Barabon Building Project
August 9th -19th 2025
Cost $1,200.00
Barabon is a small community 45 minutes from the center of Cuenca Ecuador. We will be doing projects selected by the community leaders. These projects can range from home contruction and repair to work on pastures, bridges, and fencing. The Yanuncay River runs directly though Barabon and represents life for the people who’s families have lived in this valley for generation.
Project Description
Goals
We’re tackling critical building projects in Sustag, Ecuador. But beyond the walls, we’re building connections – forging friendships with locals and exploring the vibrant diversity of this amazing country. Our ultimate goal? To work side-by-side, brick by brick, to create a stronger, more resilient community.
The Work
This will be a physically demanding job with manual tools. If you would like to participate but feel you are unable to do physical work, please let us know. We will have important jobs that are less physically demanding such as: food preparation, photography, and kids camp.
Living Conditions
The first in Cuenca you will stay in a hostel. During your stay in Sustag you will be living with a family in their home. After the work project you will be staying in hostels.
Weather
The weather in Cuenca is moderate year round. Expect temperatures to be in the 60’s to low 70’s during the day and to cool off to the high 40’s to 50’s at night. Sustag is higher in altitude than Cuenca and is a few degrees cooler. Sustag is also in a valley and gets less direct sunlight.
Cultural Considerations
The people in the countryside in the Andes are generally more conservative than their countrymates on the coast. The women dress modestly and the men are usually in work clothes such as long sleeve shirts jeans. You will probably be invited to try Cuy (guinea pig), which is one of their favorite meals.
Exploration Opportunities
Ecuador was the northern capital of the Incan empire, and home to the Canaris as well. There are rich historical and cultural museums and ruins for you to explore. Cuenca is also a center for the arts in Ecuador. Many artisans have their workshops and galleries here. There are many excellent restaurants with cuisine from around the world in the city. When you have some free time you can explore some of these options.
Language Skills
Ecuador is a Spanish speaking country. If you speak Spanish or know a little you will be able to comminicate with your host family on a deeper level. But, you do not need to Speak any Spanish for this to be a richly rewarding experience.
Health
Cuenca has several excellent hospitals that are within 40 minutes of Sustag. Please make sure that you have travel health insurance. Check with your health care provider regarding necessary immunizations.
Cuenca is at 8,300 feet above sea level and some people experience altitude sickness for which there is medication. Due to the high altitude the UV index is very high. Sunscreen is a necessity.
When you are in the center city of Cuenca you are able to drink the tap water. While you are in Sustag it is recommended that you drink bottled or boiled water.
Safety
Cuenca is one of the safest cities in South America. However, it is a large city (600,000 residents) and you should take normal precautions. Whenever you are walking around you should always be with another person.
Documentation
As a North American or European citizen you will automatically be granted a 90 day tourist visa upon entry into Ecuador. You will need your passport. Currently there is no Covid-19 proof of vacination requirement.
Registration Form
Countdown for Sustag
Day(s)
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Hour(s)
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Minute(s)
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Second(s)
Itinerary
Arrive in Cuenca
Plan to arrive in Cuenca before 6:00 pm on Friday August 9th. We can advise you on the best ways to get here.
Check into hostel
7:00 – 9:00 Meet your Project Leaders and fellow Nomads at dinner
Day 1 Saturday
Saturday
8:30 -Depart the hostel and travel to Sustag.
9:30 – 12:00 Meet your family and tour the project sites.
12:00 -1:30 Lunch with your family and rest
1:30 – 4:30 Work at your assigned project
4:30 – 6:30 Return to your family for rest and dinner
6:30 – 9:30 Community activity
9:30 Home with your family
Day 2 Sunday
Sunday
7:45 Check in for daily meeting
8:00 – 12:00 Work at your assigned project
12:00 – 1:30 Lunch and rest
1:30 – 4:30 resume work project
4:30 – 6:30 Dinner and time with your family
6:30-9:30 Community activity
9:30 Home with your family
Day 3 Monday
Monday
7:45 Check in for daily meeting
8:00 – 12:00 Work at your assigned project
12:00 – 1:30 Lunch and rest
1:30 – 4:30 resume work project
4:30 – 6:30 Dinner and time with your family
6:30-9:30 Community activity
9:30 Home with your family
Day 4 Tuesday
Tuesday
7:45 Check in for daily meeting
8:00 – 12:00 Work at your assigned project
12:00 – 1:30 Lunch and rest
1:30 – 9:00 Easy hike on Pachamama and dinner in Cuenca
9:00 – 9:30 Travel back to Sustag
9:30 Home with your family
Day 5 Wednesday
Wednesday
7:45 Check in for daily meeting
8:00 – 12:00 Work at your assigned project
12:00 – 1:30 Lunch and rest
1:30 – 4:30 resume work project
4:30 – 6:30 Dinner and time with your family
6:30-9:30 Community activity
9:30 Home with your family
Day 6 Thursday
Thursday
7:45 Check in for daily meeting
8:00 – 12:00 Work at your assigned project
12:00 – 1:30 Lunch and rest
1:30 – 3:30 resume work project
3:30 – 4:30 Visit project sites
4:30 – 6:30 Dinner and time with your family
6:30-9:30 Celebration of the week with the community.
9:30 Home with your family
Day 7 Friday
Friday
8:30 Depart Sustag
9:00 – 12:30 Visit Cuenca el centro and have lunch on your own
12:30 – 2:00 Travel to Canar
2:00 – 4:30 Visit Canar and participate in cultural event
4:30 – 5:00 Travel to Ingapirca and check in to the hotel.
5:00 – 6:30 Dinner in Ingapirca
6:30 Free time
Day 8 Saturday
Saturday
8:00 – 9:00 Breakfast at hostel
9:00 – 12:30 Visit the Inca Canari ruins
12:30 – 2:00 Visit the Church of the Rock in Biblian
2:00 – 3:00 Travel to Cuenca and check into the hostel
3:00 – 7:00 Free time in Cuenca
7:00 – 9:00 Farewell dinner
Day 9 Sunday
Sunday
Depart for home on your schedule or join us for the add-on trip to the Amazon
Unesco World Heritage Site
Surrounded by distinctive mountain formations, Cuenca is a treasure trove of cultural and historical significance, recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1999.
Add-On Trip to Limon Indanza
Limon Indanza Add-On Trip $599.00
About Limon Indanza
Limon Indanza is the first community that you come to as you decend the Andes Mountains from Cuenca and enter the Ecuadorian Amazon region. A small and welcoming community that will be our launching point for our visit to this mega-diverse ecosystem
Itinerary
Sunday – After the official end of the Sustag Work Project we will take a van to Limon Indanza. The trip will take about 3 hours with quick stops along the way.
Monday – Hike to the waterfalls in Cascadas Coloradas and swim in the natural pools. Adventure activities.
Tuesday – Bird watching with a local guide and visit a Shuar village.