Our Cloud Forest Adventure Philosophy
The CFA philosophy (if philosophy is the right word!) is that rural life in Ecuador (and most of Latin America) is both fun and healthy for visitors, and offers a way of thinking and being that can enrich the lives of visitors not only while here, but also once they are back home.Our aim is to provide a memorable experience for the traveller and ecotourist, blending unspoilt nature, traditional Andean farming, and relaxed cultural interaction. For most people, it takes quite a bit of money and planning to get to Ecuador, and we imagine that you didn't come here to spend your time being herded from one pre-packaged experience to another. We're proud of our way of life, think it may inform and inspire you in a valuable way, and would like to share it with you. So it's something more than a business, it's a belief that life is wonderful and precious, and that time is not to be wasted.
CFA grew out of a wish to provide authentic travel experience to visitors to Ecuador, especially for those who find themselves a bit trapped in a series of somewhat disappointing lurches between one "must-see" destination and another. We try to resist the urge to cater to what we think may be erroneous perceptions of what foreign visitors would like to experience. We imagine that, as part of their motivation to travel, they would like to gain insight into South American life as it actually is.
In order for this approach to work, we try to be considerate of the "creature comforts" and healthy standards needed by our visitors; and we then offer a series of new and hopefully unforgettable experiences that provide insight into rural Ecuadorian people and wildlife. To obtain these insights, yes, you do need to be willing, at times, to prioritise openness to new experience over comfort and familiarity. We think that most travellers to Ecuador already know this. We also think that South American people are like folks all over the planet in that they have their own culture and unique way of doing things, which can offer insights to enrich the lives of visitors. And this is surely one of the great things about travel.
We try to keep things simple. The traveller obtains a wealth of experiences for a fraction of the price he or she would pay to mainstream travel agencies; and local people gain (directly or indirectly) a sustainable source of income from a style of ecotourism that demands no pretence.