Casa Cóndor

Overview

Description

Casa Cóndor is in the community of Pulinguí San Pablo, San Juan parish, northwest of the capital city in Riobamba Cantón, part of the Chimborazo province. Its natural heritage is in the protected area of the Chimborazo Reserve for faunal production, located at 37 Km on the road to the refuges, at 12,467 fasl. Temperatures average 50ºF in the day and 37ºF at night.

Our tourism operation is a gateway to the highest mountain in the country, one of the places most visited by national and foreign tourists who can enjoy the spectacular natural lookout points with views of the snow-capped peaks and volcanoes of the province. The zone has marked trails for exploring the natural and cultural sites within its patrimonial territory.

Rooms

7

Making a Difference

Number of employees: 48

Percentage of local employees: 100%

The "Casa Cóndor" Community Tourism Operation is managed by 48 men and women of the community who benefit directly and indirectly from the activity, working as guides, cooks, artisans, drivers, farmers, and more. Rotation of the personnel is permanent so we can reduce the impact on the lifestyle of the inhabitants.

The expenses of the tourism operation are income for the community and the benefits generated are incorporated into a common fund that finances: infrastructure maintenance, promotion, health, university scholarships, forest programs, recycling of wastes, and loans to community residents. There is a group of women that promotes local manufacturing of handicrafts and articles such as bags, ropes, scarves, gloves, socks, and hats.

The community is very aware of the importance of environmental stewardship and has important initiatives toward this end. For example, the people have agreed to reduce the flocks of lambs and replace them with alpacas, since camelids cause less damage to the paramo and this helps protect the slopes from the water that originates in their territories; they also have a permanent reforestation program using native plants.

Getting There

Nearest international airport: Quito (UIO) or Guayaquil (GYE)

Nearest local/national airport: Riobamba.

Travel time to nearest airport: Quito - 3.5 hours, Guayaquil - 5 hours

Distance, by land, to the nearest airport: From Quito, 99 miles (160 km); from Guayaquil, 149 miles (240 km).

Additional Information

What to bring?:

• personal identification documents;
• sun protection;
• sunglasses;
• camera;
• warm clothing;
• shoes for trekking;
• hat and
• gloves.

What not to bring?:

• alcoholic beverages;
• sound equipment;
• weapons and firearms.

Date This Information Was Provided

July 2009.

Photos courtesy of Casa Cóndor, Ecuador, for SustainableTrip.org.