The M/C Galapagos Odyssey is a brand new luxury yacht, offering one of the highest levels of comfort of any boat its size in the Galapagos Islands. This luxury yacht has been designed especially for small groups to offer you more privacy and comfort, and to reduce the impact on the fragile Galapagos eco-system.
Community Tourism: Stay in an indigenous community
LTE-QTP008: Rural Community Tourism (2 days)
A once in a lifetime experience, you will have the opportunity to stay at one of our community lodges in a Runa Tupari Community and spend time with an indigenous family. You will be invited to participate in their daily activities, helping to take care of livestock or farming the fields. We offer you the opportunity for an in-depth experience of the indigenous side of Ecuador. More days, stress management courses, special treatments and retreats are available upon request.
Detailed Itinerary (2 Days 1 Night)
Day 1. Quito – Otavalo – Community Tour: We head north from
Quito and visit the small villages Calderon (dough figures) and Cayambe (biscuits). We arrive at the Otavalo market; here we can experience the most important indigenous trade gathering in South America. We will learn to bargain for ponchos, sweaters, and local handcrafted goods. Optional lunch. A unique experience is the accommodations we offer in our rural Runa Tupari 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...
Day 2. Community Adventures
Choose one of these options... 1. Trekking around Cuicocha Lake 2. Horseback Riding/Trek through Indigenous Communities 3. Biking Downhill to the Subtropical Cloud Forest
Highlights
Andean Valleys The irregular topography of the Andes creates a beautiful backdrop for the passing rivers and snow-capped mountains.
Community Stay Stay in comfortable rural lodges (all with bathroom, hot water, and a fire place) within rural indigenous communities. Enjoy the tranquillity of the country as you take part in the daily life of your host family. You will have beautiful views of the surrounding countryside and enjoy traditional meals.
Imbabura Volcano and the San Pablo Lake Two of the most picturesque ingredients in Ecuador’s landscape, the scene of local legends, and with small rural villages that have established themselves by their side.
The Otavalo Market A famous indigenous gathering, where local communities get together and share their social life and bring out their goods - such as woodcarvings, tapestries, wool sweaters, ponchos, Andean musical instruments, paintings, etc - for sale and trade. Many different forms of folk art can be appreciated and bought at very low prices.
Meet / Depart
Quito – Ecuador Includes Transportation Otavalo Market Tour
English Speaking Guide
1 night accommodation
Breakfast Day 2 Not Included Meals not mentioned
Anything not specified
Runa Tupari Community This project is part of UNORCAC, an organization representing the rural and indigenous people in the canton of Cotacachi. The objective of the organization is to improve the living conditions of its members through development projects and programs such as rural tourism.
Where to get Lunch There are many restaurants around the Otavalo Market square that offer set meal menu's for $4 or less.
Passport, comfortable walking shoes/tennis shoes, warm clothing, windbreaker, rain ponchos in winter months, hat or cap, plastic water bottle, sun-block, sunglasses, waterproof small backpack, camera with high and low speed film, cash or travellers checks.
IMPORTANT:
We reserve the right to modify the itinerary - due to weather conditions, etc. - in the best interest of our clients.
