|
|
|
|
|
Adventure Tours |
 P2 NORTHERN ANDES On this one-week trip we get to know the two most northern provinces of Ecuador, Imbabura and Carchi. This region, which is partly ignored by tourists offers many beautiful natural regions with a varied plant life, including plants seldom seen elsewhere in the world as is the case of the Frailejones. Apart from the natural wonders, it has a varied population with its distinct ethnic cultures and colorful Indian markets. Day 1 We leave Quito in the morning and head north on Pan-American Highway. Our first stop is the archaeological site of Cochasqui, about 1and half hour north of Quito. This pre-Inca site was an important ceremonial complex and defensive fortress. Later we head to Otavalo, where we stop for lunch and in the afternoon we visit the famous Indian textile market, which is located in and around Plaza del Poncho. After shopping and/or admiring the various handicrafts in display there, we continue on to the small Indian community Peguche, where we spend our first night. Day 2 After breakfast we undertake a small hike to the waterfall of Peguche and get to know the rural surroundings of Otavalo. After the hike we then drive on to Cotacachi, a small town famous for its leather articles. After doing some window- or real shopping and having lunch there, we head up to Cuicocha, a crater lake located at 3300m and 20 minutes from the town. We spend the rest day of day hiking and exploring the lake area and spend the night in a small hostel, overlooking the crater. Day 3 This morning we take a small, secondary gravel road winding towards Apuela, a small village. On the way there we stop at a private cloud forest reserve where we can see a variety of birds and orchids. In the afternoon we continue on to Nangulvi, hot springs in the valley. After a stop there enjoying the hot waters, we head then back to Otavalo by way of Selva Alegre. Day 4 In the morning we head north to El Angel , a small town located 50km north of Ibarra and take there a secondary road towards Tulcan, which leads us through a nature reserve , called " Paramo El Angel ". This reserve is located at around 3500m and is famous for its many Failejones plants, which sprawl like forests through the paramo. Day 5 After a visit to the cemetery in Tulcan, which is famous for its sculptures cut from cypress bushes, we head south again but this time on the paved Pan-American highway and stop at the Guandera Biological Reserve, a high Andean cloud forest reserve (3100-3600m). Day 6 Today we explore this beautiful high mountain cloud forest reserve. The reserve offers a very diverse flora and fauna. Orchids, bromeliads, birds and with luck the spectacled bear and mountain tapirs can be observed in their natural habitat. Day 7 We get up early in the morning for bird watching and with luck see high altitude parrots and toucans. After breakfast we leave the reserve and head to Ibarra, the capital of Imbabura province, where drive east of Imbabura mountain. At lunch we stop at Guachala, oldest existing colonial hacienda in Ecuador near Cayambe. Afterwards we continue on towards Quito with a visit in Quinche, where we stop for a short time to see the famous shrine, dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
|
|
||
|
|
