UNIQUELY
ECUADOR TOURIST ATTRACTIONS
Ecuador,
although relatively
small, offers
an incredible range of touist attractions and activities, from the
Galapagos Islands, mountaineering, white water rafting,
thermal hot
baths, indigenous markets, volcanic lagoons, volcanoes & lakes, the
white sandy beaches of the Pacific coast,
shopping, historic Colonial architecture, music and gastronomy, scenic
panoramas, lush rainforest and the list goes on and on an on!
At the top of the list, without a doubt are the Galapagos Islands - a natural
paradise of evolution in process. No visit to Ecuador is complete
without a cruise in Galapagos.
Quito,
nestled in the heart of the Andean sierra, is an excellent base from
which to explore the surrounding countryside. The historic
Colonial sector of Quito is an historic and culural experience in
itself.
Ecuador has a bit of everything for everyone ... culture, history,
nature, adventure, gastronomy.
"Make
Ecuador your next visit ... its
charm and uniqueness will stay with you".
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GALAPAGOS
ISLANDS
NATIONAL PARK
Deserves
a whole site for itself! The best option is a 7-night
cruise to experience the wonder and uniqueness of the islands - aboard
a Galapagos boat that is comfortable, safe & reliable and with a
good naturalist guide aboard. The onboard naturalist guide is one
of the most important factors on a Galapagos Islands cruise.
Highlights include the Galapagos Giant Tortoise, Blue-footed boobies,
Waved Albatross, Marine Iguanas, Flightless Cormorants .....
See
our Galapagos section for
more details. |

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HISTORIC
COLONIAL QUITO
The historic (Colonial) sector of
Quito is a wonder
of Colonial architecture, from its churches, plazas and palaces.
Highlights include Plaza de la Independencia (Plaza
Grande), Plaza San Francisco, Iglesia de la Compania, Iglesia de
Santo Domingo, Igelsia de la Merced, San Agustin Monastry, the
Basilica, Panecillo hill
This is popularly combined with a visit to Mitad del Mundo (Equatorial
Line village). (more
details)
Tours from $25
(additional cost
not included). |
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OTAVALO INDIGENOUS
ARTISAN MARKET
Barter
and trade for ceramics,
wood carvings, textiles, paintings, musical instruments, jewelry, to
name a few. This market operates every day of the week, with
Saturday followed by Wednesday being the busiest (most tourist).
Located 90 minutes north of Quito, this is a shoppers paradise. A
visit to Otavalo isn't complete without a visit to Peguchi &
Cotacachi (reknowned for its leather works).
Tours from $45
(additional cost
not included).
For a deeper appreciation and experience of
the art of hand weaving .... here
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SAQUISILI
INDIGENOUS
MARKET (Thursdays)
This working Andean market is a
feast for
your sense (sights, sounds, aromas). Opperating only on
Thursdays, the town is
filled with local campesinos
selling their local products at the various markets scattered
throughout the town - mainly fruits and vegetables.
Located about 90 minutes south of Quito, a visit to this market is
usually combined with a visit to Cotopaxi National Park or a visit to
the Quilotoa Volcanic Lagoon.
Tours from $45
(additional cost
not included). |
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AMAZON JUNGLE
RAIN FOREST
Bio-diversity
at its extreme! Top recommendations go out to the
Napo Wildlife Centre, Sacha Lodge, La Selva & Kapawi Lodge.
Other highly recommended options include the Manatee River Boat and
Sani Lodge.
Most tours run from Monday to Friday (4-nights) or Friday to Monday
(3-nights), with the vast majority requiring round trip flights from
Quito to Coca or Lago Agrio.
See
our Amazon rainforest section for
more details. |
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COTOPAXI VOLCANO
NATIONAL PARK
The
Cotopaxi National Park is located
about 90 minutes due south of Quito. Visitors have two basic tour
options: (1) a naturalist day trip; or (2) a 2 or 3 day climbing
package. Mountain biking, horseback riding and a visit to a
hacienda are alternative options in this Park. There are a number
of interesting haciendas (working farms) in the area.
Options:
Private & shared-basis tours.
Special
section coming soon. |
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BELLAVISTA
CLOUDFOREST
320
hummingbirds species are know to
science &
over 50% are found in Ecuador.
