17 Mar South America’s Country ‘With the Lot’ – Ecuador

Posted at 15:15h in News by alex

SOUTH AMERICA’S COUNTRY ‘WITH THE LOT’ – ECUADOR

Okay, I’ll start with the one thing that Ecuador does not have: Machu Picchu. So if Machu Picchu is on your list, then Peru it is.

But if not, Ecuador has a tremendous amount packed into a small country – AND – it also has the Galapagos Islands.

Many people dream of visiting the Galapagos Islands – and for good reason! The wonderful thing is that getting there means flying via Ecuador, either through the country’s capital, Quito, or Guayaquil, giving you the perfect opportunity to explore the mainland as well.

What fewer people realise is that Ecuador also offers the Amazon Rainforest (accessible by lodges and river cruises), the Cloud Forest, beautiful colonial Spanish architecture, colourful markets, and Haciendas. Whilst other South American countries may offer some of these too, you have them packed into a relatively small country in Ecuador.

A three-week itinerary in Ecuador will offer you incredible diversity and you can top it off with a week in the Galapagos Islands.

I guess it’s fitting that a country that looks after the Galapagos Islands also cares strongly about the environment on the mainland.

AMAZON RAINFOREST LODGES

Napo Wildlife Centre

Panoramic-Stateroom-La-Selva-Lodge-Ecuador-725

La Selva Lodge Suite

A visit to Ecuador’s Rainforest can be made via a short flight to Coca followed by a river transfer to either Napo Wildlife Centre or La Selva Eco lodge.

La Selva also offers a range of spa treatments – so after a walk in the Rainforest you can relax in very tranquil surroundings. I’d suggest if wildlife is your ‘thing’ then Napo Wildlife Centre is the better of the two lodges. If your creature comforts are a little more important, then opt for La Selva. Both offer a range of hikes, night time excursions, canoe rides, kayaking and canopy observation towers.

AMAZON RAINFOREST RIVER CRUISES

Coca is also the starting point for Ecuador’s Amazon River Cruises on-board Anakonda luxury river boat which offers a range of cruises from 3 to 7 nights along the Napo River (a major tributary of the Amazon river). With a maximum of just 32 guests, you have a choice between a Deluxe suite with balcony, or a Standard Suite with a French balcony. All suites are air conditioned and have private facilities, and the cuisine on-board is excellent.

Another very good option is the MV Manatee: a 14 cabin, First-Class boat. Cabins have panoramic windows and air-conditioning.

Activities are quite varied, from exploring smaller channels in skiffs and kayaks, to hiking in the rainforest, to visiting indigenous communities. With luck you should get to see many species of wildlife including parrots, monkeys, butterflies, and if you’re lucky, the pink river dolphin.

MV Manatee and MV Anakonda Napo River Ecuador

Amazon sunset

CLOUD FOREST

Cloud forests are among the most biodiverse places in the world. Just three hours east of Quito and you’re in Ecuador’s Choco Cloud Forest. Cloud Forests are found at higher elevation, here between 300 and 1,500 metres above sea level. To put it in perspective, much of the Amazon Rainforest is a little over 100 metres above sea level.

Within the Andean Choco Cloud Forest, you’ll find a small private reserve called Mashpi Cloud Forest Reserve. Built on the site of an old logging mill, Mashpi Lodge offers luxury within the Cloud Forest as well as an amazing array of activities: Gondola rides (small cable car through the forest canopy), sky bikes (where you pedal yourself through the canopy) daytime and evening forest hikes, a butterfly farm, viewing platforms an observation tower and a hummingbird garden.

With just 24 rooms, all with floor to ceiling (hermetically sealed) windows, you’re forever close to the Cloud Forest. The cuisine at the lodge is of a very high standard and is inspired by Ecuador’s many regions. Its delivery is an art-form and tastes just as good as it looks.

There is also a wellness centre offering a range of massages and other treatments, so if the thought of an evening walk (in the dark) in the Cloud Forest with your eager partner (that would be me) is just not your thing, you can opt in for a relaxing experience instead.

Starting from around AUD$1,000 per night, it’s not cheap – and given its incredible location and the very high standards of accommodation, cuisine and activities, I think it’s good value and an incredible experience you’ll not regret.

Mashpi Lodge Veranda overlooking Cloud Forest

Sky-bike – canopy ‘ride’

Beautiful Suites Mashpi Lodge

BEAUTIFUL COLONIAL SPANISH ARCHITECTURE

The old part of Quito has been transformed over the last 20 years (though it was given UNESCO inscription in 1978) and now has many fine, expertly and carefully restored old buildings.

That said, the pick of Ecuador’s colonial architecture is found in Cuenca, another UNESCO World Heritage site. Just like the old part of Quito, Cuenca’s colonial centre has been lovingly restored.

In addition to many fine buildings, Cuenca’s handicrafts are legendary: it’s the home of the Panama hat. They got their name from many of the construction workers of the Panama Canal wearing them to protect themselves from the sun.

Cuenca

Cuenca Cathedral of Immaculate Conception

Panama hat maker – Cuenca

HACIENDAS AND OTAVALO MARKET

A couple of drive hours north of Quito and you’ll find yourself at the beautiful Hacienda Zuleta. It is a colonial working farm of some 2,000 hectares and dates from the late 16th century. For the past 100 years, it has belonged to the family of Mr. Galo Plaza Lasso, a former President of Ecuador and it is still the Plaza family home. Now, a small number of guests are welcomed into the home and have the opportunity to explore the farm, taste some of its produce and to learn about the family history. Community is still very important at Zuleta as the former presidents were the driving force behind Ecuador’s land reforms – giving land rights to people throughout Ecuador.

Not far from Hacienda Zuleta you’ll find the famous Otavalo Market. This market offers various colourful handicrafts unique to many of the small towns and villages spread across Andean foothills. Spend the day discovering wonderful textiles, native paintings, ceramics, leather goods, jewellery and tapestries.