ECUADOR 2004

Straddling the Equator, Ecuador offers in one small country the whole range of Andean scenery, from lush jungle to high sierra to Pacific coastland. Culturally, too, it is a mix: the official language is Spanish, but most of the many indigenous tribes and communities speak Quichua, the language of the Incas.

Ecuador is prone to some disturbance � the volcano El Reventador recently covered the capital with a million tons of ash, and three years ago the president was ousted � but it is certainly the happiest and most stable of the Andean countries.

On our fifth tour, we shall take a party of 10�15, and will travel with two or three Ecuadorians. For most of the time we will stay together � few local people speak English, for one thing � but we will not go round in a herd.

THE DATES

We plan to leave Heathrow in the evening of Thursday October 14, flying by KLM, and get back in the morning on Monday November 1. We shall be in Ecuador for 16 days and nights.

If you want to stay on at the end of the tour to visit the Gal�pagos Islands � highly recommended, although not inexpensive � we can help to make the arrangements.

THE ITINERARY

This is always subject to acts of God and Man, but we plan to take in the following:

• Quito: one of the highest capitals in the world, cradled between mountains at 2,850 metres. The Old Town, built by the Spanish on the site of an Inca stronghold, is a World Heritage Site.
  
  
• Thence by exhilarating mountain roads down into the Amazon basin, where we will explore the jungle on foot and voyage up the Napo river in a motorised dugout canoe.
  
  
• Ba�os, the picturesque little spa town where we will have the opportunity to go white-water-rafting, horse-riding and mountain-biking � and afterwards bathe in the HOT hot baths.
  
  
• We will go on one of the world's great train rides � sitting on top of the carriage to catch a view of the country's highest peak, Chimborazo.
  
  
• To catch our breath, we will stay for three nights in Cuenca, a mellow and beautiful city, where we will attend Mass in the lovely Roman Catholic cathedral. Nearby, we will visit Ecuador's most important Inca ruins, the temple of the Sun at Ingapirca.
  
  
• A long but often spectacular drive takes us down to the Pacific coast, to stay for two-and-a-half nights in the hippie paradise of the Hotel Alandaluz, whose private beach boasts volcanic sand and wild breakers. From there we will visit, by speedboat, 'the poor person's Gal�pagos', Isla de la Plata, and do a bit of snorkelling.
  
  
• By plane back to the mountains, where we drive down the Avenue of Volcanoes to see the market at Saquisili and walk on the lower slopes of Cotopaxi, the world's highest active volcano.
  
  
• Finally, across the Equator to Otavalo, reputedly the best crafts market in Latin America. Last year, three hours was not enough for some people.

ACCOMMODATION

The standard of hotel we stay in is good, but please note that single travellers will rarely have single rooms.

WEATHER

As a rule, Ecuador in October is dry � with the obvious exception of the jungle � and warm. In the sierra, the air is thin and the nights are cold. We will send you suggestions for what to pack.

HEALTH

The trip we are planning requires some stamina but is suitable for anyone of any age who is reasonably fit. If in doubt, ask your GP for advice. Please let us know if you are aged over 65 or have any pre-existing conditions.

You will need to be vaccinated against diphtheria, hepatitis A, polio, tetanus and typhoid, and will need to take precautions against malaria.

Our guides' local knowledge should ensure that we can eat and drink and still be merry.

WHO ELSE WILL BE GOING?

Third Way readers are, overwhelmingly, educated professionals. Last year's travellers to Ecuador included an environmental scientist, an adult education adviser, a retired missionary, an IT analyst programmer, a business development manager, an architect, a doctor and two vicars. The average age was 44.

We will organise a lunch beforehand so that travellers can meet each other.

TO BOOK

To reserve a place, you should send a deposit for �250 made out to 'Third Way Travel' to Third Way Travel Ltd, St Peter's, Sumner Road, Harrow HA1 4BX.

Of this, �70 is payable towards the cost of the international flights (which should not exceed �700 including all taxes, fees and charges). The flights are booked by South American Experience Ltd (Atol 3071), subject to their booking conditions. We will send you an Atol receipt and details of the flights in due course.

The balance of �1,600 (which includes all meals, entrance fees &c) will be due by August 2.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any queries or want more information.

Updated 02/02/04

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