The best place to get up close to these beautiful creatures is at the
Bellavista Cloudforest Reserve. Other highlights include a
myriad of orchids and other tropical vegetation.
Options:
Private & shared-basis tours.
See
our special Bellavista Cloudforest
section for more details. |
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BAÑOS &
surroundings
Banos is perfectly situated as a
jumping spot into the Ecuadorian Amazon rain forest (Tena / Misahualli
region), or a travel spot to rest and relax while traveling north or
south.
Banos is known for its thermal baths, mountain biking (Banos to Puyo),
horseback riding and white water rafting.
Options:
Private & shared-basis tours.
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CUENCA &
INGAPIRCA
Cuenca is considered the
craft center of
Ecuador, with excellent
ceramics and bronzework being produced by its craftsmen. Nearby,
a visit to Cajas National Park and Ingapirca ruins are worth the visit.
(Rates
vary
greatly depending on dates, guides etc).
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CAFE GALLETTI
COFFEE
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OTHER ATTRACTIONS OF ECUADOR THAT ARE OF
INTEREST
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QUILOTOA
LAGOON
Approximately
14 km to the north of Zumbahua lies the
village and infamous volcanic crater of Quilotoa with a serene
mysterious looking green lake inside.
Quilotoa
lagoon is a
perfect example of one of the various extinct volcanoes that are now
volcanic lagoons. The crystalline water in this lagoon is said to
contain too many minerals to be purifiable.
Options:
Private & shared-basis tours.
Special
section coming soon. |
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HACIENDAS
Ecuador
is home to numerous haciendas [a
Spanish word for an estate, usually, but not always, a vast ranch or
farm. Some haciendas were plantations].
Some better known haciendas throughout Ecuador include:
Abraspungo (Riobamba), Chorlavi (Imbabura), Cusin (Otavalo), Guachala
(Cayambe), Hato Verde (Lasso), La Alegria (Aloag), La Andaluza
(Riobamba), La Carriona (Sangolqui), La Cienega (Lasso), Leito
(Patate), Manteles (Patate), Pinsaqui (Otavalo), San Agustin de Callo
(Cotopaxi), San Jorge (via Nono), Yanahurco (Cotopaxi), Angamarca
(Quilotoa) ... to name a few.
Special
section coming soon. |
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PAPALLACTA
THERMAL BATHS
Located about an hour east of Quito and
perched on a high Andean valley at the entrance route to the Ecuadorian
Amazon jungle, the spa - resort offers its visitors health, recreation,
adventure and rest.
The
hydrothermal value of Termas de Papallacta's Hot Springs is thanks to
Papallacta's location between two volcanoes, Volcano Cayambe and
Volcano Antisana. The source temperature of the thermal baths
varies between 30°C and 70°C (86°F and 158°F). At the
pools the temperature ranges from 36°C to 40°C (97°F to
104°F). Papallacta´s thermal waters contain sulfates, sodium,
calcium, chloride and traces of magnesium which are odourless,
colourless but have a slightly salty taste.
Special
section coming soon. |
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JACCHIGUA
FOLKLORIC BALLET
The permanent
choreographic mounting of the National Folkloric Ballet Jacchigua, is a
show with 86 dancers, musicians and ecuadorian technicians that put
into scene a spectacular show of traditions and customs of Ecuador.
2.800 kilos of costumes and technique elements are utilized by the
dancers in choreographies designed by the director.
Special
section coming soon.
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PUERTO
LOPEZ / MONTANITA
This
region is famous for the Humpback
whales are present in the waters (epscially in the Machalilla National
Park) between June and September. The Humpback whales (megaptera
novaeangliae) migrate from the Antartic South Pole to tropical waters
to mate and give birth to thier calves. The humpback whales
are easy to recognize because of their extremely long pectoral fins.
These whales can measure up to 16 m of length and weigh up to 40 tons.
Humpback whales are the most acrobatic of the bigger whales. They like
to breach out the water or hit the surface repetitively with their
flippers or flukes.
This is not to mention the pristine
white-sand beaches, and spectacular beaches for surfing and parasailing
that are present throughout the region. Another attraction in
this region is Los Frailles National Park, with its peaceful and soft
sand beach cove.
