Ecotourism:  The 4-day Golondrinas Cloudforest Trek

The The Golondrinas Cloud forest Trek begins in the Andean Highlands, west of El Angel (4200 m) and finishes in the village of Guallupe (1000 m). Guallupe is conveniently located on the Ibarra - San Lorenzo road, for travelers who want to take-off to the tropical coast of Esmeraldas (five hours ride). Horses carry your luggage; you carry your daypack. As you travel, hot Ecuadorian meals are prepared for you at each major stop by local people or by your guide. At night you will stay in local constructed cabins.
During your time in the reserve the campesinos and managers of this project hope to take you on a unique journey across their land and into their lives. You will be led through contrasting ecosystems ranging from high altitude Páramo (4200m-3800m) and temperate cloud forest (1500m - 3800m) to subtropical rainforest (900m-1500m). You will also have the opportunity to view local farms and our current projects in the reserve along the way.

Itinerary: 4 days/4 nights

Day 1: Our journey begins after a hearty 7:30 breakfast in El Angel when we pile into a pick-up truck to head to the páramo. Upon reaching our destination, we set off on foot, spending several hours crossing the paramo, home of Frailejones and the majestic Andean condor. In the afternoon, we begin our decent into the cloudforest to reach the village of Morán (2900m). Accommodation is in a rustic cabin. (Travel time: approximately 6 hours).

Day 2: Today our transport is on horseback: we leave the village at 8:00 and follow the Morán river until reaching the waterfall, El Pailón where we will have a picnic lunch. From here we continue on foot, descending into a warmer valley characterized by subtropical vegetation.
By late-afternoon, we reach El Corazón (2200m), the location of tonight's accommodations. From here we have a splendid view of the Cerro Golondrinas peak. (Travel time: approximately 3 hours on horseback and 4 hours walking.)                

Day 3: We spend the day relaxing in El Corazón, swinging in hammocks, and taking walks around the area with a local guide. This is also a great day for bird watching: Plate-billed mountain toucans, Toucan barbets and the brown Inca hummingbird are common sites. From El Corazon, we can visit a forest restoration project being conducted by the foundation .

Day 4: Early in the morning we leave El Corazón and begin the 4-hour trek to Las Juntas, where a pick-up truck awaits us. We drive to Guallupe (1000 m), passing through subtropical vegetation and farms growing pineapple, bananas, yuca and citrus trees. Tonight we stay in the House in Guallupe. From here we offer the options to: board the bus (seldom the train) to San Lorenzo; return to Quito; travel to the Otavalo markets; or Ibarra.


Additional Information:

Please bring: sleeping bag, rubber boots, light raingear, sandals, warm clothing, flashlight, canteen, knife, hat, insect repellent, a daypack, camera and binoculars. Price: $250 USD/person for individuals*; $220 USD /person in a group of 5 to 8 people. Full Payment must be received one week prior to departure. Includes: All transport (pick-up trucks, horses), two guides, village fee, all meals (starts with breakfast in El Angel and finishes with breakfast in Guallupe, the morning after the fourth day).

Ecotourism:  The 2-day Golondrinas Visit to the Reserve
This is a new alternative of a 2-day trip for those people who wish to visit and get to know the area:

2-Day-Santa Rosa
Day 1-Guallupe- Visit the village of Guallupe.
After breakfast, we visit the experimental farms where Agroforestry and permaculture techniques are being applied. Afterwards, we head to the Cerro Golondrinas Reserve in a local truck up to the village of Las Juntas. >From here we hike for about 1 hr. 30 min. to the cabin Santa Rosa where we spend one night. Another option is to go to the cabin on horseback of El Corazon. (Please contact us for further details.)

Day-2-Reserve-Guallupe Reserve-Guallupe We take a trip through the area looking at the flora and fauna as well as the work that Fundación Golondrinas is carrying out in the recuperation of
cloud forest and we observe the forest nursery of native species. For the most part, this is primary forest very rich in biodiversity and highly worth visiting.
In the afternoon, we return to the village of Guallupe where we lodge and enjoy a succulent dinner. Cost of the Tour: $50* USD/person/day( group of 2 people) .For this option, we recommend you make reservations in advance, especially for groups.

We offer OTHER ALTERNATIVES   of Trekking  like:

Also WE HAVE DISCOUNTS FOR STUDENTS.

A portion of the profits from this trek go directly to furthering the aims of the Conservation Project and Environmental Education, thus this trip offers participants the opportunity to experience unique Andean ecosystems and make new friendships while contributing to forest conservation and community self-determination for further information and itineraries contact:

Permacultura Travel Agent (our representative for tourism issues) or c/o Calle Isabel La Catolica N24-679 (1559)
Quito, Ecuador
e-mail : manteca@uio.satnet.net

permaviajes@yahoo.com

Scientific Research

The Golondrinas Cloud forest is a important area, one of the most biologically diverse - This area keeps an important species are endemic - and one of the most endangered, with endless opportunities for scientific research. The region encompasses 3 different ecosystems: the páramo (3,800-4,200 m.), mountain forest (1,500-3,800 m.), and premontane forest (less than 1,500 m.). In this part of the Chocó Bioregion, the extraordinary biological diversity is the result of high levels of precipitation. Researchers in different disciplines have conducted inventories on the Golondrinas Cloud forest flora and fauna:

Maike Potthast, "Useful Tree Species"
Keith Willmott, "Butterflies"
Hermann Antonn, "Bushes and Trees"
Hans Salomonson, "Trees with economic value".
Brad Boyle, "Tree inventory".
David Lydall, "Fungus of leaf cutter ants".
Niels Krabbe,"Birds of Golondrinas".

