Scott’s Foreign Travel Itinerary Structure
&
Equador/Galapagose Island Example

This is the basic structure of my itineraries which I applied at all levels: i.e.: country, city, multiple islands & some large sites.

Benath this Basic ITIN Structure is a link to my FULL Ecuador & Galapagoes Island 2018 Intinerary (ITIN)

link

This itinerary example includes the following main sections with their various components:

1. AIR:  
    Always includes-   
    a. a chart showing all relevant air flight information from US to country’s 1st city of entry

    b. Important novel Entry Procedure info: (stuff you want to be prepared for before getting off plane & going thru customs)
    c. Airport Navigation to your Accommodation: bus, taxi, metro, or shuttle
    d. City’s transport modes (bus, metro, tuk-tuk, etc) 

   May include:
    a. General Information about 1^st city or country 
    b. Transportation logistics including best or optional transport modes (bus, train, air etc) OUT of 1^st city to next city/town.

2. ACCM:
   Always includes -
    a. Curated list of several ideal hostel options based on: location, guest rating, dorm & single room options, amenities (elevator, full kitchen, etc), Pro/Con Reviews (loud bar noise)
    b. Pre-book 1^st night's lodging in a new country or if high demand (Chinese New Year)
    c. My Ideal transport to Hostel options: Arrange in advance if possible or necessary:
    d. All key info: address, phone, email address, Contact person’s name, CC/DC vs cash

   May include:
    a. Arranged ideal transport in advance, if possible/necessary:

Ancedote: Hostel Revolution: My arrival would be shortly after midnight with very complex & unsafe public transport options. I would arrive very early next morning when hostel was closed,. all asleep. The owner graciously arranged a taxi to pick me up at airport, drive me to her hostel, let me in & show me to my bed. I quietly went to bed.

    b. Hard map of hostel location in case Google Maps NOT available
    c. any other relevant info tidbits (cooking class, Travel Desk)

3. FOOD:
I don’t focus on food so seldom seek it out  (Exception: Hiroshima's ‘okonomiyaki’ is to die for). YT clip

4. MISC: May include anything of specific interest NOT detailed elsewhere: Examples: 1)  “Hello”, “Thank You”, & “Goodbye” in country’s language, 2) currency info

5. SITES: 
   Always includes -
    a. All sites/activities I want to see & experience 
    b. Sites/activities arranged for my self-guided walking tour in the most logical sequential walking order just like UPS delivers.
    c. LOC (location) info: if necessary, address or relation to another site (Arch of Constantine is near Rome’s Coliseum)
    d. DIRECS: any special navigating instructions (also Google Maps PIN), 
   e. Concise background & site factoids .. as a reminder of previous research.

   May include: Day trips & OVN (overnight trips) itineraries:
   Again, may include some of same information as above: 1) Transport in & out, 2) lodging, if OVN, 3) any special transport, access etc instructions), 4) synopsis of sites attractions or background, Tours ... if pragmatically necessary or desirable. 

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Ecuador/Galapagos ITIN: 

AIR:

QUITO: Capital, 2^nd highest, , 2 mill, 3 dif cities: 1) affluent N region (pricey high-rises / MOD shopping malls); 2) HIST CNTR (rich w/ Cs-old CHRs, mansions, MUSs; 3) poor / working-class S neighborhoods (most tourists avoid)

    HIST CNTR: 
OOLrg, least-altered, best-preserved HIST CNTRs in Americas, Quito & Kraków, Poland:, 1st UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Sites , 1978. Quito’s CNTR SQ: 25 k (16 mi) S of equator; city’s w/in 1 k (0.62 mi) of zero latitude. GEN LOC of Equator (aka la mitad del mun - ‘middle of world’ > avoid confusion cuz EC SPAN 4 equator): marked w/ MON & MUS.

Elegant colonial, OT,: CATH, CHRs, plazas, equator (?), 

    CLIMATE: fairly constantly cool; while on equator, cold nites cuz 9,350’ alt (low as 50F° until morning) (sun always up @ ~6:30PM) days: usually 66F degrees.

AVE TEMP: @ noon: (65.7 °F), norm night:

Low:(48.7 °F); avg yrlyTEMP:(57 °F); 2 seasons: dry & wet season: Oct >> May (8 mo), winter.

   Elevation 9,500 ft =

alt sickness: remedied w/ lots of water, rest, aspirin, or if w/mild headaches -- DIAMOX, (increases oxygen profussion, Quito PHAR AVAIL 

9,500 ft = wrld’s grtst solar radiation; alt sickness symptoms (alleviate w/ drinking lots water & rest, aspirin, avoid hot showers 2 days B4, high carbo (Cliff Bars) or if mild headaches:

    POL sub-divisions: Urban parishes

EC cantons subdivided into parishes: cuz ORIG Catholic CHR based, but secular/liberal EC use same anyway. 

Parishes (2 kinds): urban, if w/in capital of canton, rural, if outside.

    AIR TRANS-IN: US > QUITO:

(UIO) Mariscal Sucre Int’l Airport principal PASS airport 

    LOC: 18 k (11 mi) E of city's CNTR in Tababela parish.

 

TRANS-IN from EC TWNs

AA1413     SU JAN21      DFW            UIO            5:30p    12:09a (MON-1/22

 

AIR TRANS-OUT > Santa Cruz , GI: Isla Baltra AP (GPS), Santa Cruz: 620mmi off SA coast

SEE Galalpagos Islas pages       +/- $450 -$538: RT (?) , ~3½h

Skyscanner: metasearch ultimately linking > bkkg:(Expedia, airline, etc.) > complete BUY. Skyscanner: tinker w/ dates 4 lowest price. (Avianca: $177 vs $230)

--- conveniently omits misleading low ECian-only prices of Kayak & Google. 

NOTES: 

• BUY 2-5 days B4 DEPART @ local Quito TRAV agency SAVE ~ up > $200 ?. 
• Explore $ diff btwn RT & 1way; BENE: fly out of 2 diff airports
• AVE online price: FLTs often included Guayaquil (GYE) stopover, BUT TAME : some non-stops, but MAYBE restricted > ECs citizens?
• San Cristobal (SCY) RET Option: > Quito (UIO) , Guayaquil (GYE) usually ALL 3 airlines

 

Avianca Ecuador (Aerogal: 

IN> Seymour/Baltra: SU, S, M.TH

OUTof Seymour/Baltra: ??

TEST: $438; * 1/18 10:15a > 1/30 ; 12:45p; NOTE: SAT $ jumps up>$466

Tame [26]: 

IN> Seymour/Baltra: SU, TU

OUTof Seymour/Baltra: ?? 

TEST: $402; *

LATAM (LAN) [27]::: in morning, rt in afternoon (min 1 nite stay)

IN> Seymour/Baltra: SU, TU, W

OUTof Seymour/Baltra: ?? 

TEST: * $538; ERX: Quito > GPS: $174 (includ taxes/lug); direct: Su, Tu, &We @ 1:10 p. 

 

Mariscal TRAV AGENCIES/Airline OFFs: 

Airlines: SEE: “Airline Offices, Quito GMap.pdf “

Agencies: SEE: “Quito TRAV Agency GMaps.pdf”

 

Quito airport “GI pre-flight” PROCEDURES: 

(Mariscal Sucre Int’l Airport in Tababela) > Galapagos (as of April 2014).

1) Begin @ mestic ("nacional") TERM. Go > far end of mestic TERM.

2. $20 "visa" booth: Next > ticket ("boleto") booths (TAME, LAN etc.) $20 "visa" booth 

NOTE: Really ARV/DEPART Record Form > complete B4 Galapagos ARV.) 

2a: N, look 4 sm or @ my immediate R. 4 pre-registry needed in http://preregistro.gobiernogalapagos.gob.ec:8082/SentinelAeropuertos/

3. N, THRU 4 ag products bag scan CHK. MUST B4 CHK in & getting tickets in Step 4.

NOTE: $100 CASH PK entrance fee on Galapagos landings.

4. Now GO> ticket counter & buy.

5. N, opposite ticket counter -- go >> security: only looking 4 metal. So n't need > take off shoes (unless contain metal), remove computer bag, or empty water bottle.

TRANS - Around Quito:

St Addresses:

Often not 1, but 2 distinct # 

Early 1990s, re-did city w/ new codes 4 all homes/business. However, rar than remove old #s B4 adding new#s, city simply put new #s over, under, or alongside old ones, THUS, some peeps use old #s or new official #s or both.

 

IMP AVEs: N>S;     2 main N><S motorways: 1) AVE Oriental (Corrir Periférico Oriental ?) on eastern hills bordering city, 2) AVE Occidental (AVE Jose de Sucre ): W side on Pichincha VOL. 

10 de Agosto: N><S; wn middle of most of city, 

HIST CNTR: grid pattern, despite hills; MOST IMP strs: Venezuela, Chile, García Moreno, & Guayaquil.

 

El Trole TROLLEYBUS (ELECT) RTs:: ($0.25): High FREQ, 

Single RT: , 3 segments of 1) Avenida Diez de Agosto (N), 2) Calle Guayaquil (CNTR) & 3) Avenida Pedro Vicente Maldonado (S). 

& different passenger services (circuitos):” along RT, differing in ir terminus locations but overlapping one anor.

Quitumbe BUS STA (S): main intercity 

 

Large TERM: Estaciones: LOC: 1) Estación Norte La "Y", 2) Estación Sur El Recreo, 3) Morán Valverde , 4) Quitumbe (new intercity-BUS STA:    

All LRG TERMs): served by several suburban BUS routes, "feeding" trolleybus line, NOTE: all transfers -- free

btwn R: many smaller STA (paradas or "stops") ~ 550 meters apart

STOP Procedures::

Fares collected B4 entry: boarding area "paid area": access via turnstiles only after buying TIK @ ticket machine or agent) or prepaid card -- THUS,…. allowing simultaneously ingress/egress @ all 3 doorways.

Platform-train level boarding platforms w/bridge plates 

 

BUS-LOCAL: 

Local BUSs: ($0.25), 6am > 9pm, convenient cuz GET on / off @ any St corner. No RT numbers BUT primary & final stops: in front window. 

Green BUSs: outlying districts & suburbs.

National BUS Terminals: 2 main BUS terminals: 1) North (Carcelen) & 2) South (Quitumbe). 

Ecovia Local BUS (red BUS) stop: 1 blk @ Alameda Park; N><S on 6 de Diciembre BLVD 

Trole trolleybus: nearby , N><S on 10 de Agosto. 

Metro BUS, very close on Avenida America.

> HOS REV:

Ecovia (red BUS) > HOS REV STOP -- Simon Bolivar. 

TAXI:~ $10.00: (N) Carcelen STA, 

Ecovia BUS > Rio Coca, N, Rio Coca (Ecovia), C1 > S (Quitumbe) > HOS REV stop: Simon Bolivar. 

El Trole Trolleybus line STAs/Stops @ intersections:

Hos Revolution: BUS stop: Los Rios & Julio Castro 

Avenida Diez de Agosto:

• Estación Norte - La "Y": Av. 10 de Agosto y Cofanes
• Parada La "Y": Av. 10 de Agosto y Pereira
• Parada Estadio (Estadio Olímpico Atahualpa): Avs. 10 de Agosto y Naciones Unidas
• Parada La Carolina: Avs. 10 de Agosto y República
• Parada Florón: Av. 10 de Agosto y Rumipamba
• Parada Mariana de Jesús: Avs. 10 de Agosto y Mariana de Jesús
• Parada Cuero y Caicedo: Av. 10 de Agosto y Cuero y Caicedo
• Parada Colón: Avs. 10 de Agosto y Colón
• Parada Santa Clara: Av. 10 de Agosto y Veintimilla
• Parada Mariscal: Av. 10 de Agosto y Jorge Washington
• Parada Ejido: Av. 10 de Agosto y Bogotá
• Parada La Alameda: Av. 10 de Agosto y Ante
• Parada Banco Central (Banco Central del Ecuador): Av. 10 de Agosto y Caldas (southbound only)
• Parada San Blas (northbound only): Calle Montúfar y Guayaquil

Within Centro Histórico:

• Parada Plaza del Teatro: southbound stop @ Guayaquil y Manabí, northbound stop @ Montúfar y Manabí
• Parada Plaza Grande: Guayaquil y Espejo (southbound only)
• Parada Santo Domingo: Guayaquil y Rocafuerte

Avenida Maldonado:

• Parada Cumandá: Avs. Maldonado y 24 de Mayo
• Parada Recoleta: Av. Maldonado y la Exposición
• Parada Jefferson Pérez: Av. Maldonado y El Sena (@ Machángara River crossing) (southbound only)
• Parada Colina: Av. Maldonado y Alpahausi (northbound only)
• Parada Chimbacalle: Av. Maldonado near TERM STA of Guayaquil & Quito Railway
• Parada Villa Flora: Av. Maldonado y Ernesto Terán
• Estación Sur El Recreo: Av. Maldonado y Rivas

S RT extensions mostly along Av. Hugo Ortiz, Av. Quitumbe Ñan & Av. Cóndor Ñan:

• Parada Calzado
• Parada España
• Parada Quito Sur
• Parada Internacional
• Parada Ajaví
• Parada Solanda
• Parada Mercado Mayorista
• Parada Quimiag
• Parada Registro Civil
• Estación Morán Valverde
• Parada Amaru Ñan
• Parada Cóndor Ñan
• Estación Quitumbe

 

ACCM: 

Quito B4 fly, many hostels allow > leave luggage w/ m in lock-up facilities. 

Btwn MARISCAL > OT:

1) HOS Revolution: 9.6, 0.2k, 6xD$9 Sandra: 593 2-254-6458; HW Ref #: 19541-345011631 

www.hostelrevolution.com, [email protected] www.hostelrevolutionquito.com

Los Rios N13-11 y Julio Castro

San Blas, Quito -- No cancel mention

LOC FAC: lock, KIT, LUG STOR, TRAV info, map

DIRECS: Los Rios & Julio Castro: see “Revolution Quito.” sign

Airport >< Options: 

Taxi: $26.00

Shuttle BUS & taxi: shuttle > Rio Coca STA: $2.00, N, taxi: $6

Shuttle BUS & local BUS: shuttle > Rio Coca STA: $2.00, N, Ecovia BUS > HOS ($.25). 

National BUS Terminals: 2 main BUS terminals: 1) North (Carcelen) & 2) South (Quitumbe). 

Ecovia Local BUS (red BUS) stop: 1 blk @ Alameda Park; N><S on 6 de Diciembre BLVD; ALSO: @ - Simon Bolivar. 

Trole trolleybus: nearby , N><S on 10 de Agosto. 

Metro BUS, very close on Avenida America.

TAXI: > Airport: $26

 

Safety: most dangerous: 

OT/Av. de Los Shyris: unsafe after dark, money or phone. 

La Tola (?), Lucha de los Pobres ( DUE E of Quitumbe), La Marin (?), La Ferroviaria (NE of Quitumbe) & San Roque (SW of Alemeda PK) , “El Telegrafo” (Due N of Happy Gring HOS) , La Michelena, Solanda, Chillogallo & Iñaquito; 

 --- CUZ --drug trafficking & day & night looting.

