Cultural Immersion in The Ecuadorian Amazon

Today we will leave the city of Quito for a scenic drive across the eastern Andean mountain range. We will have impressive views of spectacular volcanoes and the lush, green cloud forest along the journey.  We will stop- off in the high mountain town of Papallacta for a soak in the volcanic hot springs before heading off to The Guango hummingbird reserve to witness these this impressive, colourful birds.  We will continue driving down towards the Amazon Basin and enjoy a hike into the canyon found in the middle of the Llanganates National Park. 

Today is the day we get to learn more about our host family in the jungle. We can take part in their everyday activities and learn about the customs and traditions as well as their natural products such as medicinal plants. We will head out on a hike with the family to collect local plants, weave with vines and enjoy other traditional activities that the families still use to this day.

After breakfast, we will head out on a 1 hour hike to Wuaysayacu. This is a natural complex of lagoons and waterfalls where you can go swimming and explore this exquisitely pristine part of the jungle. In the afternoon we will go out searching for gold, using the traditional gold panning methods and in the evening we can enjoy some traditional stories around the campfire. 

Possibly the most fascinating day with the family as we will learn more about their traditional customs and take part in the traditional drink CHICHA preparation process. An intrinsical part of Andean and Amazonic culture, the drink is enjoyed with meals or at parties and family gatherings. We will begin by collecting the roots from the fields, as well as other special plants that are going to be used in the preparation. We will then learn and take part in the process of chicha making. Cocoa is also an important product of Ecuador, originating in the Amazon region. Locals make chocolate products using a number of different methods and we will learn the straightforward authentic method of producing 100% pure chocolate. At night, we will have a cultural night, enjoying local music and learning about the social activities, marriage customs and shamanism. 

Today we will leave the Amazon and our incredible family, being more educated by other traditional cultures such as these Amazonic people. We will head back to the capital of Quito for our final evening.

Today is the final day of this incredible Cultural Immersion tour.  We will collect you from the Quito hotel to head to the airport for your flight back home or to your next exciting destination!