Wandering With Bill

Making jewelry by hand has become a growing industry. Many individuals make handmade jewelry of all types. Some of this jewelry is of excellent quality while a great deal of it is inferior. Generally handmade jewelry is made from local products. In some countries entire communities make jewelry by hand. In South America this is the case.

There are a variety of quality materials available to make jewelry. The majority of these natural materials are derived from tropical plants. These materials include tagua, guadua, cana flecha, cuerno, café, and leather. Tagua is made from a seed of a palm tree grown in Colombia and Ecuador. Guadua is made from a tropical plant similar to bamboo that is native to South America. Cana flecha is made from cana (sugar cane). Cuerno is merely a horn, like bull horns. Café is dried coffee beans. And leather is well known to all. Leather is called cuero in Spanish.

In Ecuador there is a community located in the Andes Mountains, 10,000 above sea level. This community is a small town called Otavalo. Almost the entire population is comprised of a group of indigenous Indians called Otalavenos. They are world renown for their handmade products. They produce some of the most unique and beautiful jewelry in the world and these products sell at very reasonable prices.

One type of jewelry is made of tagua. They utilize tagua to make bracelets, necklaces, and earrings. The seed that is used to make tagua is about the size of a golf ball. It is very durable and it makes beautiful jewelry. The bracelets and necklaces made of tagua occasionally incorporate other natural materials. Bracelets seem to be the jewelry of choice to be made from tagua. A bracelet handmade from tagua is normally colorful and very distinct.

Guadua is used to make jewelry that is larger. It is utilized in making bracelets, necklaces, and earrings. Guadua is used equally in all three categories, because it is a larger material in its raw state. Normally jewelry made from this material is hand painted. Guadua is an excellent choice for earrings and necklaces.

Cana flecha is primarily used to hand make bracelets and rings. These products are usually woven from the cana flecha fibers.

Cuerno or horns are used by only a few to make primarily earrings. These earrings are some of the most unique pieces of art available in handmade jewelry, and they can be purchase for less than $20 a pair. This is a bargain for such an original creation. They are very scarce even in Ecuador where they are made.

Café is used in conjunction with other materials to make all kinds of jewelry. Most of this type of jewelry is made in Colombia and Ecuador.

Lastly is leather, which is used to make bracelets. This is the least utilized material but the most common. Compared to the other materials it is a little boring.

Discovering unique handmade jewelry and other handcrafted products is a very interesting venture. All of these unique products are a labor of love to the indigenous people who make them. Many times they are a creation reflecting their culture and their beliefs. They are art, history, and jewelry all included in one item.

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Ecuador is a South American country bordered by Columbia in the north, Peru in the south and east, and the Pacific Ocean in the west. Ecuador has a land area of 276,840 sq. km. Galapagos Islands also form a part of Ecuador and is famous for their wildlife. Ecuador has a coastline of about 2,237 km. This country has a republican form of government, and Quito is the capital city, located at an altitude of 2,820 meters.

Ecuador has a population of just over 13 million people (July 2005 estimate). The main ethnic groups are mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) at 65 percent and Amerindian at 25 percent of the population. Spanish and others constitute 7 percent of the population while blacks are 3 percent. At least 95 percent of the people of Ecuador are Roman Catholic. Spanish is the official language, and Amerindian languages are also spoken, especially Quechua. Ecuador has a population growth of 1.24 percent and the infant mortality rate is 23.66 deaths to1,000 live births. Ecuador has a life expectancy of 76.21 years and has a literacy rate of 92.5 percent.

Ecuador gained independence from Spain on May 24, 1822. The Independence Day is celebrated on August 10th. For administrative purposes, Ecuador is divided into 22 provinces. The country has a gross domestic product of $49.51 billion. Agriculture occupies 8.7 percent and industry occupies 30.5 percent of the GDP. The service sector occupies 60.9 percent of the GDP. Ecuador has an urban labor force of 4.53 million. The service sector accounts for 68 percent of the work force while industry accounts for 24 percent of the work force. Only 8 percent of the labor force is employed in the agricultural sector. According to 2001 estimates, 45 percent of the population of Ecuador is below the poverty line.

