NATIONAL TOURISM GUIDE

ADVENTURE SPORTS IN THE NORTH WEST OF PICHINCHA PROVINCE

DEGREE INVESTIGATION TO GET THE PROFESSIONAL TITLE OF NATIONAL TOURISM GUIDE

BY

WENDY VALERIA BOLAÑOS VILLARREAL

QUITO – ECUADOR OCTOBER 2015

ADVENTURE SPORTS IN THE NORTH WEST OF PICHINCHA PROVINCE

BY

WENDY VALERIA BOLAÑOS VILLARREAL

APPROVED BY:

MRS. ELENA HIDALGO MR. EFRAIN LOPEZ PROFESSIONAL GUIDE TUTOR

MR. HENRY LEMA MISS. PAOLA FREIRE ENGLISH TEACHER CAREER COORDINATOR

Gratefulness

First of all I want to thank god, my mother Mireya who has always been my inspiration and example to become a good person, a good daughter and a great mother. To my grandmother Albita who is like a mother that with affection, patience and tenderness still teaches me that it is never late for anything. To my husband who did not leave that I abandon my dreams. To my little son who with his smile he taught me to enjoy life and he is my strength. Finally, to all who were always beside me to give me their support

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CHAPTER I EXECUTIVE SUMMARY In the case of adventure tourism in the province of Pichincha especially in the northwest of Quito, on the conditions provided by the cloud forest can offer a wealth of tourism products can be offered emphasized that this ecosystem of which we speak is very fragile I go it should have a broad perspective of preservation.

The offer in this area has focused on Mindo and what is shown is that there are more places that may arise for adventure sports in San Miguel de los Bancos, Pedro Vicente Maldonado and Puerto Quito.

Places focused an adventures sports were analyzed. They have conservation plans and are designed to involve the northwest community, this way everyone benefits and consider that there are better ways to use the resources that are available to them.

Such is the case of Tucanopy wich has succeeded in join conservation plans and provide the activity of the Canopy, to proceed to the visit and to confirm the work being done here.

Another option that caught our attention was the Kayak in Piedra de Vapor, a town near to Puerto Quito that despite having engaged in oil palm plantation they want young people to have another working source.

Finally, Canyoning and trekking in Shishink where you can visit two beautiful waterfalls that confirm the strength that nature has.

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CHAPTER II INTRODUCTION

Pichincha Province is located in the north of the country; it is one of the 24 provinces of Ecuador in the highland and Quito city is the capital of the province and the country. Its name is due to Pichincha volcano which is located in the north of the province. It was created on July 25 in 1824. Its altitude is 2.816 m.a.s.l1.

This has a population of 2´576.2872 inhabitants and its extension is 9.612 Km2. Its borders are: to the north Imbabura and Esmeralda Provinces, to the south Cotopaxi Province, to the east Sucumbíos and Napo province and to the west Santo Domingo de los Tsachilas province. The weather can vary accordingly to altitude in different places of Pichincha.

It is divided into 8 cantons: Cayambe, Mejía, Pedro Moncayo, Pedro Vicente Maldonado, Puerto Quito, Distrito Metropolitano de Quito, Rumiñahui y San Miguel de los Bancos.

1 Gobierno de Pichincha 2015 “Información general de Pichincha” obtenido en: http://www.pichincha.gob.ec/pichincha/datos-de-la-provincia/item/13-informacion-general.html

2 Ibid

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CHAPTER III DEFINITION AND JUSTIFICATION OF THE TOPIC

Adventure sports in Ecuador are very important to tourism area because people especially young people come to practice this activity and it is necessary for a tour guide to know what and where to find information and places. The north west of Pichincha province is so visited to tourist and here you can discovery many kinds of flora and fauna that in other regions of Ecuador there is not.

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CHAPTER III OBJETIVES

GENERAL OBJECTIVES

To have a real experience about how to create a touristic route which is possible to implement in the future as professionals this information and this knowledge, generating a true research culture among students.

SPECIFIC OBJETIVES

To know about the tourist services according to age, origin and social status and to be able to advice local, national and foreigners.

To do they have a great experience in our country.

To appreciate and love what we have in this area of northwestern Pichincha

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CHAPTER IV INVESTIGATION METHODOLOGY COLLECTION OF TOURIST ATTRACTIONS OF THE OPERATION AREA

1. Natural tourist attractions in Pichincha Province 1.1. Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve was first created as a National Park on January 28th, 1966 in Ecuador and in South America to protect this unique place. This National Park was declared a Geobotanical Reserve on February17th, 1978. Pululahua means “cloud of water”. This was declareded due to its geological uniqueness and great diversity with more than 2000 species of flora, great diversity of birds, mammals, and insects of exotic appearance. This mystical reserve has an area of 3.383 hectares.

