Within the river system that forms part of the Paute River watershed, there is a micro watershed of the Yanuncay River, which rises to the west of the city of Cuenca in the Angus highland moors at an altitude of 4,000 meters above sea level. From its headwaters to the city of Cuenca, the Yanuncay River flows through areas of great scenic beauty and important cultural richness. Here one finds ecosystems with diverse flora and fauna. Corridor” has several natural attractions
This simple but charming space belongs to artist, David Pasaca, who began a labor that constantly surprises everyone: the creation of suggestive figures of animals and humans, employing the “formed over wood” technique, with a vision of total respect for nature and life. The artist has rescued for exhibit numerous popular pieces of diverse use like rustic pottery, textiles, religious popular art, archaeological pieces, etc.
4
THE YANUNCAY ECOLOGICAL MUSEUM
THE VERDE LLANO LOOKOUT
Location: La Inmaculada community, kilometer 6 on the San Joaquín – Chaucha road. Contact: David Pasaca, native guide (Tel. 4092949). The price must be arranged with the guide.
6
ASSOCIATION OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCERS OF YANUNCAY (APAY)
SAYAUSI
SININCAY
3
2
1
CUENCA
Centro Parroquial San Joaquín
7
SAN JOAQUÍN
“SUSTAG” GARDENS AND NURSERY
San José 4 5
Although no modern infrastructure nor major conveniences exist in this place, the basic structure built there is more than sufficient for the tourist looking for a different experience in the midst of nature. These hot springs comprise various components, which make them hot and highly beneficial for one’s health due to the high quantities of minerals they contain, highly recommended for different health problems and as an excellent therapy to cope stress.
8
HOT SPRINGS OF SAN VICENTE
La Inmaculada
6 7
8
Luguiña
9
Soldados
CHAUCHA
Sustag
BAÑOS
Location: Soldados community, kilometer 36 on the San Joaquín – Chaucha road. Telephones: Termas Yanuncay (2892183); Termas San Vicente (4033812) Hours: Any day at any time with a prior appointment. Price of the visit: $ 1.00 USD VÍA CUENCA MOLLETURO NARANJAL VÍA A SOLDADOS RÍO YANUNCAY
The territory of Soldados is approximately 5,000 hectares and is surrounded by the massifs of the El Cajas Knot mountain range. Therefore you can find here an interesting landscape comprised of high, steep mountains. There are various options for tourism here. Among the most popular are the hikes organized by native guides either to the three lakes of Estrella Cocha or to the headwaters of the Yanuncay River in the Gegeno-Gargal.
The Association of Agricultural Producers of Yanuncay (APAY), is an organization of rural families in San Joaquín that promote agro-ecological systems through the production and sale of organic vegetables. Visiting the orchards of this Association, means to discover the creativity and innovation with which these farmers work. Location: Community of Luguiña, kilometer 7 on the San Joaquín - Chaucha road. Telephone: 0984333715 Hours: Any day at any time by appointment Price of the visit: A voluntary contribution is suggested.
MOLLETURO
Location: Sústag community, kilometer 13 on the San Joaquín – Chaucha road. Telephone: 2400684 Hours: Any day at any time with a prior appointment. Price of the visit: A voluntary contribution is suggested
Location: La Inmaculada community, kilometer 6 on the San Joaquin – Chaucha road. Telephone: 4092949 Hours: Every day from 8h00 to 18h00. Price of the visit: $ 1,00 USD per person.
If you are in very good physical condition, accustomed to walking at altitude and enjoy mountain trekking, then you will certainly enjoy this adventure, which will take you to one of the most spectacular lookouts of the Yanuncay Biological Corridor: Verde Llano . The three-hour experience (round trip) follows a trial through a mountain forest with great diversity of flora and fauna species. To make the hike to Verde Llano lookout, one can contact David Pasaca, a native guide, who also organizes horseback riddings with inhabitants of the community.
5
For more than 10 years, Narcisa Gutierrez has cared for a space full of life and color where visitors discover the secrets of planting and cultivation of trees, medicinal plants, and flowers of all types. “Sustag” gardens and nursery are part of a family business that offers for sale natural products, completely free of pesticides and chemical fertilizers.
among cultural and human elements of great interest along different countryside communities of the area. The route proposed in this brochure consists of a corridor of approximately 30 kilometers, which begins in the Campana Huaico sector (located 1 km west of the center San Joaquin) and includes the community of Soldados. It is also possible to perform sports and adventure activities such as biking, hiking, horse riding, sports fishing, etc.