The main industries of Ecuador are petroleum, chemicals, food processing, textiles, timber, and the main agricultural produces include bananas, coffee, cocoa, rice, potatoes, tapioca, plantains, and sugarcane. Livestock includes cattle, sheep, pigs, beef, and pork. The main export commodities of Ecuador are petroleum, bananas, cut flowers and shrimp while the main import commodities include vehicles, medicinal products, telecommunications equipment, and electricity. The main export partners are the U.S., which accounts for 42.9 percent of all exports. The other main export partners are Panama 14.3 percent, Peru 7.9 percent and Italy 4.6 percent. The United States is the main import partner of Ecuador. The other main import partners include Colombia, China, Venezuela, Brazil, Chile, Japan, and Mexico.

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Located near Colombia and Peru, Ecuador is an important port city in South America. The country’s capital is Quito, and Guayaquil is the biggest city in Ecuador and home to a major sea shipping port; the Port of Guayaquil. Other shipping ports in Ecuador include the Port of La Libertad, the Port of Manta and the Port of Puerto Bolivar.

If you are ocean shipping to Ecuador, you can ship household goods and personal effects duty free if you are a foreign diplomat, Ecuadorian diplomat or a citizen of Ecuador returning after completing some type of official assignment for an international organization that is recognized by the Ecuadorian government.

If you are a citizen of Ecuador returning to the country after having been away for at least one year with legal residence abroad, including a resident visa from the country where you are returning, you are also allowed to ship household items back to Ecuador at no charge. If you are not a citizen of Ecuador but are a foreigner with an immigrant visa or a foreigner to the country with a non-immigrant working visa, you may also likely qualify for free shipping on personal effects.

When shipping personal items to Ecuador, please note that only one item per article is allowed. If you try to ship additional items, you may be required to pay certain duty fees, fines and taxes. Your items may also be at risk of confiscation.

If you are returning citizen, you are not eligible for duty free importation if you have been in Ecuador for more than thirty days during the past year of residence abroad.

The timing of your cargo shipment to Ecuador is important. Your shipment can arrive up to 60 days after your arrival in the country.

If you are shipping cargo to Ecuador and you do not meet the qualifications detailed above, you may be subject to pay certain import taxes (approximately 43% of CIF value, as calculated by customs officials in Ecuador).

When shipping to Ecuador, it is necessary to obtain a transportation insurance policy in Ecuador. This is for customs purposes and does not replace the coverage of regular door to door shipping insurance issued at origin.

If you are moving to Ecuador and are shipping household goods and personal items to Ecuador, your shipment may be inspected. If it is valued at over $4,000 it should be inspected at origin before arrival in Ecuador. Verification of this inspection is important.

Required Paperwork when Shipping to Ecuador

In order to get through the customs clearance process in Ecuador, you will need to get some important documents in order. Before you ship cargo to Ecuador you should plan to have a sworn declaration of your items stamped by an Ecuadorian Consulate at origin. It is extremely important that you provide a detailed and complete list of the household goods, personal items, equipment and other items that you are shipping. There are no exceptions to this requirement.

For non-resident visitors to Ecuador, you should plan to have a valid work contract available. If you are a resident returning to Ecuador, make sure to have your resident visa from the country where you have been living for a year or more.

If required, you can obtain a Migratory Certificate from the Migration Police prior to presentation of your customs declaration.

The following documents are necessary when shipping to Ecuador:

1.Original passport with stamped visa
2.Verification certificate (if applicable)
3.Transportation Insurance Policy issued in Ecuador

With the exception of foreign diplomats, a detailed physical inspection at the port of entry is mandatory when shipping to Ecuador. Please note, if non-declared items are found during inspection of your cargo shipment, this will be considered a felony and will be punished.

Restrictions when Shipping to Ecuador

If you are shipping to Ecuador, there are tight restrictions on a number of products and items including the following:

•Drugs or narcotics
•Food items
•Pornographic material
•Live plants
•Firearms and ammunition
•Tires
•Certain Household Appliances that operate with compressed gas containing CFCs or with fluids type R-12 or R-502 are strictly prohibited. This includes some refrigerators, freezers and dehumidifiers, etc.