Pululahua has three lava domes, Pondoña, El Chivo, and Pan de Azúcar. The last eruption covered the coast of Ecuador with ash, destroying many cultures as Chorrera near Bahia de Caraquez, in the province of Manta. In Pondoña dome are many agricultural terraces that have been doing the locals. There are many variety of flora and fauna (including insects, birds and butterflies).

Tourism and Agriculture are the main economic activities for San Isidro Communty, there are 60 people approximately who live there. Then you can find different places that you can visit there like thermal mineral waters and Pululahua Farm.

Illustration 1 Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve. Taken from, source: http://www.panoramio.com/photo/106482388 1.2. El Pahuma Orchid Reserve

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El Pahuma orchid reserve has a 650 hectare cloud forest near Quito. Pahuma means "flattened peak". You can hike to El Pahuma's gentle. You can find the Nature Center that was constructed in 2001; Botanical Garden is a good place to see orchides and many trails like Gallo de la Peña trail, El Pahuma trail, Spectacled Bear Trail and others.

Illustration 2 El Pahuma Orchide Reserve. Taken from, source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/wurglitsch/3769511478

1.3. Puma Sacha Ecological Reserve It is an ecological paradise in the middle of the cloud forest. There are wonderful waterfalls and hike trips to enjoy the mountain and the river. You can stay in your own camping area. There is a modern restroom.

Illustration 3 Puma Sacha Ecological Reserve. Taken from, source: http://www.vivatravelguides.com/south-america/ecuador/quito/near-quito/activities- around-quito/aldea-puma-sacha/

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1.4. Alambi Cloud forest Reserve It has 250 hectares of primary cloud forest in the Tandayapa Valley; it is a little house that was originally built by a ship´s captain as a family retirement residence. Fabian Luna buys this house in 2004. In this nice reserve you can enjoy animals like Guan, Spectacled Bear, Jaguarundi, Puma, 250 species of birds.

Illustration 4 Puma Sacha Ecological Reserve. Taken from, source: http://www.tripadvisor.com.ar/LocationPhotoDirectLink-g1221515-d1196168- i54082637-Alambi_CloudForest-Tandayapa_Pichincha_Province.html 1.5. The Cloud Forest Ecosystem It is known as a fog forest because it is characterized by persistent fog at the vegetation level, due to this in this area you can find a lot of flowers that attract hummingbirds. It has abundance of mosses covering the ground and vegetation. The altitude varies from 500 m to 4000 m.a.s.l.

Illustration 5 Cloud Forest Ecsystem. Taken from, source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloud_forest

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1.6. Mindo-Nambillo Mindo-Nambillo is part of the system of protected areas in Ecuador. It has 19 200 hectares. Its altitude is from 1180 to 4780 m.a.s.l. It is located in the Mindo town and probably Mindo means mindaláes land or traders land. Mindo was founded May 20th in 1861, and its population is 2 500 inhabitants approximately.

Mindo is a place to do birdwatching then you can see many birds like the Andean cock of the rock, woodpeckers, hummingbirds, and other animals like deer, bats, squirrels, coated bears and amphibians. Tourism in Mindo is the most important commercial activity. In this place you can practice many adventure sports like mountain biking, tubbing, canyoning and rappel, also you can visits the Butterfly Farm (Mariposario).

Illustration 6 Mindo. Taken from, source: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/ecuador/activities/private-luxury/private-tour-mindo- nambillo-cloud-forest-reserve-quito 1.7. Intillacta Reserve Intillacta reserve was created in 1984 and it is located in Nanegalito parish, it has 86 hectares3, the altitude is from 1700 to 1900 (m.a.s.l.). Its main activity to conserve this area is tourism and adventure sports. You can practice Canopy very safe. It is possible to see animals like hummingbirds, wild turkeys, toucans, deer and flora like bromeliads and different kind of palms.

3 “ Reserva Inti Llacta” obtenido en: http://www.tucanopy.com/es/intillacta

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Illustration 7 Cloud Forest Ecsystem. Taken from, source: http://www.tucanopy.com/es/intillacta

1.8. Sachatamia Reserve Sachatamia is an ecological reserve that has 120 hectares of cloud-rain forest and an altitude of 1700 m.a.s.l. It has attained first place in the annual count of bird species on a global level.

