The community of Junin is located in a cloud forest of the Intag región, 200km north of Quito, that counts more than 400 species of orquids, more than 300 species of birds, various mammals and medecinial plants. Indeed, Junin has been threatened by a mega-mining project for over two decades, but the community members resist developping new economical alternatives to the mine project such as a coff
ee cooperative, a factory of plantain’s flour and, of course, community and solidarity tourism. The principal activities you can do here are hikes in the community reserve, swimming in the beautiful rivers around the town, visit coffee, sugar cane and fruits plantations, horseback riding...
La comunidad de Junin esta ubicada en el bosque nublado de la región del Intag, 200km al Norte de Quito, que tiene mas de 400 especies de orquídeas, mas de 300 especies de aves, muchos mamíferos y plantas medicinales. Intag tiene 2 de los 25 puntos calientes de biodiversidad. Desgraciadamente, desde 20 años, Junin esta amenazado por un mega proyecto de minera a cielo abierto. Pero, la comunidad resiste desarrollando nuevas alternativas económicas como una cooperativa de café, una fabrica de harina de plátano y, por supuesto, un turismo comunitario y solidario. Las principales actividades que puede hacer incluyen caminatas en la reserva comunitaria, bañarse en los rio alrededor del pueblo, visitas de fincas de cafe, frutas o caña...
Eco Cabanas Junin
The Eco-Cabanas Junin guesthouse, located in the cloud forest of Intag Valley in Ecuador, is a haven of peace in the heart of the enchanting nature of the region. Surrounded by a unique forest and exceptional biodiversity, it is managed entirely by the local communities of Junin and Chalguayacu through an association that redistributes the benefits to its member families, in a community-based tourism model. This project, designed as a sustainable economic alternative, also aims to inform and raise awareness of the importance of local ecosystems and traditions threatened by a mega-mine of copper. In addition to the lodging and the full board, local guides will take you to the discovery of the forest and its waterfalls, traditional farms and stunning landscapes on the misty mountains of the Intag Valley, just a few hours away from Quito or Otavalo. Our page : https://www.facebook.com/cabanasecojunin/?fref=ts
Contact : +593 98 887 1860 (spanish only) [email protected]
How to get there : Junin - Valle de Intag - Imbabura - Ecuador
The Eco Cabanas are located on the road between Chalguayacu
From Quito: Go to the bus terminal “La Ofelia” in northern Quito (approximately $3 cab ride from the Mariscal). Take the busline “Transporte San José de Minas” to Chontal Bajo (3 hours 4$). The buses are red. Bus schedule is often changing, please check before you go ! Call us ahead of time to have someone come meet you in Chontal and take you to Jun in. ($25 for the car and 10$ for moto, 1h ride). From Otavalo: Take the busline “Transporte Otavalo” at the main bus terminal in Otavalo. The buses are blue, red, and white. Buy your ticket ahead of time because the buses fill fast (you can buy at the white building near the public bathrooms). Take the bus to Garcia Moreno (app. 4 hours 5$) and enjoy the breathtaking view. Call us ahead of time to have someone come meet you in Chontal and take you to Junin. There is also a local „ranchera“ bus leaving at 1pm for Junin (1h 1$). By private transport / car : you can go from Otavalo to Junin via Garcia-Moreno, or from Quito to Junin via Nanegalito and Chontal-bajo. The road is perfectly safe and good except for the last part (from Garcia-Moreno or Chontal to Junin) but still passable with a normal car. On this part, please ask local people so you don‘t get lost in the countryside, they will help you for shure :)
There are several interesting stops on both routes from Otavalo or Quito to Junin, check it out ! What to do there :
We are open all year round with reservation : because of the remoteness of our site, we need you to contact us a few days before so we can arrange everything for a perfect stay ! The Eco Cabanas Junin are located on a forested hill a few kilometers from Junin. The place itself is amazing, with a nice view, a colibri observation spot, short tracks going arround (to see birds, plants and all the crazy biodiversity we have), and even a river down the hill where you can swim. The rooms are really nice and cozy in a wood-building and we have a roof terrace with hammocks. In the dining room downstairs, we offer you full board (breakfeast, lunch, dinner and hot beverages whenever you want). There is a small shop nearby in Chalguayacu if you need something else. We have mainly dorms room (4-5 beds) but also 2 private double rooms and 1 small bungalow room. Towels and bedlining provided. The shower / bathrooms are common, and with a view on the forest. No internet so you can really relax ;) And we have a small book shelve with informations about the 25 years old struggle of local communities against a copper mega-mining project. There is a lot to see arround there ! Just walking from the Eco-Cabanas you can hike in the forest, go to really nice panoramic view points of the valley, go to other rivers for swimming, ... And spot amazing plants and animals all the way. You can also request tours with a local guide :
- Junin forest reserve & waterfalls : incredible hike up in the mountains, the reserve is covered with a pristine cloud forest, and we will see 3 amazing waterfalls on the way (1 day hike with picnic, quite difficult walk)
- Intag farming and Panela making : visit a local farm and learn how to make Panela, the traditionnal rough sugar-cane sugar used everywhere in Ecuador. Then visit a cofee plantation and a small transformationAlso possible to visit milking / meat traditional cattle raising farms, and coffee ½ day tour usually
- Anything you want ! it will be our great pleasure to take you on your request. Finally, on your way in or out, you may stop in Intag Valley to hike, visit archeological sites, or bath in the Nangulvi Termal Pool. Check tours with our partner Red Ecoturistica de Intag (REI). Prices :
40 $ / person / night including full board
25 $ / day / local guide (1 guide for groups of 1 to 5)
We offer special prices for groups (more than 10 persons).
