Destination: Ecuador

Photos: Getting off the Gringo Trail in Guaranda and Guayaquil

Thu, 11 Oct 2012 | By steve_and_emma | Photo Gallery

Getting off the Gringo Trail in Guaranda and Guayaquil

Thu, 11 Oct 2012 | By steve_and_emma | Views [1189]

Plan B also involved getting to Guayaquil via the non-gringo route so we’ve detoured to Guaranda.  Not that the town has anything on offer but it sounded nice enough and the bus journey was alleged to be one of the best in the country. ... Read more >

Photos: Banos and Biking to the Amazon

Tue, 9 Oct 2012 | By steve_and_emma | Photo Gallery

Banos and Biking to the Amazon

Tue, 9 Oct 2012 | By steve_and_emma | Views [633]

We checked out of our guesthouse with glee and skipped to the bus station for our 8am bus to Riobamba.  As we gravitate towards the equator we’ve left behind the high altitude dramatic peaks and defined seasons.  The land is much greener ... Read more >

Photos: Colonial Cuenca and Chilly lakes in Cajas National Park

Sat, 6 Oct 2012 | By steve_and_emma | Photo Gallery

Colonial Cuenca and Chilly Lakes in Cajas National Park

Sat, 6 Oct 2012 | By steve_and_emma | Views [627]

We used the Vajero bus company to get us to Cuenca ($7.50 hourly) and found their vehicles to be clean and comfy.  In fact travelling by bus has proved to be very easy with an extensive network to all the main towns and regular services to smaller ... Read more >

Photos: Football and Forests in Loja

Thu, 4 Oct 2012 | By steve_and_emma | Photo Gallery

Football and Forests in Loja

Thu, 4 Oct 2012 | By steve_and_emma | Views [670]

We dragged ourselves away from Le Rendez-Vous and jumped on one of the very regular buses bound for Loja.  In fact they leave every 15mins and cost $1.30 a ticket for the 1hr 20mins ride.  Once there we jumped in a taxi to take us to Hotel ... Read more >

Trying my luck with another volcano and the saga of getting to Peru (Banos, Rio Bamba, Cuenca)

Tue, 2 Oct 2012 | By kamzam | Views [967]

Banos was meant to be a break from walking. But then I forgot that as the main attraction it had a lot of adventure sports. Mindful of it supposed to being a relaxing destination I opted for the 70km bike ride to Puyo through the waterfall valley. I ... Read more >

Tags: banos, cuenca, ecuador, la balsa, san ignacio, trekking, vilcabamba, zumba

Photos: Relaxing and Hiking in Vilcabamba

Tue, 2 Oct 2012 | By steve_and_emma | Photo Gallery

Relaxing and Hiking in Vilcabamba

Tue, 2 Oct 2012 | By steve_and_emma | Views [716]

The last instalment ended in a bit of a hurry so let me take some time to tell you about the excellent place we’re staying in during our first 3 nights in a new country.   Le Rendez-Vous Hostal Guesthouse (French owned you may have guessed) ... Read more >

Photos: Entering Ecuador by the Back Door

Sun, 30 Sep 2012 | By steve_and_emma | Photo Gallery

Entering Ecuador by the Back Door

Sun, 30 Sep 2012 | By steve_and_emma | Views [655]

Before setting off on our 2-day trip to Ecuador we watched some more football; well it might be our last chance.   For once we were glad we did as both City and Liverpool racked up away wins and we discovered later that day that Man ... Read more >

Photos: Ecuador

Tue, 18 Sep 2012 | By kamzam | Photo Gallery

Ecuador – the land of volcanos and the indigenous people (Otavalo, Quito, Latacunga)

Mon, 17 Sep 2012 | By kamzam | Views [1404]

Crossing the border to Ecuador turned out to be quite simple, if a bit long and painful, process. After a really bumpy journey to Ipiales, we swapped for a mini van to the border, quickly got our stamps, then another van to Tula, where ... Read more >

Tags: cotopaxi, ecuador, latacunga, otavalo, quilotoa, quito, trekking