Illustration 8 Sachatamia reserve. Taken from, source: http://www.sachatamia.com/our_location.html 1.9. La Sucia Waterfall It is located to 2 km of Blanco river town, it is so beautiful and its water is clean however the name is contradictory.

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1.10. El Salto del Tigre Waterfall It is close to La Celica town, here the Guayllabamba and San Dimas rivers join and local people say that approximately 30 years ago you could see jaguars swimming

Illustration 9 El Salto del Tigre Waterfal. Taken from, source: http://www.ame.gob.ec/ame/index.php/institucion/objetivos-estrategicos/68-mapa- cantones-del-ecuador/mapa-pichincha/294-canton-pedro-vicente-maldonado

1.11. Shishink It is located in Puerto Rico near Puerto Quito. It has 35 hectares, then you can find La Azul waterfall (15m), Yagé waterfall and Druida caves.

Illustration 10 Shishink. Taken from, source: https://www.google.com/search?q=cascada+azul+en+shishink&biw=1280&bih=689&tb m=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0CBsQsARqFQoTCOqQucnLvcgCFQKqHgodOzAD Wg#imgrc=BB0g2Amyc8NftM%3A

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1.12. La Piragua Waterfall It is located in Nanegal. It is 40 meters tall approximately, the Alambi river born from here especially locals go to take a relax time.

Illustration 11 La Piragua Waterfall. Taken from, source: http://www.flickriver.com/places/Argentina/Cordoba/La+Cascada/search/

2. Cultural and historic attractive in Pichincha Province 2.1. Eloy Alfaro Museum It is located in Escuela Superior Militar Eloy Alfaro, it was created in 1991. It has pictures, saddle, weapons, furniture of Eloy Alfaro Coat of Arms Alfaro Family and the presidential carriage.

Illustration 12 Eloy Alfaro museum. Taken from, source: http://www.in-quito.com/uio-kito-qito-kyto-qyto/spanish-uio/museos-quito- ecuador/quito-museo-escuela-militar-eloy-alfaro.htm

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2.2. Pomasqui and El Señor del Árbol Church Pomasqui means pumas land. It is an old town. It was founded in 1573. It is ideal for planting and harvesting, it was chosen by Franciscan monks to establish one of its gospel-spreading enclaves.

Illustration 13 Pomasqui Taken from, source: http://docenteconvoz.blogspot.com/2014/04/pomasqui-en-la-historia.html

Pomasqui is famous for “El Señor del árbol”. Since the town lay in route along the old main road heading north from Quito, travelers transporting their wagons, horses and mules, rested here. It was full-fledged farmland in those days where passersby could replenish themselves with much desired food and rest. At the Capilla del Señor del árbol stood a Quisuar tree, before which the animals knelt.

Illustration 14 El Señor del árbol. Taken from, source: https://viajaconocevive.wordpress.com/about/tradiciones/capilla-del-senor-del-arbol/

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2.3. Mitad de Mundo Monument The Mitad del Mundo Monument is located near San Antonio de Pichincha. It is a monument built to commemorate the site where a French explorer calculated the world’s equatorial line in 1736 that was led by an explorer named Charles-Marie de La Condamine. It is thirty-meters tall and it is a replica of the old monument that was built by Luis Tufiño.

Illustration 15 Mitad del Mundo. Taken from, source: http://miprimerblog1995.blogspot.com/2014/10/el-turismo-en-la-mitad-del- mundo.html 2.4. Intyñan Museum It is a museum where you will see many demonstrations that happen on the nature for the earth movements like Corollas effect, you will be able to balance an egg on a nail and experience of walking on the equator line. You will see an old hut, a Huaorani`s house, a tzanza and many things more.

Illustration 16 Intyñan Museum. Taken from, source: http://800noticias.com/en-imagenes-museo-solar-de-intinan-la-mitad-del-mundo-en- ecuador

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2.5. Calacali It has a population of 3631 inhabitants approximately, its name is probably related to the presence of former limestone mines and a sugarmill worked here at the colonial time.

Illustration 17 Calacalí. Taken from, source: http://www.perfecttranslator.com/Calacali 2.6. Comunidad Yunguilla It is located in Calacalí parish. It has 3000 hectares and in 1995 it was started with a project which included 50 families and now they have small dairies processes for the production of fruit jams, organic gardens and ecotourism.

Illustration 18 Yunguilla. Taken from, source: http://www.redturs.org/nuevaes/articulo.php?ar_codigo=578&ca_codigo=30&ca_padre=

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2.7. Tulipe Insitu Museum It is a ceremonial center of Yumbo people who inhabited the area about 1,200 years ago. This people knew about architecture, astronomy, geometry and others. Then in this ceremonial center you can find eight sunken stone structures linked to water supply which they used to rituals, calculate time and see the stars.

