Tour Amazon, vulcanoes and cities

End of August 2018 I travel for the second time to South America, to Ecuador this time. The Amazon forest is since a long time on my bucket list and where else can you do better than in Ecuador. It is there that I start my trip.

After one night Quito because of a late arrival I take a domestic flight on day 2 of my trip. I fly to Coca, gate to the Amazon. There is waiting an adventurous journey in a motorised canoe over the Rio Napo and after that boattrip is waiting another part of the trip that must be done in a paddling canoe to bring me deeper into the Yasuni NP; along the narrow jungle canals we paddle until we reach the Pilchicocha lagoon and than at least we arrive at the Sacha Lodge, located far from civilisation. It looks I am arrived at the end of the world. The lodge is fully surrounded by the jungle and the only sounds I hear are nature sounds of birds and monkeys. The coming days are for nature exploration.  I join guided hikes in the jungle, canoetrips and a very challenging canopywalk at sunrise. For me who has fear of heights this activity is groundbreaking and I walk brave the suspension bridges on a height of 60m. My present for all this bravery is the breathtaking view above the treetops and to hear and watch the awakening of the jungle. On one evening I notice that the jungle is full of monsters too when a tarantula crosses my path. 

From the jungles of Yasuni NP I go back to Quito airport where my guide waits for the ride to Otavalo, a famous market place. A visit to the market means an explosion of colors, noises and scents. I see exotic fruits and vegetables, street stalls with food and much candy, and lovely colored hand woven textile and knitted clothes and accesoiries. I continue my route and from Otavalo it goes to the crater lake of Cuicocha. The weather is clear and sunny so the views are tremendous. After nature it is time for some culture in the city of Quito. I visit the Plaza de la Independencia, the cathedral and the Basilica.

The coming days I dive again in the overwhelming nature and I head for Mashpi cloud forest. Reaching this place means a drive of hours and hours over the most bumpy roads right through the jungle. But arriving in this paradise make me forget all efforts and discomfort of the long drive. The Mashpi Lodge is one of National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World. And without doubt this is top of the bill and one of the most unique places I've ever stayed. On my program for the next days : a ride in the sky-bike above the treetops; an evening walk to spot the most colorful and fascinating frogs and other insects; a junglewalk to search tucans, hummingbirds and Howler monkeys; a Tarzan dive under a jungle waterfall and a ride in the funicular through and above the trees. No time to bore I guess...

After all those jungle adventures and a Tarzan and Jane feeling it's time for some fysical efforts. Some serious challenges are waiting for me the coming days. First I visit the Cotopaxi NP and I hire a guide to lead me through the climb of the Cotopaxi vulcano. My driver brings me to the parking place. From that place the climb to the Refugio Jose Rivas at an altitude of 4864m starts. I walk on my own tempo and thanks to some medication against altitude sickness I reach 4864m,  what a kick !! The weather is excellent and with a clear sky the views are beathtaking. This is my reward for all efforts and pain. I am treating myself on a hot chocolat. On the way back to the hacienda I enjoy the landcapes of the Cotopaxi NP; vast and dry plains where alpaca's and vicuna's are grazing; this is the typical Paramo as this region is called. By arriving back at the hacienda I treat myself on a hot stone massage to give my tired legs and muscles a wellness treatment. Few days later I do this effort one more time over with the climb of Chimborazo vulcano.

But first I have another market worth to visit and that is in Zumbahua. A new festival of scents, colors and local life. I walk around between the stalls filled with fish, flowers, fruits and vegetables. I take a look at some streetstalls with streetfood and candy, again so much candy. Ecuadorians eat lots of candy I notice and my guide admit . After my marketvisit I have another stop at the crater lake of Quilotoa where I make a short walk to admire the surrounded landscapes and the turquoise lake. The next day was for the second climb, the Chimborazo is waiting and the weather looks good as I may believe my guide for the climb. At Chimborazo the endpoint is even higher and I try to reach the refugio Whymper at 5050m altitude. I am already used to the height but again on my own tempo, controlling my breath, drinking enough and taking time to enjoy the landscapes and views it goes slowly slowly until the refugio is within reach. For the second time in a few days I succeed in a groundbreaking experience and effort. What a kick again !!

To recover from all fysical efforts I drive back to town for a stay in Cuenca. It is a nice city dominated by the Santo Domingo church. The domed church give the skyline of the city a typical view. Further I admire many houses of which much with lovely balconies decorated with ironwork and woodcarving. The Mercado, the covered market hall, is a world of hustle and bustle. All kinds of goods are presented here and I don't know where to look first. I have to look also in a workplace of Panamahats. Yes they are made here in Cuenca and not in Panama and that is not a joke. From Cuenca my route is going to Guayaquil, a coastal town what means I leave the high Andes landscapes. The region around Guayaquil is characterized by vast cacao- and bananaplantations. I visit a cacaofarm and I learn the proces to make cacao paste by roasting and mixing the beans.

The last hours I spent in nature while I visit Manglares Churute. This area, together with Sundarbans in India and Bangladesh, is one of world's largest mangrove areas. A guide is taking me for a boattrip to bring me deeper into the area and come closer to the wildlife. I see diverse species of birds; herons, spoonbills and some birds of prey. A lovely Howler Monkey was in for a photoshoot and that was a nice end of my last nature tour in Ecuador.

Than I must leave to Quito airport and is this adventure coming to his end. Ecuador has surprised me in many ways with abundant rainforests, high Andes peaks, colorful markets and people, fascinating vulcanoes, vast Paramo landscapes and much more.... So worth a visit !!