ECUADOR : A COUNTRY OF MEGA BIODIVERSITY
Capital: Quito
Population: + 12 million inhabitants
Official language: Spanish and Kíchwa
Currency: US dollar
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.
Kairik Amanki Native Travel and the Indigenous Communities from Cotacachi invites all of you. The objective of our communities is to improve living conditions of its members developping projects and programs for cultural revival. Our communities hopes to contribute the construction of a more understanding society, reducing poverty levels, empowering people for self-management, expanding the democraticy and keeping our ancestral wisdom and social organization.
KAIRIK AMA
NKI NATIVE TRAVEL, a phrase that in the native language, Kichwa, means, "The Travel of the Indian Emperor of the Andes." In order to develop authentic and sustainable rural community tourism , it is necessary to interact directly with the indigenous communities. We want the tourist to experience a unique lifestyle as well as an expanded world vision. This encounter will allow the visitor to experience direct contact with nature, share daily life with local people and have the opportunity to learn from them. We offer accommodations in our rural lodges located within the communities. Here the tourist may share the indigenous culture, enjoy a new environment, experience a different lifestyle, and take pleasure in the nearness of nature and traditional living.The rural lodges are located in the indigenous communities where you will enjoy the tranquility of the country, the hospitality of your host family and the cultural authenticity of the region.
NKI NATIVE TRAVEL, a phrase that in the native language, Kichwa, means, "The Travel of the Indian Emperor of the Andes." In order to develop authentic and sustainable rural community tourism , it is necessary to interact directly with the indigenous communities. We want the tourist to experience a unique lifestyle as well as an expanded world vision. This encounter will allow the visitor to experience direct contact with nature, share daily life with local people and have the opportunity to learn from them. We offer accommodations in our rural lodges located within the communities. Here the tourist may share the indigenous culture, enjoy a new environment, experience a different lifestyle, and take pleasure in the nearness of nature and traditional living.The rural lodges are located in the indigenous communities where you will enjoy the tranquility of the country, the hospitality of your host family and the cultural authenticity of the region.Rural Accommodations
In 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.
Private Transportation Service
Safe - Clean - Reliable - On Time - Courteous - Comfortable
Our indigenous transportation Company “Caleramanta” work with individuals and groups of all sizes, and strive to provide our clients with a worry free and pleasurable experience, from start to finish.
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.
Trekking to the Fuya-Fuya Mountain and Mojanda Lakes
In this one-day trip (4 hour hike) you will visit Caricocha lake. This lake is situated at approximately 3,700 meter above sea level and is hidden by grassland hills with the Fuya-Fuya mountain providing a grand backdrop.
After this you will ascend Fuya-Fuya (4,265 m), which is usually a 2 hours climb, and have a magnificent view of two of the three sparkling Mojanda lakes (Caricocha and Yanacocha). If it is a clear day, you may also see the snow-capped peaks of Cotapaxi, Cayambe and Antisana, the craters of Cotacachi and Imbabura, and you will be able to spot Quito and Otavalo. The ascent of Fuya-Fuya is a perfect preparation for climbing Andean peaks like Cotopaxi.
Duration:5 hours.
Equipment:Hiking boots, sweater, rain jacket, hat, sun cream and sunglasses.
Services Included:Transportation and guiding.
Horse-riding Tour through indigenous Communities
We will depart from Otavalo, Cotacachi or any village by car to a rural community where we have the horses. From there, we will start our horse-ride through native forest and indigenous communities where we will be able to observe the daily life of the people. From there, we will visit Cuicocha Lake and enjoy a meal of traditional food. There will also be time at the lake to partake in a boat ride around the islands. From Cuicocha Lake, we will return to the rural community by horseback and then return to Otavalo or the place where you are staying by car.
Duration:Half a day (4 hours).
