Looking for an impactful yet time-efficient adventure? We’ve got you covered. We’re thrilled to introduce our Quick Baños to Guamote to Cuenca Cultural Tour – a condensed, two-day version of our acclaimed three-day “Impactful Trip from Baños to Cuenca: Indigenous Culture and Archaeology”. This tour is not just a shortcut from Baños to Southern Ecuador; it’s a meaningful journey through the landscapes and cultures that make this region so unique.
Our Guamote tour takes you off the beaten path and into the heart of Ecuador’s indigenous communities. You’ll get to experience the traditional Kichwa culture in the most authentic way possible, visiting small villages, participating in a shaman session, and supporting local projects in the mountains. Responsible travel has never been more immersive or impactful.
This tour is designed to be more than just a quick trip—it’s a chance to immerse yourself in the landscapes and cultures along the way. To help you prepare for this impactful journey, we recommend reading our Guamote and Cuenca Destination Guides. These resources offer valuable insights into sustainable travel practices, ensuring your trip to Ecuador is as rewarding and responsible as possible.
At Impactful Travel, we believe in journeys that transform both the traveler and the communities they visit. Join us on this tour and experience the transformative power of responsible travel for yourself. Let’s make a difference together!
Your journey begins at 9AM with a scenic drive from Baños, around the majestic Chimborazo volcano, to the charming village of Guamote. In one of the villages along the way, you’ll immerse yourself in a transformative shaman session, tapping into ancient wisdom and exploring alternative perspectives on healing and interconnectedness.
The Guamote region, home to a 90% indigenous community, offers an unparalleled glimpse into the local Andean communities and their traditional Kichwa culture. After an enriching day, you’ll retreat to the comforts of the amazing Inti Sisa Guesthouse for an overnight stay.
The second day of your trip is dedicated to exploring Guamote and the projects supported by your host, the Inti Sisa Guesthouse. You’ll start your day at the Inti Sisa educational center, interacting with students and possibly participating in fun activities like football or the traditional game of “pato-ganso”.
Your journey continues with a visit to a local community and an Indigenous family living in an authentic “choza”. This unique experience will provide you with a deeper understanding of the mountain lifestyle and the resilience of the local community.
The day concludes with a scenic 4-hour drive through the Andes, leading you to the beautiful city of Cuenca by evening.
Every aspect of this Impactful Trip from Baños to Guamote to Cuenca is designed with a conscious commitment to sustainable tourism. We believe in traveling responsibly and ensuring that our presence benefits the local communities.
Firstly, by choosing this tour, you directly support community projects in Guamote, such as the Inti Sisa educational center. Your visit empowers these initiatives, contributing to the local economy and fostering development.
Secondly, this tour deeply respects and celebrates local culture and traditions. From participating in local games at a primary school to visiting an indigenous family living in traditional housing, every activity offers an authentic insight into the local way of life. It’s not just about observing; it’s about understanding, respecting, and appreciating the rich cultural tapestry that makes Ecuador so unique.
Thirdly, our use of local drivers from Guamote ensures that your travel contributes directly to the local economy. These drivers, deeply connected to their land, offer invaluable insights and stories that enrich your journey.
Finally, this tour takes you off the beaten path to less-visited destinations like Guamote. This approach helps spread tourist dollars more evenly, supporting under-visited communities and promoting regional growth.
(Pssst: to make your trip from Baños to Cuenca more Impactful; consider the three-day version!)
Well, not throughout the whole tour.
The first day, you will make the long trip with a Spanish-speaking driver; meaning that the visit to the shaman and his community will be in Spanish only. Of course, like on many of our trips, you will be well received and they will do everything to make sure you’ll still learn and be impacted by the experience; despite the possible language barrier. After all, the human connection isn’t all about language, right?
On the second day, a guide will accompany you from Guamote to the community visits; this guide does speak English. But this guide will not accompany you on the drive to Cuenca.
This is a private excursion.
No, no stops at places with entrance fees are included.
During your journey from Baños to Cuenca, you’ll traverse several high mountain passes reaching altitudes of up to 3,600m (about 11,811 feet). Most of the activities are conducted between elevations of 3,000m (roughly 9,842 feet) and 3,600m, so it’s essential to properly acclimatize before embarking on this tour.
Prepare for a wide range of weather conditions: from tropical rain showers or misty drizzles at higher elevations to beautifully clear days bathed in potent sunshine.
Find more info about climates in Ecuador in our blog “Best Time to Travel to Ecuador“.
If you want to see the price for your situation, please select an amount of travelers (number of adults, children, etc) on the right side of the website (or the top, on mobile). You will then see that total price for your party right above it. For some tours, the price will change according to the amount of people.
Please refer to our article What to Pack for your Trip to Ecuador for all your questions about packing for your Ecuador trip. Whether you’re going to the jungle or the mountains, you’ll find the answers you need.
For questions about booking a tour, prices, preparation for your trip, health and safety or other themes, please check our Frequently Asked Questions page. If you can’t find your question & answer, email us and we’ll add it!
At Impactful Travel, we believe in journeys that transform not just the traveler, but also the communities they visit. That’s why our “Quick Baños to Guamote to Cuenca Cultural Tour” tour uses the Inti Sisa Guesthouse; a beacon of empowerment and resilience nestled in the heart of Guamote, Ecuador.
Stumbling upon Guamote’s harsh realities in 1999, a group of Belgians were moved to action. They founded Inti Sisa, a project that has blossomed into a powerful force for positive change, inspiring and empowering the local community through education and artistic pursuits.
Inti Sisa’s initiatives are as diverse as they are impactful. From their innovative educational programs that emphasize participation, creativity, and collaboration, to their artistic workshops that nurture individual talents and foster self-expression, every project is designed to make a lasting difference. They even extend their care to the well-being of animals, promoting animal welfare through sterilization campaigns.
Visiting Inti Sisa is not just about witnessing the incredible work they do; it’s about understanding the transformative power of sustainable tourism and how each of us can contribute. We believe that starting your journey here will set the tone for the rest of the tour, reminding you of the potential for positive change that lies in every step you take. So, come join us, and let’s make travel impactful, together.