Location: kilometer 37 on the San Joaquín – Chaucha road. Contact for guided visits to local attractions and lodging: José Jácome (Tel.: 4031831)
9
THE SOLDADOS COMMUNITY
1
“EL CISNE” CHOCOLATE MILL
Handicrafts
2
“CUADRUCO” ORGANIC COMPREHENSIVE FARM
Observatory
3
“DON GERARDO CRAFTS” BASKETWEAVING WORKSHOP
4
THE YANUNCAY ECOLOGICAL MUSEUM
5
THE VERDE LLANO LOOKOUT
6
ASSOCIATION OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCERS OF YANUNCAY (APAY)
7
“SUSTAG” GARDENS AND NURSERY
8
HOT SPRINGS OF PUMAMAQUI AND SAN VICENTE
9
THE SOLDADOS COMMUNITY
#SanJoaquinRoute
Museum Thermal Restaurants Trekking Cycling Sport fishing Camping
One of the purest and most delicious chocolates of the area is produced in Doña Carmelina Cabrera’s factory, a family business located on a street near the town of San Joaquin. There, the beans undergo a special process to obtain the final product, wich is 100% natural, free of chemicals, preservatives and colorings. Address: Carlos Arízaga Vega e Isauro Rodríguez, Cristo del Consuelo sector (on the road to San Joaquín) Telephones: 2853033 / 0981346564 Hours: Monday to Wednesday from 8h00 to 17h00; Thursday to Sunday by appointment. Price of the visit: A voluntary contribution is suggested.
1
“EL CISNE” CHOCOLATE MILL On this farm, vegetables, fruits and medicinal herbs are grown following organic procedures. The owner, Gregorio Villacis, receives local and foreign visitors to show them processes based on the principles of Andean agriculture. The “Cuadruco” farm also offers relaxing and healthy box steam baths (steam baths in wooden boxes) in which some of the farm’s medicinal plants are used for a detoxification effect. Address: Balzay Alto sector 100 metros from the Cuenca – Sayausí highway and the Gran Sol Collection Center. Telephones: 4177736 / 0981231537 Hours: Monday to Saturday from 7h00 to 19h00; Sundays from 7h00 to 12h00 Price of the visit: $ 5.00 USD per person / $ 3.00 USD per person for groups of 10 or more people.
2 Edited by Fundación Municipal “Turismo para Cuenca” (Cuenca’s Tourism Board) Bolívar 8-44 entre Benigno Malo y Luis Cordero Telfs.. [593 7] 284 0383 · 283 2415 info@cuenca.com.ec
UNESCO Awards •Qhapac Ñan, Andean Road System, World Heritage Site •Traditional weaving of "Toquilla Straw Hats", Intangible Heritage of Humanity •Massif of "El Cajas", World Biosphere Reserve •Cuenca, World Cultural Heritage Site
The territory of the San Joaquin Parish, located few kilometers west of the center of Cuenca includes the watersheds of rivers such as the Yanuncay that waters producing fields cultivated with dedication by its people for decades making this a special place in the city’s source of water, also known as the
“CUADRUCO” ORGANIC COMPREHENSIVE FARM
A few meters from the center of San Joaquin parish one finds the “Don Gerardo Crafts” basketweaving workshop. Here indefatigable craftsmen and women dedicate themselves full time to creating all types of objects using plant fibers. Visitors are received with exhibits of weaving of different products such as Christmas baskets, flower baskets, fans, cribs, diaper carriers, place mats, decorative articles, etc. These traditional techniques have been transfer from generation to generation.
vegetable larder or the truck farm of southern Ecuador. The options for tourism are very diverse, including handcrafts, delicious traditional gastronomy, vegetable gardens, greenhouses and religious celebrations such the “Maria Auxiliadora Virgin” festivity.
3
“DON GERARDO CRAFTS” BASKETWEAVING WORKSHOP
Address: The road to the Cuenca Tennis y Golf Club, across from the entrance to the Prado Alto housing development.. Telephone: 0994862501 Hours: Any day at any time by appointment. Price of the visit: A voluntary contribution is suggested.