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ECUADOR
CULTURE / HISTORY
TOURS
Ecuador is full of history, dating
back to the pre-Spaniards. The
old, Colonial Quito is full of Colonial architecture, from its ornate
churches and plazas, to its cobblestone streets.
The Saquisili market, which
operates on Thursdays, is filled with local campesinos selling their local
products - mainly fruits and vegetables.
The world-famous Otavalo artisan
market operates every
day of the week, with Saturday followed by
Wednesday being the busiest (most tourist).
Cuenca is considered the craft center of
Ecuador, with excellent
ceramics and bronzework being produced by its craftsmen.
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Above photographs
courtesy
of Hacienda Angamarca.
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| TOUR: |
"THE PASSION OF
THE ANDES" |
| PROGRAM: |
2 days / 1 night |
| RATE: |
USD $150 per person (minimum of 3
people) |
note:
details & rates subject to change without prior notice
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- Transportation
[Quito
- Hacienda - Quito]
- Spanish Guide
- 1 night in the HACIENDA ANGAMARCA
- 2 breakfasts / 2
lunches /1 dinner.
- BONFIRE FIESTA,
tipical music, FOLKLORIC BAND, dancing lessons..
- Entrance to
QUILOTOA
LAKE
- Rodeo, horse
back
riding in the ranch, chagreria lessons.
- Trekking to
The
CHIVO ROCKS and TUCUA ECOLOGICAL RESERVE.
- Free coffee,
tea,
andean cocktails
- Milking
ITINERARY
DAY
1
We will leave from
Quito at
6 a.m. and head south. Your journey will take you through the
AVENUE OF THE VOLCANOS. Enjoy breakefast at Posada de Tigua Farm , from where
you continue to the spectacular Quilotoa Lagoon, and reach the HACIENDA ANGAMARCA .
Enjoy lunch, and in the afternoon you will have experience a typical
rodeo, chagreria lessons & horseback riding on the ranch.
Close the day with a well-deserved dinner & fiesta.
DAY 2
Learn & practice
the art
of milking a cow before enjoying a hearty breakfast. You will go
trekking to visit the beautiful moor between mountains and abysses
over the 3800m (12540ft). Wrap up your unique experience with a visit
to the El Chivo
mountain. |
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Other
interesting facts & activities ...
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Roses
are quickly becoming
one of Ecuador's major exports. Other flowers include: orchids
and bromeliads.
Ecuador is home to over 20,000 species of vascular
plants.
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Tagua
"vegetable ivory" is
the ivory palm (Phytelephas aequatorialis) nut. Originally this
material was used as buttons but today many other uses have been found
(figurines, toys, massagers and other small ornaments).
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Named
by
16th century missionaries
in South America, symbolizing the death of Christ. This woody
vine climbs through the
supporting vegetation using coiled tendrils.
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Ecuador
is
one the globe's top 17
most biologically diverse countries and has about 10% of all plant
species. Orchids alone amount to over 3,500
species! An ideal place in Quito to enjoy these precious flowers
is in the Botanical Garden. | |
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Ecuador's
geography is one of the
most diverse and can be divided into five distinct regions: Amazon
rainforest, Andean Sierra, Pacific Coast, Cloudforest and
the Galapagos
Islands. | |
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Andean
music groups from
Ecuador can
be heard playing in many international cities. Pre-hispanic vocal
& instrumental music was based on the pentatonic (five-note) scale,
giving its
haunting, melodic sounds. | |
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One
of
Ecuador's most famous
artisan products is the Panama Hat, which originated in
Montecristi. Contrary to popular belief these hats do not come
from Panama. | |
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Shop
for precious
metal jewelry
at
the world-famous indigenous artisan market of Otavalo. Items
include necklaces, earings, bracelets, and rings.
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Ecuador's
insect species number
more than a million, including 4,500
species of butterflies.
They can be found in the Amazon rainforest, Cloudforest, Sierra, Coast
and in Galapagos. | |
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Cayambe,
just to the north of
Quito, is famous for the short bread style biscuits known as bizcochos.
These delicious pastries are usually accompanied by the local
cheese (queso). | | |
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Reserved.
Luis Cordero E4-358 y Amazonas
Quito, Ecuador - South
America.
Site
design: Robin Slater
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