 

‘good’ neighbourhoods: 

• Safe after dark: La Ronda, República de El Salvar, & Plaza Foch. ‘relatively‘ safe:
• > North: (downtown) La Carolina & Colon (com area, hi $, hi rise bldgs . 
• Mariscal (aka Plaza Foch/Zona Rosa), but danger after hrs.

$: smaller bills $20, better, & coins; carry @ least $10 in coins @ all times/in EcuaMARISCAL: 

Blue House HOS (Mariscal): 9.0, 1.7k, 8x,6xD$9-10

No Check-in cautions

FAC:maps, maps, LOCK, KIT, BIKES, Lug Stor, TRav

REV: GUD: cln, Staff+, LOC: near rest, s mkt, BUS/metro; brkf, ENG, common rn (basement) 

         BAD: old bunks, 

No Vibes HOS (Mariscal): 9.2, 1.7k, 6x, 4xD$10

FAC: ‘Santiago’, LOCK, sm KIT, 

REV: GUD: LOC:BUS sta, , pow/nite lite/curtain, staff, quiet, TRAV, 

         BAD: thievery, 2 D cancel

El Patio HOS: 9.8, 2k, 4x$12

FAC: brkf, maps, LOCK, KIT, Lug Stor, TRAV, bikes, ENG 

REV: GUD: bed:quiet w/curtain, pow/lite; loud area

          BAD: 2 D cancel, limited reception, 

No Color House HOS: 9.0, 1.8k, 8x,4xD$8,

FAC: ‘Bruna’, brkf, LOCK, LUG STOR, TRAV, no ENG

REV: GUD:,LOC: , staff, 

         BAD: 3 D cancel; cold, no blankets, noisey str, 

OLD TOWN: 

 

1) Casa Carpedm: 9.5, 0,.5k 4D$12, 

Caldas E1-106, Caldas E1-106,, Quito, 

Partner w/ Secret Garden around corner

LOC Address: 

Reception available from 07:00 until 23:00

FAC: wifi, towels,LUG STOR, TRAV, 

REV: GUD: brkf, beds, clean, fruit shops, GUD wifi, GUD KIT,     

         BAD 

2) Secret Garden Quito (OT/C): 8.9, 0.6k, 6x4x8xD$10-12 (Capedm partner)

DIRECS: 

2014: Best EC hostalAddress: 

Also: Secret Garden Coyopaxi

FAC: wifi, maps, towels, LOCK, LU STOR, TRAV, bikes,W/D, REST

REV: GUD: walk tour, music off @ 11pm, USB @ bed, 

         BAD: noisey bar, noisy beds, 

LOC: ?bit outside of old TWN dirty bath, Beware TRV Agency’s high price vs online, no KIT

3) Community HOS (OT/C): 9.4, 0.9k, 6x,4xD$10-12

DIRECS: 

REV: GUD: GUD brkf & dinners AVAIL, towels, Free Walking Tour EC, LOC: 2 blks > BUS , Merca CNTR (meals), slow wifi, maps,LOCK, sloppy managed LUG STOR, TRAV, 1 day cancel, 

         BAD:, KIT ??, hot water issues, few outlets, 

Check in: 2:00 p; … Check out:11:00 am

Come anytime, if we have an open bed we will put you in it right away

Cancellation Policy 1 day

Only cash as payment upon arrival

 

Breakfast not included

 

 

 

4) Minka HOS (OT/C): 9.2, 0.7k, 8x6x4xD$9-12,

LOC 

DIRECS: 

 

FAC: LOC, brkf/dinner AVAIL, wifi, KIT, w/d

REV: GUD:, near BUS stopp, clean, 

         BAD: 3 day cancel, Bad KIT, hot water issues,,few outlets, 

ORS: 

No Colonial House Quito: 9.1, .8k, D$10 cuz 3 d cancel

Huasi Lodge:m 9.1, 0.8k, D$7

 

Downtown Guayunga HOS: 8.9, 0.6k, $10

Quito BP GH: 7.3, 0.7k

Hostal Oasis Quito: ?, 0.7, $8

 

FOOD: 

La Mariscal area: entertainment CNTR; tourist/local meeting point, cosmopolitan

 

MISC: 

MED: ✓ 

Vaccinations. If only Quito/ GI -- none; if mainland, especially Amazon or coast: ask Bruce, BUT , typhoid, hepatitis , diphria, & yellow fever. 3 mo prior!

MED: DIAMOX (Acetazolamide) , increases oxygen profussion (Quito pharmacies.) acetazolamide 1 > 2 days B4 start climb or ARV Quito. Continue taking: while climbing & 48 hrs after final altitude. 

HIST:

HGs 8000 BC: made of obsidian glass tools. EI Inga ARCH site.

Cotocollao (1.500 BC): LOC: NW of Quito. prehistoric VILL:, 26 hectares irrigated by many creeks. Near rectangular (VILL): burials w/ pottery & stone offerings. Cotocollao peeps mined & exported obsidian > coast.

Quitu-Cara CUL:

Quitu peeps: 2000BCE,Pre Incan on Pichinca slopes

Inca 1480s: Huayna Capac bilt Quito; Incan General Rumiñahui burned totally destroying Quitu/Cara artifacts etc, BUT preventing SPAN , but SPAN destroyed most remaining Quitu/Cara CUL.

SPAN: 

Jan 1535, San Francisco Convent: 1st of 20 colonial CHRs & convents. Forcibly converted Indians using as bldg labor

1743, Quito independence movement from

Independence 

SPAN control started: after 300 yr; 

10,000 inhabitants. Mar 28, 1541, SPAN Quito declared ‘city’

pampa

Colonial SPAN Impressions of Native ECians

 

Feb 23, 1556, SPAN decreed Catholicism. 1^st CHR (El Belén) bilt B4 city officially founded. 

Quito after SPAN Colonization

 

Aug 10, 1809: Quito rebels took power displacing Joseph Bonaparte clique, but cuz rebels lacked local residents support Bonaparte’s men recovered Quito. Violent / savage revenge attacks on innocent citizens leading > brutal St fighting. Local Quito residents started > fight back // By 1810, negotiations created Junta.

Independence not easily won, many battles (historical Battle of Pichincha just outside Quito). But 10 August 1809 rebellion ….Ecuador’s independence impetus 

May 24, 1822: Antonio José de Sucre, under Simon Bolivar’s command victorious in Battle of Pichincha marking Quito & area independence.

 

 

Republican EC:     ⤵︎

Republican EC

1833, Quito’s ‘Society of Free Inhabitants’ assassinated as conspirators by GOV’T.

Mar 6, 1845, Marcist Revolution began.

1875, EC PRES, Gabriel García Moreno, assassinated. 

1877, Archbishop José Ignacio Checa y Barba poisoned > death giving celebrating Mass.

1882, insurgents arose against dictator Ignacio de Veintimilla. However, did not end violence that occurring throughout country. 

Jul 9, 1883, liberal commander Eloy Alfaro participated in Battle of Guayaquil, & later, after more conflict, became president of Ecuador on September 4, 1895. Upon completing his second term in 1911, he moved > Europe.

Sep 4, 1895, liberal commander Eloy Alfaro ( Battle of Guayaquil,) became EC PRES of EC 

1911, after 2nd term, moved > Europe. 

1912, returned > EC, attempted takeover, arrested, Jan 28, 1912; imprisoned, mob assassinated, his body dragged >> str >city PK & burned.

1932, 4 Days' War starts: civil war following Neptalí Bonifaz election & subsequent realization he carried Peruvian passport. 

Feb 12, 1949, after Orsen Wells, realistic War of World’ led > citywide panic, 20 dead, 20 more in mob set fires.

21st C

2002, began HIST CNTR renewal, demolished old airport, bilt new Mariscal Sucre Int’l AP.

2003 > 2004, Metrobus’s (Ecovia) ECO friendly BUS lines constructed, N><S, 

Many AVEs & rd extended & enlarged, depressed passages constructed, & rd restructured geometrically > increase flow of traffic. 

New subway system: under construction.

2011, POP: 2,240,000 peeps. 

 

Pinnochio lizard: 

New species & those thought > be extinct being (re)discovered all time. Pinnochio lizard perhaps most famous example. W/ its strikingly long proboscis, incredible lizard not hard > identify but went unseen 4 40 yr.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SITES: (13 =) 1D+

Free City Walk Tour: Daily, from Community HOS @ 10:30am; 3h

free (tips); >, Highlights: stop @ MKT, CHRs, & old city, plazas & > chocolate shop!

La Mariscal AREA: entertainment CNTR, cosmopolitan ~

Foch Plaza: Music, Dance                                                         ½ 

Plaza Borja Yerov plaza: quiet,                                                ½

LOC: 9 de Octubre & Carrión, few blk walk from Plaza Foch;  creative water fountain popular w/ children, & surrounded on all sides by bldg whose facades have been turned into lrg, colorful murals.

Plaza Borja Yerovi@Rick Segreda

 

Food RECOMMENDED

La Fruteria again, few blks > 6 de diciembre & Wilson, …/ 4 fresh carrot ½ 

juice, orange juice, beet juice, & more, 4 less $.

Cocina Ecuatoriana: EC food @ EC prices w/ real ECs ~

LOC: Llittle bit away from Plaza, on Vincente Roman Roca & Reina Victoria

Well worth walk; 4 as little as $3 --full-course EC lunch, w/ seco de chivo & or items, & local EC experience .

Guápulo: 1

Artsy, bohemian neighborhood; local artists & 2 hippy cafés/bars.

LOC: Behind Hotel Quito ;    neighborhood runs w/winding Camino de Orellana, from González Suárez > Calle de los Conquistares: 

main rd out of Quito & > neighboring suburbs. 

cliff side w/ González Suárez St, OO Quito’s M Famous; 

or side: valley & in distance, Amazon Jungle. 

District of Quito, aka ‘electoral parish’ established w/ Oct 2004 POL elections when city divided into 19 urban electoral parishes.

OT / HIST CNTR: “centro historico” SEE : Quito map1.pdf”

OOLrg, concentration of HIST & classical ARCHI; least-altered, best-preserved HIST CNTRs in Americas, about 130 large bldg w/ pictorial art & sculpture, mostly RELG., 

1st UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Sites , 1978. Quito & Kraków, Poland:; 

LOC: CNTR S of capital, grid pattern, despite hills; 

MOST IMP strs: Venezuela, Chile, García Moreno, & Guayaquil.

1) Basilica del Voto Nacional: ¼ 

Huge, most IMP neo-Gothic EC building, OOmost representative on American continent.

 

2) Plaza Grande:  ½ 

SEE “Plaza Grande, Quito.pdf”

 

 

 

 

 

 

3) Carondelet Palace (Plaza Grande) MUS:mainly gifts > Pres ½ 

(SPAN: Palacio de Carondelet) Republic of EC Gov’t seat: admin units, 3^rd level’s Pres’s RES: luxurious colonial-style apt.

LOC: HIST CNTR: PAL: public nerve CNTR aka Independence SQ or Plaza Grande (colonial name), 

surrounded by: Archbishop's Palace, Municipal Palace, Hotel Plaza Grande Hotel Plaza Grande & Metropolitan CATH. 

 

 Rafael Correa, 07-now PRES, converted > PUB MUS.

 

4) CATH of Quito:         LOC: Plaza de La Independencia’s S side. ½

OOLrg Quito symbols of Catholic value, 1562 > 1806, PRES of Real Audiencia Baron Héctor de Carondelet administration.

IMP HIST event: of Bishop of Quito, José Ignacio Checa y Barba’s murder: poisoned during Mass w/ strychnine dissolved in consecrated wine. 

Burial site: 1) Antonio José de Sucre 2) several Rep Pres & 3) bishops & priests. 

 

5) CHR of El Sagrario                       ½

LOC: Calle García Moreno, ~ CATH^]

OOLrg Colonial-times Quito ARCH marvel; CHR of El Sagrario : Italian Renaissance, late 17th C by Bernar de Legarda. Screen: supports sculptures & decorations. 

 

CNTR arch leads > decorated w/ biblical frescoes of archangels by Francisco Albán.        Altarpiece: gilded by Legarda. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6) CHR of La Compañía de Jesús (Society of Jesus CHR) ½

Phenomenal amount of gold

1605 > 1765 (160 yr), façade construction last: by Native Americans carefully shaping Baroque style in OOM most complete examples art in Americas.

 

 

 

 

7) CHR of San Francisco                  ½

1550 start, adjacent > Native American’s product bartering plaza. Lrgst existing architectural ensembles        

in all Latin America cities HIST,

 

8) La Ronda blvd: restored              ¾ 

HIST blvd, big Friday & Sat nites

 

 

9) CHR of Santo Domingo ½

Dominicans: ARV, 1541, started CHR, 1580 w/Becerra plans;    1st half of 17th C         LOC /DIRECS, ne:. 

INT: valuable structures: 1) neo-Gothic main altar installed, late 19th C by Italian minicans. 2) roof of Mudéjar style CHR --- paintings of martyrs of Order of Saint minic. 3) nave roof: “pair & knuckle frame” (?) coated inside w/ tracery pieces 

MUS: LOC: N of lower cloister: splendid Quito SCULP pieces: 1) Saint minic de Guzmán by Far Carlos, 2) Saint John of God, Caspicara, 3) Saint Thomas Aquinas by Legarda. 

Chapel of Nuestra Señora del Rosario: Baroque piece 

LOC: beside CHR, on gospel side. Found’d lrgst fraternity(?) in Quito .

 

10) El Panecillo:           Virgin of El Panecillo.                                                      1

LOC: city’s middle W, alt: 3,016 m (9,895 ft) ASL. 

DIRECS: use map

Hill topped w/ Virgin Mary MON, visible from most of Quito. 1976,

 Oblates (?) RELG order commissioned SPAN artist Agustín de la Herrán Matorras > build 41 m (135 ft)–tall aluminum manna MON assembled on high pedestal on Panecillo’s top, replica of Bernar de Legarda 1732 sculpture, aka Virgen de Legarda or Virgen del Panecillo

 

11) Cemetery of San Diego, Quito                                                                      ¾ 

.

.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ancient Quitu Sites in QUITO: Beware: Confused Interpretative CNTR’s OPEN 

Inca Decapitation practices. / Lost City of Giants SEE “INCA Decapitation practices.pdf “

 

1) Parque Arqueologico Rumipamba (Rumipamba ARCH PK) 2

LOC: Ave. Mariana de Jesus y Ave. Occidental | Calle Nuno de Valderrama s/n y Ave. .

LOC: High on Pichincha VOL skirts w/ excel Quito views ---- +593 2-224-2313    

MUS provide free (?) guide

Orig 2001 ARCH excavations, 1) frequent VOL eruptions deterred continual occupation, BUT stratigraphy evidences humans occupied several time periods 

Era of Integration, 500–1500CE, Neolithic earn homes w/ straw roofs; grp of homes surrounded by stone walls. Burial sites near homes: shallow w/ deceased in pottery vessels.

