Experience report Ecuador and Galapagos round trip part 1
Maria S.
Two weeks ago, we shared with you the first part of the travel experiences of two of our travelers. Now follow them on their journey from Chimborazo to Guayaquil. As in the first part, this segment also offers a personal and authentic perspective on their experiences.
Chimborazo and Riobamba
Washington Sierra, our guide, picked us up from Quito airport. He was very friendly, attentive and caring right from the start. He adapted his way of speaking to our pace so that even I, who can only speak very little Spanish, was able to follow very well. And when things got too complicated for me, we switched to English, which was no problem for him. The car was big enough for us and our luggage and was always comfortable. Washington was a very good driver the whole time and adapted to the conditions, we always felt safe.
Our first hotel was La Casona de la Ronda. An absolutely charming hotel with friendly staff. The courtyard was beautiful to look at and our room was large, quiet, wonderfully centrally located and cozy. A dream! We had the afternoon “free” and got a first impression of Quito.
Breakfast was buffet style, the variety was absolutely sufficient, and of course we particularly enjoyed the fruit. Egg dishes were prepared directly and were very tasty. Washington arrived on time and took us to the Pululahua nature reserve, where we learned about life in the crater. We then drove to the “equator” and thus to the Museo Inti Ňan.
We learned about the everyday life of the indigenous peoples, such as how to make shrunken heads and how they live and hunt. We then did a few experiments on the equator. For example, I became a certified egg champion because I balanced an egg on a nail head… The journey continues to the “bun”, a hill called El Panecillo. From up there you have a great view of Quito and can see the “Virgen de Quito” up close. Finally, we stroll around Quito a bit and visit the Iglesia La Compaňia de Jesus, which appears to be made entirely of gold, the cathedral, which is currently hosting an exhibition reminiscent of the miniature wonderland, and the Basilica La Merced.
Cotopaxi National Park
Today we are heading to Cotopaxi National Park. Unfortunately, it is completely covered in clouds, but it is getting clearer bit by bit. In the park, I have the first drug of my life: coca tea. Like chocolate, this is supposed to help you cope better with the altitude. First, we walk through the park past other volcanoes and wild horses towards the parking lot. There we put on warm clothes and make our way very slowly to the refugio.
Our guide had a plastic bag with him the whole time and got a birthday cake out for me at the refugio….What a wonderful surprise. After cake and cocoa, we descended again relatively quickly so as not to get altitude sick after all. Now we have a long drive towards Baños ahead of us. On the Panamericana and later on smaller roads, we drive past small villages, see plantations with mandarins and lots of people selling fruit, vegetables and sugar cane juice by the roadside.
Baños
We head uphill to our Hotel Luna Volcan. From our room, we have a view of the wooded hillside and Baños in the valley. The room and the grounds are really beautiful, the view breathtaking, breakfast and dinner (which, contrary to expectations, was included) very tasty. The only downside was that we couldn’t go into town quickly in the evening because the hotel was on the mountain.
Our hotel complex is truly enchanting. There are many ornamental and kitchen gardens with plants that we also have here. There is an elder tree right next to our complex that bears both flowers and fruit. Amazing… Today we spent most of our time in our valley. There is also a volcano here that erupts regularly, but at the moment it is quiet…. First we visit the Agoyan waterfall. It can only be seen from above and is best viewed from a caged cable car. It is very adventurous. At the end of the cable car, we get off on our own and go for a walk. When we get back, Washington makes himself recognizable by waving on the opposite side, and the cable car starts up for the return journey. We then take an old road that runs right past the rocks. We arrive at a place where we could go bungee jumping, zip lining or do other wild things. But we don’t want to. Instead, we drive on and discover the face of Jesus in the rock. The absolute highlight is the Pailón del Diablo waterfall. It plunges over three steps from a height of 80 meters into the depths. It can only be reached via suspension bridges, which are quite exciting.
Washington and Rüdiger treat themselves to grilled plantains on the way back. Things are a little quieter in the Parque de la familia. We see plants such as poinsettias and lilies, fish ponds with the trout and guinea pigs that are so popular here. These are a specialty in Peru and Lima. Hmm. Not for us…. Finally, we stroll through Baños and visit the Dominican Basilica. The “Virgin of the Holy Water”, who is worshipped here, is said to have healed and saved people. People pray very devoutly here.”
Has the first part of this personal travel report already made you curious about Ecuador? We offer individual and group tours to Ecuador and the Galapagos. Please feel free to contact us.
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