Klein Tours

Overview

Description

The Kichwa-Karanki indigenous community of Magdalena lives approximately 9,842 feet (3,000 meters) above sea level on the slopes of the Imbabura volcano. Surrounded by valleys and lagoons, this was the home of Atahualpa, the last of the Incan emperors. The village is immersed in this remarkably breathtaking pastoral setting, and the Karanki keep the same harmonious relationship with the environment that they’ve kept for centuries - tending to their livestock, cultivating their land and enjoying the clear mountain air.

Klein Tours has developed a community-based tourism project to help improve local living conditions by creating jobs and promoting ethnotourism. Tourists can stay with a family and participate in Karanki cultural traditions, enjoy exquisite meals prepared with local crops, and experience the sumptuous mornings of the Ecuadorian Andes. There are 5 comfortable houses with capacity for 20 guests, including rooms with private bathrooms and hot water.

Travelers can establish cultural ties by participating in farm activities, arts and crafts, adventure hikes, horseback riding, and biking in the heart of the Andean highlands.

* We offer more tours in Ecuador and the Galapagos in addition to the Karanki Magdalena tour. Please visit our website for more information.

Making a Difference

Number of employees: 136

Percentage of local employees: 100%

We constantly search for ways to contribute to the protection of otherwise threatened human and natural resources. We develop our social programs with a deep understanding that education is the best, most efficient road to long-lasting conservation and sustainable development. We aim to create jobs and develop tourism, community investment, and small arts and crafts businesses. Klein Tours seeks to positively benefit the sense of identity and general well-being of these communities.

Tourism plays an increasingly important role in the development of communities, not only by generating jobs but also by revaluing the communities’ assets, culture, traditions, food, and beliefs by offering different and worthwhile cross-cultural experiences for tourists who are aware of the importance of sustainable tourism.

Getting There

Nearest international airport: Quito (UIO)

Travel time to nearest airport: 2.5 hours

Drive north of Quito for about 2 hours and arrive in Ibarra. From there, take the “La Madre” roundabout towards Calle Teodoro Gomez. Make a right turn onto Avenida Atahualpa and continue until Karanki Plaza. Go straight on a paved avenue and continue to the left, following the signs for the Magdalena Karanki Community, to reach the La Esperanza neighborhood. Take the paved road approximately 15 minutes up to the community of Magdalena.

The Karanki-Magdalena community is located in the northen Andes, blessed with sunny weather that allows us to operate all year. However, there is a rainy season from September to April, during which activities will be modified as appropriate.

A four-wheel drive vehicle is suggested, but that transportation will be provided by Klein Tours.

Additional Information

Date This Information Was Provided

November 2011.

Photos courtesy of Klein Tours, Ecuador, for SustainableTrip.org.