Destinations

After a few days in the city, take off for the Amazon!  There are a number of rainforest eco-lodges, all of which offer excellent opportunities for hiking, birding, canoeing, and exploration.  La Selva Jungle Lodge is a 2 hour boat ride away from Coca (the small city that serves as a gateway to the Amazon), and offers a variety of packages that include accommodation, guided excursions, and meals.  The private bungalows are comfortable (mosquito-netted beds, porches with hammocks, and bathroom with shower), the guides are fantastic, and the food is incredible.  Any trip to the rainforest is an unforgettable experience, and this lodge does an exceptional job of ensuring a wonderful stay; no more than 40 guests will be visiting the lodge at any given time, and excursions are limited to 8 people per guide.

For those with a real taste for adventure and a keen interest in wildlife, a trip out to the Galapagos will be unforgettable!  The islands, located 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, are home to a variety of wildlife—these sea lions, penguins, birds, turtles, and iguanas have spent the duration of their lives with no natural fear of man.  As a result, you can literally come face-to-face with these incredible animals (you can even snorkel with the sea lions)!  There are a variety of companies that operate tours throughout the islands.  The smaller boats are preferable, simply because group size is more limited.  The guides that lead the excursions must go through rigorous certification processes, and are all very knowledgeable and speak excellent English.  Each boat has a separate itinerary that is approved by the government of Ecuador, so that not too many people are visiting a particular island at any given time.  Be forewarned–this is an active destination (and a bit pricey)!  Passengers should be prepared to spend several hours a day hiking and snorkeling—there are also some early mornings on the boat.

Ecuador is an amazingly diverse country that offers visitors the chance to view a dazzling array of wildlife and explore a variety of ecological and cultural environments.  That aside, the local currency is the US Dollar!

Begin your stay in Quito, Ecuador.  Located in a valley rimmed by volcanoes, this capital city is the second highest (elevation-wise) in the world.  The old city center has been recently revamped, and boasts a handful of luxury hotels.  Patio Andaluz offers large, comfortable rooms that have all been built around a center courtyard.  There is a solarium located on the third floor –complete with a giant hammock–that is the perfect spot for an afternoon read.  The hotel is just steps away from the old city center (cathedrals, shops, and restaurants) and is reasonably priced.

There are a few sites just outside of the city that should not to be missed, including the Equatorial Monument (there is a museum here where you can perform experiments that yield unique results due to your geographical location), and several local villages that specialize in the production of various handicrafts.  Visit the Otavalo market to purchase local goods such as paintings, blankets, and dough figurines at very reasonable prices.  Be sure to stop for lunch at Hacienda Pinsaqui.  The grounds are beautiful and the food is excellent!  Additional day excursions include a visit to the cloud forest (where you can go tubing on the Rio Mindo—this is not for the faint of heart!) and hiking up near Bellavista (an eco-lodge famed for its bird-watching), where you will be overwhelmed by the plethora of hummingbirds that greet you once you step out of the car.