Program Overview / Ethnobotanical & Anthropological Expedition
Ethnobotanical & Anthropological Expedition in Ecuador
11 Days / 10 Nights
Explore the complex relationship between indigenous cultures and (uses of) plants. Learn about the ancient botanic wisdom passed along hundreds of generations of observations and customs via oral tradition. Learn also about the impacts of modern human societies on traditional cultures and natural habitats, causing huge losses of individual species and the addition of new discoveries and methods.
Academic Fields
Anthropology, Human Geography, Environmental Geography, Sociology
Educational Features
Lecture series by recognized local experts or professors from prestigious local universities.
Visit Organic Orchards, Medicinal and Ethno botanical Gardens.
Visit a Traditional Medicine Center.
Lodging with Indigenous Communities.
Participate in Traditional rituals.
Participate on reforestation activities and trail maintenance.
Exploration of the Andes and Rainforest ecosystem.
Intercultural learning.
Seasonality
The program operates all year round.
Please note that as in any other nature-based program, itinerary can be subject to change due to conditions directly related to nature behavior.
INCLUDED
- Transfers Airport-Hotel-Airport or vice versa.
- Private ground transportation.
- Expert local guide.
- Mentioned accommodation (shared basis), at family houses, community lodges or standard category hotels.
- Meals according to itinerary detail (menu meals plus 1 soft beverage)
- Visits and entrance fee to mentioned places.
NOT INCLUDED
- Extra beverages during meals.
- Personal expenses.
- Travel Insurance.
- Tips and gratuities.
- Anything not mentioned in our itineraries.
- International Air fare.
Additional Notes:
- Program starts and ends in Quito
- Program can be modified or adapted according to your specific study group.
- Itineraries might be subject to change without previous notice, due to unforeseen circumstances.
- A minimum and a maximum of participants is required for this program
- Community Lodges are properties that belong to the local community, and are usually also managed by them directly, the lodge architecture resembles the community lifestyle. Community lodges included in this program offer basic, but clean accommodation. Accommodation is in triple or quadruple rooms and shared bathrooms. Due to the lodges location, WIFI service is not provided.
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive in Quito. Meet at the airport. Transfer to the hotel.
Welcome to Ecuador! Arrive in Quito and transfer to your hotel for overnight.
No Meals
Day 2
Quito historic center and the Botanical garden.
Trail Conditions: Easy to Moderate
Explore Quito’s colonial center; the best-preserved historic center in America. Learn about Quito’s rich history and its artistic legacy. Admire the wonderful architecture of its colonial buildings and the uniqueness of religious art pieces from the famous Quitenian School of art, which combines the European Renaissance and Baroque styles with the indigenous and mestizo influences.
Day 3
Quito – Otavalo – Communitarian Health Center – Comunidad.
Trail Conditions: Easy
The Otavalos are a trader’s community by tradition, they are known worldwide for their wonderful work on textiles and tapestries. This ancient ability has converted them in the most powerful indigenous group in Ecuador.
Day 4
Cultural Immersion: Learning about the daily life of an indigenous community.
Trail Conditions: Easy to Moderate
Get familiar with the community life. 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.
Day 5
Cotacachi / Ethnobotanical Garden – Otavalo – Papallacta.
Trail Condition: Easy
Depart from the community. Continue to the Ethnobotanical Garden to receive more information about the close relation between the indigenous wisdom and local plants and herbs. After the visit, drive through the Andean Valley to Papallacta.
Day 6
Exploring the Rainforest wisdom: Kichwa-Amazon community.
Trail conditions: Moderate
Continue your journey to the Amazon region, it is a route with wonderful landscapes as a result of the transition from the Highlands to Amazon. En route, stop for birds and orchid observation.
Day 7
Introduction to the indigenous daily life.
Trail conditions: Moderate
Early wake up call to participate in one of the most important indigenous family traditions for the Kiwchas of the Amazon: the Wayusa drinking. This ancient tradition is always held before sunrise and all family members sit together around the fire where Wayusa tea is being prepared, while talking about the activities for the new day and receive advise from the family leader.
Day 8
Sharing with the Community.
Trail conditions: Easy to Moderate
During the morning visit the community school to interact with local kids. Teach kids some English and learn from them some Kichwa or Spanish. Enjoy a soccer game with the kids and community members. Back at the lodge, learn about the traditional Kichwa cuisine and help harvesting yuca, prepare chicha and make chocolate with organic Aroma cocoa beans grown in the rainforest!
Day 9
Rio Blanco – Puyo Botanical Garden – Baños.
Trail conditions: Easy
Depart from the Community; continue through the Troncal Amazonica road to Puyo and then Banios. Visit en route the Puyo Botanical Garden. The Garden is a family initiative seeking to implement and evaluate strategies, guidelines and actions to consolidate a culture of respect for the natural environment and protect the Amazonian flora and fauna.
Day 10
Indigenous Market- Quito.
Trail conditions: Easy to Moderate
This morning visit one of the traditional indigenous markets located in the area. It is a very picturesque scene of people commercializing local agricultural products, animals and handcrafts. While visiting this Andean market you will learn why plants are a fundamental part of the indigenous culture, whether it is in medicine, shelter, spiritual, or nutritional use.
Day 11
Departure day.
Transfer to the airport for your flight back home or to your next destination.
END OF PROGRAM
Meal Codes: B/breakfast, /L/lunch, /D/dinner.
