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 THE
FOLLOWING INFORMATION WILL BE ADJUSTED FOR 2009 TOURS: One
of the most attractive, and also one of the most well-known
qualities of the Ecuadorian Andes is their native markets.
Besides the warm atmosphere, the bustling sounds and smells and
the wonderful colors of these markets, they are selling
everything from fresh fruit to rain-sticks. There are markets
which specialize in produce, like Saquisili and there are others
focusing on clothing and gifts, like Otavalo. You are guaranteed
to be awed by the life that fills the air here, and by the
things you'll see. This market is so well known because the
focus of it is on the traveler and so they sell things like
ponchos and a variety of bags and clothes that are beautifully
colored and traditionally made by the same hands that sell them.
Termas de Papallacta SPA, Resort is located 70 kilometers east
of Quito, the capital city of Ecuador. Perched on a high Andean
valley at the entrance route to the Ecuadorian Amazon jungle,
the spa - resort offers its visitors health, recreation,
adventure and rest. Whether relaxing in the thermal baths or
indulging in pampering spa treatments you are sure to
thoroughly enjoy the Papallacta experience on
Sunday Morning.
Just 30 kilometers from central Quito you find 'the middle of
the world', 0°0'0'' latitude - the place where the Equator
divides the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. The City called ¨Mitad
del Mundo¨ (Middle of the World) is home to this monument and
offers the tourist a wide range of attractions such as the
ethnographic museum, an art gallery, a bullfighting ring and
handicraft stores amongst other things. Visitors can also enjoy
the whole range of
local cuisine.
In every country, there exists a city that draws expatriates and
tourists alike, offering a little bit of home in a foreign land.
In Ecuador, that city is called Baños - a small, sleepy, but
exciting town of 12,000 people situated on a high alpine plateau
(5,971 feet) between several mountains including the 16,479 ft.
volcano peak of Tungurahua nearly hidden in the clouds.
 The
Oriente (literally "East") is the area East of Baños where the
elevation drops and tributaries of the Amazon river form. This
region contains Ecuador’s rainforests. The scenery here is
breathtaking. A beautiful waterfall about 1 km off the main road
from Baños to Puyo, El Pailón del Diablo (the Devil's Cauldron)
is well worth the day trip from Baños (17 km), you will pass
several other waterfalls on your way. Park at the Restaurante
las Hortensias just after a small bridge and head downhill on a
small footpath which weaves through beautiful cloudforest for
less than 1 km until you reach a suspended bridge. You can view
the waterfall from the bridge where there is also great
bird watching with a wide variety of butterflies and orchids
along the way.
Located just a short distance from the jungle town of Puyo, the
hotel offers a unique opportunity to explore the jungle at close
quarters. You’ll find that the sound of the Amazon at night is
so extremely relaxing that you’ll have no trouble falling asleep
- or at least relaxing comfortably in your well-prepared room.
Guayaquil, the "Pearl of the Pacific", is a city of almost two
million inhabitants and known as the industrial and economic
center of Ecuador, due to its untiring commercial activity which
has been the leading force of its progress since the beginning
of the century. Guayaquil and its surroundings invite you to
tour the city and visit pleasing sites, a contrast between old
and new where you can find a large selection of markets and
things to do...especially at night.
The Ecuador Branch Office supports the activities of Jehovah’s
Witnesses in the four Geographic areas of Ecuador: The Galapagos
Islands, the coastlands, the Andes Mountains and the Amazon
region. The hard work of this branch and it’s volunteers is
evident and an increase in the number of Witnesses there has
been rapid. For example, in 1980 there were some 5,000 Witnesses
preaching the good new in Ecuador, but by the year 2000, there
were over 43,000 - More than an eightfold increase! Therefore it
has been necessary to enlarge the branch office several times,
as is going on right now.
 Montañita,
is a small colorful rustic village situated approximately 4 km
north of Manglaralto, known throughout Ecuador as the best beach
for surfing, very popular with international and local surfers.
It has a population of around 1,000 inhabitants. Water
temperatures range from 56-68 degrees. The place holds surfing
competitions the whole year round especially in the high season
(December through April), when lots of people from Guayaquil and
foreigners arrive to the village.
Bahía de Caráquez is one of the major Ecuadorian beach resorts,
a laid back Pacific resort with a nice river fronted by well
sculptured parks on the Alberto Santos Malecón. A small city
easy to manage with very well preserved and clean beaches. Bahía
has been declared an "eco-city", with organic gardens, ecoclubs
and recycling projects and has been the first city in the world
with a certified organic shrimp farm.
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