There are some very specific restrictions on alcohol and cigarettes.

Shipping a Car to Ecuador

Typically you are not allowed to ship used vehicles to Ecuador unless you are a foreign diplomat. If you want to ship a car or other vehicle to Ecuador, the vehicle should be brand new.

Before shipping a car to Ecuador, your car will need to be inspected at origin. This is a requirement, even if you are shipping a car in a container with other household goods and personal items. In addition, before shipping a vehicle to Ecuador, you must obtain an import permit prior to shipment.

Duty fees for vehicle shipping to Ecuador are around 65% if the CIF value.

There is a lot to think about before shipping by sea to Ecuador or some other South American destination or shipping port worldwide. A professional cargo shipping company will direct you through all the rules and regulations, paperwork and logistics, pertaining to your shipment to Ecuador. Choosing the right international sea shipping agency will help make your experience with international shipping to Ecuador much easier.

Based about 30 miles north of Miami, Florida, Cargo Experts was formed by a team of moving professionals and cargo shippers who are committed to delivering outstanding customer service as they take care of all the details involved in your overseas cargo shipping. Ms. Bodner works with Cargo Experts and has many years of experience in international cargo shipping. Get a free estimate for your international shipment. For more information about international cargo shipping services, including information about shipping to Ecuador and other locations worldwide, call toll free at 1-866-994-7822.

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Quito Ecuador is the highest capital in the world at 9350 feet. Quito is filled with history and culture and offers places to see and things to do that are unlike any place in the world. Here are just a few places in this marvelous city to see.

· Basilica del Voto Nacional

· TelefériQo

· Capilla del Hombre

· Catedral Metropolitana de Quito

· Parque la Carolina

· Vulqano Park

· Puluhaua Geobotanical Reserve

1. The magnificent Basilica del Voto Nacional (Basilica of the National Vow) began construction in 1884. It is the largest neo-Gothic Cathedral in the world. It is incomplete, and tradition has it that when it is completed, the world will end. The basilica is famous for its grotesques denoting Ecuadorian animals, such as tortoises, iguanas and It is a fascinating place to see.

2. The TelefériQo is a gondola lift that rises from near the city center to the Pichincha Volcano (not active) which has a height of 10,226 feet high. At the top, you will find restaurants and shops. It is one of the highest lifts in the world. Because of its height, winds can be difficult, the temperature cooler and some may encounter breathing more difficult. It is well worth the visit if for no other reason than the spectacular views.

3. The Capilla del Hombre (Chapel of Man) is a museum depicting the pain and struggles of humanity in Latin America. Although it does not contain a vast array of artifacts, it does contain sculptures and artifacts designed to illustrate the nature of the museum.

4. The Catedrial Metropolitana de Quito (simply “The Cathedral” locally) is the oldest cathedral in Latin America, serving as the diocese of Quito from 1545 to 1848. The white exterior is beautiful in its simplicity. The cathedral is filled with plaques and memorabilia. The interior is incredible and is well worth a visit.

5. The Parque la Carolina is a beautiful, peaceful park in the center of Quito. It is a fabulous place to relax and “people watch.” On weekends, there are sporting activities that you can watch.

6. The Vulqano Park is a part of the TelefériQo and is a terrific amusement park that is designed for families. Here, you can take advantage of the terrific things to do in this fun place then ride the gondola to the volcano.

7. The Puluhaua Geobotanical Reserve (Puluhaua means “cloud of water” or fog). Located about 10 miles north of Quito, the reserve contains over 2,000 species of flora and fauna, plus spectacular birds, exotic animals and rare insects.

This is only a small sample of some of the wonderful things to do in this unique city, located in the impressive mountains of Ecuador. It is easy to reach by air and abounds with hotels and superb restaurants.

