Run by the Kichwa community of Quilotoa, perched on the rim of the crater of the deep blue Quilotoa Lake, The Community Project Kirutwa Mushuk Wasi, has its roots in the vision for a comprehensive tourism development in the area, resulting in the improvement of the community´s catering, accommodation and guiding services. The project enables the organizations and communities involved to have the necessary infrastructure and receive suitable training in order to be able to offer competitive and quality tourism services.

The community now has a a hostel, cabins of the shore of Quilotoa Lake, restaurants, mules, kayaks and guides. As a result of increased tourism in the area, local artisans (especially traditional Tigua painters), Andean folklore musicians, small restaurant and hostel owners and thse offering transport services in this impoverished region have all benefited. The tourism initiative is particularly important for the people of Quilotoa, as farming is virtually impossible at this altitude, and it has the highest illiteracy levels in the country. Tourism is providing a much-needed regeneration in the area, for those participating directly and indirectly on this proyect.

All profits from the project are returned to community tourism enterprises in Quilotoa, thus improving the life of the local residents in a sustainable way.

The sick or elderly can request money from this enterprise to buy medication or foot medical bills. Mushak Wasi also donated funds to local school projects, as well as to community celebrations, reinforcing the customs and tradition of the Kichwa residents.

This is a community tourism project - all profits are returned to the local community.
As well as providing employment for those working in the hostel, cabins, guiding and restaurants, tourism in this region also benefits other small business owners and artisans in the region.