A’i Cofán
A’i Cofán
The A’I Cofán Dureno community has incorporated ecotourism and community tourism as an economic alternative to the situation of poverty and lack of employment for the 57 families and approximately 250 people who live there. It is part of the Socio Bosque Program since it has 7,140 hectares under conservation. This allows them to obtain an income of approximately $50,000 per year, which will enable them to obtain substantial revenue for the families that they use to invest in some improvements in the community. The community wishes to continue keeping their territories under conservation and tourism, research, exchange, and volunteering, which are compatible with this purpose because it would allow them to maintain the wealth of natural, scenic, and cultural resources and at the same time obtain income.
“We want to conserve because this is our home. From this land we get food, remedies to heal ourselves, and water.” (Eduardo Mendua)
A’i Cofán Gallery
250 people.
9,572 hectares of primary forest protected.
Critical need
Infrastructure development, better water and waste treatment is needed in order to guarantee and improve health amongst the population. This will benefit the production supply chain as basic agriculture is also a part of the local economy.
Programs include
1. Indigenous arts and crafts course:
Visitors will learn to design and manufacture local handicrafts directly from taught by the women in the community.
2. Experience
Aingué language course and Ayahuasca experience (Additional cost for Ayahuasca experience).
Learn the local language taught and spoken by the community.
3. Research in the local forest:
For visitors with a research oriented background, there are several opportunities to conduct specific projects or thesis in subjects such as: culture, sociology, biology, bioproduction, conservation and environmental studies.
4. Volunteering:
A hands-on experience that involves participating with the development of skills within the community. They can be English teaching, business related courses, hospitality and sustainable tourism, environmental best practices.
FROM 100 PER DAY (Includes lodging, food and beverage and activities)