Equipment:Sweater, rain jacket, cap, sun cream and sunglasses
We will depart from Otavalo, Cotacachi or any village by car to a rural community where we have the horses. From there, we will start our horse-ride through native forest and indigenous communities where we will be able to observe the daily life of the people. From there, we will visit Cuicocha Lake and enjoy a meal of traditional food. There will also be time at the lake to partake in a boat ride around the islands. From Cuicocha Lake, we will return to the rural community by horseback and then return to Otavalo or the place where you are staying by car.
Duration:Half a day (4 hours).
Services included:Transportation, and guiding, entrance fee to the national park.
Duration:Full day (6 hours).Equipment:Sweater, rain jacket, cap, sun cream and sunglassesServices Included:Transport, guide, lunch, entrance fee to the national park.
Intag Subtropical Cloud Forest (By car or by Bike)
This 60km bike ride is mainly downhill from approximately 3,500 metres near Cuicocha Lake (Andean zone) to 1,500 metres in the subtropical Cloud Forest of Intag. After this adventurous biking trip there will be the opportunity to bathe in the thermal pools at Nangulví. 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 Otavalo or the place where are you staying by car.Duration:8 hours.
Equipment:Sweater, rain jacket, sun cream, sunglasses, bathing suit, towel and a set of extra clothes for your return trip.Services Included:Transport, guide, lunch, bicycle.
Climbing up to the Cotacachi VolcanoFor the adventurous tourist in love with Andean climbing, this tough one-day tour (10 hours hiking) offers the opportunity to climb almost to the top of the volcano at 4 850m. The journey takes you through the highlands, from volcanic rocks to flora and fauna native to the highland moors and offers magnificent views of the Avenue of the Volcanoes-including Chimborazo (6.310 m) as a highlight-and the Imbabura province.One Day Tour:
Itinerary:Departure from Otavalo or any place where you are staying at 04h30 by car to Cuicocha lake. You will start hiking at 3,400 m and will climb to 4,850 m (close to the top which is at 4,937m) in approximately 6 hours. After a 4 hour descent we will take you back to Otavalo or the place of you stay.
Equipment:Heavy hiking boots, sweater, rain jacket , gloves, hat, sun cream, and sunglasses.
Services Included:Transport, guide, packed lunch.
Two Days Tour:
Itinerary:DAY 01
Departure from Otavalo at 09h00 to Cuicocha lake at 3,400 m from where we will hike up to 4,000 m where we will camp.
DAY 02
The next morning we will have an early breakfast (5h00) and we will start our hike in the beautiful light of the sunrise. Around 9h00 we will arrive at 4,850 m. On a clear day it is possible to see the Avenue of the Volcanoes. After our descent we will have lunch at our camp, hike further down to Cuicocha Lake and will get back to Otavalo by car.
Equipment:Heavy hiking boots, sleeping bag, backpack, sweater, rain jacket, gloves, hat, sun cream and sunglasses
Services Included:Transport, guide, food and camping equipment.
Climbing Up To The Imbabura Mountain For the adventurous tourist in love with Andean climbing, this tough one-day tour (9 hours hiking) 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 at Ibarra, the capital of Imbabura. Gradually, the environment changes to rocky formations and after a 5 to 6 hour climb you will reach the top of this volcano at 4,610 metres 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 Otavaloor the place of your stay by car.
Duration:10 hours.
Equipment:Heavy hiking boots, sweater, rain jacket, gloves, hat, sun cream, and sunglasses.
Services Includes:Transport, guide, packed lunch.
Duration:10 hours.
Equipment:Heavy hiking boots, sweater, rain jacket, gloves, hat, sun cream, and sunglasses.
Services Includes:Transport, guide, packed lunch.
Climbing Up Cayambe MountainStudents 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?
KAIRIK AMANKI NATIVE TRAVEL, cordially invite you to Cotacachi City. Make your reservations or contact us.
Tel: (593 6) 2916 313, Cell: 085635136 Email: rflores.75@hotmail.com
