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Daily Adventures
-->Night Out Quito
Adventure Options:
Everyday we run jeep trips to some of the most special places in
northern Ecuador. Each route has been created to show a different
aspect of the High Andes and we try to stay well away from the usual
tourist trails. We have trips that include both the famous
as well as relatively unknown indigenous markets where life continues
much as it has done for thousands of years.
We enjoy visiting traditional weavers, hat and basket makers in
their own homes and workshops where we can watch them create products
using traditional knowledge and the raw materials they find locally.
Other tours include visits to bathe in natural hot springs, birding
in cloud forests looking for cock-of the-rock and toucans; hikes
to ancient Inca pyramids and hill forests or cycling through sub-tropical
rainforests enjoying towering trees and orchids along the way.
Many of our adventures can be linked together by staying the night
out of Quito. We can recommend several wonderful places to
stay which would give you a real flavor for the region in which
you choose to make your tours.
Safari has over 17 different adventures departing from Quito from
Cayambe's glaciers, the paramo at Cotopaxi, the Mindo Cloud Forests
and Indigenous markets we have something to suit everyone. We specialize
in small groups, minimum of two and a maximum of six, all our driver
guides speak English, and our 4WD jeeps will get you to some of
the most remote and interesting places in Ecuador.
We can arrange accommodation for you if you wish to stay away from
Quito for the night, and then take you there after your tour.
Mindo
At 1200 meters on the western cordillera the small village of Mindo
is famous for the 300+ species of birds that can be found in the
sub-tropical cloud forest and along the banks of the Rio Mindo.
The hiking is magical and you can swim in the river if you wish.
Out of sight above Mindo is the active crater of Guagua Pichincha
which when it does erupt will almost certainly alter this whole
region.
- Total distance: 260 kilometers
- Clothing: Light clothing, waterproof jacket, and rubber boots.
Do bring binoculars if you have them.
- SUMMARY: Birds, Orchids, Cloud Forest, Hiking, Swimming
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Tours
Papallacta
Just below the continental divide on the eastern flank of the sierra,
this is one of the best known hot mineral springs in Ecuador. Before
the springs we also visit quickly disappearing high altitude pumamaqui
forest and also a rare paper-bark tree copse.
 The
route passes through high paramo at the continental divide at over
4000 meters with many flowers and shrubs that are special to this
area. Towering over the hot springs on a clear day is the snow capped
peak of Antisana.
- Total distance: 130 kilometers
- Clothing: Warm clothes, swimming costume and towel.
- SUMMARY: Flowers, Plants, Views, Hot Springs
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Tours
Mojandas
Located between Quito and Otavalo in the western cordillera is
a scenic and peaceful group of high peaks and crater lakes. An area
with great hiking and birding.
 The
day is spent hiking in the high paramo where there is a large selection
of Andes flowers and we always see hawks and falcons. Occasionally
we see a condor passing through.
The lakes are cold but the brave can swim if they wish.
- Total distance: 200 kilometers
- Clothing: Warm clothes and a waterproof jacket. Swimming costume
and towel.
- SUMMARY: Hiking, Birds, Swimming, Flowers
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Tours
Maquipicuna: Height 1300 meters
In the north western sub-tropical rainforest is the protected forest
of Maquipicuna. This is primary forest, with really ancient footpaths,
pre-Inca burial mounds. There is a wide range of flora, butterflies
and other insects, and an excellent trail following the river for
a while and then up into the hills. Because of the canopy the birding
is not easy but can be very rewarding.
- Total distance: 200 kilometers
- Clothing: Light clothes, rain jacket and rubber boots.
Note: There are chiggers here so we do not recommend hiking boots.
Do not sit or lay in the grass.
- SUMMARY: Rainforest, Ruins, Butterflies, Plants, Hiking
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Tours
Iliniza Villages
The twin peaks of the Ilinizas lie west of Cotopaxi, across the
inter-Andean valley. Little visited, the Indians of this area still
go about their business wearing traditional colorful costumes.
Through Pastocalle we climb up beside the Rio Blanco to Tignapamba
where the Indian communities still live in very distinctive traditional
chozas (huts), and from where we have stunning views north and south
along the 'Avenue of the Volcanoes'.
 We
then drop down into the valley again to visit with local basket
makers and potters.
- Total distance: 250 kilometers
- Clothing: Light clothes, but bring a jacket.
- SUMMARY: Views, Culture, Photography,Shopping, Arts
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Tours
Otavalo
This famous market town is the center for an important Indian textile
industry. The most usually visited market is on Saturday but a much
less known market on Wednesday, principally for local people.
Unlike Saturday however the local weavers are working and so after
the market we can visit the artisans in their workshops to learn something
of their art.
- Total distance: 200 kilometers
- Clothing: plenty of warm clothes, gloves, and a hat. sun block
and good walking shoes. Swimming costume and a towel.
- SUMMARY: Photography, Volcano, Hot Springs, Views
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