Interestingly, our trip window was to have been in Colombia’s dry season, but we learned that’s been a moving target the last several years, with La Niña extending the rainy season longer than usual.

At one point an English speaking gate agent came over to check on us, leaving Lorri enormously impressed:  ”American Airlines would never do that.” We also spotted a couple I initially pegged as German who were waiting for the same flight and we decided to follow their lead; when they started packing up, so would we.  In the meantime, there were cappucinos, books, and journals, as well as donuts and Battleship played via bluetooth.  (We thought about lacing the kids’ treats with their malaria pills, but opted to wait for later opportunities.  Bad call, that.)

Nuquí was 50 minutes away from Medellín, but might as well have been on the other side of the world for all the resemblance it bore to the city.  You can hear and read over and over that you need to take a boat to where you’re going because there are no roads, but you don’t grasp what that means until you’re there.  In this part of Colombia, “no roads” is more accurately stated “just jungle.”

An abandoned twin engine prop plane was busy becoming more vegetable than mineral.  The terminal interior was open-air, crumbling or under construction (perhaps both), roughly the size of my bedroom, and manned by two young soldiers bristling with automatic weaponry and special forces torsos.  I wasn’t brave enough to take their picture, or even broach the subject.  Our eight-year olds were impressed, fascinated, and nowhere near as cowed by them as I felt (but cowed enough to bring their usual exclamations to a dull roar).  The document checking and collection of our strictly weight-limited luggage took just a few minutes, and we turned our attention to finding the boat that would take us to El Cantil.

There were quite a few people milling around the dirt airport courtyard and the gate leading out to the adjacent dirt road, but no one with a sign with our names.  Hmmm.  A tall, broad-shouldered, African-Colombian gent in a t-shirt, cargo shorts and an El Cantil hat came up to me.  His English and my Spanish were at hopeless odds.  It seemed like he was wondering if we needed a ride somewhere, and I tried to convey I thought we were meeting someone else. No one else was presenting themself, however.  Just then, we caught sight of the female half of the not-German couple from our flight and asked for help.  Her name was Nana, and she and her husband, it slowly unfolded, were not only also going to El Cantil, but worked there.  Wait, we still didn’t have that right:  the husband’s family owned the place.  Ah!  The El Cantil hat fellow worked with them.  We crossed the street to the boat.

I had just enough time to snap a picture of the dock before the sky started pelting sheets of sideways rain.  We’d had to consolidate luggage for this part of the trip, leaving much in Medellín and packing just the jungle essentials, or so I thought. Some rummaging revealed Tyler’s rain slicker to be still warm and dry in our Medellín hotel.  Thankfully, the kids could not have cared less.  They stationed themselves in the front of the boat, scorning the offered plastic tarps and letting themselves get soaked through.  They had never seen the likes of Nuquí, and come to think of it, neither had I.

Soldiers on a dock stopped us one more time to check and log passports as we motored up the channel past town and toward the ocean.  Lorri evinced a degree of calm about these guys and their firearms that I tried (badly) to emulate.  Rationally enough, Lorri told me later she figured a strong army presence meant we weren’t likely to be hassled by FARC or other dissidents.  The guns just made me glassy-eyed and skittish.

I didn’t have time to dwell on that for the next hour though, as we entered the ocean, opened up the outboards, and headed south.  The wind and rain that was busy slicing at us had churned the ocean into swells which our panga attacked like it was a cigarette boat.  The boys screeched, squealed, and jounced with glee.  ”This is better than a roller coaster!” I just barely heard Tyler yell.  Nana, Lorri, and I hunkered down and held on.  From time to time I scanned the shore for signs of anything that wasn’t jungle.  But everything was.  About 20 minutes after the bucking panga ride had lost its charm even for the boys, our driver slowed and backed into the tiny boat ramp at El Cantil.