 

 

2) La Florida ARCH Site MUS:      4

MUS: carefully created, life-like, detailed faces (using forensic medical techniques) in burial chamber replica displays,. robot mounted camera operated by remote control captured chambers & parts of site which inaccessible. ALSO, all chamber’s artifacts displayed, 

 

LOC: Antonio Costas, Quito EC170132,, Pichincha VOL,base contrasting spectacular w/ ruins tranquility. 

 

Ancient tombs in Quito’s MOD La Florida neighborhood, discovered, 1980s, but not excavated until 2004. Tombs, 200–600CE, old dwelling found nearby dated, 2000BCE.

• deepest , oldest tomb: 4 peeps; Immediately above 
• in newer level -- on 2 shelves w/six peeps ea. All wrapped in cloth, in seated position w/ knees > chests. 
• @ deepest level: 1 man w/ bag of Spondylus shells --- rich red oyster shell of great value > pre-Incan cultures in EC., also potato traces, chocho (native legume), melloco (native tuber) & quinoa, deer & guinea pig, foods still eaten today by native ECs.

Burial chambers: 220 > 640 AD, contained tribesmen bodies & fascinating artifacts: spondylus shells, beautiful, delicate jewelry, various dif shells, gold ornaments & detailed wooden carvings. 10 burial sites excavated / open > public

Burial rituals: ancient community’s bodies draped in spondylus shell ponchos indicating imp peeps: tribal leaders / rulers.Parks:

NOTE: 130+ hummingbird species thrive in EC. 

Only very limited habitats: stunning Star of Chimborazo hummingbird, 

Ors- everywhere: Sparkling Violetear, easily spotted in parks & gardens around Quito.

 

) El Ejido El Eji    ½

4th lrgst Quito PK (after Metropolitan, Bicentenario & La Carolina), 

LOC: divides city’s old part from MOD. 

Known 4 handicrafts 4 sale Sat & Sunday: all haggling; Local painted EC reproductions. 

b) Parque El Arbolito: LOC: next > El Ejido PK

 

c) La Alameda:                                                ½ 

LOC: beginning of Guayaquil STR: HIST CNTR.

Long triangular W/, impress Simon Bolivar MON @ apex. 

Or interesting MONs: 

1) Quito Observatory: LOC: PK CNTR, opened 1873: oldest Latin America observatory, used 4 meteorology & astronomy. 

2) 2 ornamental lakes , LOC: @ park's N end rowboats rentals.

 

Metropolitano: (Parque Metropolitano Guanguiltagua): ½

Lrgst SA urban PK: 1,376 acres (5.57 km²) (NYC’s CNTR PK : 843 acres (341 ha)). 

LOC Mtn biking, walking, & running. Mostly eucalyptus forest w/ trails & numerous sculptures

E section’s view of Cotopaxi, Antisana, & Guayllabamba river basin.

 

La Carolina: day safe ½

LOC: next > Amazonas Ave in CNTR of Quito main business area bordered by AVEs Río Amazonas, de los Shyris, Naciones Unidas, Eloy Alfaro, & de la República.

165.5-acre PK, Start: expropriation of La Carolina farm, 1939.). Pope John Paul II gave great mass, 1985.-- giant cross here.

 

Bicentenario (Parque Bicentenario): ½

2^nd lrg urban Quito PK (Parque Metropolitano- biggest), 

LOC: @ Old Mariscal Sucre Int’l Airport. @ 2,800 m (9,186 ft) ASL

Inaugurated, Apr 27, 2013, 200 acres, Old runway: rec space w/ bike & PED lanes , outdoor exercise equipment; Man-made pond & 1000+ trees, many newly planted.

 

DT:

DTQuito1: TeleferiQo Aerial tramway > Cruz Loma hill: must do; $8; 2005,.; ½d

LOC: of STA: DUE WWN of Mariscal Local Know

Cruz Loma (Pichincha mtn complex @ about 4,000 m (13,000 ft)). on E side of Pichincha VOL, W side of Quito; 

hiking trails w/miradors; mornings: cool, foggy 

4,100m (13,500 ft) elevation, hiking trails & Quito PIK viewpoints. Note: high winds & cool. food court

incredible views of Quito & surrounding ‘valley of VOL’ (Cotopaxi in dist); NPk-like.

 

 

DTQuito2: Rumicucho (Pucara de Rumicucho) almost exactly along equator 4

LOC: 1h drive N of Quito near MOD day Mitad del Mun, 

DIRECS:

NOTE: if time La Carolina > E few blks: day safe

NOTES: 

• Pre-Incan ruins well-preserved walls predate Incas, MIL stronghold -& -astro & STRAT. 
• Pre-hispanic, Incan FORT w/ suggests local Cara tribe bilt ORIG structures as RELG & ceremonial CNTR. Inca used -- 1500–1534CE. Associated w/ Cochasquí ancient site. 
• 15^th C Inca FORT bilt by Tupac Yupanqui, 10th Sapa Inca (God Emperor) 
• From ruins, may > see mountainside where ancient Mitad-del-Mun See pdf existed, Catequilla.
• ARCHs prove site predates Inca period,
• Today:-maintained tourist site & Native ceremonies.

Architectural Features of Stone FORT

• Pucará (fort) de Rumicucho, Kichwa: stone (Rumi) corner (cucho), 
• aka Stone FORT (name 4 @ least 1 prior use.
• aka Lulumbamba - "fertile plain." bilt ~ btwn 1480 & 1500, by Inca ruler Tupac Yupanqui.
• Structures on site: 5 terraces & measures @ 400 meters (1312 ft) long, 100 meters (328 ft) wide & 20 meters (65.5 ft) high. cut-stone walls made of pucarui (can’t find def) (reddish color) & pugshi (VOL ash) & chocoto & pumice stone. … FORT construction: btwn 1480-1500 cuz particular stone & mortar combination.

stone fortress atop hill, perfect view of invading forces & mtn’s around on 3 sides & VAL > S.

Artifacts Discovered @ Rumicucho

ARCHs, EC ARCH Almeida excavating : 1976 >1990 

       Caranqui CUL Shell Pendants, EC 

Site includes: stone tools, metal, ceramic pottery (local Pre-Inca cultures), & shell & camelid bone objects (needles, hairpins, awls & zoomorphic figurines.)BUT most in Quito’s Banco CNTR MUS, 

On-site MUS seeks return artifacts > increase CUL & value.

 

Multi-Use Site HIST:

ARCHs belief: useB4 Incan invasion; ARCH EVID supports Pre-Incan Caranquis, Quitus, Panzaleos & Cuasmal. 

2^nd ory 4 Pre-Inca artifacts: Incas shared space w/ local communities.

Part of Incan fortress chain 4 expansion & MIL rule over captured lands. Incan MIL infrastr~ included: paths, bridges, tambos (inns or resting places) & pucaráes (forts). 

FORT constructed as MIL’s Quito control CNTR--4 Cayambe & Caranqui VILL conquest

ARCHs divided in> 3 SECs 4 ‘dif uses’: 1) ceremonial SEC -- 3rd terrace, 2) ritual & eating space -- 1st & 2nd terraces, 3) rest of space 4 workshops & housing.

Walk > far end, > appreciate site’s STRAT placement looking far into gorge below.

BLOG: visit if you're @ Mitad del Mun? Worth Quito DT only? Unequivocally no.

 

DTQuito 3: La Mitad del Mun: nearly 100” tall MON: mildly interesting & 

sm EC ethnic cultures MUS

 

Catequilla SEE “Catequilla - Wikipedia.pdf” stone circle on mtn peak

LOC: ~ 1,550 metres (5,090 ft) S of Rumicucho. 

 

DTQuito 3a) Inti Ñan (inti Nan) (sun paths) MUS ~250 yds away where prove (or disprove) various scientific phenomena that only hold true @ equator. Allow equator’s tricks.    

BLOG: visit if you're @ Mitad del Mun? Worth visit from Quito on its own? Unequivocally no

OVN:: 

 

Q1 OVN: Otavalo: POP: 40k, 

GEN:

Andean highlands in Imbabura province 8345 ft (2543 m) ASL ; 

Imbabura VOL: 15,190 ft (4630 m) ASL; alos or VOLs. 

AVE TEMPs: ~ 59°F (15 • C). Monthly rain AVGs btwn 0.5 – 4“ 

Otavalo MKT in CNTR Plaza de Ponchos:, where traditionally clad indigenous townspeople sell colorful textiles & handicrafts. 

Nearby, Tejis El Obraje MUS has textile exhibits & weaving demonstrations.

 

TRANS-IN:

BUS: from Quito:(2 h, $2.50) from Quito’s Carcelén BUS TERM take Cooperativa Otavalo or Cooperativa Los Lagos. ; LOC: 110 k N of Quito. 

TAXI: W/In city: $1.25; OUTSIDE: negotiate. 

 

TRANS-OUT: reverse

ACCM: 

Hostal El Andariego Otavalo 9.2, (.8km/1km(?), 4xDM, $12, DIRECS: SEE “.pdf” & booking .pdf”

9.1, RES #: 91989-267000525, LOC Bolivar 12-10 entry Quiroga y Salinas

REV: GUD: LOC-CNTR, staff, clean, KIT, W/D, wifi

Hostal El Andariego: 9.2, 1k, 4xD$13

LOC: Vicente Ramon Roca 8-18 y Juan Montavalo

REV: GUD: LOC-CNTR, staff, clean, REST, KIT w/micro, wifi, City view terrace,

? Hostal Chasqui: .6km, 9.1, P$15,       wifi, kit, 

REV: GUD: LOC-quiet, staff-OK, clean, GUD KIT, wifi

         BAD: huge, cold bldg, 

NOs:,; NO Hostal Otavalos Inn: $11.50; 

Ors: Hostal Maria; Hostal Los Andes, ?Hostal La Rosa Otavalo: 10, .9km, SUS$15 ; wifi, 

 

FOOD: 

 

MISC: 

Traditional clothing 

Otavaleña women TRAD distinctive wht embroidered blouses w/ flared lace sleeves, & blk or dark over-skirts, w/ cream or wht under skirts. Long hair tied back w/ 30 cm band of woven multi colored material, often matching band which wound several times round waists. usually have many strings of gold beads around necks: # of strands / thickness of beads represents age & wisdom, & matching tightly wound long strings of coral beads around ea wrist. 

Otavaleña Men: wht trousers, & dark blue ponchos. 

Otavalo SITES: 7

1) Otavalo’s Animal MKT: Sat 6am > noon 1

Livestock MKT also tourist attraction. 

LOC: just outside of city CNTR near Yana Yacu pools. Walk or Taxi: $1.25 

Cows, horses, pigs, dogs, cats, chickens, guinea pigs, ducks & rabbits. 

 

2) Otavalo MKT (aka Plaza de los Ponchos & also Centenario MKT): 1½ 

open everyday (7am & continues until 6pm)

Sat big/best day; Wed- 2^nd big/best day. 

“MKT day” = big/best day w/ most activity – more vendors / customers. ALSO more pickpockets. 

 

3) Peguche VILL: – bit of calm amid cacophony. 2

LOC: @ very NE Otavalo edge,

Known 4 weavings. Wandering >> VILL: hearing chatter of mechanical looms

* Artesania El Gran Condor, Peguche, Plaza central; +593 6-269-0161; Artesaniaelgrancondor.com

Peguche's most noted textile producer; DISPLAYED: entire weaving process, from spinning of wool > mixing of dyes, by hand ; operated by Jose Lema & his parents 

All natural studio dyes,,. Reds, oranges & purples from lemon juice / blood of cochineal parasite mix; browns from ground local nut called nogal; vivid grn 4 Cs from chilca bush        Result: higher-QUAL textiles than in MKT 

– bit of calm amid cacophony. 

 

4) Museo Viviente Otavalango: 1

(593) 062.903.879 ( office) or (593) 093.853.344 (Luzmila Zambrano) 

LOC: Via Antigua > Quiroga # 1230 --- former factory in "antigua fabrica San Pedro,"

HIST: indigenous Otavaleños in sweatshop style labor 4 generations under brutal conditions. After factory shut wn, locals BOT, restored factory & grounds as living MUS & communal space. 

Displays: HIST/MOD life: visitors interact w/ indigenous craftspeep’s textiles & farming 

 

5) Cascadas de Peguche “Peguche Waterfall”: break from shopping. 1½ 

LOC: few hundred m E of Artesania El Gran Conr

18m-high waterfall plunging out of thick forest. walking trail > falls goes past campground & >> eucalypts stand from which bromeliads grow, drawing water from spray of distant falls. 

Falls, viewed from bridge or covered platform: considered sacred ceremonial site 4 Cs. Legend: 1) bath in underwear under lower waterfall --- away bad luck & illness; 2) bath naked under upper waterfall cleanse soul. 

Yearly practical application during Inti Raymi, summer solstice festival on 21 June, when pilgrims come. 

 

 

6) Zuleta Conr Rehabilitation Project / Parque Condor:                           ?

LOC: from Otavalo --- short hike or taxi > Parque Conr, bird rescue CNTR & educational facility.

 

 

Otavalo DT: next page

DT1(Otavalo): Inca-Caranqui: ?

LOC: NE of Otaval > Caranqui Ibarra ½ hr, 25k/15mi:, Local Know? or Taxi?

Water TEMP” wealth display/skilled TRANS: TACA Andina BUS( ½ h,hrly)

IN colonial city of Ibarra, just across St stand two Inca walls—130’ long & 165’. 1) traces of 3 trapezoidal doorways w/plaster & pigments remnants; lrg ceremonial pool: ~ 33 by 55’ dug four> five’ below modern grade & surrounded by 3’ walls above flr both made w/finely cut & fitted stone, early 1500s 

Incas brought 5 ½ ‘mi demonstrating mastery over resource w/ powerful religious symbolism. 

? Inca titans Huayna Capac or Atahualpa bilt as “show of power” after conquering Caranqui. 

 

OVN1(Otavalo): Lagos de Mojanda: (Mojanda Lakes): 1 or 2D

Aka: Lagunas de Mojanda, Caricocha, Yanacocha, Huarmicocha

LOC: 10+ miles S of Otavalo, Cayambe, --- few miles N of equator, 

Lakes formed by collapse of twin VOL - Mojanda & Fuya-Fuya btwn 200,000 & 165,000 yr ago, thus water > collect w/in resulting calderas -- forming 3 separate lakes; protected status, 2000: 

~ 12,250 ft elevation: TEMP quite chilly, often fog shrouded discouraging tourists until recently. 

TRANS: 

BEST Taxi: from Otavalo saving energy 4 lake trekking. 

HIKE, but beware ALT

Biking: work w/ recognized tour operator 4 ‘alt’ safety; occasional robbery does occur.

ACCM:

Casa Mojanda NO! Cuz $115 least $ 1 nearby lodge: some profit > visitor education, VILL school books / supplies, assisting VILL health / dental needs. 

