Hike to the Culebrillas Refuge

We start with a tour of the local farms where you can help the community with planting, harvesting or other seasonal activities; Tour of the community's chaki ñanes until we reach the family gardens, medicinal gardens, and Artisan workshops. We will also enjoy a delicious snack with Cañarejo Cheese and local herb tea. Lunch - either at the Tourist Centre restaurant, or a Pampa Mesa in the middle fields. Then we will visit the Llamas.

Upon arrival at the community of Sisid Anejo, refreshments are already waiting for us. During the course of the afternoon, we will play traditional games with the local children. In the evening, a meal prepared by the local women awaits us, along with music and dance. You will have the chance to try on the typical cañari costumes and join in for a dance or two!

We start the tour at the Labrashka Rumi stone workshop where you can see remains of carved stones used in Inca buildings. Our hike to the Culebrillas Lagoon leads us along amazing natural rock formations and the diverse local flora and fauna. Our local guide will teach us ancient legends about the Lagoon. After approximately 3 hours of hiking, we arrive at the Tambo Real Paredones, ancient Inca buildings over 4000 meters above sea level. These were used by the Chaskis as a rest area or temporary accommodation.

Refreshments are waiting for us. Then we continue along the Inca trail “Qhapaq Ñan”, enjoying the wide variety of birdlife. Later, we will have a traditional outdoor lunch. Taste 3 types of meat, mote, chicha, potatoes, mellocos, and beans. After, we return to the community via 4x4.

We continue our walk through the Quebrada de Inti Huayco to see archeological and geographical features, as well as a beautiful landscape filled with colorful birds. Along the way, we visit orchards with medicinal plants such as the Rambran, fruit trees such as the capuli, cymbals and shulala trees, and ornamentals. We will stop at a sustainable farm to have lunch on the banks of the San Pedro River.

After dinner you will have some Quichua class, to help you to greet the people of the community and you will get a basic understanding of how this language is structured.