Universidad De Especialidades Turisticas Uct

UNIVERSIDAD DE ESPECIALIDADES TURISTICAS UCT

Adventure Tourism in Tungurahua Province

2 Days/ 1 Night 3 Passengers from United States 30 years average age

Prepared by Paola Mármol Supervisor: Gustavo Freire For getting the National Guide Degree

Quito, June/2012

DEDICATIONS

I want to dedicate my studies to my mother who at home is father and mother teaching me the value of small things, and that every sacrifice is fair if it does for the children could have a promising future, my mother is a role model,

She teaching me values, good habits that will stay in my life and my reason for being forever. And to my brother who is my support in the important moments of my life who also has taught me above all discipline and perseverance anything is possible. Thank God for put them in my life and make it a reality and not a dream.

Paola Elizabeth Mármol Guerra

THANKS

To my teachers to make this dream a reality, I take with me the best memories and knowledge.

Special thanks to my classmates, thank you for your unconditional friendship.

To my father and to my sisters for the financial and moral support that gave me during my studies.

To my boyfriend, Thanks for being with me at this time so important to me. I love you.

INTRODUCTION

Ecuador is ranked 17 among the world's mega diverse countries, with only

0.2% of the planet's surface, are about 20,000 species of native plants, also has 369 species of mammals, 1578 birds, 394 of reptiles and 421 amphibians.

Despite its limited size Ecuador has great natural treasures. Crossed by the

Equator and the Andes, Ecuador is home to four biologically distinct regions.

Galapagos Islands, Coast Region, highlands Andes and Amazon Region.

Tourism in Ecuador has developed over time; last year received 1'140978 of foreigners, an excellent market to carry out new forms of tourism.

During my training in the career of National Tourist Guide for the past 3 years I had the opportunity to see many sights and I realize how valuable it is for the country the good use of the tourist attraction in the economy of each town.

The Tourism encouraged me to give a new direction in my life, where I can give a grain of sand in the tourist image of the town and the people of Ecuador.

Once completed the academic process, I began to carry out the process for getting the National Guide degree, I was assigned the theme "Adventure Tourism in the province of Tungurahua" with the advice of Professor Gustavo Freire , was taken into account all social, cultural, economic to carry out the tourist route, itinerary and supplied selection.

Gradually, I carried out all procedures for the tourist route from June, 16/17

2012 in accordance with the planning.

JUSTIFICATION

For the process of getting the National Guide degree is important to make a real guidance, the topic assigned to me was: Adventure tourism in the province of

Tungurahua, with three U.S. tourists aged 30 years each.

For the preparation of this tourist route, I did an investigation about what things likes to the American tourist with an average age of thirty years in preference adventure travel in Ecuador, and priority in the province of

Tungurahua.

Was determined that the profile of U.S. valued the contact with nature, in search of excitement and adrenaline but with less provision for risk, emphasizing it

as the age increases, motivating by the amazing landscapes, therefore seeking different alternatives for performing activities in the province of Tungurahua, an important guide were the city of Baños that is considered the capital for adventure travel in Ecuador, together with my tutor Gustavo Freire, I could find the way, in search of activities that can potentially satisfy the needs of tourists of United States

For the realization of this route I thought in several options but the option that better embedded in the needs of the tourists was the route that based on the tourists to they have an unforgettable experience of risk, adrenaline, scenery, fun in two days which takes the tour.

In conducting of this schedule, I had to trip several times to the province of

Tungurahua to have a contact with service providers route , the first city in which I began my work was the city of Baños de Agua Santa, a tourist spot where find in most operating tourist adventure activities.

The activity that was adjusted to the needs of my visitors was the "Canopy" a unique experience with 6 lines of cable and 2000 meters of cable.

I leave open an option to visit the hot springs of the Virgin, because an important reason of tourism in Baños de Agua Santa, are the hot springs. This option was based on the times to meet as the route is already established.

For the second day I decided to change the cloud forest ecosystem on the moor National Park in the canton Llanganates Pillaro, that is a very little frequented by tourists, but it pays to know a different route. An excellent adventure activity is trekking in the National Park Llanganates also a tourist profile study of United States among its priorities of adventure activity is trekking in high demand and even better if you change the routes already established for disclose other landscapes, and taking advantage of proximity to the lagoon

Pisayambo was thought that sport fishing is permitted only under the authorization Pisayambo of Hydroelectric Agoyan because commercial fishing is prohibited.

An attractive alternative was to use the train to travel from Quito to

Machachi as a tourist attraction of great historical value.

As providers of accommodation and meals, I traveled in advance of the city of Baños to choose the best restaurant in which visitors feel comfortable and enjoy a great meal.

For last minute changes I had to change hosting service provider, however I was thought in the comfort of the tourists who would accompany me, for lunch the second day, I was planned a place where we can enjoy some delicious trout

prepared is very close from LLanganates National Park it is known as “El

Porvenir”

The routes to be followed between provinces on the first day was taken from

Machachi to Baños de Agua Santa in E35 route, and for the second day I took an alternate of route from Baños-Patate - Pillaro this route is in very good condition is also a route in which only accessible by private car as the buses do not go out there and we had the opportunity to meet other landscape that not everyone has the chance to meet.

