Foreign Travel Itinerary (Sample)

Scott’s Sample Foreign Travel Itinerary

This is a SAMPLE of my larger, longer Ecuador itinerary, including the Galapagos Islands (2018) - my last foreign travel trip before prostate therapy.     The full itinerary is here: link

 

DISCLAIMER

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

1. AIR:

   Always includes- 

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 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 option. I would arrive very early next morning when hostel was closed up tight & asleep. The owner graciously arranged a taxi to pick me upat airport drive me to hostel and. let me into hostel & show me 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  (Hiroshima ‘okonomiyaki’ is to die for)

 

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 site/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), 

c. 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, Tour if pragmatically necessary or desirable. 

 

 

 

 

Ecuador/Galapagos ITIN: 

AIR: 

Locator #: AUOZNL Trip Name: TUS/UIO           Ticket Number:

 

FLIGHT INFO: JAC>UIO    TOT ~10¼h      

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

AA2377     SU JAN21      TUS       >    DFW         11:55a      3:07p (2h12m)     22F       2¼h

AA1413     SU JAN21      DFW            UIO            5:30p    12:09a(MON-1/22 (5⅔h)       23D       N/

 

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: