Steven Hamberg

We are going to Ecuador for the last two weeks of August and are planning on visiting Quito/Otavalo, Central Highlands, 4 days in Galapagos, 3 days in jungle. We have to juggle everything but are we missing a great deal by not going to the Coast? In the guide books the Central coast looks interesting as does up north. Our feeling is that we would be better served by going to Cuenca and doing the central and southern highlands and avoiding the coast, except for the Galapagos. <BR> <BR>Any thoughts from those with Ecuador experience would be most appreciated. <BR> <BR>-Steven

Vesa Taiveaho

Hello Steven, <BR> <BR>and welcome to Ecuador! <BR> <BR>I think You have chosen the most interesting parts of our country in your 2 week visit! <BR> <BR>Galapagos will be the most fascinating part of your trip, the nature paradise without comparison in the whole world. <BR> <BR>If You would lenghten also your jungle stay to 4 days, you would have enough time to get very deep into the primary forest, and get a better view also from the Amazonian nature. <BR> <BR>On the central coast of Ecuador, there are humpback whales seen still in late August, and the whale watching safaris organized from Puerto Lopez is for sure one of the very highlights of our country. Anyway the Ecuadorian beaches can not compete with Caribbean beaches, water is pretty cool, and the sun shine can not be guaranteed in August. <BR> <BR>I would concentrate my time after Galapagos and Amazonian rainforests to the Andean region. Otavalo You can easily visit as a day trip from Quito (2 hours busride), and then You still would have enough time to travel overland to Cuenca, and fly back to Quito before your homeflight. <BR> <BR>Just fly in and let the friendly Ecuadorians to show you around! I am sure You will love your 2 week visit in our country. <BR> <BR>If You have any other questions concerning travelling in Ecuador, you are welcome to e-mail us! <BR> <BR>Vesa & Nancy, <BR>Quito, Ecuador. <BR>e-mail &lt;[email protected]&gt;

Steven Hamberg

Thank you very much for your reply. Are you the same Nancy who runs the hotel in Quito? Also, aside from Otavalo any more non-touristy towns you would recommend? Many thanks. <BR> <BR>-Steven

Vesa Taiveaho

Hello Steven, <BR> <BR>This is Vesa, Nancy's husband from Quito's Hostal Villa Nancy writing. <BR> <BR>I am sitting here in our internet corner, waiting our night receptionist to arrive and allow me to go bed... <BR> <BR>Around Otavalo you can visit also few weaver's villages as Peguche or Agato, which are not that touristic at all as Otavalo is. <BR> <BR>On the way south from Quito, my favourite of Ecuador's indian markets is the Thursday happening of Saquisili. This is the biggest indian market of the country, a huge happening with 6 - 7 squares, most of it directed straight to native people. Great place to observe an authentic market happening. This is also enough close to Quito so that You can visit Saquisili easily as a day trip out of Quito. <BR> <BR>If You would forget Cuenca, You could make the Quilotoa circuit on Cotopaxi Province, visiting a very remote country side area with very few travellers around: Saqusili-Chugchillan-Quilotoa-Zumbahua (here is also a very interesting Saturday Market) - Pujili (market on Sundays) - Latagunga. On this area many people live still on the houses made from earth materials, cultivating steep high Andean hills by hand with the help of oxes. Very picturesque area, where one feels that the time has stopped. To take everything out of this area you would need atleast 4 days, but it would give you a great idea of the life of today's native people on remote Andean areas. And the sceneries around are the best of the country, and together with the people it all makes this area a photographer's paradise. Then You could just drive to Baņos (very touristic and very nice) to rest for few days before getting back to Quito and flying out of the country. <BR> <BR>Ecuador is a fascinating holiday destination and offers so many things to do and see, that in your 2 week vacations You have time to get just a short glimpse of our country. Anyway, the good thing is that we are just a 4 hour flight away from Miami, so it is easy to get back to here again! <BR> <BR>See You in Quito! <BR> <BR>Vesa Taiveaho, <BR>HOSTAL VILLA NANCY, <BR>Muros 146 y 12 de Octubre, <BR>Quito, Ecuador. <BR>tel. +593-2-550839, 562473 <BR>fax. +593-2-562483 <BR>e-mail. [email protected]

Beverly

For me, in addition to Galapagos, a highlight was the train that runs from Riobamba toward Guayaquil. Tourists & natives alike sit atop the cars as they ascend the Devil's Nose to better view the ever-changing scenery -- from rollling green hills, to stark Andes, sandy stretches, and finally the dense growth in the humid lowlands. Check to be sure the train is running.

Michelle Kirby

Hi Steven, <BR> <BR>If you do consider doing the Latacunga Loop, or some people call it the Quilotoa Circuit, look up the Black Sheep Inn. It is exactly half way around the loop and makes for a great base to see Laguna Quilotoa, visit Zumbahua's Market, hike in the Rio Toachi Canyon and visit the cloud forest in the Iliniza Ecological Reserve. <BR> <BR>Ecuador is a small country, but there is so much to see!! <BR>Michelle