ITYNERARY

FIRST DAY

07:15 Meeting Chimbacalle Railway Station

08:15 10:15 Trip to Machachi

10:15 10:40 Breakfast at Machachi Railway Station

10:40 11:35 Arrival to Salcedo

11:40 11:50 Tasting Salcedo ice creams

11:50 12:00 Trip to Yambo Lagoon

12:00 12:15 Yambo Lagoon. Explanation

12:15 13:20 Arrival to Baños de Agua Santa

13:30 14:30 Lunch

14:30 14:45 Trip to "San Antonio de Puntzan”

15:00 18:00 Canopy

18:00 18:15 Trip to Hotel “El Trapiche”

18:15 18:30 Check in

18:45 19:00 Transfer to hot springs pool “La Virgen”

19:00 20:00 Bathing in hot springs

20:15 21:15 Diner

21:15 21:30 Tranfer to Hotel “El Trapiche”

21:30 21:50 Briefing and advice

SECOND DAY

07:15 07:45 Breakfast

08:00 09:00 Trip to Pillaro

09:00 09:15 Meet with the last passenger

09:15 10:15 Trip to LLanganates National Park

10:30 11:30 Trekking in LLanganates National Park

11:30 13:00 Fishing in Pisayambo Lagoon

13:00 13:30 Trip to “El Porvenir” Farmer

13:45 14:30 Fishing in “El Porvenir Farmer”

14:30 15:30 Lunch

15:30 19:30 Return to Quito

ACTIVITIES DURING THE TOUR

Iván Vizcaíno, Paola Mármol, Gustavo Freire, Cristian Robalino

The activities were planned according to schedule, the times were met, in some cases we had to wait for service providers, despite the difference between a few minutes, activities that were performed were the following:

DAY 1

The route began at 07:15 at the train station Chimbacalle, Two of my three professors arrived on time, Professor Gustavo Freire and professional guide Ivan

Vizcaino, the english professor didn´t came on day 1 due to reason of health, but we had to continue the trip without Cristian Robalino.

At 8:15 o'clock came the train from Quito Chimbacalle to Machachi, our train route was "Machachi Festivo" this path was an introduction to learn more about the history of Ecuador, in the train route we could observed the south of

Quito, we went through some factories, haciendas, plus a preamble to see amazing landscapes of the central mountains of Ecuador, that day in the morning the sky was clear and had an excellent view of the volcanoes, for example Pasochoa volcano, Rumiñahui Volcano, Atacazo volcano, Corazón Volcano, Cotopaxi volcano, North Iliniza volcano, Iliniza South volcano, on the road "Machachi

Festivo" the train stops for 10 minutes in Tambillo, a chance to stretch your legs we continue our route to Machachi, we got off at the train Machachi, there we were able to eat corn with cheese, beans and coffee, then we continue our journey, our driver picked us up there.

We continue our journey to the province of Tungurahua, going by the

Salcedo’s Canton in the province of Cotopaxi necessarily we had to stop to taste the traditional and delicious ice cream of Salcedo, we stopped at the central square to go to shop "Salcedo pure fruit ice cream" of Don Jaime Jijón, after tasting the

traditional pure fruit ice cream we continued our trip and we stopped at the

Yambo Lagoon, we saw the wonderful landscape, and also an opportunity to known about some of their legends, the wind was so strong so we decided to continue with our trip.

Once in the Tungurahua province, crossing around the city of Ambato we had the opportunity to saw the volcano Tungurahua. In the Pelileo’s canton we had a beautiful view of the indigenous community of Salasacas, several people with the typical dress of the community in the Parish of Salasaca in Pelileo’s

Canton, I had a chance to comment about the Community Salasaca once in the canton Pelileo we observed shops dedicated to the commercialization of Jeans, during our trip we saw one of the typical foods of the Andean Highlands guinea pig roast, one of the most important food of the Andes.

At the entrance of the City of Baños de Agua Santa we saw the Valle

Hermoso and the Patate river and Chambo river both of them are one river it is known as Pastaza River, we arrived on time to the City of Baños.

In the city of Baños de Agua Santa, I organized the lunch at the "Café

Restaurant Garden of Mariane" after a delicious lunch we had to continue to make our adventure activity.

We headed for San Antonio de Puntzan by the road of Runtun on the slopes of the Tungurahua volcano, to do “Canopy" it consisted of a 6 lines and 6600f. of cable, which was observed in the biodiversity of the area surrounded by a cloud forest, rivers and waterfalls that are a privilege for the area, one of the characteristics of this activity was the closest thing to flying through the air-sliding by a cable could feel the adrenaline when thrown by two mountains supported by a harness and his once pushed by wind and gravity.

