Where are we...
22nd March 2007 - Baños, Ecuador
After three long days of negotiating for the return of our passports, we finally left Quito and made our way to Papallacta - famous for it's hot thermal baths. We were received well by the owners of La Choza de Don Wilson who gave us a open access to the hotel and it's facilities and also a tour of the surrounding area and it's abundant wildlife. We also worked with another hostel Pampa llacta. Leaving Papallacta, we headed east to Baeza and the Quijos valley - home of the 2005 World Rafting Championships and so it seemed only right to work with a rafting company Waterdog Tours. During our time in Baeza, we were very well accommodated by Ali & Meg of the Magic Roundabout who run a beautiful cloud forest lodge with a selection of animals including four very friendly llamas!
Our next destination on the eastern loop was Tena where we were lucky enough to work with Limoncocha Hostal and also with the connected tour company Limoncocha Tours who invited us out onto one of the Amazon tributaries to experience some white-water kayaking. Heading into the Amazon basin, we hitched a ride with Tom Larson who invited us out to his eco-friendly Arajuno Jungle Lodge on the banks of the river Arajuno. Both Kim and I found this an unforgettable experience as Tom took us through his sustainable living innovations and a tour of his land- much of which is located in primary rainforest.
Last on our list for the eastern sector was Misahualli - once the major hub for jungle tours but a town which has suffered in recent years due to package tours arranged from Quito. The town itself is extremely tranquil apart from mischievous Capuchin Monkeys running riot in the main plaza. Here we had the opportunity to work with Pepe and Margarita of Hostal Shaw and their connected jungle tour company Ecoselva.
We are now in the South of Ecuador in a beautiful town called Banos at the foot of the active volcano - Tungarahua. Tourism here has suffered of late due to the recent erruption of the volcano only six months ago. However for many travellers, this provides an added element of adventure and even though the volcano is smoking as we speak, we can confirm the town is safe to visit. Our first stop in Banos was El Marques Posada where we were extremely well recieved. We also headed out on a rafting expedition with Geotours before heading out to the spectacular waterfalls in Rio Verde and covering the brightly coloured Miramelindo hotel and a spectacularly located lodge overlooking the Pailon del Diablo waterfall called El Otro Lado. We are now finishing the write ups for two hostels in Banos - Plantas y Blanco and La Chimenea before heading west to Riobamba. 