ACCOMMODATIONS: We have a bunk house with up to 10 beds & linens.
There is camping for those who have their own tents. We have
composting toilets, solar showers, and some solar electric at the bunk
house.  Behind the bunkhouse is a 15 square meter outdoor dining
area.  This has great views, and there is plenty of room for yoga, meditation, and the
hanging of hammocks.

It is not easy hauling up food by mule, so make sure
you let me know when you will arrive. The selection is limited to what is available in the very small town.

Raw foodist are not happy with the limited selection, so, please consider another farm.



ALTITUDE:  is 1409 M



APOLOGIES: 25% of volunteers that come do not follow these suggestions/directions.

If you are one of these unfortunate few who can not or will not follow directions,

I give you my apologies for the inconvenience that you will cause yourself and others.

​

ARRIVAL:  Your room and meals are free.  However, for security purposes, you will need to show that you have access to at least $100 each week that you are on the farm.  You will also need to provide a copy of your visa/passport.  (You will also want a copy for your own, for any time you travel with out a passport.)   Why is this necessary?  This farm and others have had problems with some volunteers that have stolen items.  A  number of volunteers have expressed concern about sharing close quarters with people who obviously have no money.  This is the only way we can think of to help prevent this.

ATM:  There are no ATMs nearby. .  However, if
you need the ATM before you visit the farm do so in any major area.
Or if you stop at Vilcabamba use the ATM next to the church.

 

CLOTHES:  The temperatures range from 58 to 88 degrees F.  See WHAT TO BRING.

 

ECUADOR INFORMATION: Google the following for anything you want to know:
Ecuador News and, Ecuador Living: Gary A. Scott

 

INTERNET:  Is available in most towns, including the two towns closest

to the farm.  THERE IS NO INTERNET OR TV OR REFRIGERATION ON THE FARM.

LATE ARRIVALS: DO NOT TRAVEL PAST VALADOLLID AFTER 5:30 PM!

LUGAGE: If you don’t want to lug unnecessary items up a mountain goat path in the rain and mud,

leave it at a hostel in Vilcabamba.

 

MINIMUM STAY:  One week.  6 hours per day. 5 days per week.

Long term stays are welcome.

MISC:
My last 4 volunteers wanted me to include that the farm manager, Luis,
really adds to the experience and is "epic".

Travelling in Ecuador you may spend $2.50 to $5/meal.

 

MONEY:  Ecuador uses the USD.  Anytime travelling in Latin America
especially in Ecuador have lots of small bills.  They rarely have
change.

PROJECTS:   Some projects that you might be interested in:
Greenhouses, aquaponics.
Food forests.
An acre or more of organic gardens.  Experimenting with different
techniques.  E.G., square foot gardening, the French intensive
method/double digging, bio-dynamics, intensive gardening, etc.
Reforestation.
Permaculture and sustainable development are key.

SECURITY: Like the guide books say, don’t bring anything that you can’t afford to have stolen.

A pouch that hangs around your neck can be good for stashing some of your money.

TRAVEL INFORMATION: CHECK YOUR TRAVEL GUIDE!
You must make all of your own arrangements.
A 90 day tourist visa is given to you upon arrival in Ecuador.  If you
think you want more time, contact the Ecuadorian Embassy in your
country for the 180 day Consular Visa.  It is much cheaper and easier
to do in you home country.

The "Vilcabamba" airport is about an hour away from Vilcabamba ( it is in Catamayo), you will need to take a taxi from there to Vilcabamba. (About $30, negotiate the rate before you get in the taxi.)  

 

From Quito the bus ride to Vilcabamba I hear is about 12 hours.  Or you would fly from Quito to Vilcabamba/Catamayo; the
cost is about $100. 

From Cuenca  you could catch a 3 1/2 hour shuttle to Loja for $12.
The shuttle Transport from Cuenca to Loja – the company is called Elite Tours

Their shuttle bus service between Cuenca & Loja seems to be a more
reliable and organized option than the Bombuscaro Shuttle.
The transfer operates from the airport and is priced at $12 pp
Their timetable is far more frequent and fits better with many flight arrivals.
Schedule departs Cuenca at: 745 915 1045 1145 1300 1445 1615 1715 1815 and 1930.
Passengers will need to provide a passport or Cedula number.
The Cuenca office: is located in the actual airport terminal, ground floor
(Av Remigoio Crespo y Santa Cruz).
Elizabeth is the lady on the phones & doing bookings in Cuenca: ph 07 245 5851.
The Loja office is located near Puerta de la Ciudad (Door to the City) :
ph 07 256 0731.
Cell: 081698393 / 087972702

 

When in Loja you can take a bus for less than $2.  Tell the taxi drive "Yo quiero ir a la auto boos a Vilcabamba".   Or ask the taxi driver to take you to the taxi routa to Vilcabamba also for less than $2.00.  Tell the driver ""Yo quiero ir a la taxi row tah a Vilcabamba".  It will take 45 to 60 minutes from Loja to Vilcabamba.

 

In Vilcabamba you  could catch another bus and go to Valladolid for another $3 and 2 3/4 hours of bus riding.  But that is a lot of traveling and you will probably get to the farm road in the dark.  So, plan on spending $8 to $10 to stay overnight at the small paradise of Vilcabamba.

VILCABAMBA:  A GREAT place to stop and rest. There are several hostels within several blocks of the bus stop.
If you like nature and don't mind a 10 to 15 minute walk to town try,Rumi Wilco a nature reserve and
ecolodge.  About $8 per person.  Great selection of hiking.  It is
also along the river.   Ask for directions at Restaurante Charlitos (good food and local hangout for
the beer drinkers)  or ask at The Juice Factory, good food and hang
out for the vegetarian crowd.

 

WHAT TO BRING:
A wide brim hat.  Bring   long sleeved shirts.  An anti itch cream with Cortisone. This is important; there is a lousy selection here.

If you can, bring me a couple of cheap tubes.
Copy of Visa/Passport.
Wear boots that you can walk through calf deep mud. That means that the boots will almost come up to your knees.

Up to size 10 is available in local towns otherwise, buy them in a city for $8 to $10.

Bring bug repellent, sunscreen, a flashlight or head lamp, work gloves, and rain gear.

Bring quality rain gear.  Not something from the 3rd world that disintegrates with the first rain.