2010
ECUADOR
Quito The Ecuador experience
“Not only did you showed me your incredible country, I gained true friends in you guys. Thank you EC Travel” Goeril Pietikanen - Finland
We couldn’t have put it better. At EC Travel we believe that travelling is so much more than sightseeing, it is about truly understanding and knowing Ecuador’s true richness: Its culture and its people. Travelling can’t get any better than when you have a local friend to show you around. We don’t believe in big group travelling, we believe in friends sharing an amazing trip in a Diving friends with Rafael beautiful country. On our tours we try to involve the communities as much as possible. In Otavalo, for example, over 40 indigenous people from Iluman are directly involved in our tour. In our offices, we do our best to hire the best guides and staff to assist you. And on your tour, we will do our best so you can have the most rewarding and fun trip ever.
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Cayambe summit with Rafael
More friends at Oriente with Luis
Quito
Iglesia de la Compania de Jesus
A city of legends and myths. Quito hosts one of the most beautiful colonial historic centers in South America. During our Quito day tours we start by visiting the main churches that are truly a masterpiece of art and architecture in the famous Centro Historico. We will walk around the main streets and parks talking about the legends and stories that took place here. We will also visit the TeleferiQo for a spectacular view of the city and afterwards the Middle of the World monument.
Historic Center at night
La Ronda
On our night tours, we will walk around the Historic Center which is beautifully lit at night. We will visit the traditional “La Ronda� neighborhood, where romantic poets and singers made beautiful melodies to sing to their loved ones. Optionally, we can end our tour with a perfect dinner in one traditional restaurant in the city.
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Iglesia de la compania
Otavalo
Otavalean dancers
Otavalean culture is considered one of the most influential indigenous cultures in Ecuador.
Mals Family
Shaman
Peguche waterfall
Home to the biggest and most colorful folkloric handicraft market in Ecuador, Otavalo is one of the most visited destinations in the Andean region. On our way there we will stop at the small town of Cayambe, for some traditional “Queso de hoja and bizcochos� breakfast. We continue to stop in a beautiful viewpoint of San Pablo lake and the Imbabura volcano. Our day in Otavalo starts with a visit to the market, and continues with a visit to the Peguche waterfall, considered as a portal by the Otavalean. We will then head to the Iluman community.
For groups an afternoon with the Mals family awaits, dancers, music and shamans. For small groups we will enjoy a family lunch and continue to the volcanic lake of Cuicocha.
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Cotopaxi
Cotopaxi volcano
With a 5897 mts (19347 ft) height. The Cotopaxi is one of the highest active volcanoes on the planet. Our Cotopaxi tour is packed with adventure and beautiful landscapes of the Andean Mountains. We begin our day by entering the National Park and climbing from the parking lot 300 mts up to the Jose Rivas shelter at 4800mts of altitude. We can descend by bikes or by car to the Limpiopungo lake for a small mountain picnic, to continue our way to one of our cozy haciendas where we will enjoy a Sunrise at summit traditional lunch. Afterwards we prepare ourselves in ponchos and chagra outfits for a horseback ride around the hacienda. Others can stay enjoying a nice coffee by the fireside or doing small hikes around the Andean moorland. Downhill biking tours and Climbing options are available. This tour is extendable to Banos.
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Horseback riding to Ruminahui
Mindo
Gallito de la Pena
Considered one of the best birdwatching spots in the world. Mindo is an exciting rainforest destination.
Hummingbirds
Nambillo waterfall
Tubbing down the river
Mindo holds over 500 dierent bird species from which 32 are endemic. Of the 32 Bird World Life Zones, 26 are found in Ecuador and Mindo is one of them. It is a paradise not only for birdwatchers but also for the nature and adventure lovers. Mindo holds a beautiful waterfall trail, amazing rivers and extreme adventures. On our tour we will explore the vast and beautiful rainforest that surrounds this prime location. We will visit the Nambillo waterfall and bathe in the natural river or jump to the base from over 12mts! We will hike around the rainforest and enjoy a delicious lunch.
On the afternoon we will visit the buttery farm and for the adventurous ones we will tube down the river. Birding guides on request.
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Quilotoa
Quilotoa Crater
A volcanic crater at 3800 mts. The Quilota and its turquoise waters is an imponent sight within the Andes. Prepare for a beautiful hike around an active volcanic crater that during the past 1200 years has ďŹ lled to become one of the most beautiful lakes in Ecuador. The Quilotoa gets its particularly colored waters from the dierent minerals disolved in them. The community has just started to develop tourism as an activity, most of the hostels are owned by indigenous locals Down at the lake and are humble and very cozy places to stay. We start the day by visiting the Latacunga fruit market, and continue our way through the Andes. On the Quilotoa, a delicious pic nic with a perfect view of the lake awaits. After a 5 hour loop around this crater, you will understand why the locals believe that the god of the volcanoes lives on this lake.
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Down at the lake
View to Quilotoa crater
Baños
Manto de la Novia
A beautiful waterfall trail surrounded by rainforest, an active volcano, luxurious spas, adrenaline filled rivers and more!
Canyoning
Pastaza River
Manto de la Novia
Baños in an incredible eco-touristic destination. Our tours starts from Quito, travelling down the Andes into the rainforest. Soon after your arrival to Baños, we take our bikes or van and head down the waterfall sanctuary trail. We will first visit the Manto de la Novia waterfall, where we will descend to its base. From there we visit the Pailon del Diablo, one of the most important waterfalls in the world. On the afternoon we will head for a nice coffee in the skirts of the Tungurahua and watch as the sun falls in this small town.
On the next days, options for rafting, canyoning (rapelling down a waterfall), horseback riding are available. Volcanic spa treatments and luxury spa stays on request.
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Riobamba
Chimborazo
A scenic train ride through the Andes and the Chimborazo, Ecuador’s tallest volcano with 6310 masl. (20702ft) Riobamba is a small little town South of Ecuador. We usually arrive from Baños. On our arrival we will visit the Museo de las Conceptas and enjoy a little night tour on this quiet Andes town. Depending on our time of arrival we can also visit the community of Guano, famous for its handicrafts, or the Chimborazo volcano, considered to be the highest on earth Devil’s Nose considering the distance from the center of the earth. On the next day, we depart early for one of the most beautiful train rides in Ecuador (Only available Wed, Sat and Sun), towards Alausi and the Devil’s Nose. The last consists on a series of zig-zag movements that the train does down a steep mountain. The sights on this train ride on a clear day are unforgettable.
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Train ride
Chimborazo from train
Cuenca
Catedral de la Inmaculada Concepcion
Ecuador’s most traditional city, the most important incan ruins and a National park with 235 lakes. Cuenca is one of the most colonial and traditional cities in Ecuador. Our tours start on the historic center, taking you to the Cathedral one of the most iconic churches in Latin America. We continue our way towards the main streets, parks and museums. At night a visit to the viewpoint of El Turi, for a fantastic view of the city at night.
Ingapirca
Parque Nacional Cajas
San Blas
On the next days we will visit Ingapirca, the most important incan ruins in Ecuador. We will also visit the El Cajas National Park, an Andean moorland paradise with over 235 lakes.
Cuenca was also declared Cultural Patrimony of Mankind by the UNESCO on 1999.
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