Asociación de Turismo Comunitario AGIG

Overview

Description

Guarguallá Community Tourism and Artisan's Center (AGIG) is based in the community of the same name, Cebadas parish, Guamote canton, Chimborazo province. It is within the buffer zone of Sangay National Park at 11,122 fasl, with average temperatures of 39ºF during the night and 53.6ºF during the day.

Guarguallá is the port of entry to "Sangay," the most active volcano in South America, in the mountainous region that divides the central highlands from the Ecuadoran Amazon. This elevation is of great geographic interest due to its permanent volcanic activity, the presence of fumaroles, eruptions and glowing lava flows. The national park of the same name is also found here and was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO thanks to its ecological and cultural importance.

AGIG is 30 miles from the city of Riobamba from where expeditions to the volcano depart over cement trails that are conserved by the local people, making for a unique and unforgettable experience.

Rooms

2

Making a Difference

Number of employees: 19

Percentage of local employees: 100%

Guarguallá and its Community Tourism Association "AGIG" is a tourism business that is completely managed by the local indigenous people who receive all the direct and indirect benefits, working in the different areas as guides, farmers, and ranchers; offering food services, administration, maintenance, camelid and horse rental, and more. They are also developing community-based tourism through the Women's Organization, the Guide's Association, and cultural groups.

The Guarguallá community, with its 31 square miles of paramo, is the guardian of the wildlife for part of Sangay National Park, it water sources, control of its territory, and environmental conservation and stewardship.

Getting There

Nearest international airport: Quito (UIO) or Guayaquil (GYE)

Travel time to nearest airport: Quito - 3.5 hours, Guayaquil - 5 hours

Distance, by land, to the nearest airport: From Quito, 99 miles (160 km); from Guayaquil, 149 miles (240 km).

From the city of Riobamba, take a bus to Licto parish and then travel in a four-wheel drive vehicle to the community. Guarguallá is approximately 2 hours from the city of Riobamba and it can be reached year-round in a four-wheel drive vehicle.

Additional Information

What to bring?

• personal identification documents;
• sun protection;
• sunglasses;
• camera;
• warm clothing;
• shoes for trekking;
• hat and
• gloves.

What not to bring?

• alcoholic beverages;
• sound equipment;
• weapons and firearms.

Additional Web sites

• www.puruharazurku.com (available in Spanish). To get further information about the tours offered by the Community Tourism Association "AGIG" you can search under the word "Guargualla."

Date This Information Was Provided

July 2009.

Photo courtesy of Asociación de Turismo Comunitario AGIG, Ecuador, for SustainableTrip.org.