Runa Tupari, which in the native Quichua language means "meeting the indigenous people", was founded in 2001 by the Union of Rural Indigenous Organizations of Cotacachi (UNORCAC). It`s a local community based tour operator in Otavalo. and works with families in rural communities of the Cotacachi region.
The aim of the project is to involve small-scale local farmers in community tourism, thereby stimulating sustainable rural development and providing income diversification through the homestay program. The central concept behind this initiative is "convivencia" , or sharing in day-to-day life, where the opportunity of cultural exchange is encouraged between visitors and the indigenous host family.
Runi Tupari have 7 certified guides and tours are offered in Spanish and English. Tours leave everyday, with a minimum of 2 people. It's best to contact Runa Tupari a few days in advance, so they can plan the tour and/or homestay.
Additional services include a - Luggage storage, Fair trade shop with a selection of local products including jams, handicrafts, coffee, licor, shampoo and soap (from Toisán Project).
Tours
All tours include water and snacks (meals if indicated) and the guides carry a small first aid kit. For the hiking tours you should bring your hiking shoes, jacket and/or sweater (against the cold) and sun protection. Tours & Prices 2011
Indigenous communities and Cuicocha Lake
$27 pp
Visit 3 indigenous communities to observe and learn about different handicrafts, including traditional hip-belt weaving and wool processing, musical instruments, and mats made from the "totora" plant. Lunch is served in Cotacachi, famous for its leatherwork. The tour ends at the Cuicocha lake. - 9:00-15:00 hrs - incl. native guide, lunch and transport.
Trekking around Cuicocha
$27 pp
This is a 4-5 hour hike around Cuicocha lake; starting at 3.100m, reaching a viewpoint at 3.500m and descending to the base of the lake at 3.050m. Visitors see a wide variety of Andean flora. On a clear days you can see the snow-capped peaks of the Cayambe and Cotopaxi volcanoes and of course the nearby volcanoes Cotacachi and Imbabura. - 7:30 - 14:30 hrs - incl. native guide, lunch and transport.
Trekking to Fuya-Fuya Mountain and the Mojanda Lakes
$27 pp
This tour visits the tranquil Mojanda lakes at approximately 3.700 m above sea level and climbing up to the summit of Fuya-Fuya at 4.265 m. - 7:30 - 14:30 hrs - Incl. native guide, lunch and transport.
Horseback riding through communities
$27-$40 pp
A 5 hour horseback ride through native forest, including visits to indigenous communities and lunch in a restaurant overlooking the Cuicocha lake. A shorter 3 hour tour rides through the rural countryside. - 9:00 - 13:00 hrs OR 9:00 - 15:00 hrs - incl. native guide, lunch and transport.
Biking downhill from the Andean Highlands
$35 pp
This 25 km bike ride begins at approximately 3.500 m near the Cuicocha lake. You will visit the indigenous community of Morochos, the native plant farm in Turuco and the artisan village of Santa Bárbara and have lunch in Cotacachi, a town famous for its leatherwork. - 8:00 - 14:00 hrs - Incl. guide, lunch, transport .
Climbing up the Volcano Cotacachi/ Imbabura
$70 pp
These are both tough climbs to reach two of Ecuador's most famous peaks. Cotacachi (4939m) and Imbabura (4850m)
See website for more info.
See website for more info.
Trekking through the Highlands of Piñan
$280 pp
A 3 or 4 day trek through mountainous highlands and the Intag cloud forst, with 7 hours of hiking each day at an altitude between 3.400 and 3.700 m. You will visit the indigenous community of Piñan and its numorous lakes and see the diverse flora and fauna of the Intag zone. At the end of the trek, you arrive at the subtropical cloud forest (1.400 m). - 8:00 - 17:00 hrs -incl. native guide, food, lodging, transport and camping.
Biking downhill into the subtropical Intag Zone
$75 pp
This mostly downhill 60 km bike ride begins at 3.500 m near the Cuicocha lake and ends at around 1.500 m in the subtropical cloud forest of the Intag zone. Afterwards you will bathe in the thermal pools at Nangulví and have lunch before returning to Otavalo. The 2-day option includes an overnight stay in the lodges at Nangulví. - 7:30 - 17:30 hrs - Including guide, transport, food - Price $ 75,00 per person OR 7:30 - 15:00 hrs (next day) - price includes guide, transport, food and lodging.
Other Tours
$27 pp
The indigenous communities of Catacachi, Development of Community Tourism, Health & Spirituality and Rural Micro Enterprises. See website for more info.
Homestays...
The main focus of Runa Tupari are the homestays with the indigenous families. There are 15 rural lodges in different indigenous communities throughout the Cotacachi region, all offering very comfortable accommodation and the possibility to get to know and participate in the day to day activities of these unique communities. Homestays costs are $27 per day and include breakfast, dinner and transport. 
photos
Report & Photos by: Hanneke Kateman & Roy de Lange
Contact Info...
Calle Sucre y Quiroga
(Plaza de los Ponchos)
(Plaza de los Ponchos)
WWW
www.hosteltrail.com/runatupari
www.runatupari.com
www.runatupari.com
593 6292 2320
Send a Short Email
Volunteering...
UNORCAC together with the local indigenous communities offer volunteers a chance to directly participate in some of its rural development initiatives. Opportunities include placements in local schools and kindergartens, Runa Tupari, Sumak Mikuy, women´s artisan cooperatives, or agricultural projects such as the medicinal plant farm or organic gardening. Programmes are customized to fit the volunteer's interests. Volunteers can stay with a host family for $15 per day.
