Ecuador | Family Cultural Discovery

Welcome to Ecuador! Arrive in Quito and transfer to your hotel for overnight.

Straddling hemispheres at the Middle of the world. Explore Quito, the capital of Ecuador; a charming city surrounded by mountains and volcanoes with the largest and best preserved historic center in America. Learn about the history of the city while walking along its colonial streets. Quito's superb churches store treasures of the religious art and are an amazing example of the most wonderful architecture, there is no question why UNESCO declared Quito the First World Cultural Heritage Site. In the afternoon, visit the Equator and celebrate the ability of standing at the two hemispheres at the same time. A once in a lifetime experience!! Visit the famous Middle of the World complex, built to commemorate a group of scientists who had the hard mission to determine the Earth's shape back in 1743 and to mark the point; where according to calculations used at that time, the equator line crossed. Learn important facts about the equator and confirm or dismiss related rumors that have fascinated people for centuries.

Enjoy beautiful countryside landscapes on your drive from Quito to the Otavalo Area. Meet the Kichwa Otavalos, known worldwide by their wonderful work on textiles, tapestries and commerce skills. Visit the Otavalo craft market, where locals show their products and crafts for sell. Continue to San Clemente community where you will be welcomed by a Kichwa-Karanki Family. During the following days you will be introduced to the indigenous life and learn about their custom and traditions. Work together with your host family cooking for tonight's dinner. Enjoy a delicious, fresh and healthy meal based on typical ingredients. Tonight, you'll also meet other members of the community while enjoying a Cultural integration night, typical music and dance.

Learning about the daily life of an indigenous community Get familiar with the community! Visit the medicinal gardens and organic orchards. Learn about the importance of cuy (guinea pig) for the indigenous philosophy as a provider of strength, good vibes; and used to diagnose illnesses. Help your host family in daily life activities; work with them in the kitchen, at the carpentry shop or help to plant or harvest products from the orchards. Many activities will be available according to your host family needs. In the afternoon enjoy a fun family activity, playing traditional games with your host family. Family dinner and overnight.

Participate in a Minga! Work with community members to improve their neighborhood by cleaning streets, doing paths maintenance or improving a kid's park… there are many activities you can help with while you interact with the community and learn from them! Minga is an ancient indigenous tradition based on solidarity; it means working together for a common goal to achieve a better and faster work. In the afternoon enjoy activities with your host family. By this time there are many things about their culture you have already learned, why you don't share with them some things of yours! Teach them your traditional games, dance, music or any food specialties, prepare with your family a nice presentation or cook something for your hosts; this will be a great way to thank them for their hospitality. Enjoy this last night at the community.

Train ride adventure to the Chota Valley. Enjoy a beautiful train ride on board a locomotive that will take you through beautiful Andean landscapes, tunnels, and sugarcane plantation. Arrive in Salinas's town, where you will learn about the history and customs of the Afro Ecuadorian community, enjoy their music and dance. Lunch at the restaurant handled by the local community. Continue for dessert to Ibarra city, here you will enjoy a delicious Helado de Paila (handmade ice cream from a copper pan)! Return to your host community. Enjoy a fun night of family interaction while learning some local language (kiwcha) and helping your host family to learn some basic words of yours. Enjoy Family dinner and overnight.

Enjoy breakfast at the community and take the time to say goodbye to your host family. Continue to visit the Cuicocha Lake, formed in a volcanic crater after thousands of years of intense volcanic activity. The lake is part of the Cotacachi-Cayapas Reserve, which extension goes from the western Andean cordillera to the Pacific coast. Enjoy hiking in the area to admire the beauty of this natural environment. Continue to the town of Cotacachi famous by its woolen textiles and leather handmade products. Time for shopping. In the afternoon return to Quito. At night, transportation at your disposal to take you to a local restaurant for your Family Farewell Dinner! We will provide some nice restaurant recommendations so you can choose on your own the most appropriate place for your family to eat. (The cost of dinner is not included, paid on your own). Transportation back to the hotel.

Transfer to the airport for your flight back home or to your next destination.