Tour Alpacas and Pachamanka
Tour Alpacas and Pachamanka
🌿 Experience the ancestral and authentic Tour Alpacas and Pachamanka, a one-of-a-kind cultural journey in the heart of the Kichwa community of La Calera, Cotacachi. The adventure begins at 9:00 AM with the preparation of the ancient Pachamanka ritual, a sacred Andean cooking tradition where potatoes, meats, fruits, corn, beans, and peas are buried underground with glowing volcanic stones—heated as early as 4:00 AM. This ritual honors Pachamama, or Mother Earth, and creates a powerful, spiritual, and culinary experience you’ll carry with you forever.
🐾 While the food slowly cooks beneath the earth, we head at 11:00 AM to the community-run alpaca project in Morochos. As part of the Tour Alpacas and Pachamanka, you’ll learn about the cultural and economic importance of alpacas in Andean life. Feed them, connect with these gentle animals, and capture incredible photos against the backdrop of breathtaking landscapes at more than 3,000 meters above sea level.
🍽️ After this heartfelt encounter, we return to uncover the Pachamanka and enjoy a traditional Kichwa meal—rich in flavor, meaning, and ancestral wisdom. Every bite is a celebration of cultural heritage and the deep connection between food, earth, and tradition.
🌄 The Tour is more than a guided visit—it’s a transformative experience that connects you with nature, animals, and the living spirit of the Ecuadorian Andes. Whether you’re seeking cultural immersion, spiritual grounding, or just a deliciously meaningful meal, this journey offers it all. ✨ Book your Tour Alpacas and Pachamanka today, and discover a day full of tradition, nature, and the heartfelt warmth of our community.
Shearing demonstration: $40 per group.
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Destination
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Departure
La Calera Community -
Departure Time
Approximately 09.00AM -
Return Time
Approximately 15.30PM -
Dress Code
Casual, comfortable and light -
Included
Bracelets with your namePachamankaTraditional lunchVisit to Alpaca Breeding -
Not Included
Accommodation (hotel)Airport TransferBike and helmetBracelet and activitiesBreakfastCoffee ProcessCooking ClassDinnerExtra drinksFamily accommodationGallery TicketGroup Purification RitualGuide Esp - EngHorsesHotSpring NangulviLunchPartera DemonstrationPersonal GuideTaxes (VAT)Tents and sleeping matsTicketsTipsTransportTrapiche ProcessWork materialsYuca and Coffee Tasting
From our gallery
Let yourself be swept away by the magic of the Andes! We invite you to explore the essence of the tour through captivating images.
Tour Plan
09:00 AM – Start and Preparation of the Pachamanka
The Pachamanka ritual is an ancient cooking tradition preserved by the La Calera community in Cotacachi, Imbabura. In this process, potatoes, meats, and grains are cooked using steam created by the heat of glowing volcanic stones placed in an earth-hole. The word Pachamanka comes from the Kichwa language, blending pacha (universe) and manka (pot), meaning “the pot of the universe.” This name doesn’t refer to a man-made container, but rather to a sacred vessel offered by Pachamama—Mother Earth—herself. It’s more than just a cooking method; it’s a spiritual practice that connects participants with the earth, community, and ancestral knowledge.
11:00 AM – Visit to the Community Alpaca Breeding Project
1:30 PM – Pachamanka Lunch Experience
Gallery
Let yourself be swept away by the magic of the Andes! We invite you to explore the essence of the tour through captivating images.
Reviews Scores and Score Breakdown
“Did you live an unforgettable adventure with us? Tell us about it! Your story could spark someone else’s next trip.”
Ammy Jhonson
Un excelente tour con actividades al aire libre que combina la cocina tradicional como es la pachamanka es increíble pensar que si se cocinaron los alimentos dentro de un hoyo con piedras. Recomiendo mucho este tour.
mayo 13, 2025 at 1:46 am