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The more traveling you do, the more you’ll develop your travel style. How you travel really makes a lot of difference in terms of your experiences in a country. Apart from Guayaquil, Loja, Otavalo, San Pablo and Quito, we spent most of our two months in Ecuador hanging out in Cuenca and a little town 15 minutes away from Cuenca city center called Banos de Cuenca.

While in Cuenca we stayed in a three-story home that was once an orphanage and the owner converted it into a Spanish school with rooms on the second and third floors. My kids were the only students in Candor Spanish School. That gave us the luxury of staying in two floors without other tenants or students. The teacher came to the school- our home and gave them lessons in one of the four classrooms. The house is located at the Bilingue area of Cuenca.

This was the place where we had the most involvement with the locals. We attended a Spanish-speaking church, walked to the cafés and the local fresh market and even walked for half an hour to the Coral Supermarket and Mall del Rio, the biggest mall in Cuenca.

The teens worked out every morning in the hall downstairs, doing their P90X and jogged around the block and at times being chased by dogs. On Sundays after church a espumilla vendor would park his bicycle in front of the church. All the kids and adults would gather around him to purchase his sweets for 25 cents each.

Sometimes the Bible school students would come and sell caramelized tree tomato (a local fruit) for $2 to raise money for their college fund.

We walked everywhere in Cuenca. Once we were on our way to Mall del Rio we saw this roasted pig facing the street. I was freaked out. The head and face of the pig was facing us and part of it was already cut off. The tail was still hanging at its rear. There was no way we were going to avoid eating this pig. So we took a seat and ordered a plate to share for $3. It was not a place to call for a glass of wine to pair with my food.

Many days we walked for hours without a map and got lost in the city. Most of time we were trying to find a new place to eat only to end up going to the same place over and over again. Once my son and husband wanted to watch a soccer game and we end up at La Barraca for three hours – free WiFi, TV and menu del dia for $2.20. There was not a tourist inside- just the locals and us.

Another day we stopped at Mercado 10 de Agosto for encebollado (fish stew) and fried trout. If you are in Cuenca, stop by this fresh market and get a feel of the local lifestyle. Be cautious with your belongings.

The locals in Cuenca are genuinely helpful and friendly. They invited us to their homes for tea and taught us a few things about Ecuador like identifying an edible plant in our front yard and making a hot drink with the leaves.

Cuenca is uniquely different. You can see ladies of all ages in colorful traditional dresses walking, selling or shopping in the streets. This city is one of my favorites to live like a local in South America. It has all the conveniences and yet maintains some of their cultural heritage and local flair.

Did I mention it was cheap to have a haircut and to have our teeth cleaned by a dentist? My son’s visit to the hair salon – $2.00. My daughter’s visit to a dentist for a routine cleaning – $25.00.

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Ecuador is off the typical tourist track but still presents multiple vacation options. The Pacific Coast provides relaxing beaches while the Amazon allows for combining ecotourism with active sports from hikes to whitewater rafting/kayaking in Tena. Lastly, for history buffs, both Quito’s old town and Cuenca give a glimpse into Ecuador’s colonial past.

Eclipsed by higher profile South American tourist destinations, such as Chile, Argentina, and Brazil, Ecuador borders on Colombia and Peru. It is a relatively small country, approximately the size of the US state of Colorado. Notwithstanding the latter, Ecuador, with eleven national parks, has varied terrain from its western coast to rainforest and majestic mountain peaks/volcanoes, including well-known Cotopaxi and Tungurahua. As to indoor activities, besides museums and architectural sites, for those who like to shop, Ecuador, the home of the “Panama” hat, offers an array of goods to purchase from silver and leather to local handicrafts.

An Andean nation, Ecuador’s capital, Quito, was one of the original UNESCO World Heritage Sites. At more than 9,000 feet above sea level, Quito has a temperate climate earning it the name of the “city of eternal spring” although it lies just 15 miles south of the Equator. The second largest city in the country, it still retains a well-preserved old town centered around La Plaza Grande and containing the Palacio del Gobierno and cathedral. Nearby is another top sight: the San Francisco Monastery.