Illustration 19 Tulipe. Taken from, source: http://www.latinadventures.ec/tours/tulipe-site-museum-tour/ 3. Adventure Sports 3.1. Kayak It is a long and wide boat that has fore and aft. There are different levels. It is used in the freshwater and the sea and you need a scull to move with this.

Illustration 20 Kayak. Taken from, source: http://www.elcomercio.com/galerias/deportes-deportes-extremos-mundial-aventura.html

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3.2. Equipment and tolds To practice this adventure sport you need to use: Kayak Shovel or rowing Life vest Helmet Whistle Neoprene suit

Illustration 21 Equipo de Kayak. Taken from, source: http://www.dannatours.ec/los-10-destinos-ideales-para-practicar-kayak-en-ecuador/

3.3. Rafting Rafting is a popular adventure sport and it basically deal with going down mountain rivers of freshwater in rubber boats or rafts that have no motor. The boat is dragging, while the crew controls it with their oars. This exciting sport does not need previous experience in the courses for beginners; the only requirement is to know how to swim.

Illustration 22 Rafting. Taken from, source: http://cdaadventures.com/river-trips-and-rafting-coeur-dalene-coeur-dalene-adventures/

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3.4. Equipment and tolds To practice this adventure sport you need to use:

Boat Shovel or rowing Life vest Helmet Whistle Neoprene suit Shoes

Illustration 23 Equipo de Rafting. Taken from, source: https://xtremedeportes.wordpress.com/2012/04/07/equipo-nesesario-para-practicar-el-rafting/ 3.5. Tubbing It is an adventure sport that is consisting of tying several tubes to a center tube tire.

Illustration 24 Tubbing. Taken from, source: http://www.tubehaus.com/

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3.6. Equipment and tolds To practice this adventure sport you need to use: Tire tubes Life vest Helmet Shoes

3.7. Trekking It is an activity that can be practiced at any age, alone or accompanied. This activity allows you to be in good physical condition

Illustration 25 Trekking. Taken from, source: http://www.onlinetravel.com.ar/trekking-las-lenas.html 3.8. Equipment and tolds To practice this adventure sport you need to use: Boots Hat Mini kit of first aid Bottle of water Shoes Compass Map

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Illustration 26 Equipo de Trekking. Taken from, source: http://www.dav.cl/wp/2010/08/evite-accidentes-al-hacer-trekking/ 3.9. Canopy Canopy is an adventure sport that involves moving from a tree to another through a steel cable with the help of a harness, belt and pulley. This activity is recommended to those like to feel in contact with nature accompanied by adrenaline and vertigo.

Illustration 27Canopy. Taken from, source: https://www.zippingcolorado.com/

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3.10. Equipment and tolds To practice this adventure sport you need to use: Pulleys Harnesses Especial gloves Helmet Whistle Neoprene suit Shoes

3.11. Rapell Rapell is an adventure sport. There are three types of rapell: classic, sports and ice. Classic focuses on the use of the natural features of the rock, the second is done on walls that have been previously appointed for the purpose and Rapell on ice or climbing, it takes place on glaciers, volcanoes and frozen waterfalls.

Illustration 28 Rapell. Taken from, source: http://www.utpaatur.net/imageList.php?turID=20 3.12. Equipment and tolds To practice this adventure sport you need to use: Crampons Mountain boots Harness Piolet Rope Chalk Carabiner Descender

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Illustration 29 Equipo de Rapell. Taken from, source: http://www.guiaderivera.com/aventura_natural/hrapel_equipo.htm 4. Services 4.1. Arasha Tropical Forest Resort and Spa

This resort is located in Calacalì- La Independencia highway, features high- tech spa, cinema and rustic accommodation in the Amazon jungle of Ecuador. There is also a bar and a restaurant

4.2. Shishink Ecolodge Shishink means wind leaves in Shuar language; this was created in 1999 with 33 hectares, 18 hectares of tropical rainforest where you can find a variety of birds, frogs, orchids, mammals and reptiles. This is crossed by the Rio Culebritas that to form three wonderful waterfalls: Blue waterfall, Yagé waterfall and Uwishint waterfall.

4.3. Mirador Río Blanco restaurant

It is a place that offers lodging, events and restaurant. It is known for the beautiful panoramic view of the Cloud Forest of Northwestern Pichincha Protector.

