Day 1: The Cloudforest Trail and The Intag way of life
Leisurely breakfast, followed by a walk through the woods, fields and gardens of Finca San Antonio. There's a chance to hand milk the cows and make cheeses, led by Patricia, who is really skilled with cows. Depending on the season, you can pick strawberries, taxos, Naranjillos, oranges and physalis fruits; and harvest mashua, melloca, Oca, sweet potato and kale, which are a few of the fruits and vegetables that we cultivate in our organic gardens. There are plenty of seats, positioned so you can sit and enjoy the wonderful views of Cotacachi and Cotapaxi volcanoes, and of the nearby hills with their pastures and cloudforests.There's also a chance today to explore the 50 hectares (about 110 acres) of primary and secondary cloud forest on the farm, usually with Ned as your guide on a circular route. There are many birds on the farm, including rare or relatively uncommon species such as the toucan barbet, 3 species of trogon, quetzals, and 2 species of guan.
After a delicious organic lunch, prepared by Patricia, you might prefer a nap in the hammock! Then, there's the opportunity to learn how to make a basket using vines taken sustainably from our forests; and if you'd like to make your own basket, perhaps for storing jewellry, buttons or eggs, or a bigger one for collecting garden produce, you are welcome. Others prefer to learn how to make rope from sisal, ride the horse and pony, or fish for trout at our neighbours-.
Duration: the cloudforest trails takes from 3 to 4 hours
Difficulty rating: easy
Equipment: Hat, rubber boots (provided), camera.
Cost: Free for those staying at Finca San Antonio. Day visitors: $20 per person to include lunch.