Travel info
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
Your first step in preparing for your trip is to make sure you have all your travel documents in order. You will be required to present a valid passport when entering Ecuador. If you don’t have a passport, please apply for one immediately as it can take some time to obtain one. If you already have a valid passport, be sure to check that your passport is valid for at least 6 months from the date you plan to enter Ecuador, as you will not be allowed to enter the country if this is not the case. Citizens of most countries including USA and Canada can stay a maximum of 90 days without needing a visa. Please check below the list of countries whose citizens require a visa to enter to Ecuador:
Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cuba, Democratic and Popular Republic of Corea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistán, Somalia and Senegal
TRAVEL INSURANCE
We strongly recommend you purchase travel insurance, including trip cancellation and interruption coverage, medical coverage including coverage for emergency evacuation, as well as baggage loss protection. Please contact us if you require more information or assistance purchasing a travel insurance.
ARRIVING & DEPARTING
Flight arrangements: Please be sure to have your flight reservations in order. Do not forget to confirm and check in your flight up to 24 hours before your flight.
Luggage Allowances: Generally speaking, baggage allowance per passenger is the following:
- International flights: two bags, total 31 kg /68 lb plus one carry on (Please check with your airline the luggage allowance as each airline handles their own policies)
- Galapagos Islands: 1 bag, total 20 kg/44 lb plus one carry on bag.
- The Jungle: 1 bag, total 20 kg/44 lb plus one carry-on bag (This information can change depending on the destination, please verify with your sales agent.)
- Other domestic flights: 1 bag, total 20 kg/44 pounds plus one carry on bag
This information may be subject to change due to International Aviation regulations. Please contact the airline company for exact information.
If You Are Delayed: If you are delayed en route or if you miss a flight connection, please contact us immediately.
During business hours 9am to 5pm EST: (593-2) 380 11 25
After hours: (593-9) 95050 537
Arriving In Ecuador
Upon arrival you will have to go through immigrations first and then customs. Your passport will be requested and an arrival form (usually handed out on board your flight prior to landing). Be sure your entrance papers are officially stamped showing the number of days you are allowed to stay in the country. A copy of the arrival form will be given to you. Keep it in a safe place with your passport, as you will need it to leave the country. If it is lost you will need to fill out a new one at the airline counter when you check in for your departing flight. Next you will proceed to pick up your luggage. If you require assistance there are porters who can help you. The standard gratuity is US $1 per bag. If you have arranged transfer services with Latin Roots Travel you will meet our transfer agent just outside customs, he or she will be carrying a Latin Roots Travel sign with your name or the name of your group on it. Normally, if you are arriving on a flight late at night and do not feel comfortable in a foreign country by yourself, we suggest a private transfer, which we can arrange for you.
Customs
Any person that enters Ecuador temporarily is exempt from the payment of any customs duty. You will not be required to pay taxes or duties for your luggage, new or used articles that you will use during your trip, and portable items such as photo cameras, video cameras, laptops, radios or any other electronic equipment or devices.
Altitude
Quito is located 9200 feet above sea level, for this reason some passengers traveling from lower elevations may experience symptoms of altitude sickness. This typically results in shortness of breath, nausea and headaches. In most cases the symptoms will gradually lessen and pass as one’s body adjusts to the altitude, during the first days of your stay take it easy and drink lots of water. Staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water or tea seems to lessen symptoms. If you have high blood pressure, heart trouble or had issues with altitude sickness in the past please consult your physician before traveling to Quito.
Immunizations
No inoculations are required for entry into Ecuador, except a yellow fever certificate is mandatory if you are going deep into the Provinces of Orellana and Sucumbíos (The Amazon Basin). Although no cases of yellow fever have been reported in Ecuador in the last 20 years, the Ministry of Health issued a yellow fever vaccination requirement to all travellers going to certain zones in the Orellana and Sucumbíos Provinces.
All tourists visiting mentioned zones must have the “Yellow fever” vaccination 10 days before entering into the Amazon Region and posses the certificate of vaccination.
This vaccination provides protection for 10 years after which it is required a reinforcement dose.
IMPORTANT: passengers who visit Ecuador and then go to Brazil, Panama or Costa Rica must have a yellow fever Vaccination certificate or will not be allowed to board the international flight (International regulations).
Special Health or Dietary requirements.
Please advise us of any medical or special dietary needs you may have. Please provide this information to our agents at least 60 days prior to your trip.
Tipping
Tipping is not mandatory; it is a personal matter based on your discretion. However guides, drivers, restaurant and hotel staff will expect a tip from you after receiving a good service. Of course the quality of service should determine the extent of any gratuity. The following guidelines could be very helpful if you want to reward an excellent service:
- 10% of bill at restaurants
- $0.50 per bag for porters at the airport and bell boys at the hotels.
- $ 5 to $10 per person for the guide in mainland Ecuador (for a full day tour).
- $ 3 to $5 per person for the driver in mainland Ecuador (for a full day tour)
- Galapagos guides and crew members have their own guidelines depending of the boat or hotel you are going to. In this case you will receive the guidelines on site.
Packing list (Aquí incluiríamos un documento PDF para descarga donde se encuentra información general)
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Ecuador Phone: (593) 2-3801125 / 2-3801149 Email: info@latinrootstravel.com Skype: latinrootstravel.ecuador Latin Roots Travel Av del Establo y Calle E, Centro Corporativo Financiero Site Center, Torre 3, Oficina 107, Quito – Ecuador
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