Beyond such traditional tourists’ spots, the city, itself, includes great vistas from the hilltops in residential neighborhoods. Tucked nearby are many informal, neighborhood restaurants.

Ecuador’s Pacific Coast is dominated by its largest city and major port, Guayaquil. With its riverside boardwalk, Malecón 2000, featuring multiple restaurants and shops and its contrasting nature and eco-preserves, Guayaquil is more than just the launch pad for points west. In addition to its 21st century offerings, its “La Rotonda” adds historical context as it commemorates the meeting of South America’s two most famous liberators, San Martin and Simon Bolivar.

As noted, Guayaquil is also a major departure point for those westward bound primarily heading to Ecuador’s Galapagos Islands, 600 miles at sea. Named for the large tortoises found there, the Islands have a colorful history having been partially populated by pirates four centuries ago. In contrast, today they are a popular destination for ecotourism. The number of rare species of animals and plants are the major draw which in the early 19th century prompted a visit by Charles Darwin. Restrictions apply in keeping with conservation efforts so you must plan ahead to join one of the small boat tours.

Cuenca, Ecuador’s third largest city, still bears the imprint of the past with cobblestone streets and colonial architecture. However, its most noteworthy public building dates from more recent times. The large multi-domed “New Cathedral” was completed in the 20th Century while the “Old Cathedral” now serves as a museum.

Close by Cuenca is the Ecuadorian Amazon which spans six provinces. Tours frequently start at Baños for visitors in search of pink dolphins, howler monkeys, three-toed sloths and oversized rodents.

Overall, an Ecuadorian vacation offers something for everyone from leisurely historical and cultural tours to active more adventurous outdoor sports and ecotours at an affordable price. In addition, Ecuador’s distinct weather zones provide a choice for those who like the tropics to head for the beaches or rainforest or for those who want to flee the heat to enjoy Quito’s moderate climate. Lastly, Ecuador has retained the distinct flavor of the Andean region while still being accessible to international travelers.

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I have to admit that initially the idea of traveling to a place called Banos gave me pause. Isn’t one of the very few phrases most of us learn in Spanish “Donde estan los banos?” (Where are the bathrooms). In this case Baños de Agua Santa is considered the gateway to the Amazonia located at the base of the Tungurahua volcano in Ecuador. Standing in the center of the quaint City you are surrounded by a wall of green in each direction. The view dotted with waterfalls and storefronts inviting you to try out activities that the area is most famous for, eco-sports and thermal baths. Pinch me now.

My husband, Sean, and I decided to go for whitewater rafting. We headed to a tour agency recommended by our hotel. One of the staff in the kicked-back outfit told us about a day on the river on class 3-4 rapids (what does that mean). He said we would be given a safety instruction, one hour on the river and a traditional lunch. Another staff member showed a video of smiling rafters heading down the river. Sounds good. Out of the corner of my eye I see three of the people in the rafting video fall out, all at once. The video has my full attention. I point at the screen, “Does that happen often?” I ask. The Guide explains that this does happen every so often but the river was low when they took the video which results in more play in the water. The water now is “more calm” he explains, but should still give us a great day of rafting. We agree to sign up for a trip the next day.

We arrived at 9:00 a.m. and were joined by 13 other travelers from Australia, Ireland, Uruguay, Colombia, and the U.S. We lined up to get our gear. A guide sized each of us up and handed each of us a damp wetsuit, helmet and a pair of canvas and rubber shoes. What is that smell? We then pile into a van and drove for 30 minutes to the launch site. The scenery was utterly spectacular. OK, I can put up with the soggy outfit. This has the feel of a one in a lifetime experience. Onward.

During the drive one of the guides gave us a brief description of the events of the day and had us introduce ourselves. We learned some of the travelers were pretty experienced at whitewater rafting, and quite a few of us had little experience (Sean and I had done with once before) and a few of the women described themselves as being “terrified” or “very nervous.” I decided at this point to try to get in the raft with the Australians who were very jovial and said they had done this several times before.