After enjoying the incredible scenery on one side of the volcano

Tungurahua, we continue our journey to the Trapiche Hotel located on the road to

Puyo to 8 minutes from the City of Baños de Agua Santa, after check-in in the

Trapiche Hotel we decided to go to the hot springs of volcanic origin of the Virgin these sulfated pools is used in the relief of various ailments.

After staying for almost an hour in the hot springs, We were ready to dinner on Pappardelle Ristorante.

After the diner we returned to the Hotel el Trapiche I had a briefing about some activities that they would had for the next day, and immediately We went to rest in the rooms, not without some previous advice from teachers.

DAY 2

At 07:15 am we find outside the rooms to start our last day of route with a rich breakfast.

We were Ready to continue our trip, we went by way to the Canton Patate to Pillaro located north of the province of Tungurahua where we find our third member of our tourists Cristian Robalino English teacher who was very excited to be able to join us.

Pisayambo Lagoon, LLanganates National Park

Once in the entrance of the Llanganates National Park the security guards asked me information, the reason for visit, and authorization for sport fishing in the Pisayambo Lagoon as it is a place where fishing is not for commercial reasons, just sport.

The route according to the Itinerary Day 2 comprised in visited Pisayambo lagoon in the Llanganates National Park to trekking and fishing, I mentioned about the history that in the Llanganates National Park is hidden the treasure of last Inca king Atahualpa, Unknown information today as they deal with different assumptions than I can have happened to the treasure and the tomb of the last Inca king Atahualpa.

Ivan Vizcaino, fishing in Pisayambo lagoonLagoon

About 40 minutes before reaching Pisayambo lagoon, we got out the car to go trekking and observe the vegetation of trees and shrubs in the páramo. After walking a few minutes was observed the Hydroelectric of Pisayambo lagoon, the first hydroelectric power station that was built in Ecuador.

Ready for this resource, we began to assemble the necessary equipment for sport fishing in the lagoon, the trout can be fished in Pisayambo a fish introduced but has adapted well in the area.

After spending some time trying to fishing a trout, we went to lunch at "El

Porvenir" which has trout pool, there was a second chance to enjoy fishing with fishing rods; while we waited we prepare our lunch because the order is done as soon we arrived.

Cristian Robalino, fishing in the farmer

“El Porvenir

Immediately after lunch we headed back to Quito, the traffic in Latacunga and Lasso was heavy it took us longer than anticipated due to congestion but upon returning accompanied us an incredible view of the system of the Andes

Mountains we were fortunate to not find clouds in the sky.

Finally we arrived in Quito with the entire Itinerary complete.

NOTES

DAY 1

The first day we could not count on the presence of the English teacher

Cristian Robalino, but the absence of my third passenger did not affect the sequence of the route, but the provider of lodging had to change room assignments.

In conducting the adventure activity "Canopy" it had a delay of 45min, upon arrival we were told that they were doing the activity about 28 U.S. tourists and all the staff working there was not available at the moment, I take the decision of coordinating a solution to visit the cascade "San Antonio" before the "Canopy" located in the same sector, to use the time in which we expect to the adventure activity was performed, but took a good experience "Canopy" as they were carried out with all security requirements for performance of this activity in addition to observing from the air the cloud forest and the Ulba river in "San Antonio" of

Puntzan.

It was an open option to visit the thermal waters of the Virgin, an option that should be consulted by tourists; they accepted and carried out the visit and the use of the thermal pools.

As dinner was scheduled to take place at the Hotel where we stayed, but the service had forgotten the requirement that it had planned and booked ahead even with the menu item, I had to make a last-minute option for dinner. I looked for a cozy place in the center of the city of Baños de Agua Santa. And was resolved the place where we were going to eat.

DAY 2

Sport fishing in the Laguna de Pisayambo it performed normally, but we couldn´t fished the trout, one factor may have been the bait used for fishing or take longer to be carried out this activity, however in the "El Porvenir" to 30 min of

Pisayambo lagoon road to Pillaro. There are pools where trout fishing is feasible, there could take some trout and they could enjoy this activity.

CONCLUSIONS

• Ecuador is a country in development of the tourist and the image we give of our country to visitors is of vital importance to ensure that we always have tourists in search of good life experiences.

• The choice of providers of tourist services is vital for the tourist to feel good and comfortable in a particular location.

• Develop expertise in the area of the guidance is a very strong point to be able to handle for some excellent professionals in daily functioning in the life of a

National Tour Guide.

RECOMMENDATIONS

• For the good outcome of tourism is important to have adequate security procedures since it is my responsibility under the group of people with whom I am traveling, so for example to check the condition of the vehicle, and whether to make a adventure tourism of risk, be sure that the necessary equipment are in good condition.

• The proper use of the landscape while guiding is vital for our tourists to know exactly what you are talking about.

• Before a trip must be in good physical condition to be alert to any situation, any comments by the reviewers, as well as information that will give answers to questions should be clear and concise.

• During the evaluation of two days, we should learn from our reviewers,

Will always carry with me the comments and recommendations of my reviewers to put into practice in day to day