What better way to start the new year than with an Authentic Ecuador Cultural Road Trip?!
Every year immediately following the New Year’s Eve celebration, the sleepy town of Píllaro comes alive for one of Ecuador’s most celebrated and culturally rich celebrations/parades. It’s called the Diablada de Píllaro and it lasts an entire week!
Esteban Arévalo has been directly involved with participating in the parade and has gotten to know some of the local families and mask makers in the pueblo. He and Kapak Raymi tourism company will take us on an adventure to experience this truly cultural adventure firsthand!
We will leave in the morning on January 3, 2023 and travel to Baños de Ambato, where we will spend the night. During the evening, you’ll be able to relax in one of the many hot springs, enjoy a tasty meal, and/or wander around the enchanting town of Baños. On the morning of Jan. 4, we will travel to Píllaro (about 45 minutes away) where we will visit a mask-making factory and learn some of the insider secrets of this time-honored craft, then we will head to the parade where we will spend the rest of the afternoon! Later in the evening, we will return to Baños for the night. Jan. 5, we will enjoy Baños for a bit more in the morning then come back to Cuenca filled with stories to share with our family and friends!
For this adventure, we have two different price packages. Each one includes transportation, bilingual guide, breakfast, snacks, lodging, and trip to parade and mask-making workshop. The price difference is in the lodging options…
$220: You will stay in a quaint and simple hostel called La Chiminea. You will have a private room, with a private bath and modest amenities.
$315: You will stay in a more upscale hotel with a swimming pool, jacuzzi, spa options, private bedroom, and bath with more upscale amenities.
Both lodging options are close to one another, so the group will not be split up very much.
This adventure has very limited capacity (just 12 – 15 people) and we already have nearly half of the spaces filled!
January 3, 4, 5, 2023
To make your reservation and for more information, contact: [email protected]