Our college-age daughter will be studying in Ecuador during the spring semester of 2011. She is a zoology major so most of her time will be in the field and Galapagos Islands, with a month of classes in Quito in the beginning.

We plan to meet her in Quito at the end of the time (May) and spend another couple weeks there. I have read the State Department warnings and that leaves me a little leery about wandering around the country by ourselves. Perhaps a lodge in the rain forest? Escorted tour of the area? Side trip to Peru? Cruise to the Galapagos?

We would appreciate any suggestions as to what to do with that time.

www.enchantedexpeditions.com lots of options

for me this time of year Galapagos maybe Cuenca/Banos

I traveled to Ecuador with friends in April for a week and found it to be a wonderful place. We didn't experience any umcomfortable moments at all. It's a beautiful country with a lot to offer. Many of the hotels and lodges offer transfers and most often they are with people they know and trust. We broke up our time between Mindo, Otavalo, Quito and Cotopaxi. We used Surtrek travel for our overnight to Cotopaxi.

cdrcos,

we're off to Ecuador and Galapagos in August this year.

In Quito we are doing a tour of the Old City and a day trip to Otavalo. We are going to Tandayapa Bird Lodge http://www.tandayapa.com/ for a 2 night stay as the Lodge reportedly has the best hummingbird feeders. Neither my friend or I are birders, although we like birds. The appeal of sitting on the terrace with good photo ops of hummingbirds and a few gentle walks around the Lodge provides a welcome 'holiday from our holiday'.

If we had more time, I would have liked to include Quenca and Cotapaxi. I looked at a side trip to Sacha Lodge http://www.sachalodge.com/ but in the end decided to do the Amazon from Iquitos in Peru for logistical reasons.

In the Galapagos, we have 2 nights at Casa Iguana http://www.sancristobalbb.com/ before our cruise.


Happy planning


Pol

Pol,

Thanks for the info - those accommodations sound good. May I ask how you will be traveling to the Galapogos?

I am wondering if I should try to combine travel in Peru with this trip to Ecuador? Anyone have thoughts on that?

Joe

We love Ecaudor....just hate landing in Quito...soon the new airport will be in service: http://community.luxurylink.com/t5/V.../bg-p/blog-vip

cdrcos,

we are flying to San Cristobal from Quito.

Regards,

Pol

Because you have a couple weeks, you should be able to see a lot. Definitely agree with Cotopaxi. The markets in Otavalo are pleasant for souvenirs and to see more of the country. I have heard great things about Mindo (rainforest).

Further out, I'd put Banos at the top of my list (3-4 days easily). Cuenca is also a nice colonial city but personally I don't think it was that great.

Ecuador has nice beaches. Definitely check the forecast to make sure you're have a decent shot of good beach time.

Peru is definitely amazing but would require additional flights.

Dave
http://alongwaysouth.wordpress.com/