MISC: 

Wear : short cloudbursts daily on hikes BE prepared;    Páramo: wear canB severe ; mist/fog descends very rapidly = danger, Hard map , warm, dry clos, GMaps / maps.me

HIST: 

local Quichua tribe inhabited. Lakes named Caricocha ('male' lake ,lrgst,330 fee deep Huarmicocha (female lake) & Yanacocha ( blk lake). Only few 100 ft apart, but stiff hike btwn on individual trails, i.e. no loops. 

Caranqui apparently purposely buried complex B4 Inca ARV. Recent excavations have begun > uncover base pyramids, although ORIG wood/grass HSEs on top long gone. 

Local shamans still perform harvest-blessing ceremonies 4 locals on designated astronomical alignment days; designated protected site, 1977; on-going research. 

Lakes circled by high Andes grasslands/shrubs, last remnants of high-alt forests -- now protected; wildflowers thrive,~ endangered Andes Conr views soaring peaks. (SEE” Parma.pdf” ) 4 cattle grazing;. no shore VILLs. 

 

TODO/SITES: hike

NOTE: In order > TRAV from 1 lake > anor, it necessary > take separate paths from trailhead due > terrain, even though lakes close toger.

steeper hiking: above lakes Fuya-Fuya & Yanahurco mtn on several trails

Fuya-Fuya Peak trail: begins @ Caricocha Lake shore 4 1.2 miles, 1804 ft alt rise, some trail markers > summit @ 14,045 ft. 

MUS (Sm ): explains complex w/ of pottery & household artifacts displays. 

Also, botanical garden & llama reserve LOC: foot of Mojanda Mtn, 45 min N of Quito & easily from Quito & Otavalo.

Or nearby VOL & ecological reserves, 

1) Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve:    

2) Cayambe Coca Ecological Reserve (Reserva Ecológica Cayambe – Coca): 

Páramo: narrow type of highlands above continuous forest line, yet below permanent snow line. Due > geog elements, constantly humid, & continuous water: rain, clouds, or fog.

HIKE: W/ local guide, complete 7.5 km (4.6 mi) 1-way hike w/ arranged TRANS on or side > hot springs. 

 

 

 

 

OVN2(Otavalo): Cochasqui Ancient PYR: looms over Mojanda ?

VERY IMP ARCH site near Mojanda Lakes,

aka Lagunas de Mojanda, Caricocha, Yanacocha, Huarmicocha 

 

LOC: 19m NE of Otavalo near Cayambe VILL:, pyramids are located 45 min north of Quito via panamerican hiwy. From city of Guallabamba, one should take left fork heading towards Tabacundo. Furr along, signs on      Model of Cochasquí pyramids

 hiwy indicate where > get off in 

order > reach pyramids. After getting off hiwy, 15 min drive along dirt rd takes you > pyramids. off Pan-American Hiwy. 

 

HIST: pre-Incan Caranqui Bilt; series of 15 truncated pyr & multiple funeral mounds, btwn 950 AD & 1550 AD as res, ceremonial & astronomical CNTR. 

Trench alignments mark solstices here @ equator. 

 

Model of Cochasquí | © wogo24220 / Flickr    

Cochasqui complex aligns w/ series of or ARCH sites & nat elements, called Inti-Yan (sun paths), alluding > sun's movement during Mar & Sep equinoxes. 

Still IMP ceremonial site 4 MOD Quichua on fall & spg equinox festivals & winter & summer solstices.

 

 

 

Nearby VOL: Pichincha VOL: 

closest, looms over Quito W side; ONLY capital in WRLD directly menaced by active VOL; many summits: 1) Ruku Pichincha, (15,400 ft)above sea level, 2) Wawa Pichincha: (15,728 ft). 

Yumbo CUL: 800BCE > 1660; SEE “Everything Need > Know About Yumbo Culture.pdf”

Wawa Pichincha: active & monitored; lrgst eruption, 1660 w/9.8+ in of ash covered city.^; 3 minor 19^th C eruptions: ; latest: Oct 5, 1999 (few smoke puffs & alot of ash on city.

Or nearby VOL ----: Nov 2002, Reventar VOL eruption: few CMs of fine ash particles.

E of Quito VOL: ?

 

CNTR Cordillera (Royal Cordillera)--- around Guayllabamba VAL: Cotopaxi, Sincholagua, Antisana & Cayambe. 

W Cordillera: W of Guayllabamba valley, including Pichincha include: -- Illiniza, Atacazo, & Pululahua (w/ Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve)OVNQuito3: PAPALLACTA: falls & hot pools 3,300 m alt       2 nites 2D

LOC: 67 km (40 mi) E of Quito , easy DT, BUT 2 nites 4 hiking, walking in páramo (high grasslands).

TRANS-IN: alpine > tropical, great drive: waterfalls, grn mtns, deep canyons,

DIRECS: Quito BUS >ward Baeza or Tena, N, tell driver/cashier: off @ Papallacta turn off >. (EX: Cumbaya’s Supermaxi BUS stop (or ors): hry, 2hrs, $2.5. from Quito runs regularly throughout day. 

@ Quito BUS STA: look 4 BUSs heading Quito-Baeza, or Quito-Lago Agrio (2½h, ). Ask driver 4 drop off @ intersection > Papallacta Springs (just B4 VILL: of Papallacta). From turn-off > springs, it's casual 30 min walk > rmal Springs. 

TRANS-OUT:

BUS: BUS stop on main rd, ‘hail’ 1st BUS > Quito ($2 - $2.50) ; 3 min walk < twn

TRANS - Around: 

Taxi: stop > Termas costs $ 1.5 -- taxi drivers try > charge more 

ACCM: 

basic hostels @ around $7 night, hostels & hotels w/ PRIV bathrooms from around $15 or $20 (Hostal Coturpa R next > public baths bright & clean w/ friendly service) 

Hostal Coturpa (in Papallacta): .hostalcoturpa.com

+593 6-289-5000; ~$23/pp (less w/o brkf; Telephone: 62-320-640 / 62-320-180 / 08-6280274 w/ own hot spring, 

LOC: R next > hot springs ?

comfortable rooms w/ hot water, space heaters, if sockets powered, plush blankets & breakfast; NOTE: on weekends: hot pools on lower level. 

MISC: 

Useful SPAN & or Vocabulary 4 visiting Papallacta Hot Springs, EC: 

Piscina: pool 

Terma: rmal pool or hot spring

Aguas termales: rmal waters

Páramo: high grassland

Oso Andino or "Oso de anteojos": Andean bear or spectacled bear (same species) 

Danta: tapir (local name) 

SITES:

PUB rmal baths:, run by parish council, R in middle of VILL:. nite

re 2 lrg, hot pools & tiny pool which even hotter. Entry: $2.

Páramo: wear canB severe ; mist/fog descends very rapidly = danger, so have map , warm, dry clos, GMaps, or maps.me.com 

DT Reserva Ecologica Cayambe-Coca: FEE: easy DT,          2 nites 2½D

Miles of preserved lakes & trails: secluded setting. 4 walking in páramo (high grasslands).

LOC: high in Andes around 13,000 ft 

DIRECS: Local Know Access points located past Termas de Papallacta

support from Nature Conservancy, USAID, Parks in Peril. 

Some of wildlife: Culpeo, Pampas cat,; Long-tailed weasel Spectacled bear, Mtn tapir.

TRL very hilly & exhausting cuz ALT, but GRT view from 1^st viewpoint, ~3 h > 3rd viewpoint B4 RET > entrance. 

 

Lake Papallacta: damaged by oil spill,                                               1½

 

Or:

Pasochoa Wildlife Refuge: one of few remaining original Andean forests. 1D

 

LOC: due S of Quito (45 min),

Several trails varied DIS & DIF levels. Pasochoa Refuge admin OFF: lodge, kit, & guide services.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 possible > make 3 day loop btwn Pasochoa & Papallacta? 

 

OVNQuito : COTOPAXI National PK: Simply amazing, bucket list item 2d

Highst active VOL, SPEC Limpiopungo LK, snowline VOL refuge, & glaciers 

Pucara Salitre, sm FORT bilt on VOL slopes not yet excavated, rarely tourists; need 4WD or tour 

GEN/MISC: 329.9 SQk: much -- PK páramo:

Hard > reach” lie;    Quito DT!, free foreigners entry, but need passport (copy) > sign in, BUT Pucara del Salitre possible solo?

Paramo landscape: vast w/ Cotopaxi’s breathtaking views!: or volcanos & glacier views

Overcrowded weekends & public holidays.

TIP1: B prep’d Cold, hi wind hats, glovs/jkts. 

Blogr: thick hiking socks, hiking boots, leggings underneath stretchy pants, tank top, wool sweater, windbreaker, wool hat, wool gloves, & lrg scarf. 

TIP 2: Alt: pre-drink lots of water, chocolate bars (sm drinks, water, candy, snacks; flora: gentians, clubmosses, valerians, & asters .

 

ACCM: , 

Secret Garden HOS: 10D$40-44, Cotopaxi, (LL) 022956704, C: 09919800279 [email protected]

Latacunga

Hostal Cafe Tina: NR, 0.2k, D$10, P$13

Villa de Tacvnga HOT: NR, 0.1k, P$18

La Posada HOS: 0.2mi, $10 

HOS Sendero de Volvcanes:NR, 1.5k, D/P$9 (Prob NOT: Latacunga HOS: $34;) 

TOUR: Possible ITIN: (Carpedm tours)

@ Entry:- MUST book guide:~$25-35 

N 1) parking > refuge (1hr), (toilets, food), 2) 20 min drink, 3) N, bike    4) N, 20m drink @ laguna on VOL flanks, 5) N, 20min @ info CNTR (nothing else re), 6) N, lunch PK (?-@ natural spring), 7) drive > lrgst rock thrown by Cotopaxi. 

ALSO possible: 

1) Pucara del Salitre, sm FORT ark’s N on VOL slopes; not yet excavated, rarely tourists. 

2) wild horses roam across fields of lahar , breed of hawk/falcon , wild flowers.

IND: 

TRANS-IN: hard > reach”= false, many taxis: entrance up: ~20$

BUS: Quito > Cotopaxinm from Quitumbe STA going > Latacunga N, ask BUS driver: -- off @ PK entrance. 

GUIDE: @ Entry: guide expensive 4 solo ? but worth experience, Maybe, arrange B4hand ?.

PK ENTRY: 1) passport # (copy OK) 

ITIN: 1) stunning laguna, stunning. silent, cool, clear water, w/ bird watch. 

         2) guide drove us > VOL. 

         3) hiked up > refugio (~1km), very steep, worth it, 

• TIP: dress warm/very cold so high alt YES - hat /gloves. 
• 2 dif paths, go up 1 way & going wn or 4 experience. 1) winding path up: far side: WINDY & chilly.,

         4) refugio: tea. coca leaf tea (helps w/ alt issues), ginger tea, choclo, locro soup (potato type of soup), & some of those lrg corn kernels that toasted/salted lightly - so good & so necessary after hike!

         5) N, easy RET. 

         6) guide dropped us off back @ rd 4 Quito BUS.

QUILOTOA: (SPAN pronunciation: [kiloˈto.a]): water-filled caldera 

GEN:

most W EC Andes VOL; Caldera: formed by dacite VOL collapse following eruption 800 yr ago, w/pyroclastic flows & lahars (mud flow) reaching Pacific Ocean; airborne deposited VOL ash of >>out N Andes; 

    last eruption followed 14K yr dormancy, 4th of 7 eruptions indicating prior Crater lakes, ~ 820 ft deep crater lake w/mineral’s greenish color ALSO fumaroles on lake flr / hot springs on eastern VOL flank.Lake surface: 3,500m asl. Locals claim lake level down over last 10 yr.

 

Travertine deposits occur along shore up > 10 m above lake level (in yr 2000).

 

LOC: ~ 14km N of Quilotoa.

 

TRANS-IN: (Latacunga > Quilotoa)

Quilotoa tourist site of growing popularity. RT > "summit" (sm TWN of Quilotoa) generally traveled by 1) BUS: most commonly from Latacunga, or less so,

                        2) hired truck or BUS from TWN of Zumbahua 17 km > S

BUS: ($1): 

FROM: Latacunga > Laguna: many/d, DP:~6am & ~11:30am (last: 12pm), ~ 2.5 h/$2.

FROM: Zumbahua > Laguna: by waiting on rd.

Hired Truck: From Zumbahua (17 km > S) or more often by BUS from Latacunga

 

TAXI FROM Zumbahua > Laguna($5 1w , regardless of peeps #): & ride-shares:. 

 

 

 

 

TRANS-OUT: (Quilotoa > Latacunga > Banos)

BUS: 

Quilotoa > Latacunga: (DP: noon passing >> Zumbahua @ 12.30-12.40; ~1.50USD/peep.

Zumbahua > Latacunga: many more (~hrly), … might need > walk 10min > main rd > catch BUS.

NOTE: If stuck in Quilotoa, taxi (5usd) > Zumbahua, N, BUS from re.

Latacunga > Banos depart” (2h, evry 30 min from 5am > 6:40pm ($2,25 / 2h.)

Fees/Permits: $2 VILL & laguna entry valid 4 several days.

Getting around: walk 

ACCM:

Latacunga

La Posada HOS: 0.2mi, $10 

Latacunga HOS: $34; 

Quilotoa

 sm VILL tourist dedicated, gringo-like, place; many basic places: $10 up.

Quilotoa Cabanas - LOC: directly opposite VILL gate, $15/$30?p basic but comfortable ensuite cabins. Wood burner, logs, breakfast & dinner included. rms AVAIL .

Zumbahua

14km from Quilotoa; more ‘real’ local experience, accm / food cheaper…, BUT must hike > BUS/taxi > laguna.

Several hotels around main SQ.

New hotel: LOC: on L side, $10/p. 

Hostal Conr Matzi: LOC: on R side; $7/p; friendly family runs -- free water & tea.

Some simple hostels: in immediate area 

& steep in places & be quite taxing, particularly if re fog. 

 

SITES/s:

1) Hike Down into Quilotoa laguna Hike down inside from viewpoint extinct VOL > Quiolota Crater Lake, grt valley-VOl views, 

½ h hike wn (1-2 h hike back up) single pit toilet in HOS. 

NOTE: Bring stick w/ , or better yet, pair of trekking poles on sandy inclines, but main reason > fend off gs. Not kidding.

 

2) Caldera Rim Hike: 10k, 4-5 hr, (3+ dia): rim: highly irregular, max elev: (3810 m > N, 3894 m > NW & 3915 m > SE) @ 3 lava mes, sandy & steep often foggy.

Hike WN > caldera. It takes ~ 45 min > walk wn & about 90 min > climb back up 280m vertical escarpment. path unpaved & climbing @ alt (from lake @ 3,500m asl) requires relatively good level of fitness.; & steep in places & be quite taxing, particularly if re fog.

 

3) ? Kayaks: 2$/peep/hr

 

NO! Quilotoa Loop hike: Hike along Quilotoa RIM loop in eir DIRECS; next VILL ~12kms in eir DIRECS >> beautiful Andean mtn scenery

Quilotoa Loop & common starting point 4 Quilotoa Traverse, multi-day 

 

BANOS: de Agua Santa (SPAN: [ˈbaɲoz ðe ˈaɣwaˈsanta] , 

"Gateway > Amazon"; POP: <20K, lush-grn mtn & waterfalls @ Baños

N foothills of Tungurahua VOL , @ elevation of 1,820 m (5,971 ft) 

 

TRANS-IN:

BUS: from Latacunga (2h)(easy, close hub > Quilotoa).

