Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands

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May 22, 2013 7:45 PM
buzkashiboy

last reply
May 23, 2013 12:52 PM
buzkashiboy

2 replies
61 views
location: Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands

Tips for Andes trekking/Amazon accomodations in Ecuador

Hi everyone. I am currently planning a 2-week trip for a group of friends in Ecuador. Our main objectives are to do a short trek and spend some time in the Amazon. I have a tentative itinerary below, but I was wondering if anyone had any tips for treks in the Andes and lodges or other accommodations in the Amazon. We're a group of recent college grads looking for low budget (but not necessarily shoestring) options, but we are willing to splurge on aspects of the trip. Thanks!

Tentative Itinerary
August 2-4: Quito
August 5-8: Trek at Cotopaxi volcano
August 9: Quito
August 10-13: Amazon
August 14: Back to Quito

May 22, 2013 10:27 AM
aardbeienjazz

last reply
May 23, 2013 2:53 AM
aardbeienjazz

5 replies
98 views
location: Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands

One Month Itinerary 60-year-olds

Hi all,

I'm planning an Ecuador-trip for my 60-year-old parents in law. They are travelling a month in Ecuador during Oktober this year. They will arrive in Quito and leave in Guayaquil. They are in a relatively fit shape.

I spent the last few days researching a lot about Ecuador and came up with the following itinerary:

Quito (3 days)
Mindo (2 days) - Visiting El Mitad Del Mundo on the way
Otavalo (1 day)
Pappalacta (1 day)
Cuyabeno (5 days) - Staying in a jungle lodge
Latacunga (1 day) - To see the Quilotola Lake
Cuenca (5 days) - Spending a little more days here because they will be visiting their daughter here
Guayaquil (2 days)
Galapagos (7 days)

This makes 27 days in total. This means they have 4 or 5 more days to spend somewhere. Is there a place where they should spend more time? Or is there a very nice place that is not in my itinerary that is worth visit... more »

May 22, 2013 8:48 AM
mojonh

last reply
May 22, 2013 3:14 PM
polyglot25

1 replies
49 views
location: Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands

Best option - Mindo to Quilatoa Loop?

Can anyone give me the best travel option of getting from Mindo to somwhere on the Quilatoa loop? Anywhere along the route works, whatever is most efficient.

I'm assuming we'll have to go through Quito and take the normal routes, but hoping there is a quicker way.

May 22, 2013 2:29 AM
scottyheather

last reply
May 22, 2013 8:51 PM
scottyheather

2 replies
79 views
location: Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands

Galapagos inter-island ferry to Isabela

Hi folks

If we are flying into Baltra at 11.45am is it realistic to try to get the 2pm ferry to Isabela? Does anyone have firsthand experience of this? Is it possible to do this or is it totally unrealistic and should we just expect to stay at least the first night on Santa Cruz?

Cheers and thanks.....

May 21, 2013 2:37 PM
janelleg

last reply
May 21, 2013 8:19 PM
polyglot25

1 replies
41 views
location: Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands

Mindo lodge - Sachatamia lodge or El monte?? or other suggestions.

hey everyone,

Thinking of spending 2 nights in Mindo at a lodge, just wondering if anyone has stayed at Sachatamia or el monte? what did you think?

Also I've noticed that most of the lodges only provide breakfast included in the nightly rate. How much generally extra does it cost for lunch and dinner?

Any other recommended lodges?

Thanks
Janelle

May 21, 2013 2:36 PM
un_australian

last reply
May 21, 2013 9:24 PM
un_australian

3 replies
49 views
location: Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands

looking for trekking companion in Ecuadorean Central Highlands

I want to hike from Atillo to Achupallas and then connect that up with the Ecudorean Inca Trail. I'm OK with doing it alone (I'm not intending to go with a guide) but I would be happy to have company, too. If anyone is interested in doing this trek and is already in the area (because I want to start in the next few days) I would love to hear from you...

I have cooking gear but only a one person tent so you would need a tent and whatever else... Be aware that it's pretty wet at this time of year.

Post a message if you are interested and we can get in touch.

May 19, 2013 1:51 PM
DelmarWilliams

last reply
May 21, 2013 7:50 PM
jgcp

3 replies
65 views
location: Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands

Are buses running directly fr Riobamba to Banos or must I change in Ambato?

Thanks in advance for your reply!

