Flight: ZRH-MIA and MIA-UIO
Arrival in Quito at about 20:00
Transfer to my cousins house in San Rafael
Trip to Mitad del Mundo
A monument on the equator containing a museum about different ethnic groups
Evening bath in Papallacta
Quite spectacular drive over the 4000 m high pass shrouded in dense fog
There are about half a dozen of pools, each of them containing water of different temperatures (up to 53°C.)
Quito
Excursion to old and new towns of Quito and Panecillo
The cathedral's interior is very impressive containing works of art of both cultures, spanish catholic and indigenous
The virgin with wings like an angel is a landmark on a hill (Panecillo) right above the old town. The view to the city is spectacular.
Otavalo Saturday market
The famous market in Otavalo is spread all over the city selling all kind of handicrafts
Laguna Cuicocha
Boattour around an island in the middle of a crater
Adventurous bus ride from Quito to Tena (7hrs)
We had to cross two landslides, the first just after Papallacta and another after Baeza
There was heavy rainfall during the last few days, that's why rivers spill over, but fortunately the Ecuatorians are well equiped with diggers and road cleaning personel
Spent night in Hostal Travellers Lodging for about 5 USD a room with fan, bathroom and a beautiful view over the river (top floor). There is a busy restaurant and a travel office attached.
Booked a two day trip to the jungle in the upper Napo river region for 25 USD a day
1hr Jeep drive to a Quichua village from where we hiked to the riverside cottages
Excursion to a tributary of Napo where we had a swim and did some kind of Canyoning
Presentation of medicinal plants in the evening
Spent night in the cottages
2nd day in the jungle
Famous river cascade climbing trip. We climbed three cascades with the help of ropes. The aim was to get completely wet. But on top of the hill the jungle was real virgin.
Built fish traps in the evening
Trip back to Tena and spent night in Travellers Lodging
Bus trip from Tena to Baños via Puyo (5hrs)
The road from Puyo to Baños is quite spectacular winding over abysses of a few hundred meters above the Pastaza river
Stayed two nights in hotel Los Nevados
Hike to the virgin but the volcano Tungurahua was not visible
Nighttrip with partybus to viewpoint of Tungurahua (still no visibility - it was raining)
Baños all day
Had bath in Baño de la virgen just below the waterfall
Hike to the other side of Pastaza river
Went up to the virgin again at late afternoon
At about 6 pm. the volcano was visible having an eruption
Another nighttrip with partybus to viewpoint but once again Tungurahua was covered with clouds
Bustrip from Baños via Riobamba to Cuenca (10hrs)
Spent 2 nights in hostal Santo y Seña at the river. I was the only guest.
Cuenca all day
Went to Museo del Banco Central which has an interesting exposition about indigenous cultures.
Excursion by public bus to Mirador Turi from where you have a panoramic view of all of Cuenca. Hike back to the city
Walk along the river Tomebamba which offers a view to the decaying façades of old patrician houses
Bustrip from Cuenca via Loja to Vilcabamba (7hrs)
spent 3 nights at Pole House which is a bit out of town over the Chamba river
Vilcabamba
Hike up to Mount Mandagos first peak from where there is a superb view over Vilcabamba and the valley. The hike to the top takes about 2hrs
Had a bath in Chamba river in the afternoon
Vilcabamba
Hired a bike and went up to the pass in direction to Zumba
Bustrip Vilcabamba - Loja - Macará - Piura (12hrs)
There is a direct bus from Loja to Piura. Border check is quite tranquil.
Spent one night in hotel Tangarará, a non spectacular middle class hotel in the center of the city
Piura and bustrip to Lima at night (14hrs)
Walked around in the city of Piura and spent a lot of time in a Cyber-café
Arrival in Lima and flight to Arequipa
Arrived in Miraflores and took taxi to airport
Flight to Arequipa with a spectacular view over the Andes. The sight is incredibly good because of the dryness of the region.
Excursion to convent of Sta Catalina
Spent night in hostal Sta Catalina
Two day excursion to Colca Canyon
Trip to Chivay which is a small town at the colca river on a height of 3600m
Had a bath in hot springs
Evening meal with local music
Spent night in a freezing hotel room
Second day of Colca tour
Trip to the view point where the condors demonstrate their air show
At nine o' clock dozens of condors show up all of a sudden on the sky
Drive back to Arequipa
One full day in Arequipa
Overnight trip via Desaguadero to Puno (12hrs)
Trip Puno-Copacabana-La Paz
Evening meal in an israelian restaurant in La Paz
Flight La Paz - Sta Cruz for about 100 USD with AeroSur
08.06.00Sta Cruz
09.06.00Drive Sta Cruz - Concepción
10.06.00Concepción
11.06.00Concepción
12.06.00Concepción
13.06.00Concepción
14.06.00Concepción
15.06.00Bustrip Concepción - Sta Cruz
16.06.00Flight Sta Cruz - Miami with American Airlines
Transfer by taxi for 32USD to Paradise Inn at Miami Beach 85th Street
Day at the Beach
Dinner at Ocean Drive
Day at the Beach
19.06.00Excursion to Miami Sea Aquarium
20.06.00Day at the Beach
21.06.00Flight Miami - Zurich with Swissair
22.06.00Arrival in Zurich