From Latacunga depart:(2h, evry ½h from 5am > 6:40pm ($2,25 / 2h.)

 

TRANS-OUT: (Baños > El Tambo)

Banos > Cuenca: 

Bus Cooperativa de Transportes Patria: (5h, $35) N, TAXI: $10

BUSs Cuenca depart 7:15am, 11am & 5pm in "Transportes Riobamba". Change BUS in Riobamba; & 8:45am, 4pm, 10pm en "Transportes Amazonas" ($10 / 8h.)

TRANS Links:

Read more: http://www.lunaruntun.com/en-us/banos/transporte.htm#ixzz4w3guW1pM

Read more: http://www.lunaruntun.com/en-us/banos/transporte.htm#ixzz4w3cI1bVP

1) BUS FROM Baños > Riobampa > El Tambo

--- probably not Ambato 

BANOS BUSs > Riobamba depart from : 

BUS Express Sucre > Canar: (3½h,hrly, $15), N, TAXI:(10m, --, $6)

Cooperativa de Transportes: +593 (7) 286 7473 / 283 5717

TOO $: Bus via Alusi: (3h10m, , $50-65

"Transportes Riobamba": 5a, 6a, 7:15a, 8:55a, 9:45a, 11a,11:50a, // 1p, 2:45p, 3:35p, 5p, 5:15p, 6:10p, 6:35p & 8:45p

Transportes Express Baños": 8:05 am, 10:10am // 12:40pm, 4:25p

Transportes Sangay:(½h, 1½h, $2)  7:15a, 9:25a, 11:25a // 12:15p, 1:30 p, 1:55p, 3:10p, 4p, 5:40p, 6:05p 

2) N, 

2a) Riobamba BUSs > El Tambo depart:

 

 

 

Or 2b) Riobamba BUSs > Canar BUS STA: 

DO NOT STAY in Canar

Canar’s TERM Terrestre: well organized, clean. LOC: Avenida Españain: city’s NE corner, 20min walk or brief taxi ride from HIST CNTR.

 

 

Also, Cuenca OVN: w/ night in El Tambo or Cañar, 

Also, Anywhere from N >S: any BUS 4 Cuenca;    also POSS > catch BUSs on hiwy that runs above TWN:NOTE: more freq tah STA -- often full.

3) N, next day > site.

TRANS: 

 

TRANS - Around: 

BUS: Public BUSs:

Stop 1: Rocafuerte St., behind CNTR MKT (Merca CNTR). BUSs w/ sign "El Sala" go > rmal baths El Sala (Piscinas Termales El Sala) ($0,30 / 10 min).

Stop 2: Alfaro & Martínez, behind Supermarket Mega 99 (Supermerca Mega 99). BUSs w/ sign "Agoyán" go > dam Agoyán (Represa Agoyán). ($0,30 / 10 min).

Stop 3: Pastaza & Martinez, in front of bakery n Gato. BUSs w/ sign "House of Tree" advance until House of Tree. ($ 1/50 min).

 

TRANS Links:

Read more: http://www.lunaruntun.com/en-us/banos/transporte.htm#ixzz4w3c498nz: 

 

ACCM: see pdf plenty of backpacker hostels in CNTR of TWN

Papachos HOS: 0.5, 8.9,,4x, 6x D$9-11

LOC: Montalvo St, btwn Mera & Pastaza; front of new Hospital of Baños 

FAC: New, ENG, LOCK, KIT, bikes, lug stor, tow, 

REV: GUD: brkf, staff, quiet, LOC: BUS sta, Sebastian, lrg com area, cln, 

          BAD: moskies, 

 

Hostal Plantas y Blanco: 0.2k, 8.6, 4x,6x,8x$9

LOC FAC: roof, brkf, LOC: gud; 

REV: GUD: Rest: gud; KIT, rf terrace, hot water, bk’d; 1 nit, stayed 1 wk, 

          BAD: no fan/venti(issue?); cafe, (CARE: HW over charge), NO mix atmosphere, 

 

Santa Cruz BP Hostal: 0.2k, 8.5, 4,5D$8 

LOC: Av 16 de Diciembre. Luis > Martinez & Montalvo

+593 3-274-3527; Whatsapp: +593 99-586-1993; [email protected]

FAC: KIT, w/d serv, TRAV info;

REV: GUD:

? Hostal Chimenea: 0.4k, 8.9, 6xD$9

FAC: little Eng, 

REV: GUD: roof cafe, W/D serv, cln, bkft, LOC: in walk) twn (5m next > hot sprgs (la cascada de la virgen), quiet, 

          BAD: massage, hotel-like,

 

DOGs: 

Hostal Ane Moon: 0.1k, 9.2, 4xD$7-10

FAC: TOW icld, bikes, 

REV: GUD: LOC: , hot (no /c), wifi: =/-; KIT, cln, 

          BAD: noisey (prty/dog); , 

Hostal Transilvania: 0.2k, 8.3, 5xD$6, s$14: 

REV: ENG, cafe, GUD: staff, Israeli brkf$2 gud; wifi-gud, cln, ocus (?); KIT, TRVA help, 

          BAD: dog, 

Erupcion BP Hostal Banos: .02k, 8.2, 7x,6x,4x$7

FAC: TOW, LOCK, KIT, w/d, LUG STOR, bikes, gud TRAV info

REV: GUD: cln w/ lots POW outlets, , LOC: GUD, near BUS; no TP; 

          BAD: dog, staff: lazy, lack POW outlets, 

Great Hostels BP: 0.4k, 8.3, 12x,5xD$8 

REV: GUD: free dinners, free brkf, staff, wifi; very bad; 

         BAD: checkout -over charge; cat(bad) , many dogs, very social (noisey)

 

FOOD: 

Taffy: Baños famous local specialty,(SPAN: melcocha [melˈkotʃa]) made from cane sugar; melcocha; candy made similarly > saltwater taffy, but tastes more like caramel.

 

melcocha, In most mom-&-pop shops watch how sweet taffy made from sugar cane, melcocha artisans wrap taffy around wooden peg on inside of or frame, N, repeatedly beat & stretch taffy into perfection. Try fresh off peg, but, some melcochais very tough, not 4 weak-teeth-ed. 

 

Locro: ask 4 in Banos restaurant ---- soup w/ potato & cheese served w/ fresh avoca on top. 

 

llapingachos (stuffed, flattened potato cakes), sausage, fried eggs, & avoca Also, excel potato cake stuffed w/ wht cheese.

 

MKT: fresh juice, smoothies (batis) or fresh produce.

 

many Int’l REST – Italian, Swiss, Caribbean, Mexican, etc

Cafe Hood: on main SQ, 2 Italian guys R great,

Merca: set lunch & breakfasts: but it closes around 5pm. 

 

MISC: 

HIST: 

TWN HIST intimately linked w/ highly active Tungurahua VOL. October 1999, all 17,000+ residents forced evacuation 4 weeks. 

Roman Catholic RELG CNTR cuz ‘someone’ saw Virgin Mary near waterfall. So, Virgen de Agua Santa sculpture in CATH. 

 

SITES (> s): 2D

> 60 falls, diverse border btwn high mtn of Andean Sierra & low-lying Amazon Basin. GRT ELEV changes, dramatic scenery: impressive Tungurahua VOL > Pailón del Diablo falls.

 

1) Public Hot Baths: “Baths of Holy Water”    (evenings)                                        Evening

TIP1: Visit @ night cuz day’s heat ruins experience ; night’s cold air feels after tubs --great. 2

Local hot springs. Plenty: public & spas. Locals prefer public ... 

LOC: fortunately, most walking distance from cntr

Public/municipal baths (termales): heated by nearby VOL w/ high mineral content w/ restorative health benefits. Close: ~ 9pm, best rmal bath experience ever! 

BLOG: Procedure: @ nite walked from HOS w/ swimsuits & towel, pd $3.50 > enter & rent required bathing cap, N, herded >> entry, given basket 4 belongings & very brief tour of 2 story baths: 3 giant tubs w/ varying depths & water TEMPs, IMP NOTE: shower B4 entering baths – & changing rooms. N, after changing / dropping off stuff ($1) upstairs storage counter NEXT --:

 

Correct protocol: 1) choose shallow, crowded, but ‘not so hot -- just > R upstairs pool 

        2) If desired, CAUTION: (?) uncrowded downstairs pool -- boiling hot 

        3) N, when fully warmed up, try boiling downstair pool -- feel incredible. 

        4) alternated btwn 2 pools ,if desired.

Rotate >> upstairs & downstairs tub couple of times, 4 very relaxed 

 

 

2) San Francisco bridge: LOC: near BUS PK, ½ 

3) Parks beautiful main CNTR PK across from CATH ¾ 

 

 

 

 

4) MKT, 

 

5) local taffy (melcocha) shops.             ½ 

 

2) Cascada de la Virgen: LOC: Cascada de la Virgen): on          1

edge of TWN; not popular w/tourists ?

IMPRES falls near > TWN: literally @ Baños edge : easy, walk >< centro.

 

 

 

 

3) Tungurahua View walk;                                                                     1½

> Luna Runtún Spa on hillside or taxi out of TWN 4 more brilliant view of ash & lava; very much alive, & erupting today. Quechua meaning “throat of fire.” 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4) Nuestra Señora de Agua Santa basilica LOC                              ¾ 

dedicated > Nuestra Señora de Agua Santa, “ Lady (Virgin Mary) of Holy Water.” , early 1900, of VOL rock near Tungurahua; many area Virgin miracles: appearing waterfalls occasionally. 

 

neo-gothic interior: Virgen stories decorate, pilgrimage site thanking Virgin 4 her many miracles. 

 

Court of La Iglesia de la Virgen de Agua Santa

 

 

5) Virgen huge STAT HIKE: steep stairs up > grt Banos views 4

Beyond STAT, take L @ fork > loop back down into TWN, or continue across ridge. 

& ------

 

5a) Casa de Arbol’s “Swing @ End of World”:                    ~

seismic STA. always been used > observe VOL Tungurahua. 

LOC: just outside Baños, on slopes of Tungurahua VOL. 

On active VOL-days: may hear rumbling or see ash plumes. 

On foggy days: obscured by high mtn fog. TIP: Save visit 4 early morning or late afternoon 4  best chance > catch some blue sky as glide peacefully over edge of mtn.

Picturesque Casa de Arbol, home of famous Swing @ End of World; 

1) giant swings -- super fun; 3 giant swings – 1, employees push (very long line), & 2 self-guided swings (short lines)……….. self-guided swings blast. also, 

2) cable that swing on like low-flying zipline, Fee: $2 entrance 

 

TRANS: 

HIKE: (2h,4½h RT) )(avoid $15 round trip taxi). hike goes past el ‘STAT de la vigina”, amazing walk up DIRECS: follow Ventanos signs (seismic measuring STA).

BUS: $1.5 1wy;     TAXI: 10$ 1wy

Tour companies >< shuttle: $5. multiple time/day & great if prefer ease of shuttles & mind long lines, limited time, & huge grp of peeps. 

Self-guided option: BUS leaves TWN CNTR @ corner of Rocafuerte & Pastaza str straight > Casa de Arbol.~$2.50: 

PRO: much time as wanted 4 swinging, avoid long lines every time shuttle BUS ARV

ON-site DIRECS: When pull up > Casa de Arbol, immediately see tree house w/ swing @ top of steep hill BUT NOT Casa de Arbol, giant swing over huge hill, cheaper shorter lines. 

LOC: actually R up short little trail  

Simple swing hung on tree R @ cliff’s edge: wood piece& rope tied > tree - no safety belt > give sense of being secure while enjoying FLT beyond edge of cliff 1000’s of ft above ground.

 

 

Biking: Biking local & tourist FAV, sport of ECians & Int’l visitors > Baños. 

CAUTION: 

1) OOM POP trails includes: busy 2-lane rd alongside drivers who have little respect 4 cyclists.

DT1: (bike) Ruta de las Cascadas:    CAUTION: take MAP          1D

“RT of Waterfalls”: RT >> magnifico picturesque valley downhill past 7 SPEC waterfalls, plus countless or beautiful views > Pailón del Diablo waterfall; all 

TRANS: --: @ many Banos adventure shops in TWN

Rent bicycle ($7-10/day). great option 4 flex & solo; some traffic, ing next > vehicles 4 some of way, dwnhill most way w/$2 fee @ last waterfall > get trucked back into TWN. 

Take chiva ($5). most straight-FRWD/affordable STRAT , if not comfortable biking. “chiva”: open-air safari-like vehicle Beware: driver dictates schedule, choose which stops > make

Take BUS: NO! (,< $1).          

Pailón del Diablo (Devil’s caldron) waterfall: IMP NOTE:-MUST-reach @ Ruta’s end

IMP: Suspension bridge above Pailón del Diablo

Upper Entry (MUST) Bridge access options:

1) @ start of tiny TWN of Rio Verde, making R B4 crossing bridge in TWN, THUS approaching waterfall across epic suspension bridge & from above.

2) Lower Entry: NO!, below waterfall, requiring U > continue past bridge in Rio Verde & loop back wn > some sort of eco resort. If exit @ LOW end, visit Mercedes' emenadas stand across St from falls entry & craft stands.

BUT NOTE: low entry offers: climb >> tunnel & go BEHIND FALLS.

 

Top Ruta de las Cascadas attractions: Cable cars over gorge $1

 

MUST reach Ruta’s end @ “Pailón del Diablo ( Devil’s caldron) CUZ Lord of Rings-like, totally worth sm PK entrance fee. 

Bridge access options:

1) via tiny TWN of Rio Verde, making R B4 crossing bridge in TWN, THUS approaching waterfall across epic suspension bridge & from above.

2) or entrance, below waterfall, requiring U > continue past bridge in Rio Verde & loop back wn > some sort of eco resort. 

 

DT2:? Llanganates National PK. (NE of …) INT?? ?

OOM world diverse ecosystems, 2 regions: 1) dry, high-elevation Andean side -- E, & 2) more lush & wet Amazonian side -- W. 

Spectacled bear, alpacas, & conrs often seen roaming in PK, mtns thick w/ cedar & cinnamon trees.Both R symbols of Inca’s oppression of Cañari tribe: ---- 

1) Cañar Plantation: LOC: Entry > Ingapirca; 

bilt > keep Cañari tribe under control; clearly seen bldgs constructed: stores, Sun TEMP, tambo Inca shrine), bathrooms.

2) Ingapirca: (wall of Inca stone).) 15^th C STRAT hilltop Inca ruins; views,

TRANS-IN:

1) FROM Baños > El Tambo: BUS---- 

Or, FROM Banos > Ambato (probably not) 

OR, Riobampa, 

2) N, BUS > El Tambo:

 

Or 2a) BUS > Canar Canar BUS STA: TERM Terrestre: well organized, clean.LOC: Avenida Españain: city’s NE corner, 20min walk or brief taxi ride from HIST CNTR.

