Last Day - Cotopaxi Volcano Hike

Cotopaxi in the Andes Mountains, located about 17 mi south of Quito, Ecuador.   It is the second highest summit in the country, reaching a height of 5,897 m (19,347 ft) We leave the amazing Haciebdo Latio high in the mountains in Patate, Ecuador and make our way up 12,000 ft to have lunch in the foothills of Cotopaxi.  Today we finally have sunshine and big fluffy clouds.  The clouds surround the peak so we don't see the summit clearly until we are on the drive home.
Carlos sings for us at lunch, then we hike around the lake.  That evening we feast in a super restaurant overlooking all of Ecuador before heading to the airport for our flight to Atlanta.

click on the title to see the pictures!

Puyo, Ecuador The Village Trip

We travel to Puyo, don knee-high rubber boots and hike into the hills to help plant balsam trees which is a natural renewable source for the community arts and craft industry.  The saplings take about 5 years before they can be harvested and dried and then carved into amazing colorful wooden crafts.

  The village prepares a banquet of fresh foods, including freshly prepared home-raised chicken, pork, beef, and lots of wonderful vegetables including Chinese potatoes and Plantain and Yucca.  Fresh white pineapple tops the meal for a really sweet dessert.  After lunch, the men and boys in the village challenge our boys to a soccer match, while the girls play games and try out the play apparatus.  The village girls under the age of 13 prepare a special dance for our delegation.  We are told that at age 14, girls are expected to marry and have babies.  The older village girls ask our girls delegates where their husbands are?

Click on the title to see the pictures!

Ecuador Spa and Jungle Trek

Click on the title to see the pics from our journey into the jungle.  We stayed at a fabulous hot springs, then hiked to a waterfall, and drove into the jungle to spend the night where the wild things are!  A tarantula in the boys room, lemon ants on the trail, a slippery rope swing and a Shaman cleansing for Brendan.

Death March and the Beach!

Santa Cruz Island
After hiking form 0-4000 ft in the rain and mud, we enjoy lunch outdoors, a swim in the hammocks, some impromptu soccer, then head to our hotel to clean up. afterwards we take a walking tour of the flamingo area, and another tortoise reserve before heading to the beach for some much needed wave action! Carlos models the latest in beach fashion
Click on the title to see the pictures

Floreana Island

After a grueling 2 hour boat ride where some (mostly me) got violently ill from the constant pounding of the boat on the 12 ft waves, we land on firm ground.  We take a jeep ride up a long bouncy hill to the nature reserve where we then hike to see our first giant tortoises!  Amazing!  These gentle giants really do look prehistoric!


Click on the title to see the pictures

Puerto Ayora, Santa Gruz Island, Galapagos

We flew to the islands, then took a ferry to santa Cruz.  we head to lunch, and them hike through a giant lava tunnel.  After checking into our hotel, we suit up for our first snorkeling where Christina get a suprise swim-by with a sea lion.  After snorkeling, we enjoy a yummy meal with amazing desserts.
click on title to see pictures on FB.

Day 3 - Quito to Octavalo, roses to guinea pigs

Check out the fun on Day 3 - We see roses, eat guinea pig and much more.. click on the title to see pictures.