The accommodations were canvas windowed huts that were solidly constructed and well maintained. The huts were divided to house two sets of guests, each side with its own bathroom, and a shared porch.  We hit a snag when Nana told us the four of us were booked into one room (we were supposed to have two), but our hut-mates weren’t arriving until our third night, so she gave us the whole unit for the first two nights.  As we unpacked the boys used the porch-slung hammocks in ways I’m sure they’d never before been used.  Rolled up like a taco, upside down, emerged as their favorite posture.

We were soaked and chilly after the boat ride, and, though lunch was waiting for us, I stripped for a quick shower.  To warm up.  The bathrooms were spacious, clean, and offered gorgeous open air views to the jungle.  There was excellent water pressure.  But zero hot water.  ”Um, Lorri?  There’s no hot water,”  I spluttered from under a 60 degree stream.  Silence.  I was fast learning Lorri was a world-class, hardcore, nigh unflappable traveler.  But she loves her some hot water.  Don’t we all.

We adjourned for the first of a series of excellent meals at El Cantil.  The menu consists of things they pull fresh out of the ocean and fresh from their garden, and everything we had there was delectable.  Tyler struggles with anything that isn’t pasta, so I could tell his intake here would be lean, but knew that if kids are hungry enough, they eat.  Our strategy of burying their malaria pills in ice cream wouldn’t work here though, as there was none to be had.  We experimented with melting them in soup (bad) and tucking them into other desserts (better).

Though it was late in the afternoon, Nana told us we had time for the short hike to a nearby stream with a waterfall, and we grabbed our cameras and children and headed out.  Guiding us was a sweet kid from the village of Termales, an hour’s walk south along the beach and home of most of the people who work at El Cantil.  We didn’t share a common language, but smiles and hand gestures worked fine.  We found the stream about 10 minutes up the beach.  Our guide showed us some prickly plant pods (they looked like sea urchins) the local monkeys use as brushes.

Soon we were at the waterfall, and what followed was a couple of hours of the sort of bliss you can only have on vacation in a place like this.  The rain had stopped, and the waterfall had a shallow basin for swimming.  The water wasn’t warm, but not frigid either, and while Lorri and the kids explored downstream a bit I ventured in.  As soon as they got back and saw I wasn’t getting throttled by anacondas or other submerged nasties, they all came in and we let the waterfall give us a good massage.  It was spectacular.

We picked our way back to the lodge eventually, letting the boys play on the beach and find critters, which they absolutely love.  There were enough hermit crabs to keep them occupied for a month.

When we got back to El Cantil the boys stayed in the ocean and made friends with some girls also staying at the lodge, and Lorri and I began to take the place in.  Coco palms lined the beach, with coconuts lying around in great heaps. Vibrant ginger, hibiscus, and orchids grew in profusion.  Dusk came around 5:30, and with it the housekeeping ladies to light the hurricane lamps:  one on the porch and one inside each room and bathroom.  By 6:00 it may as well have been midnight, the darkness was so thick and complete.  At El Cantil there is electricity only in the communal dining room, and only between the hours of 6-10 p.m.  No Internet.  Marginal and unpredictable cell service.  The boys collected some of our packed flashlights and kept exploring the grounds and wildlife, while we enjoyed wine on the porch with Micheline, mother of one of the boys’ new friends.

Dinner that night was again delicious: grilled fish, rice, plantains, salad, a key lime custard for desert.  In some places in the world, travellers converge around a cozy fire for drinks and talk.  At El Cantil, it’s the power strips:  a starfish-like profusion daisy chained off the dining lodge’s couple of outlets.  Phones, iPads, computers, camera flashes, and sundry batteries all fought for their share of juice to face the coming day, and their owners got to know one another while jockeying for plug space.  There was a Brazilian model/surfer and her film/photography crew.  An extended family on an annual visit.  And Micheline, a D.C. resident who’d adopted a girl from Bogotá. The girl’s sister and former foster mother still lived in Bogotá, so Micheline had arranged this trip for them all so the sisters could visit.