Also, Cuenca OVN: w/ night in El Tambo or Cañar, 

Also, From N elsewhere: any BUS 4 Cuenca;    also possible > catch BUSs on hiwy that runs above TWN; while se pass more frequently than those scheduled @ STA, often full.

3) N, next day > site.

 

TRANS-OUT:

BUS: (1¾h) : El Tambo main SQ &/or panamerican rd > Cuenca

 

TRANS - Around: 

City BUSs CuencaTransit.com (not operative) beware of BUS: in /out

BUS btwn Canar El / Tambo & ruins, 

ACCM: Best LOC El Tambo, NOT Canar

La Posada Ingapirca , El Tambo, Stay in El Tambo (w/PK, ) cuz Canar too ruff although does have $10 HOS; …..MISC:    

Free guide: GUD; 

NOTE: Cañari resisted Incas 4 yrs, N, peaceable Cañari TEMP of Moon, 1 side & Inca TEMP of Sun, or side BUT 2) Cañari allied w/Span > defeat Incas. 

HIST: 

Inca / Cañari ARCH mix 

Many ancient tribes of EC -- Cañari, Cara, & Quitu, fiercely resisted Inca Conquest when Inca 1st ARV --Inca’s slaughtered most male Cañari on conquest. N agreed > peaceable, co-existent compromise w/‘respect’ : w/ separate CUST honored, dif POL STRAT, marrying Cañari princess & improving Cañari city of Guapondelig, calling it Tumebamba or Pumapungo (now - Cuenca). 

ONLY in 1500’s infamous Huayna Capac reign that Inca finally able > incorporate tribes into Tawantinsuyu, or Inca Empire. 

 

1532, Francisco Pizarro’s ARV & SPAN defeated Incas w/ allied Canari support, THUS, ending short 50 yr Inca reign which strong imprint on CUL & EC landscape of EC 

 

SITES: 

Cañar plantation: LOC: 40 miles from Cuenca

colorful MKT & nearby ruins of Ingapirca 

Cañar Plantation’s site - most INT cuz … while most see ONLY beginning of trail > massive Inca ruins, but significant meaning: Cañar Plantation LOC: 40 mi outside Cuenca, Inca constructed who may taken over Cañaris settlement > keep Cañari tribe under control. 

EXTANT: clearly bldg constructed as: stores, sun-worshipping temple, tambo, which 4 exclusive use of Inca, & even bathrooms. Cañar Plantation might not be as impressive in size as Ingapirca, but its significance great.

Both Ingapirca & Cañar Plantation symbols of Inca oppression of Cañari tribe. Even though Cañar Plantation tour’s starting point, forms intricate / vital part of Ingapirca, purpose that it served, & secrets that se ancient ruins kept hidden 4 yrs.

Ingapirca: 15^th C

Most famous EC Incan site. ARCH: Cañari originally bilt site, & after integration, Inca added RELG structure, sun temple constructed in style that Inca preserved 4 bldg of RELG or royal importance, w/ carefully cut stones placed toger w/o mortar; --- used > control native Cañaris

  Stores, bathrooms, tambo (dairy farm) 4 Inca,

 

$6 fee w/guide, inga (face) ? 

GEN: 

Wear:

Changes rapidly, w/in min, calm / sunny > rainy, windy, & cold; typical yr round. Canar peep believed gods had led m here, regardless of climate

 

 

 

 

SITES:

Temple of Sun: elliptically shaped building constructed around lrg rock in Inca way w/o mortar, as most structures in complex; stones carefully chiseled & fashioned > fit toger perfectly. 

Canari positioned complex per beliefs & knowledge of cosmos. Research by observation -- Temple of Sun positioned so that:

----on solstices, @ exactly R time of day, sunlight would fall >> CNTR of orway of sm chamber @ top of temple. Most of chamber has fallen down.

Astonomical OBSV: Inca Huayna Capac, 

Castle complex: Cañari-Inca origin; purpose: uncertain. Used as FORT & storehouse from which > resupply Inca troops en RT > N EC

 

Inca rd: LOC remnant preserved here, aka Ingañan; (part of UNESCO Qhapaq Ñan, Andean Rd System

                             Circular shapes: storage silo bases 4 grain, corn , etc.

 

Underground aqueduct LOC complex system > provide entire compound’s water > 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CUENCA: “Cuenca like fairytale,” 

Colonial ARCH, Wht washed bldg / cobblestone str, plazas, pre Colombian ruins CHRs, brick bldg & Tomebamba River waterfront & PK thru TWN ; mild climate yr-round; …. Etym: 4 RIVs confluence in basin)

GEN: 

Sister cities: Tempe, AZ;       POP: ¾ mill, most Euro city in EC, UNESCO; ECON: textiles, flowers, tourism, mining/logging, tires, bees, 

 

TRANS-IN:

BUS: (1¾h) : El Tambo main SQ &/or panamerican rd > Cuenca

From N elsewhere: any BUS 4 Cuenca;    also possible > catch BUSs on hiwy that runs above El Tambo; while se pass more frequently than those scheduled @ STA, often full.

 

TRANS-OUT:

AIR > Quito: 1 2/3hdaily, $50-210, 

BUS > Quito: (7>10h, --, $11-22

 

TRANS - Around: 

Pick up city map & tourist information @ BUS TERM or most souvenir shops & hotels in town.METRO: 

ACCM: 

1) Mi Casa HOS: 2.9k, 8.9, 4x,6x$8

LOC GUD: quiet, cln,LOC gud, KIT gud, h2o-gud, wifi- gud, LOCK, rest, bakeries, mkts - near; 

2) Alternative Hostels: 2.9k, 9, 4x, 5x$8-10

LOC GUD: cln, KIT gud, Dorm: gud, 

BAD: Dorm ‘0’ privacy, LOC: noisy

3) Posasda del Rio: 3k, 9.6, 5xD$7 

LOC GUD: LOC, quiet, KIT gud, young owner ladies, noisy, 

El cafecito Cuenca: 2.3k, 8.9, 6x$10

GUD: staff-Tony, near MKT, RF terrace, grp dinners($6)?, 

BAD: 4 flts up

 

Posada Gran Colombia: 2.4, 8.9,S$12

GUD: cln,, quiet, brkf-gud, 

BAD: poor ENG, 

Malik Hotel: 3.5k, 8.6, D

$6

America inn Cuenca: 2.8k, 8.4, $6

Bauhouse HOS: 2.7k, 8.3, $8

Mochilliers HOS: 3k, 7.7, $7

Hostal Yakumama: 3.5k, 6.3, $8

? Hostal Hogar Cuencana: 3k, 8.9, 5xD$8

 Hogar Cuencana.--Book Direct

LOC: Hermano Miguel 4-36 y Calle Larga (Across from Escalinata Steps & Tomebamba River 

REV: GUD: KIT, 

         BAD: Some RM - no windows,(Very angry REV: noisy, dbl tax charge)

 

NO!

NO! La Cigale HOS: 3.1, 8.9, 6x, 4x$10-12

GUD:

BAD: ask 4 hot h2o, little ENG, NO KIT, bad h20, noisy bar

NO! Dual-use fam hm HOS bella Vista: 2.9k, NR, 47

NO! Cuz bad REV Hostal Turista del Mundo: 3k, NR, $10

NO! Cuz bad REV La casa Cuencana: 3k, NR, $7

 

Posada del Angel: 0.0k, 10, S$22

 

Hostal Viajeros BP: 0.3k, 10.0, $10 HW-no Ds llsted, only 1 REV

FAC: KIT, bike, 

REV: GUD: KIT, 

          BAD: staff?, 

Princess Maria: -.4k, 9.4, $10 HW-no Ds llsted

FAC: little Eng 

REV: GUD: not party, KITsm, 

          BAD: couple very bad REVs, 

NO DORMs: 

Hostal Villa del Rosario: 0.0k, 2.0?, S$12

 

 

FOOD: 

Ice cream: Ec’s best: 

1) Tutto Freddo: grt, large / pricey). 

2) Across str: Heladeria Holandesa: econ, but quantity, quality not as GUD.

El Merca, restaurant serving traditional EC food 

Los Capulies - good food, service, $; sometimes live EC music.

Café Austria – Great sandwiches & pastries; excellent “almuerzo”

Kookaburra Café offers good cup of tea & English-type meals. Run by an Australian couple,.

Pricey: Café Eucalyptus:gud & >$; Rest El Jardin (HOT Victoria):$ & mediocre; HOS Colonial – gud looks, but mediocre.

MISC: HIST:

1st inhabitants -

8060 BC, Cave of Chopsi: hunters: everything Páramo offered ; nomads: following animals & seasons. CUL represented tools: arrows & spears, found throughout Andean valley.

Until -- 5585 BC.

Indigenous peeps (later)

agri: used stable climate, fertile soil & abundant water > develop potatoes, melloco, chocho, squash & quinoa.; 

Domesticated animals: cuys (guinea pigs), camelids: llamas & alpacas.

Tech: advanced. EX: created ceramics, most numerous artifacts

5000 BCE > 2000 BCE not ARCH represented well 

Start 2000 BCE, more highly organized society, delegating responsibilities: water management managing of water & plague control control of plagues. 

Specialized admin & RELG leaders (shamans). occurred during periods of Chaullabamba, Huayco, Pirincay, Monjas, Putushio, Huancarcucho & Jubones. 

2000 BCE > 500 AD : Tacalshapa III & Cañari peeps,periods, but absorbed by Incas, 15th C.

Pre-Columbian society

ORIG: Cañari settlement - Guapondeleg (aka . "land as big as heaven.") ARCH believe Cuenca, around 500 AD; ½ C B4 conquistars, Incas, after bitter struggle, conquered Cañari & occupied Guapondeleg & surrounding area. 

Incas replaced Cañari ARCHI did not suppress Cañari or impressive astronomy & agri achievements instead, absorbing all useful. 

Tomebamba.: Inca re-name, 2nd Cusco, regional capital.

1470s, Inca emperor, Tupac Yupanqui, constructed grand city, Pumapungo, " or of Puma"; magnificence rivaled Inca’s Cuzco capital. 

Indians told SPAN stories -- golden temples etc., but when Spaniards found city -- just ruins; wondering where fabled splenr / riches disappeared.. 

Abanned by Cañari , N Incas, Tomebamba: sparse pop until 1550s.

Tomebamba candidate 4 El ra -- SPAN-called mythical city of gold cuz Tomebamba's fear-driven self-destruction. SPAN thought El ra burned by inhabitants after heard of SPAN conquests. 

 

SPAN ‘Cuenca’ settlement:

April 12, 1557 by explorer Gil Ramírez Dávalos. Andrés Hurta de Menza, N Viceroy of Peru after his Cuenca, Spain ; decades afterwards-- or major SPAN settlements -- Quito (1534), Guayaquil (1538), & Loja (1548). 

POP & IMP grew steadily during colonial era peaking 1st yr of EC's independence; 

Nov 3, 1820, capital; or 2 capitals Guayaquil & Quito. Independence

SITES: Carnival time: 2/12 & 13 10½

1) Numismatic Museum, Central Bank of EC:             1

LOC: Calle Larga: leads out > Inca ruins of Pumapungo +593 7-283-1255, 8:30a–5:30p

Often Cuenca Symphonic Orchestra concerts.

SPAN dismantled / used stone 4 Cuenca colon re-bilt

SM menagerie w/ birds in beautiful gardens @ BOT

 

2) Pumapungo Incan ruins MUS & PK:                       2

… “ door of puma” in Quichuan. LOC: W/in city CNTR, 

Inca HIST: 1) impressive rock structures depict major Inca leader, 2) construction, 3) impact on EC Inca CUL.

CUZ Cuenca closer > Peru border than Quito, so, Inca had more time > build this part of EC. 

Even tho pre-Inca structures/bldg -- clear signs Inca style renovation.

 

 

3) Ruinas de Tos los Santos (Ruins of All St.s):         1½ 

LOC: on Tomebamba RIV’s L bank 100 m from Todos Santos Brdg, in San Blas parish, Pumapungo neighborhood, btwn Calle Larga 2-23 & Manuel Vega.

ARCH Objects : Since 1972, ~ 20,000 fragments & entire ceramic, stone & lethal pieces recovered; exhibited in Manuel Agustín Landívar Site Museum. 

4 Inca origin niches, forming trapezoidal, bilt of stone. 

colonial mill remains.

Discovered: Nov, 1972: ARCH site w/ruins discovered during Fernando Estrella’s new house’s excavation.

1973, 1^st report published referring > lower site

1975, new ARCH elements discovered.

Artifacts:: Cañaris, Incásicos & Hispánica cultures.

• Cañaris occupation area: LOC: complex’s NE; rectangular structure w/ limestone walls.of limestone blks - some w/retouching; majority: - w/ natural forms, united w/ black earth mortar.& Inca pottery vessel

• Incásicos : famous Tomebamba rooms, bilt in 2^nd ½ 15^th C: Nucleus LOC: E of Todos los Santos, Pumapungo neighborhood: wall of its period of expansion.

• Hispanic : IMP Hispanic occupation: bldgs immediately prior > SPAN Foundation of Cuenca & anor bldg (?) belonging > 1^st yrs City years.

1^st phase: cane mill of lithic blocks, orig Inca lintels (2m lng of 2 tons ea. 

2^nd phase: of 1^st Cuenca founding years: 

1) 2 mills in upper part apparently similar > mills bilt in 1596 ; mills housing large drive water-wheels by water >> channels & 

2) half-domed vault (Núñez de Bonilla mill & wall of niches), 1906. 

3) ALSO, encomendero's (?) house wall & foundation remains bilt w/boulders & black clay mortar.

4) Puente Roto (Broken Bridge) & RIV WALK:        ½

famous ruins separating colonial district & MOD res areas; bilt 1840 - 1850, but flood destroyed, 1950. End walk near Pumapungo MUS & PK. 

 

5) Museo de las Culturas Aborigenes:                                 1

LOC: Calle Larga, private museum specializing in pre-Colombian cultures in Ecuador. We found “tsa tsas” (shrunken heads) particularly interesting

 

HIST AREA: 4½

LOC: btwn Tomebamba RIV & Gran Colombia St(N),/ GEN Torees (W) & Hermano Miguel(E)

 

1) OLD CATH (Iglesia de El Sagrario): ½ 

main place of Span worship during SPAN Cuenca colonization, 1557, but soon 2 sm, N, 1880, new CATH replaced while old CATH restored > MUS.

 

2) NEW CATH 1

(off name: Catedral Metropolitana de la Inmaculada Concepción). 

truncated towers cuz ARCHT mis-calculation error     rendered bldg too weak > support planned TOWs, neverless, New CATH of Cuenca, 1885,-- monumental faith work.

ARCH COMBI Romanesque Revival & Neo-Gothic in style, blue & wht R city symbol. façade : alabaster & local marble, floor of nave: pink marble from Carrara (Italy). @ inauguration, accommodated 9,000 out of Cuenca's 10,000 inhabitants.