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4.4. Tucanopy This is a tourism company where you can practice Canopy very safely. It is possible to see animals like hummingbirds, wild turkeys, toucans, deer and flora like bromeliads and different kind of palms.

4.5. Kayak Piedra de Vapor It is a company which is located on the shore of Blanco River. It is a place surrounded by nature. Bid on hosting services suite cabins and restaurant, as activity and adventure tours conduct kayak.

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OPERATING ITINERARY

Adventure Sports in the north west of Pichincha Province. 3 Pax from Canada Duration: 2D/1N

Day1 07h00 Pick up from Quito(UDET University) 08h00-09h00 Breakfast at Alambi Cloudfest Reserve 09h30-11h45 Trekking and Canopy at Intillacta Reserve 12h30- 13h00 Visit to Restos del Bosque Art center 13h00- 14h00 Lunch at Río Blanco viewpoint 15h00- 17h00 Kayak activity in Piedra de Vapor town (Blanco river) 18h00 Check in Arasha Tropical Forest Resort and Spa 18h30-19h30 Use of facilities (Sauna and swimming pool Time) 19h30-20h30 Dinner at Arasha Tropical Forest Resort and Spa 20h30- 21h30 Surprise activity Day 2 07h30-08h30 Breakfast at Arasha Tropical Forest Resort and Spa 09h10-10h10 Chocolate tour at Finca Jardín del Chocolate 10h40-12h00 Trekking and Climbing activity at Shishink Ecological Reserve 12h00-13h00 Lunch at Shishink Ecological Reserve 13h00-16h00 Return to Quito

What to bring: Cap Sunglasses Suncreem Repellent Camera Bathing suit Rain jacket Rubber boots Trekking shoes Includes: Transportation Accomodation at Arasha Tropical Forest Resort and Spa Meals Canopy equipment Kayak equipment

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Entrance to every specified activities Tour Guide Soft drink after meal per passenger (1)

Does not include:

Alcoholic beverages Non specified and personal expenses

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CONCLUSION

In the North West of Pichincha Province we can find a huge variety of adventure sports, fauna, flora, lodgings, restaurants and natural attractions that offer exciting moments to local, national and foreign tourists which have not been promoted, but this is a joint effort between the community and government.

To practice tourism in this area can be seen that there are beautiful places that are not offered as they deserve.

RECCOMENDATIONS

It is necessary to have a strategic tourism plan for the exploitation of natural resources focused on their conservation.

This job foccus is on all North West of Pichincha to show that in this area there are more places to practices adventure sports than in Mindo.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

Mindo Nambillo Cloud Forest Bird Watching Hot Spot, summary (s.a.). Reviewed; August 23th 2015, in: http://www.getquitoecuador.com/quito-natural- attractions/mindo_cloudforest.html

Qué es la reserva Intillacta?, summary (s.a.). (2015). Reviewed; August 23th 2015, in: http://imaymanaforestconservation.org/Intillacta.html

Middle of the world monument, summary (s.a.). (2015). Reviewed; August 26th 2015, in: http://www.viator.com/Quito-attractions/Middle-of-the-World-Monument- La-Mitad-del-Mundo/d735-a1351

Mitad del mundo monument, summary (s.a.). Reviewed; August 23th 2015, in: https://www.expedia.com/Mitad-Del-Mundo-Monument- Quito.d6112398.Vacation-Attraction

Gobierno autónomo descentralizado municipal del cantón Pedro Vicente Maldonado, summary (s.a.). Reviewed; August 25th 2015, in: http://www.pedrovicentemaldonado.gob.ec/index.php/gad-municipal

Cantón Pedro Vicente Maldonado, summary (s.a.). Reviewed; August 26th 2015, in: http://www.ame.gob.ec/ame/index.php/institucion/objetivos- estrategicos/68-mapa-cantones-del-ecuador/mapa-pichincha/294-canton- pedro-vicente-maldonado

Geobotanical reserve, summary (s.a.). Reviewed; August 20th 2015, in: http://www.pululahuahostal.com/html/pululahua_geobotanical_reserve.ht ml

El Pahuma orchid reserve, summary (s.a.). Reviewed; August 20th 2015, in: http://www.ceiba.org/elpahuma.html

Alambi cloud forest reserve, summary (s.a.). Reviewed; August 20th 2015, in: http://www.alambicloudforest.com/site/index.html

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Parroquias del Distrito Metropolitano de Quito, summary (s.a.). Reviewed; August 20th 2015, in: http://www.quito.com.ec/parroquias/index.php?option=com_content&vie w=article&id=244&Itemid=2

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