We got to the launch site and suited up. Because it was a large group one of the “helpers” who looked about 15 years old was stuck blowing up one of the huge rafts with a hand pump. During this we were given instructions by one of the Guides. He made it clear that if we were to fall out of the raft the first thing that they were going to save was the paddle, which, according to him, cost $60 each. Second they would save you, so whatever happens hold on to the paddle. Noted.

The Guide gave us detailed instruction as to what to do if you fell out of the boat or if it happened to flip over. Got it. He emphasized that if we sat at the very edge of the boat and paddled using our whole body, hooking our feet under the rubber dividers had very little chance of this happening. Hmm. The Guides then asked us to form small teams of 5. After some shuffling around Sean and I found ourselves in the newbie raft with the new, terrified and nervous. We eyed each other. I decided to instill some optimism. “I know we’re inexperienced here, but we have these 2 strong guys on the team to power us along.” The other male on the team pointed to his thin arms and said “Have you looked at me.” The female from Uruguay flexed her arm in demonstration that she could offer some power to the team. While she may have had some confidence in her own ability to rise the occasion I noticed her eying other teams and asking whether they were going to send a guide with us or if we were going to be launched down the stream on our own.

Our assigned Guide joined his group and eyed us with the same skepticism that hung like a cloud over our group. He visited each one of us and tightened our life vests, pulling on the scruff behind our neck presumably so he could test whether we could be safely plucked back out of the water. I had half expected that he would see the error in our pairing and divide us up amongst the other teams. Instead he wandered off to put on his own gear and asked us to come up with a team name. (During another conversation one of the Australians had mentioned that in his last trip they had flipped the raft several times – no safe harbor).

We mustered together and began throwing around some names. “Rough Riders” I suggested trying to be upbeat. No takers. We settled on the team name “Swimmers” seemingly to just make peace with the inevitable.

The Kayaker who was assigned to our trip came over to explain his role. He explained that in the event that we fell out of the raft that he would come to the rescue if needed. In order not to sink the both of you in that situation, he instructed us to either grab the back of the kayak by the handle. Option B was to “be doing the sexy pose by grasping the front of the kayak with your arms and wrapping your legs around the bow. A vacation picture coveted by nobody.

We boarded the boat, not with confidence per se but a strong collective desire not to go overboard. We paddled our way into the first group of rapids with the boat crashing along in a sidewise. In about 5 minutes I saw Sean, who was powering along in the front of the boat wash over the side. Not good. Not good at all.

Sean:

It’s interesting how things slow down in the moment. As we hit the first rapid, and the raft rolled down then up, I looked down at foot, tucked under the strap that was supposed to hold me in the raft. And I watched as my foot smoothly and easily slipped out of the strap. “That’s not supposed to happen,” I thought. Then I was in the water.

What is it like heading through a section of rapids without a nice air-filled raft between you and the water/rocks? It’s probably best described by my thoughts in the water:

“Hang on to the paddle. Have to hang onto the paddle. It’s worth 60 bucks! I guess I was paying attention to the safety briefing… ”

“OK, I’m supposed to float on my back, with my legs up, and the paddle between them. They didn’t tell us that when you lift your legs up your head goes under water. ”

“I think I have the wrong sized life vest. I’m spending more time under the river than bobbing on top of it. And drinking plenty of it too. Glug. Gasp.”

“Good thing I have a helmet. That was a big rock. More rocks. Ouch. Rock. Rock. Ouch.”

“I’m supposed to keep the raft in sight, but I’m facing the wrong direction. I’ll try to turn around. Hmm, nothing seems to want to cooperate. Maybe I’ll just have another drink of river water.”

“There’s the raft! Why is it so far away? And getting further away?”

“OK, I’m getting the hang of this. Legs up, paddle between knees, facing downstream. Drink a big gulp of brown river water. Repeat.”

“Hey, there’s the guy in the kayak! I’m saved! Wow, does the river guide in the raft look pissed!”

Once Sean was restored to his seat in the front we began paddling along toward the second set of rapids. We made it down without losing another member of flipping over – success. Well, kind of thought so but our Guide told us that he was unimpressed with how we were not paddling together and that his grandmother could paddle harder than this group. Clearly he had drawn the short straw this time around. Despite all of the warning signs and collective better judgment our Guide steered us back into the rapids.

