Sustainable women's project: SachaWarmi in Otavalo, Ecuador

Cuicocha Lake is a crater or caldera of millenary formation that is located on the southeastern slopes of the Mama Cotacachi, at an altitude of 3.06S meters above sea level. In technical terms, it is said to be a "stratovolcano", because it is formed by layers or strata of lava and other volcanic materials that were ejected by ancient eruptions. Its last eruptions occurred 2,000 or 3,000 years ago. Hands on cultural experience – Inspiring Ecuador Sustainable Sacha WarmiKuna women project. This is one fantastic effort developed by Inspiring Ecuador and the local women with the main purpose to support their families and encourage the position of the women in the local society, providing them an alternative side work beside housekeeping, as a new option for an in-come.

1. 1

   Cuicocha Lake

   5 hours

   Today, you will have an early pick up from your hotel to enjoy a marvelous trekking in the Andes mountains. We will leave the charming city of Quito (2 and half hours driving approx.) to head to Cuicocha Crater Lake located inside Cotacachi Cayapas Ecological Reserve. Our adventure will take us on a trek around this still active volcano, your guide will present many beautiful flowers to you along the trail. Enjoy the landscape and observe the activity of this volcano, witness bubbles coming up from the center of the caldera. Trekking Activity Level – Moderate, the trekking trail is on dirt, sand and gravel, located in the Paramo Ecosystem at high elevation. Trekking Time: 5 hours Trekking Distance: 7.5 miles (12.07 km) Elevation Gain: 2500 feet (762 meters) Minimum Elevation while trekking: 10000 feet (3048 meters) Maximum Elevation while trekking: 11470 feet (3496 meters)

2. 2

   Otavalo

   3 hours

   For lunch, we will head to Pijal, a small village located in the heart of the Andes to visit one of the Inspiring Ecuador sustainable projects called Sacha WarmiKuna (women from the mountain), with the main purpose to support their families and encourage the position of the women in the local society, providing them an alternative side work beside housekeeping, as a new option for an in-come. Once at the project you will experience an unforgettable cultural encounter, immersing yourself in the true spirit of the South-American woman and their skills for textiles and a deep culinary knowledge coming from the past generations. You will be part of the preparation of “Aji”, a local spicy salsa which is part of their identity, you will also share precious time with them and a tasty traditional lunch in which local women have used the fresh products harvested the same day from the surrounding organic fields.We will arrive back in Quito in the late afternoon (2 hours driving approx.)

• Specialized infant seats are available
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.