Andean Culture
Cañar and Azuay Provinces
Through visits to farms, communities, and national parks, experience Ecuadorian agricultural practices and learn about the connection between rural and urban areas via food production. Understand the impact of agriculture on indigenous communities, ancestral cultures, and traditional medicine. Hear from community members and learn about cosmovisión, the way in which the indigenous culture understands the world.
Partner Agencies
We have three main partner agencies on the La Sierra Project:
The first is located on Cerro Cabogana, an expansive farm where vegetables are grown according to the cycles of the plants and their seasons using the lunar calendar. They also produce dairy products while taking care of the animals responsibly. You can enjoy horseback riding, beautiful views of the city and the countryside, and hikes to waterfalls and mountains.
While living with host families, volunteer will support the work of the municipal government in their host community. Volunteers may work on reforestation projects, at a seed bank, on rural tourism initiatives, or with women-led artisan or agricultural cooperatives.
Our third partner is an organization led by three indigenous women who have built an enterprise focused on community-based tourism. Unlike other forms of community tourism in the province and the country, this organization focuses on the correlation of the four natural elements of earth, air, water, and fire while weaving in Andean wisdom and its influence on agriculture, gastronomy, medicine, language, music, architecture, and spirituality.
Earn 36 service hours while volunteering!
Example Activities
- Volunteer with a group of organic family farms
- Hike to sacred indigenous sites and learn about Andean agroecology, food, medicine, and spirituality
- Meet llamas at Cajas National Park
- Explore the historic center of Cuenca
- Take part in a pampa mesa, or communal meal
