Andean Community logo with stylized text in dark blue and black.

At the foothills of the majestic Chimborazo, the community of La Moya welcomes you into a living story shaped by mountains, tradition, and resilience. Known as a pueblo hielero, La Moya carries the legacy of the ice merchants—men who once climbed the snowy slopes of Chimborazo to harvest blocks of glacial ice, a sacred and vital task that connected them deeply to the spirit of the mountain.

Today, the community shares its culture through a vibrant, hands-on experience. You’ll witness the traditional preparation of cuy (guinea pig), taste authentic Andean flavors during a communal lunch, and even try on traditional clothing while learning the meanings behind each garment. Locals will guide you through the art of spinning alpaca wool by hand, just as it’s been done for generations.

An elderly woman dressed in traditional clothing, including a pink hat with pom-poms, a blue cloak, red sweater, and green pants, is outside near a brick house. She is holding a wooden stick with a bag of cotton attached, which she is spinning or processing.
A colorful painting of three men in traditional clothing with hats, carrying goods and a dog, set against a mountainous landscape with snow-capped peaks, green hills, and a bright rising or setting sun.
A group of five people dressed in traditional Andean clothing, gathered inside a rustic room with stone walls and a thatched roof. One woman is grinding something on a stone grinder, and others are looking at a bowl and a phone, with a table of snacks nearby.
Two women, one elderly and the other possibly indigenous, wearing traditional Andean clothing with hats, are engaging in a craft activity, with one woman spinning yarn and the other assisting. The setting appears to be a cultural or community center, decorated with photos of people and landscapes.