G.F. welcomes scientists interested in contributing their own insights into this diverse area. Currently, we have a Management Plain about the MIRADOR de las Golondrinas, with research possibilities including:

i) Aspects of forest conservation (germination, growth conditions, soil texture, growth of secondary forest, watershed management, etc.) and the commercial possibilities of existing tree species as well as the introduction of new species in deforested areas.

ii) Sustainable socio-economic development, both in the forest and in the deforested valley of the Mira-river: alternative approaches to the use of forest resources, including permaculture, Agroforestry, reforestation, tree nurseries, fruit orchards, bee keeping and eco-tourism

iii) General management, in conjunction with local residents, of the reserve to promote the conservation of genetic forest resources.

The Golondrinas Foundation invites scientists who are qualified for this type of work. If you think you can make a valuable contribution, send us your C.V., a brief outline of the reasons for wanting to research in the area, as well as a brief outline of the specific project you would like to do, with 3 months notice. Research proporsals must be approved by the Golondrinas Foundation. For those intending to collect plant or animal specimens, both a collecting permit and export permit are required. For more information about conducting research please contact us at manteca@uio.satnet.net , subject RESEARCH.

A list of birds, trees, butterflies and mammals are also available on request.

Costs: $25/per day. Includes full room and board in Santa Rosa and in El Corazon. Arrangements can be made by the office of Fundacion Golondrinas in Quito, ask about programs of Research in Fundacion Golondrinas.

Volunteer Opportunities

The Cerro Golondrinas Cloud forest Project in north-west Ecuador, on the western slopes of the Andes, aims to conserve 25,000 hectares of highland cloud forest and introduce sustainable Agroforestry techniques within the next years. Many different skills are needed in order to fulfill the objectives of the project. Some are related to management of the forest and scientific research, others deal with education and administration. Additionally, the project is in constant need of manual labor.

Field Sites: The Cerro Golondrinas Cloud forest Conservation Project has two field sites (see map). Volunteers, generally, live in the village of Guallupe, but spend sufficient time at the higher elevation sites.

Guallupe Village (subtropical area)

Location:

Mira valley (1000 m) surrounded by agricultural land, 1.5 hours from the city of Ibarra. Warm, comfortable, subtropical climate.

Lodging:

A dormitory style house in village center; running cold water, toilet, shower, electricity, telephone.

Activities:

Our primary location, work here involves Agroforestry research, re-introduction of local species, tree nursery, light construction. In the field: tree planting, weeding, creating fire breaks, environmental education, erosion prevention and land restoration. Enthusiastic individual also needed to stay six months to act as a volunteer administrator.

Santa Rosa/El Corazon (in the Golondrinas  Reserve-Cloudforest)

Location:

Golondrinas valley (1800 m); isolated site in the middle of the forest. Subtropical. The ride from Guallupe to the trailhead in Las Juntas takes 1 hour. >From the trailhead it's another 1.30 hours walk to Santa Rosa, and about 3 hours to El Corazon. Horses for transporting luggage can be arranged with local farmers.

Lodging:

We have a cabin in Santa Rosa that will be in the future a Cap acitation Environmental Center, Scientific Research and Ecoutirism- Santa Rosa ,capacity of 35 people. Dormitories, basic condition, cold water, toilet, shower, not electricity, no telephone .

Activities:

The further development of an existing tree nursery. Cutting climber weeds in plots of second growth forest and measuring the evolution of the recovery of these plots. Pruning trees and cleaning exiting trails. For couples, possibility of six month stay to care for the site.

Conditions:

We recomended to stay of one month minimum for the different activites and the areas that we have in the project. Also you can participate in our project for  minimal 2 weeks. Some experience in horticulture or permaculture, basic and advanced Spanish, it will be better for you to understand the project and make rich your experiences. Contribution $310/month (2004). In exchange, we provide food and housing, transportation inside the project. Also your contribution helps to support the foundation which as a non-profit organization depends of contributions from its volunteers, ecotourism, donation and the resources of auto finance from the organization. We can make special financial arrangements for people who wish to stay longer than 3 months or they can specific habilities and knowledges that can help in the activities of fundacion Golondrinas is carried during the year. Minimum age requirements for participation is 19 years old. The project accepts volunteers year round*, however notice is required before arrival. In the case that you stay more time or made a specific work you can be in contact two months before your arrival.

Travel, visas and health-insurance must be arranged independently and are the responsibility of the individual. Although we try to assign volunteers with researchers when requested, this isn't always possible. Additionally, most of the work needed consists of planting and cultivating trees,cleaning and maintained the areas in the cloudforest and subtropical. Expect to use a machete and shovel a good part of your day! The work is laborious, the living conditions primitive, so be prepared to be challenged physically and mentally. If you are interested in only obtaining a snapshot of our grassroots work you should consider joining GOLONDRINAS TREKKINGS from 4,3,2,1 days an introduction to the project area. The trekks offer to know the ecosystems in the area and the different activities of Fundacion Golondrinas.

Health Precautions:

Malaria isn't a problem in the area, however all other inoculations normally recommended for Ecuador should be obtained. Items needed for a comfortable stay in the field: rubber boots, mosquito net, sleeping bag, light raingear, sandals, flashlight, canteen, knife, hat, repellent, working gloves, long trousers and long-sleeved shirts, personal first aid kit, light comfortable clothing and work/hiking boots.

For more information, we invite to contact us: manteca@uio.satnet.net  subject: Volunteers Program.

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