We made it down the next set of rapids with better success and our Guide began to give us a small measure of praise. We clanked our paddles in the air after every successful trip down another set of rapids yelling “Swimmers!” and smacking our paddles defiantly in the water. Maybe there was hope for us yet?

Despite falling into the middle of the boat quite a few times on the rapids by the end I felt like I was getting the hang of it. The whole team was working well together and we had an exhilarating ride. When we were told that the we had reached the end we all let out a collective “Awwww.” Just when we were getting the hang of it. But it left us feeling accomplished and hungry for more.

Bungee Jumping, Paragliding, Zip-lining or Waterfall Repelling anyone?

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Ecuador is a small Andean country sandwiched in between Peru and Colombia. Colonized by the Spanish empire until 1821, it was subsequently part of Gran Colombia (along with Venezuela, Colombia and Panama) until it became a sovereign state in 1830. Along with Spanish, Ecuador has 13 other indigenous languages. It is a strongly indigenous country and this is reflected in its demographics. More than 70% of the population are Mestizo (mixed indigenous) and only 6% consider themselves from European descent. Ecuador is currently a middle income country that is supported by a strong tourism industry.

When you backpack Ecuador, there is a wide variety of places to visit. You can travel to towering volcanoes such as Chimborazo and Cotopaxi, to the beautiful beaches of Montanita, the vast Amazon Basin, the quaint colonial cities of Quito and Cuenca (both are UNESCO World Heritage Sites) and most importantly, you can visit the world famous Islands on any Galapagos trips. Coupled with exquisite food delicacies and intriguing cultures and customs, the South-American country of Ecuador has firmly established itself as a tourist destination.

If you decide to backpack Ecuador and most particularly the Galapagos Islands, you can choose among a wide range of Galapagos Trips. You will be able to discover this beautiful archipelago of volcanic islands through diverse fun activities, such as snorkeling among marine iguanas, sea lions, and reef fish, exploring great lava formations and active volcanoes, walking among giant tortoises in their natural habitat, kayaking and biking through beautiful landscapes. Get to know the incredibly diverse marine life endemic to the Galapagos Islands and hike one of the world’s largest active volcano in out-of-this-world landscapes!Take a boat ride to nearby islands to see native birds and get the opportunity to swim next to seals and turtles. The Galapagos trips on offer are numerous and will not deceive you!

Apart of the Galapagos Trips, you can discover many other beautiful sites like Cuenca which are really worth visiting. Cuenca is blessed with colonial architecture and sprawling plazas that rival Quito’s ‘Old Town, ‘quaint restaurants and cafes, universities, and museums all within a walkable downtown. Learn about Ecuador’s rich cultural diversity and see shrunken heads at Museo del Banco Central “Pumapungo”. Outdoor enthusiasts should be sure to visit the nearby Parque Nacional Cajas. For the real adventurers who backpack Ecuador, they can go to the Amazon jungle, or El Oriente, as it is referred to in Ecuador. It is unlike any other place in the world. You can paddle through the Amazon, spot howler monkeys, and many other fascinating local species. It is better to arrange a package with a jungle lodge, which provides air or boat transportation, food, guides, and accommodations.

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Ecuador is located in the tropics of South America. The terrain of Ecuador consists of coastal plain, inter-Andean central highlands, and the eastern jungle. The weather is tropical in the Amazonian jungle lowlands and along the coast, becoming cooler inland at higher elevations. Ecuador weather is hot and humid with a wet equatorial climate along the coast. Rain falls throughout the year. The chief rainy season is from December to April, and the country receives an average rainfall of about 112 centimeters.

Ecuador’s weather is affected by different factors. There is marked variation in climate in the country’s different natural regions. Ecuador has a rainy season and a dry season. Along the coast, high rainfall occurs during the months of February and March. From the month of June to December, the coast experiences dry weather. The inter-Andean region has a rainy season starting from October and extending to May. Maximum rainfall occurs in the months of October and April. The region experiences dry weather from June to September. The Amazon region has rainfall throughout the year and it is Ecuador’s wettest region. The inland region has characteristics similar to the coastal region.

