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In 2001, UNORCAC (The Union of Peasant and Indigenous Organizations of Cotacachi) and several indigenous communities undertook an initiative in rural community tourism. This initiative is known as Runa Tupari, which means “meeting the indigenous people” in the indigenous language Kichwa. Runa Tupari is a community-based tour operator located in Otavalo, a city famous for its handicrafts market, in the province of Imbabura, 2 hours north of Quito. An essential component of authentic and sustainable rural community tourism is direct interaction with indigenous communities.
As such, Runa Tupari works with indigenous families in the rural communities of Morochos, Santa Barbara, La Calera and Tunibamba. These families offer visitors lodging, food and an opportunity for cultural exchange. One of the objectives of Runa Tupari is to offer visitors the opportunity to experience a unique lifestyle and to expand their world views. Runa Tupari is dedicated to providing a more human style of tourism, based in authenticity and nature, which allows visitors to experience direct contact with nature and share daily life with local people. As well, a percentage of the price of lodging is invested into the host community.