Monastery & MUS of La Concepcion, ?

w/ 17th-C tombs & complete collection of RELG art.

 

3) Abdon Calderon PK: ¾

LOC: Cuenca CNTR btwn old & new CATH,

contemplative PK benches 4 chat & tranquility. Municipal offices nearby.

Around PK: CATH, Muni bldg, Tourism Basin Foundation, 

inside: Abdon Calderon, Battle of Pichincha, independence hero

 

4) MONS of El Carmen de Asuncion: ¾ 

1) atrium, 2) flower MKT adds > CHR’s beauty, 1682. 3) sculpted stone façade & 4) golden pulpit make CHR very attractive.

LOC

 

5) CHR of Santo Domingo: ¾

LOC

6) San Blas CHR: ; CLOSED 4 renovation  ¾

                                                                                            ➾➾➾➾

LOC: E of OT > San Blas area: 

French RT:

1) START: La Condamine St: & El Vado neighborhood

2) Plaza Miguel Leon: aka San Sebastian cuz San Sebastian CHR; colonial bullfights

3) Simon Bolivar ST’s BLDGs: 

1) Casa Bienal, 2) Bolivar Clinic, 3) Casa del Coco, 4) Sojos house 5) Jerves Calero house 

4) Parque Abdon Calderon: 

1) San Luis Seminary, 2) (or side): Old CATH w/ marble plaque, origin of ‘meter’?

5) N, (?) ---

1) Provincial Court of Justice, 2) Alcaldía de Cuenca, 3) St. Alphonsus CHR w/92 French stained glass windows

4) Remigio Benigno Malo school 

5) Crespo Toral Museum : 1st Geodesic plaque

 

 

 

7) El Mirar de Turi (Turi=‘Chechua 4 ‘bro’):    3

LOC: SW of OT near Cuenca's major Mall del Rio

TRANS:

• BUS: $.25, #7 or 13, N, taxi up: $1½
• Taxi: $3, El Centro > Turi. 
• Walk stairs: workout…. from mall: 

1) L on Pan American Hiwy, aka Circunvalación Sur 4 ~ ½mi > Turi roundabout. 

2) N, bear R & pass LRG Body Care Gym & Spa,

3) N, after short walk past Body Care > Turi BUS stop. 

4) N, pass stone retaining wall w/ couple of wht houses below,

5) N, U see wide stone staircase heading R up hillside > Turi.

…… NOW ARV @ amphiater in front of CHR@

NOTE: Si prolema, Just ask, "Dónde están las escaleras Turi?

Once re: U know why Cuenca’s name (Span: means "bowl)

1) Eduardo Vega’s workshop & showroom.-- world-famous ceramicist’s --

LOC: Turi, 100 m down rd

2) CHR of Turi: large & ornate

3) Nearby HIKE: walk up rd on R side, just past CHR, N, continue uphill > fork in rd, N, take higher one (on L) N, after few min reach 

3a) graveyard w/fascinating small shrines (INT)--different from US.

 

Dt’s Outside of Cuenca: > or Incan sites, including:

DT1: Cojitambo ruins (Complejo Arqueologico Cojitambo): 1

LOC: 30k N of Cuenca; 12 k outside Azogues;

DIRECS: Cuenca TERM Terrestre > Azogues’s BUS TERM (30 min) THEN, BUS N > Deleg -- ask > get off @ Cojitambo service/entry rd, N, steep uphill > site.

Signs explain remaining walls, petrogylphs & ancient ceramic shards reveal several cultural occupations. 500BC > 500AD, simple existences; 500AD > Incas: more advanced civilization, N, ~ 1450AD, Inca added > existing structures, … remaining until Span Conquest, 1532.

Inca Rd (Ingapirca)     ⬇︎⥥

Only bldg: small w/o roof & w/lintel over doorway, BUT INT multiple wall niches --very typical Incan. IMP: built w mortar, some stones R shaped in Incan Imperial ceremonial building Style; indicates IMP military stronghold or stopping point on Inca Rd --(full width of ~7m.wide -- Ingapirca) btwn Quito > Cuenca & finally Cuzco.

 

DT2: Molleturo: SEE “Molleturo (Cuenca) Wiki.pdf” 1

LOC: Local Know Area’s CNTR 1.5 h from Cuenca. 

Vast rural area (386 SQ miles), EC’s S Andes several little VILL (hamlets). 

NOTE: 10yr ago 3d mule trip cuz no car rd, BUT rd has bad eco impacts on peeps survival ?.

 

DT?: Chordeleg. metal jewelry making Guild TWN

LOC: 31 miles from Cuenca,, 

stone corridor in snake form in area , bilt in pre-Inca time, If can find B4 trip

Easy 6 hr DT: w/1h ea way & 4 h > wander sq & lunch. FREQ daily BUS until 5 p

Local BUS ($2 RT, freq), from Cuenca main BUS TERM i.e BUS line heading > Gualaceo. Just say: “Chordeleg”; 

DIRECS: head down hill for next BUS >Cuenca. 

DT?: Jima: hiking Probably not

LOC: 2h SW of Cuenca

S EC hiking hotspot cuz ; all skill levels@ base of 2 beautiful grn mtn @ 8,800 ft

 

 

 

 

DT3: El Cajas NP:      next page 

DT3: El Cajas NP: El Cajas, rivers, streams, & lagoons unite 1

LOC: 18 mi W of Cuenca; Elevation: 11,500 > 13,800 ft) ASL, .

‘tundra’ landscape

 Lacs en miroir (Mirrored lakes). C by orders of Huayna 

tour, BUS or drive from Cuenca. It's only 20 miles (30km) outside city.

 

Visiting hours: 08H00 to16H

“Inca Trail” remnant crosses Park, linking Tomebamba w/ “Tambo de Paredones” (Molleturo) btwn highlands & coast.

4 km of rd: restored & walkable btwn Luspa cave & Mamamag lagoon. 

1^st section’s access: must take rd connecting Cuenca > coast: Cuenca-Molleturo-NaranjalT which crosses N area of Park, N, from re, ALSO, access majority of lakes & lagoons& INFO/Interpretative CNTR LOC: Toreadora Lagoon’s banks. 

1^2nd section’s access: 3rd older RT: LOC: South of Park aka Soldados-Angas. 

IMP TIP: extra pair of socks cuz ankle deep puddles & streams. 

PAK Accordingly 

Sunscreen, reusable water bottle, water purifier, sandwich/Cliff Bars - no REST; iP BAT BU. 

maps Cajas National Park website.     http://parque-nacional-cajas.org/tracks.html 

SEE “PN Cajas interactive GMap trails etc.pdf”

Inca Trail: Possible Hike RT: Start cabana’s (RT 582 -(red) N CNTR) N, S on Cucheros Burin (YEL) , N, NW on Inca Trail (rose) > Toreadora Soldados (, N, due N on Toreadora Soldados (turquoise) > main RD 582 (red) N, catch BUS back > Cuenca.

#1 HIKE: starts @ Info Centre, N, > NE past Lake Toreadora, >> quinua forest, N, down past Lake Totoras & Lake Patoquinuas, N, ENDs: @ highway, ~ 8km E of Info Centre @ Quinuas checkpoint: HERE, catch BUS > Cuenca, (Ask Warden 4 guide (seriously). 

Many D Hikes: consult park map & ask. PREP essential! Often thick fog &/or obscuring rain possible; worst case: emerg food, water, space blanket even on short day hikes. 

Laguna Taitachungo: “ Toreadora” trail?) splits from lagoon & some trails that lead straight > it. From HERE can pass by Ingañan or Inca Trail toward Luspa Cave. 

 

DT3: Campo de Petroglifos Catazho: tour: $100, 7a>8:30p); 

LOC: E of Cuenca near Limon - sht dist > Peru & Amazon river basin’s jungle

Rocks R scattered over large area; ---- Glyphs: very impressive. 

Warmer than Cuenca, cross more Cajas-like ‘paramo’.

 

FLIGHT INFO: UIO>TUS    TOT ~11h       Total Cost: $1107.69

SERVICE     DATE             FROM             >                 DP         ARV              Flt hrs        SEAT L/OV

AA1177    TH MAR8            UIO            DFW               1:53a     6:46a           (5h50m)        20D    2⅓h

AA2377    TH MAR8           DFW            TUS               9:10a 10:43a            (2½h)          21F     N/A FLIGHT INFO: JAC>UIO    TOT ~10¼h      

 

FLIGHT INFO: UIO>TUS    TOT ~11h       Total Cost: $1107.69

SERVICE     DATE             FROM             >                 DP         ARV              Flt hrs        SEAT L/OV

AA1177    TH MAR8            UIO            DFW               1:53a     6:46a           (5h50m)        20D    2⅓h

AA2377    TH MAR8           DFW            TUS               9:10a 10:43a            (2½h)          21F     N/A FLIGHT INFO: JAC>UIO    TOT ~10¼h      

 

 

IDEAL: TRAV dates: 1/15 - 3/15 (pre-Easter) (OPT: 1/15 > 3/28

Full Possible Time Range:  1/15 - 3/28

Start 21 days from: 2/4 - 3/22

1-21 > 3-7-18 (45d)  United $1108      1/20-3/8

Weather & Holiday avoidance Spring Break:  Mar 15^th, Easter April 1^st, Carnival: Feb 12/13

 

 

 

 

Bruce: 

High Altitude MEDs: DIAMOX (Acetazolamide) 

Background: 

In 2007 after many days @ sea level (Santiago, Chile), my 1^st night in N Chile’s high Andes I felt altitude light headedness in 1 evening, but reafter little or none.

I start Eciador/Galapagos trip in Quito @ 9,350’ ASL; drop > Galapagos sea level for 3 weeks n back into Andes (Otavalo, Cotopaxi NP, Banos, Cuenca etc.

I still appear > overide lung issues once 3/4h into elevation climb hike, so ……

MED: DIAMOX (Acetazolamide) , increases oxygen profussion (Quito pharmacies.have BUT 1 > 2 days B4 start climb or ARV Quito. Continue taking: while climbing & 48 hrs after final altitude.

Patient Startegies:

1) Avoid pre-elevation Overly-hot Water Showers, also, > minimize chance > catch cold.

2) Insist on High Carbohydrate Diet

Seasickness:

Only sea sick once 35 yrs ago, but -- 5 day Galapagos cruise tour 

MEDS:

?

Bonine: less unwanted sleepy side-effect seasick. 

MED: ✓ Vaccinations.

Background: I expect > be in significant cities or hiking archeological/ historical sites or possibly well touristed NP paths. IOW, probably not intense rural, jungle or non-Galapagos coastal areas.

My Internet queries:

If only Quito & GI: none req’d vaccinations. 

If, mainland EC, especially Amazon or coast: ask Dr.. 

Possible vaccinations: typhoid, hepatitis (&B), & yellow fever, Diphria (My record confusing > me - see below)

My IMMUNIZATIONS & vaccinations (according > my records)

Immunizations:       Frequency                           Status

Pneumonia: Once 04/post Aust -Bruce

Tetanus - diphria(?) : 10 yrs 5-31-05 -- Pub Health

Seasonal flu: yearly yes – Dr. Hayse 

Measles, Mumps             Not Req’d for pre 1957 born

Zostavax, shingles Once 12-2010 Al’s 22^nd Tucson

Hep ?? Done/ JHHS 

Hep B 1 time only Done/ JHHS

Hep C ?? NO

Yellow fever 10 yrs NO

Typhoid fever ? NO

 

Old:

ITIN STRAT SUM: Trav Day DAYS NITES

> PA, Santa Cruz 1 - 1

s 1: Charles Darwin CNTR & El Chato 

         Tortise Reserve, Rancho Primicias - 1 1

s 2:* Tortuga Bay & Los Gemelos 1 1

DT N Seymour Isla 1 1

DT: S Plazas/Punta Carion 1 1

DT: Floreana 1 1

s: Las Grietas or Dragon Hill or none 1 1

DP: > Isabela 1 - 1

s: *BIKE> Tortoise breeding CNTR,.Wall of Tears & wetlands 1 1

DT Las Tintoreras &/or Sierra Negra Caldera. 1 1

DP > San Cristobal: 1 - 1

s: Galapagos Interpret CNTR (MUS) & Las Tijeretas Hill– 1 1

DT /s:? Puerto Chino &/or Playa Mann  1 1

DP> Quito or Santa Cruz

 

 

JAN” later > avoid Xmas/NY’s hangovers, 

AVG Max TEMP:.: 85°F 

AVG TEMP : 80-83°F 

AVG Sea temp.: 76°F 

AVG Total Rain: 2.4” 

FEB: high vacancy, GUD last min deal opportunities;

Getting hotter

AVE Max. TEMP: 86°F 

AVG Min. TEMP: 75°F 

AVG TEMP: 80°F 

Sea TEMP: 77°F 

AVG Monthly Rain: 1” 

MAR: peak wet season, cruise availability 

 

EASTER Break: Mar15-Apr 8

AVG Max. temp: 88°F 

AVG Min. temp: 75°F 

AVG temperture: 82°F 

Sea TEMP: 77°F 

AVG Monthly Rain: 2”

 

APR: 1 of 2 best months

GUD last min dfeals except EASTER Apr 1^st;    school

Max. temp: 85°F 

Min. temp: 73°F 

AVG temperture: ?

Sea temp.: 77°F (

Avg. Rain: 1.5 in 

 

MAY: avoid 5/15 - 30

GUD last min dfeals except EASTER school

Rains reduce, temps cooling 

Max. temp: 82°F 

Min. temp: 72°F 

AVG temperture: ? 

Sea temp.: 76°F 

Avg. Rain: 0.75 in 

 

EC wear: Quito 

Wear: hot/rainy Dec > Jun, high humidity, ave temp: 80s F (26°-30° C), 

some showers, w/warm & sunny days , calm seas.

JAN: Rain: 15d

AVE: 58

AVG HI: 66

AVE LO: 50

FEB: Rain: 16d

AVE: 58

AVG HI: 66

AVE LO: 50

 

MAR: Rain: 18d

AVE: 58

AVG HI: 66

AVE LO: 50

 

APR: Rain: 24d

AVE: 59

AVG HI: 66

AVE LO: 51

 

MAY: Rain: 19d

AVE: 58

AVG HI: 66

AVE LO: 49

 

 

 

 

 

Rejected Possibilities

 

Riobamba: Devil’s Nose TRN ride base: ??

GEN:

(120 mi) S of EC's capital Quito, 

TRANS-IN:

BUS: from Banos (1.5hr, 

TRANS-OUT:

BUS: 

> Cuenca: (6hr, )

TRANS - Around: 

METRO: 

ACCM: 

 

FOOD: 

 

MISC: 

HIST

 region surrounding Riobamba inhabited by Puruhá nation B4 advance of Incas during late 15th C. Puruhas presented fierce resistance > Inca intentions of conquering N of today's EC, & refore obliged Inca Huayna Capac > find alliance in order > pacify tribes who sided w/ Conrazo, general of Puruha nation. alliance sealed peace btwn Shyris confederation, named by Jesuit historian Juan de Velasco > group of tribes whose ruler Duchicela dynasty, & Inca Empire. Inca Huayna Capac took as his wife princess Paccha & gave special treatment & social status privileges > higher castes of new subjects. offspring of dynastic relation Atahualpa, last king of Incas.

