of fifteen active family members. The objective of our organization is to improve living conditions of the community developing projects and programs for cultural revival. Sumak Kawsay which in kíchwa language means “Good Living” hopes to contribute the construction of a more understanding society, reducing poverty levels, empowering people for self-management, expanding the democracy and keeping our ancestral wisdom and social organization.
Rural AccommodationsIn order to benefit the local communities and to support a sustainable development of the area, we have rural lodges in different rural villages. The lodges consist of one bedroom with a fireplace, bathroom, hot shower, and beautiful views of the surrounding countryside. All the lodges are clean, secure and private yet, still provide the hospitable environment of the host family. With these families, you can participate in agricultural activities, the breeding of animals, different types of weaving and many more of their daily activities. . The furnishings are simple and comfortable with single and/or double beds. You will enjoy traditional meals prepared with ancestral crops freshly harvested from the adjacent fields.
Your stay at the lodge affords a unique opportunity to share in everyday life including visits to the home gardens to taste and learn from your hosts about the plants and crops that they conserve, and their culinary or medicinal uses.
We also offer different kinds of excursions, that involve trekking, visits to the indigenous villages, horse-riding, biking downhill to the subtropical forest, Cotacachi and Imbabura mountain climbing, among many others, all of them guided by native bilingual guides.
TOURS AND SERVICES:
We have a wide range of tours and treks that offer a mixture of cultural, natural and adventure experiences. The trips last from one to four days, also we are able to organize a package tour for all over Ecuador with the objective of satisfying your needs and interests.
Tour to the Indigenous Communities and Cuicocha Lake
In this tour of four indigenous communities, you will have the opportunity to observe and learn about part of the Kichwa´s different indigenous handicrafts, weaving, Andes instruments and much more. In addition you will stop in the town of Cotacachi, which is well known for its special leather goods and Cuicocha Lake, located in the Cotacachi Cayapas Ecological Reserve.
You will also see how tapestry and other textiles are made. The process is from the beginning: the community owns the sheep, they process the wool and with skills in the use of weaving looms they produce beautiful designed textiles. You can learn and participate in the weaving; its up to you!
Trekking around Cuicocha Lake
Cuicicha is located in the ecological reserve Cotacachi-Cayapas around an altitude of 3.064m. Cotacachi Cayapas is a “must” for any nature lover with over 20.000 plant species, including species of wild orchids, and a multitude of birds, such as the Andean Condor. Your trek around Cuicocha will give you a taste of the rich biodiversity of the reserve, as well as a spectacular view if the shimmering clear water and the two islands formed in an old Volcano crater with the depth of 200 m.
Hiking Mojanda Lakes and Fuya-Fuya Mountain
This hike will take you around Caricocha, Huarmicocha and Yanacocha Lakes. These placid lakes are hidden by grassland hills with the Fuya-Fuya and Yanaurcu mountains as a grand background, and there are many indigenous legends surrounding their origin and history. These lakes are situated at approximately 3,700 m. from them you will ascend Fuya-Fuya mountain at (4,265 m), which takes 2 hours to hike up, and have a magnificent view of snow-capped peaks of Cotapaxi, Cayambe, Antisana, as well as Imbabura and Cotacachi. The hike of Fuya-Fuya is a perfect preparation for climbing Andean peaks like Cotopaxi and others.Horse-riding Tour through indigenous Communities
You can ride through the ancient trails and indigenous communities near Cuicocha and get a great view without effort. If you are a fan of horseback riding and beautiful scenery, you do not want to miss out on this fun adventure!. Also we will enjoy a meal of traditional food when we get Cuicocha Lake, there will also be time at the lake to partake in a boat ride around the islands..
Biking Downhill to Intag Subtropical Cloud Forest
This 60km bike ride is mainly downhill from approximately 3,500 meters near Cuicocha Lake (Andean zone) to 1,500 meters in the subtropical Cloud Forest of Intag. Intag provides a drastic change from the Andes cool climate, and at the end of the trail you can relax and reflect on your journey in the Nangulvi hat water pools heated by volcano Cotacachi, a dip in the hot water will wash away the dust and tiredness and you'll feel 'brand new'. After this relaxing swim and lunch we will take you back to our villages or the place where are you staying by car.
Climbing up to the Cotacachi Volcano
This majestic snow-peaked Volcano, strongly sculpted and eroted by previous glaciers, offers a magnificent view of the whole Imbabura province and the Andes avenue of mountains. With a native guide guide, in one or two days, you have the choice of ascending to 4.939 m. the peak if this exquisite landmark, or to whatever height is comfortable for you. Definitely for the adventurous climbers interested in ascending mountains, it is the best choice!
Climbing Up To The Imbabura Mountain
For the adventurous tourist in love with Andean climbing, this tough one-day tour offers the opportunity to climb to the top of the volcano. After entering the indigenous community of Esperanza (at 3,000 m) we will cross the highland moors and will have a good view of Ibarra, the capital of Imbabura. Gradually, the environment changes to rocky formations and around 5 to 6 hour climb you will reach the top of this volcano at 4,610 meters above sea level. After a good rest we will start descending and in some 3 to 4 hours we will reach Esperanza and head back to the village or the place of your stay by car.
Students and Volunteers
Students and volunteers to do academic research and cultural exchange will be comfortably housed in rural family lodges located in our communities, sharing indigenous daily life and meals with the family, will make your experience unique and unforgettable. The volunteers have different work options: Help as a teacher in the Schools or kinder gardens, in agricultural projects, such as medicinal plants farm or organic gardens, women´s organizations and much more. The volunteer work is the opportunity to participate and help directly in some rural development initiatives.
Preparing For Your Trip
Try to travel light. Bring a light jacket for rain, warm clothes, sun glasses, sun cream and comfortable shoes for walking. Are you ready to travel through the Panamerican Highway along these beautiful sceneries? Are you caring enough to hike to their mountain tops?
The Community Tourism Network “SUMAK KAWSAY” cordially invite you to Ecuador. Make your reservations or contact us.
Rodrigo Flores
Email: sumakyuyai@gmail.com
Email: rflores.75@hotmail.com
Tel: 593 6 2 916313
Cell: 085635136
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