Travel tips

4 Reasons to travel with us

The unique Oyacachi travel experience is offered exclusively through the community-owned tour operator. Who better to show you the beautiful setting and lead you on exciting adventures than people that were born and raised in the community? Oyacachi Adventure Tours allow you to experience everything the area has to offer culturally and naturally. Your visit also gives the community the opportunity to expand reforestation and other conservation efforts. Your tourism gives the community a reason to preserve their 63,000 hectares (155,670.87 acres), for the local residents and future travelers to enjoy.

Our Staff

Oyacachi community members will be your tour guides, cooks, porters, story-tellers and hosts. They are very warm and hospitable, taking pride in welcoming guests to see their pristine and culturally diverse paradise making your stay most comfortable and enjoyable. As an added bonus, you will be amazed to experience the learn about healing plant of the Oyacachi Valley, hear about Oyacachi’s legends and watch traditional woodcarving skills.

Our Tours

Whether your passion is trekking through the Andes, mountain biking down traditional Incan trails, or a less daring trip like experiencing an authentic cultural tour through the community…Oyacachi Adventure offers trips that will most certainly be ones to remember for years to come! Experience Oyacachi’s therapeutic hot springs, watch cheese being made and taste samples, see Andean wildlife and much more!

Our Philosophy

Oyacachi Adventure Tours is 100% community owned, and because our tours directly involve this local community, you will find no other tour company that better offers a more authentic exchange with the indigenous culture and immersion of nature in the Oyacachi Valley. We work with Oyachachi’s micro credit bank to help raise capital for projects in education, conservation, and healthcare. You can feel good about supporting the protection of the Amazon’s fragile Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve and enhancing the lives of Oyacachi’s community while enjoying a fantastic vacation experience.

Our Quality

Attention to detail and ensuring customer satisfaction are the cornerstones of our business philosophy. We value these concepts because “word-of-mouth” promotion is the best way to attract new clientele, and if you have a marvelous time with Oyacachi Adventure Tours, we think you will share that excitement with friends & family.

Before You Go

Oyacachi is located 3,200 meters above sea level, which means that warm clothes are a must. The weather is very tricky, and temperatures range from 80 degrees down to almost freezing in a day. We recommend that you dress in layers so that you can adjust to the conditions.

Packing Check List

• Backpack
• Wind breaker
  
• Rain poncho
• Wide-brimmed hat
• Long sleeve shirt and pants (light-weight)
  
• Warm layers including scarf and warm hat
  
• Hiking boots for trekking tours and hiking shoes for day tours
• Bathing suit and towel
• Insect repellant
• Toiletries including prescription medications that you may need
• Sunblock
• Sunglasses
  
• Plastic bag for wet clothes (remember Oyacachi stands for ‘The Land of Water’)
• Camera and waterproof bag
  
• Finally, don’t forget your sense of adventure!

Optional

Fieldguide & binoculars for birding and wildlife* (in a plastic ziplock bag)

*Suggested Reading

• Climbing and Hiking in Ecuador By Rob Rachowiecki (2009)

• Ecuador & Galapagos Islands - Lonely Planet By Regis St Louis et. al. (2009)

• The Birds of Ecuador, Vol. 2: Field Guide By Robert S. Ridgely, Paul J. Greenfield, & Frank B. Gill (2001)

• Travellers' Wildlife Guides Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands By David L. Pearson, Les Beletsky, & Priscilla Barrett (2004)

• Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands: the Ecotravellers' Wildlife Guide By David L. Pearson  (1999)

• Oyacachi: la gente y la biodiversidad By Selene Baéz, Centre for Research on the Cultural and Biological Diversity of Andean Rainforests click here to read online

• Tropical Nature By Adrian Forsyth and Ken Miyata (1987)

• The Cloud Forest By Peter Matthiessen (1987) NOVEL

• At Play in the Fields of the Lord By Peter Matthiessen (1991) NOVEL

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

 

What Currency is used in Ecuador and how should I travel with money?

The official currency in Ecuador is the US Dollar. ATMs are available in all major city centers although they can often be out of service, so it’s recommended that you travel with a back up source of cash as well as an additional credit card for use in Quito. It’s best to have cash available in small notes available when traveling outside cities in order to make purchases from vendors.

How are Gratuities & Tips handled?

Tips during your community tourism experiences are never expected, but always appreciated!  In general, we feel that an appropriate tip may range from $3 to $8 per day for each community member who may have led you on a fantastic tour, cooked a superb meal, or somehow exceeded your expectations. Gracias!

What Health Concerns should I to consider before departing to Ecuador?

It ‘s recommend that you travel with all your required mediations, as some excursions in Ecuador may take you into the wilderness far from medical assistance. While our first aid kits are available, they may not be equipped with supplies to meet all medical emergencies. It is advisable to use Insect repellant to avoid bites. Prior to departure, consult your local doctor or the Centers for Disease Control in the USA for the most up-to-date recommendations regarding vaccinations and health related precautions. Plan ahead for immunizations since they may need to be administered several weeks prior to departure. The USA’s Centers for Disease Control website wwwn.cdc.gov/travel provides up to date recommendations about medical requirements for travelers. Ensure that you have adequate health insurance for the unlikely event of an emergency.

Can I drink the tap Water in Ecuador?

Tap water is generally not ‘agreeable’ with most travelers so it’s advisable to opt for bottled water for drinking and brushing teeth. Ensure ice is made with filtered water before drinking beverages served with ice.

What Time zones are there in Ecuador?

Ecuador Standard Time is GMT (UTC) - 5. The country does not recognize Daylight Savings Time from April through October.
In the Galapagos Islands, Standard Time is GMT (UTC) – 6

What is the Departure Tax in Ecuador?

Note that you should be prepared for a nominal departure tax payable on domestic and international flights at some airports in Ecuador.

Are Children welcome on Oyacachi Adventure Tours?  

Families with children 12 years of age and over are welcome on Oyacachi Adventure Tours. All ages are welcome on the Community Tour, however it’s generally not advisable to bring children under the age of 12 years on the trekking and mountain biking tours, as they tend to be more strenuous.

Do you cater to special dietary needs?

Menus are designed to accommodate a variety of dietary needs, including vegetarian. Visitors with special dietary needs should inform Oyacachi Adventure Tours at least 30 days prior to their arrival.  Every effort will be made to cater to your needs, subject to availability of products in the region.

If you have other specific questions about Oyacachi Adventure Tours, please send them to info@oyacachi.com

Phrase Guide

Spanish is the official language of Ecuador.

Although English is spoken in most shops, at hotels, and at the airport, you may choose to learn a few common words and phrases before you depart for Ecuador. Attempting to speak a few words in Spanish will go a long way in helping you connect to the local people of Ecuador, which will ultimately make your experience more enjoyable!

English	Spanish
Good morning	Buenos días
Hello	Hola
Good-bye	Adiós, chao
See you later	Hasta luego
How are you?	¿Como está?, or ¿como estás?
I’m well thank you	Muy bien, gracias
Good afternoon, evening, or night	Buenas tardes, noches
What is your name?	¿Cómo se llama?
I do not understand	No entiendo
Yes	Si
No	No
Please	Por favor
Thank you (very much)	(Muchas) gracias
I don't speak Spanish	Yo no hablo español
It’s a pleasure to meet you	Mucho gusto, encantado, or encantada
Bathroom / toilet	El baño
Money	Dinero
Pharmacy	Farmacia
How much is it?	¿Cúanto cuesta esto?
Cool	Chevere