Community Tourism Network of Saraguro Rikuy

The Saraguro are said to be descendants of the Inca conquerors of Ecuador.  They are readily identifiable by their traditional dress.  Saraguros wear flat white felt hats with wide brims.  The men sport a single ponytail and wear a black poncho, but perhaps the most unusual part of their attire is their knee-lenght black shorts.  Saraguro women wear bright breaded necklaces, and striking nickel or silver shawl pins (tupus) to close their shoulder wraps.  These unique handicrafts are for sale at the colorful Sunday market.

Several communities of the region are involved in tourism, and offer visits to Inca and Cañari archaeological sites, as well as excursions to beautiful natural sites such as La Virgen waterfall, Zhiñuyña and Chinchilla lakes and the Ismuchicha River, all these within a subtropical climate.

Tourists can evidence communitarian work in organic gardens, education centers and handicraft stores. Moreover, visitors are able to share community rituals and festivities and typical food and drinks.

Community based Tourism

Experience Ecuador from within

This section is a contribution of the Ministry of Tourism to the development of community-based tourism

Community-based tourism offers the opportunity to live a full intercultural relationship while contributing to community development and the conservation of natural resources and cultural traditions. The Ministry of Tourism has committed with the development of this kind of tourism, which should represent a sound development tool for communities and allow for them to improve their living conditions.

Communities become hosts, and display their traditions, cultural expressions, art, gastronomy and natural environments. Many are open to share their local festivities, traditional handcrafting, their knowledge of medicinal plants, amongst other cultural manifestations. Moreover, they have developed additional activities for tourists to enjoy, such as hikes, horseback riding, birdwatching, and fishing. Step off the beaten path and allow the native communities to be your hosts!

For more information contact the Ecuador Plurinational Federation of Community-Based Tourism (FEPTCE):
Quito (02) 2509 907
Otavalo (06) 2926 814
Cuenca (07) 2844 538
Tena (06) 2888 479
Riobamba (03) 2951 996

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