May 18, 2013 10:38 PM
snowflakes100

last reply
May 21, 2013 1:34 PM
Keithent

2 replies
119 views
location: Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands

Current price for climbing volcanoes

In August 2011 I climbed Cotopaxi with a company from Latacunga. The price for one person (with one guide) was at that time $280 and that included all equipment, sleeping bag and extra clothes that I needed.

I just looked at the webpage of a travel agent in Quito for prices to climb Cayambe. Their price for going alone with a guide is $676 (they have the same price for Cotopaxi) and this price doesn't include sleeping bag, gaiters and any extra clothes that you need.
It is so much more money than what I paid for the climb in 2011.

So now I wonder what you have paid recently for climbing Cayambe, Cotopaxi or Chimborazo (or any other volcano).

May 17, 2013 9:46 PM
DelmarWilliams

last reply
May 18, 2013 2:39 AM
jonasschmid

2 replies
118 views
location: Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands

Quilatoa Loop Question

Hi. I am going to wake up on a Sunday morning in several weeks in Quilotoa. By 10pm on the same day, I have to be at the airport in Quito.

I have several questions.

I am prepared to take a truck to get to Sigchos to Quilotoa if I have to. Once I get to Sigchos is it better for me to catch a bus to Latacunga or would it be possible to go Lasso and get a bus or shared taxi (if they have them) from Lasso to Quito. Do they have buses from Sigchos to Lasso?

Do the buses from Lasso/Latacunga arrive at Carcelen Bus Terminal? From the bus terminal, I will need to go the airport and my friend to his hotel in the old town. Would it be better for us to take a cab together to the old town, and then me take a cab to the airport or should we part ways at the bus station. We prefer to be together for as long as possible unless the old town is far out of the way to the airport.

T... more »

May 17, 2013 7:23 PM
un_australian

last reply
May 18, 2013 9:44 AM
anillos_de_satu...

2 replies
162 views
location: Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands

amazon river travel

Who knows if it is possible to travel down river from Coca in Ecuador to Brazil? Anyone have first hand experience?

May 17, 2013 3:23 PM
Frida1

last reply
May 18, 2013 7:43 AM
chrisf29

1 replies
89 views
location: Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands

SaniLodge or Cofan community

My husband and I would like to include a trip to the Amazon Basin in our Ecuador trip. We plan to do about 5 days (including the travel to the location). We're deciding between the camping option at Sani Lodge in Yasuni and the Cofan Survival Fund trips from Zabalo. I think I have a good idea about Sani, but does anyone have experience of the Cofan trips? I'm particularly concerned because according to guidebooks, trips from Lago Agrio are less good because the area has been extensively disrupted by oil interests. Thanks for any info.

May 17, 2013 8:43 AM
blackmambafive

last reply
May 18, 2013 6:41 AM
blackmambafive

5 replies
156 views
location: Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands

Where to buy drybag in Quito

Title says it all. Am after a couple of drybags for a motorcycle. Where am I most likely to find these in Quito?. Cheers

May 16, 2013 7:40 PM
Narcisse

last reply
May 23, 2013 12:42 PM
Narcisse

3 replies
132 views
location: Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands

Sani Lodge wire transfer

Hi,

I want to book a stay with Sani Lodge but they are asking for an international wire transfer. Should I trust them? Has anyone had experience with Sani Lodge through wire transfer?

Thank you for your help

May 16, 2013 3:32 PM
nuclearwaster

last reply
May 19, 2013 9:01 AM
nuclearwaster

3 replies
160 views
location: Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands

drinking in ecuador

i have to decide if to go to panama or ecuador . where are the best beachside places to drink outaide of the cities in Ecuador please? i like places like taganga in colombia , byron bay , praia de pipa/arriaial de ajuda in brazil. thanks

May 16, 2013 2:13 PM
snowman6

last reply
May 22, 2013 2:46 PM
felix_freire

2 replies
98 views
location: Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands

Puerto Ayora day trips in July

Hi to all

We are family with 2 teenagers and will be staying one week in Puerto Ayora early July.
We would like to do day trips to Bartolome, North Seymoure, Floreana
It look like July is busy month so we are note sure to book trips before or wait until we arrive there??
Any recommendations for travel agencies that organize day trips??

We tried to contact Moonrise travel through their web site but didn’t get reply
http://www.galapagosmoonrise.com/
Anybody know their current email, phone number??

Thanks

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