On 15 August 1534, city founded in San Miguel plains by Diego de Almagro, becoming 1st city in MOD-day EC > be established.^[2]:341 In 1563, city became part of SPAN Empire's newly formed Royal Audience of Quito. city completely destroyed by earthquake in 1797, but rebuilt few yr later 14 km (8.7 mi) away from its ORIG LOC (near VILL: named Cajabamba on plains of San Antonio de Aguíscate). city still retains much ARCHI from SPAN period.

In EC War of Independence Riobamba 1st declared independence on November 11, 1820 but soon retaken. city finally became part of IND Gran Colombia in 1822, & N separate Republic of EC in 1830.

On 20 November 2002, 7 peeps killed & 100s wounded when explosion in munitions depot @ Galapagos Brigade arsenal in Riobamba set off series of blasts. Such force of explosion that many residents said initial reaction that re had been earthquake or VOL eruption. Winws blown out more than 1.5 k from arsenal, & many of injured suffered lacerations from flying shards of glass.^[3]

According > Colonel Arturo Cadena, MIL spokesman in Quito, initial explosion occurred during maintenance work inside dump. In April 2003, army published its final report into explosion. report holds Santa Barbara munitions factory directly responsible 4 explosion, which army calling accident.^[4]

 

close proximity > Chimborazo volcanoar constant TEMP yr-round, w/ wet & dry season. Its alt (2754 m) & closeness > Chimborazo give city cool climate yr-round, w/ TEMPs averaging btwn 23 °C & 14 °C.

 

CATH de Riobamba, Iglesia de Balbanera,Neptune (Neptuno) STAT, 

Tren CruceroQuito > Guayaquil , waving > peeps in many cities & TWNs passed >>, VOLs, Chimborazo MT views, 

 

Lakes of Ozogoche (Lagunas de Ozogoche)

BUS taking peeps only > nearby VILL: which still quite far from actual Lagunaswatch migrating birds > commit suicide in lake.more exciting by staying re over night & having bit of hike btwn Laguna

Markt Guamote midway btwn Riobamba & Alausi couple h from Riobamba"un-seen" of EC

Sangay National ParkWhenever I TRAV, I like > look 4 UNESCO World Heritage Sites because I have had great experiences visiting se sites of natural, cultural, & HIST significance. I in EC & Sangay PK World Heritage Site so naturally I planned visit. While in Cuenca, I inquired @ # of tour operators about PK & almost none of m had even heard of it. Based on information I found online, I decided > trek > Laguna Amarilla @ base of El Altar because aside from climbing Sangay any information about anything else > scarce. 

As non SPAN speaker, everything little lot more difficult 4 me, but I managed > take BUS from Cuenca > Riobamba, walk > tourist information office (where helpers seemed unsure of wher I should get guide), walk > Oriental BUS TERM, & catch BUS > Candelaria. 

It it very frustrating that re esn't seem > be BUS schedules posted anywhere so I showed up > TERM & learned that next BUS > Candelaria not leaving 4 3 h. BUS cost about $1.

 I exited BUS just past Candelaria (which isn't even on Google Maps) when I saw sign 4 Hacienda Releche. office 4 Sangay PK closed, so I continued walking about 200 meters > Hacienda. owner wasn't re @ 1st, but when he ARV about h later, he extremely friendly & helpful & he spoke perfect ENG. 

I paid $15 4 room 4 night. I only customer. I spent evening on hammock on porch reading. It looked like really cool place > book ahead of time w/ group because N prepare food 4 . place had wonderful rustic charm > it. 

 owner recommended that I buy some food 4 my hike @ nearby store, he also told me I could rent rubber boots re but I declined because I had waterproof hiking boots & gaiters (I later learned    wrong choice). I told owner I wanted > spend next night @ refuge closer > lake. He gave me verbal hiking directions & key > refuge. 

I started hiking > refuge next morning after hot shower (yay! My water wasn't even hot in my hotel in Cuenca). trail unbelievably muddy & I basically got covered in muddy water from waste wn. I am very fast hiker & I made it > refuge in about 3.5 h. It almost same as Hacienda except w/o electricity. I paid $5 4 use of kitchen which includes gas stove, silverware, plates, pots, sink, etc. I hiked up > lake in about h & it spectacular! blue grn color of lake against sheer cliffs of El Altar surrounding it amazing. In short, accommodations excel & lake awesome, but trail kind of bear.

 

 

 

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g303849-d581723-r498039413-Sangay_National_Park-Riobamba_Chimborazo_Province.html#

> s:Biking, 

SITES:

Chimborazo Mt Views, 

Just wanted > thank 4 post. Did in September based on suggestions & it worked out great. Stayed in Riobamba, R across from BUS STA. Took 1st but in morning, which unfortunately, wasn’t until 0730. hike up great, seems like had much better wear than did. Several cars pulled over o!ering us ride up but made it all way > 2nd refugio on foot. On way back wn, 1st car that passed truck & o!ered > give us ride wn in back. Thinking may have some di"culty catching BUS back > TWN hopped in. @ bottom chatted 4 bit & heading back > Riobamba as well & gave us ride all way back > hotel. Hope encourages more peeps > trip unguided. It amazing! 

Chimborazo: Even if you're not mtn climber, it could still be worth visit: take coach > 1st hut (4.800 masl), stretch legs, & boast that you've been furr from earth's CNTR than summit of Everest. because earth not perfect sphere but oblate spheroid, i.e. it little bit "thicker" near equator, which makes Chimborazo furst mtn from its CNTR. If you're feeling acclimated & adventurous, try walking up > 2nd Lodge (no guide needed), about 250m higher in elevation. wont have > pay any entrance fee & views be spectacular. Beware, though: 500m elevation gain lot when you're already 4500 masl. n't attempt unless physically fit & acclimated > alt.

 

 summit of Mount Everest higher above sea level, but summit of Chimborazo widely reported > be farst point on surface from Earth's CNTR,[12][13] w/ Huascarán very close 2nd. summit of Chimborazo fixed point on Earth that has utmost distance from CNTR – because of oblate spheroid shape of planet Earth, which "thicker" around Equator than measured around poles.[note 3] Chimborazo 1 degree S of Equator & Earth's diameter @ Equator grtr than @ latitude of Everest (8,848 m (29,029 ft) above sea level), nearly 27.6° N, w/ sea level also elevated. Despite being 2,585 m (8,481 ft) lower in elevation above sea level, it 6,384.4 km (3,967.1 mi) from Earth's CNTR, 2,163 m (7,096 ft) farr than summit of Everest (6,382.3 km (3,965.8 mi) from Earth's CNTR).[note 4] However, by height above sea level, Chimborazo not even highest peak of Andes. 

 

Devil’s Nose (Nariz del Diablo) TRN ride:

 

TRANS: train currently ES NOT start from Riobamba 

So Key questions:

DP ONLY SAT or Tue, Wed & SAT?

ONLY from Alausi? 2.5 hrs RT,

Buy TIKs in Rio & Alausi? 

10-12-16: 

ACCM: Rio (2hr+ > Alausi) or Alausi

Assigned seats: L side best, but everyone stands anyway; PIK stop; Silambe bottom stop: 1hr stop w/ cafe, MUS, tourist show; 

ITIN: Daily except Mondays, train leaves @ 8:00, 11:00 & 15:00 (?).

TIKS Online:  http://trenEC.com/en/home/ any TRN STA, easiest: local TRAV Agency; 

INFO REQ’sd: Full name (as listed on passport)

Current address/State/Zip

Phone #

Date of Birth

Passport # (cedula should work as well)

Many local TRAV agencies offer trip packages > Devil’s Nose 4 grp @ lower cost than traveling privately.

ITIN 4 Devil’s Nose Train – Alausi > Sibambe (Pistishi)

1st, make sure getting on R train.  If want > go on Devil’s Nose, need be on Alausi > Sibambe (Pistishi) RT.  Following current ITIN but also check when buying tickets 4 any changes.

07:30     Check in. Alausi STA

08:00     Leave in train

08:50     ARV @ Nariz del Diablo mtn viewpoint

09:00     ARV @ Sibambe STA – Cultural performance, Visit > Conr Puñuna CNTR, Activities (Train Cafe)

10:00     Board & rt > Alausi

10:30     ARV @ Alausi. End of tour

* Same ITIN & duration applies > 11:00 & 15:00 departures

TRANS: 

n’t be late

TIME:

ARV 30 min B4 train DP

plus $25 ea 4 train tickets.

Alausi’s BUS STA LOC: 5 de Junio, 3 blk from train STA on main St. website: http://www.vivatravelguides.com/S-america/EC/andean-highlands/CNTR-highlands/alausi/alausi-overview/getting->-&-away-from-alausi/ 

 

BLOGGER: Cuenca: nna Stiteler ( self-proclaimed TRAV Hack), journalism graduate of University of Florida, has written 4 Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel, Sacramento Bee, Meeting Professional, CNTR Florida magazine & or publications. She has worked as both writer & fundraising/marketing executive. Her passions helping animals (she founded Cuenca Bitches), women in poverty (microfinance),

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TIK buys from Cuenca: CAZHUMA TOURS & LANGUAGE SCHOOL CIA LTDA, Telephone:  (593) 7 283 2052, Cellular: 0999749227, www.cazhumatours.com,  Padre Aguirre 9-40 entre Gran Colombia y Simon Bolivar, Cuenca – EC.   speak ENG & I got my ticket vouchers in couple of days.    pay m via PayPal or w/ cash

 

 

 

Latest UPDATE: May 11, 2013 Alausi DEPART Only. Train es not depart on Fridays. It es depart Sat @ 8am, 11am & 3pm. Cost $25 or $35 depending on ticket class. Journey takes 2.5 h including 1 h stopover in Simbamba & includes sandwich & soft drink.

 

June 23, 2011 UPDATE: train now starts from Alausi & re 3 departures Tue-Sat, @ 8am, 11am & 3pm. Tickets be bought in advance @ Riobamba train STA & costs $20. step in anytime > buy tickets (I went @ 11am), need > show passport. Note that it takes 2.5 hrs > reach Alausi by BUS from Riobamba & need > be @ Alausi train STA @ least 20 mins in advance, so figure @ least 3+ hrs > get > Alausi. BUSs leave 4 Alausi every 30 min.

 

 

 

 

Take TRN > Alausi , wn > Sibambe, back > Alausi, get off & N, DP on BUS > Cuenca

DP Riobamaba: 6:30-7a, W,F, Su; buy TIK day B4 btwn 3-6pk (buy early) or best BK >> TRAV agent, 

 

 

 devil's nose train trip from Alausi. It costs $32 pp 4 1.5 h train ride., 15-20 min bottom stop, N up > . view from train nice, but it not really exciting & mostly very touristic. find price pretty high e what get., 

Metropolitan Touring's Chiva Express Train > Devil's Nose: 

Alausi : TRN ‘s terminus (wn & back up) best views supposed > be @ R side// best carriage > be on 1 in middle > avoid smoke, 

Alausi: Devil’s Nose TRN ride base:

Probably very over-hyped rip-off unless easily & necessary 4 Devil’s Nose hich also overprice, touristy thing. Skip Alausi if skipping Devil’s Nose TRN ride

 

TIC: 

Head on over > train STA of Alausí > find local tourism office. Here you'll find general information on area, as well as maps & details regarding trails 4 bikes & hiking inside & around Alausí.

TRANS-IN:

From Riobamba: TBus > & from Riobamba: (2 h, $1.50): @ least 1 BUS runs every h, btwn 5 a.m. & 7 p.m.

TRANS-OUT:

>Cuenca: BUS > Cuenca (4.5 h, $5): 6 a.m., 10 a.m., & immediately after train arrives on tour days (Wednesdays, Fridays, & Sundays) 

AIR:

 

TRANS - Around: 

METRO: 

ACCM: 

usí’s main St full of hotels, though none of m particularly appealing. Hotels here not very expensive. re isn't very much > in Alausí or than take trip on infamous Nariz del Diablo train & perhaps reflected in overall standard & price range of accommodation in TWN.

Hotel Europa - Hotel Alausí - 

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Select Language ▼

 

If ARV by BUS, 1st thing that see in Alausí lrg pink building directly across from STA, which houses Hotel Europa. hotel as good place as anywhere in TWN > lay head. rooms arranged alongside inner parking lot & vary in QUAL & size, but clean & good value in TWN. Ask > see room B4 pay.

 

LOC:

Av. 5 de Junio 175 & Orozco

 

Alausí, EC

 

Hotel Types:

Adequate

 Hotel : Mid-Range

Hotel Amenities, Services & Facilities , 24-h Hot Water, Laundry Service, Luggage Storage, Parking - Free, Safe in Reception or Rooms, Telephone/Fax Facilities, Wifi

Currencies accepted

US llar

Getting re:

opposite BUS STA

 

Room Prices:

$18 (single)

Contact Information:

Phone: 03-295-7327/293-0200

E-mail: info(@)hoteleuropa.com.ec

URL: www.hoteleuropa.com.ec

 

FOOD: 

 

MISC: 

 

SITES: 7k POP, 

Main Sq & Simon Bolivar STAT, simple CHR, 2^nd smaller SQ, Calle Larga(merchant’s family St): Casa del Molijno : restored mansion (now hotel), MKT, Calle Garcia MOreno, 

@ opposite ends of main drag1) stairs > TRN construction mural 2) Blk bridge over gorge

 

 

 

 

 

FOOD: 

 

MISC: 

 

SITES:GI Islas names (from E > W, N>S)

buccaneer Ambrose Cowley’s 1st crude GI map, 1684 named IND Isla after some of his fellow pirates or after British royalty & noblemen.Fitroy’s superb 1835 map

(E Cntr),

Fernandina Isla: 

Isabela Isla (lrgst)

* (anor confused name) Cordillera de islas de Santa Getrudia?

(N Cntr)

Marchena Isla: 

Santiagio Isla:

Bartholomew Isla:

Rabida Isla:

(Cntr)

 Santa Cruz Isla: 

N Seymore Isla:

Mosquera Islet

Baitra Isla:

Plaza Islas:

Pinzon Isla:

Daphne Isla:

Sante Fe Isla:

(S Cntr)

 Floreana Isla: 

HIST Names: Santa Maria Floreana King Charle’s Isla King Charle’s Isla;;; Santa Maria Isla (good water, E of San Cristobal)

*Champion Isla, Enderby(?), Caldwell (?), Gardner Isla, & Watson (?) --- protruding from water

(NE) 

Genovesa Isla: : less than 40 peeps/boat landing

(E Cntr) 

San Cristobal Isla:, Chatham Isla (?) 

Espanola Charles Isla

James Isla 2^nd Duke of York Isla

Duke of Norfolks  

(anor hist name- Capt “Porter’s Isla)

Duke of Albermarles

Lord Norris’s

Lord Wainmans

Ld Culppeper’s

Cowley’s