Ecuador Volcanoes Expedition Dispatch

November 30, 2015 – Relaxation and Education at Termas Papallacta

Termas Papallacta is a great rest place between climbs. It just doesn’t get any better. This has been a regular stop in the middle of our Berg Adventures Volcano trips for the past 8 years and we have no plans of changing this relaxing and soothing tradition. Some had massages and all of us enjoyed the hot springs. A big hit with this group was the trekking trail that surrounds our resort.

Although the trails are really well labeled with information about flora and fauna, Doreen decided to go one step further. She hired a well-known Ecuadorian naturalist who is currently working in the Foundation Terra Papallacta, which has an office here at our resort.

Patricio Pillajo together with his brother Mario wrote the book “ Plantas de la Cordillera Andina” (Plants of the Andes); which contains descriptions and traditional uses of two hundred species. It is a compilation of native plants in the province of Pichincha and Papallacta Napo. Patricio and Mario Pillajo are both from the village of Papallacta, just down the road from our hotel; both are self-taught naturalists and photographers.

Patricio’s efforts are focused on the protection of biodiversity and ecosystems of the Cayambe Coca Ecological Reserve. His book offers the opportunity to disseminate local knowledge, protect traditional farming systems, and empower communities so that they can address the climate vulnerability.

We were very much honored to meet both brothers and especially to have them go through some pages of their book, giving us a private lecture on the flora and fauna of this region. We learned that Ecuador has 2000 types of orchids and they grow everywhere, from the hot climate of the amazon to the snowy mountains. Their goal is to eventually create a show display where one can see the variety of plants.

We were grateful for the opportunity to visit, learn and be inspired by two local men who are self-dedicate with such passion and commitment to the ecology of their home.