The altitude also plays a major part in Ecuador’s weather. The temperature drops down to 8.5 degree Celsius at 3,500 m above sea level. With each increase in altitude by 200 m, the temperature drops by 1 degree Celsius. The coastal region has a tropical climate with temperatures ranging from 23 to 26 degree Celsius. Ecuador’s weather is also characterized by the El Nino effect, which occurs every six years. At that time, the temperature and humidity are higher than usual. These conditions produce heavy showers resulting in flooding. The Galapagos Islands have a climate pattern similar to that of the sierra because of the Peruvian current.

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One of the huge benefits of going to the Amazon in both Ecuador and Bolivia is that it costs significantly less than something similar in Peru or Brazil.

Tours to Bolivia

The jumping off point in Bolivia is Rurrenabaque that can be reached from La Paz either by flying or taking a bus for twenty hours. Obviously you save money in the bus journey but be ready to sacrifice your comfort when using this option.

Once you arrive at the destination prefer to stay in Pampas which is a wetland located right over the fringes of Amazon or there is another excellent option of venturing straight inside the jungles of Amazon. Staying in Pampas is definitely a cost effective option and you don’t have to worry about the presence of wildlife as one can very easily witness many wildlife activities and lots of animals like alligators, pink dolphins, jungle monkeys, tortoise and various other rare species. Because the vegetation isn’t dense as it is in the jungle, you can view the wildlife with less effort.

To get here, you’ll take a jeep ride (approximately 3 hours) from Rurrenabaque and then go by motor-driven canoe around another 3 hours to the pampas where you will stay over night. If you’re thinking about tours there is not much difference but you surely must check out the overall worth of the living place that you have chosen from a quality perspective. There may be significant quality differences among different holiday accommodation facilities and by paying a little extra you can have access to private rooms and top quality bungalows.

The opportunities of seeing wildlife are significantly reduced when you’re venturing out into the dense jungle areas but the overall quality and privacy of the place is quite high and you can find a deep sense of tranquility far from the hustle and bustle of holidaymakers. A good place to stay would be eco-lodges which provide in depth knowledge regarding natural vegetation, animals and rare herbs having high medical properties. Various activities like jungle tours, fishing adventures, boat trips etc can be planned during the stay in a lodge.

Ecuador

Although Ecuador only holds a very small percentage of the Amazon, the jungle makes up approximately one third of the country. The main touring parts of the jungle are in close proximity with Quito, the capital. Coca, Tena and Lago Agrio are three prominent places form where jungle tours will commence. Every place has something different to offer in regard to plant life and animals.

With an 8-10 hour bus ride from the capital, one can reach Lago Agrio. To get to your accommodation places in Limoncocha Biological Reserve or Cuyabeno Reserve you will have to endure a 3 hour ground journey and then an additional 2 hours of water based travel by canoe. Typically the most popular thrill associated with the amazing destinations of Limoncocha and Cuyabeno has to be those stunning birds and tourists love the opportunities to see rare bird species in their natural environment. There are numerous species such as hawks, eagles, toucans, macaws, parrots as well as hummingbirds.

Along with these two reserves you may also visit Huaorani Reserve and Yasuna National Park using bus facilities from Coca and Quito which will take about ten hours of travelling time. Yasuna has to be among the most enriched areas when you’re concerned about bio-diversity and UNESCO has taken the vital step of proclaiming the area as an International Biosphere in order to protect it from human aggression. Tourists eager to know details regarding local traditions will have the best chances in the Huaorano Reserve. Know that whatever eco-tour you pick, only communities that want to be visited are on the itinerary.

Tena is pretty close to Quito and one can get there easily by using bus services that normally take approximately 4 to 6 hours. It is well developed as a vacation spot and allows people to make a simple and easy side trip from the capital. Staying in Tena, one can then take day hikes inside the jungle, however, this will offer less opportunity for viewing wildlife than the other available choices.

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