Micheline, Lorri, and I reconvened on our porch to finish our wine by lantern while the kids shone their lights into the dark places around us.  Some details of our conversation bore into my subconscious like woodworms.  Micheline had purchased kidnapping insurance from Lloyd’s of London to cover her various trips here.  She also thought the small army encampment we’d noticed on a stream right next to El Cantil was stationed there because some tourists had been taken from this area by FARC maybe a year or two ago.

We called it an evening when it started lightly raining again.  Tyler and Ryan had wanted to sleep in the porch hammocks, but Nana was pretty adamant we should sleep in the beds under the provided mosquito nets.  The mosquitos here weren’t annoying:  they were few, small, and made pinprick bites, not big red welts.  Malaria didn’t seem to be a big issue in the region, but as parents we were trying to be careful and responsible.  So, under the netting we went, with the boys having a sleepover in one room while Lorri and I drifted off watching Water for Elephants on her iPad in the other.

More photos from Day 2 are here and here.

Next time:  I’d make sure I knew who was meeting us at the airport and how we’d know them, and be better informed about the availability of things like power, communications, and hot water. There seemed to be several layers of arrangement-makers between Viventura and El Cantil, so I’d personally reconfirm the number and availability of rooms.  Also, be more mentally prepared for the military.

Next up:  Our second day at the El Cantil Ecolodge.

Iguazu is not the only highlight of Argentina, also widely popular among visitors is the Mendoza valley, a short flight from Buenos Aires. Mendoza is world  famous for their one of a kind Malbec Wines.  Take the trip of a lifetime with viventura’s Wines and Waterfalls tour where you’ll explore both sides of Iguazu and finish by relaxing at a luxury wine resort and spa in the Mendoza valley.

Including a trip to Iguazu Falls on South America vacations can be logistically tricky. To make your visit to Iguazu Falls as smooth and enjoyable as possible, it is highly recommendable to book an organized tour.

South America is full of adventure, whether you hike the Inca Trail, climb a hitherto unconquered peak, go whitewater rafting, or explore the jungles. There is something for every outdoor enthusiast.

Let’s start at the easy end. Brazil is probably the best place for beginner surfers to get into the water. The waves tend to be on the smaller side, although there is more serious surf along the southern coast for those who want it. The Santa Catarina region is generally regarded as the place to go for a surf vacation, although there is a lot more to do in Brazil. It’s a huge, vibrant country and surf days can be included in a broader activity plan. You can even surf the beaches around Rio de Janeiro but be prepared to share the waves with a lot of other surfers.

If you crowded waters aren’t your thing, head for Peru. The swell rolls right in off the Pacific and there are miles and miles of beach and point breaks to choose from. The longest continuous surfable wave in the world is at Chicama. It’s about two miles from end to end and there is no shortage of other long breaks where it’s easy to find your own space. Surf guides can take you up and down the coast, visiting remote locations and showing you the local secrets, or you can stay close to Lima. The waters are temperate so you might need a fairly warm wetsuit but there are waves all year round.

Surfing is a pretty big pastime in some parts of Chile, despite the lack of crowds one would find in Brazil, California, or Hawaii. Head to Santiago and then make your way to Pichilemu and the famous ‘Punto Los Lobos’ break if you’re looking to try some moderate to large surf. At times, the waves in this area get very large indeed, which would be more geared for experienced surfers. September and November are the best months to go if you are looking for more adventure.

If you make your way down to South America, be prepared for unbelievable views of the Andes in the distance- as you’ll find on much of the west coast. Surfing here guarantees a sense of genuine adventure and pure exhilaration. The waves are great and the locals have a reputation for friendliness both in the water and out of it. What more could you want on a surf holiday?

Jess Spate is a surfer, climber, and all-round outdoor sports enthusiast. She writes for Appalachian Outdoors.

The Ecuadorian Landscape
The landscape in Ecuador is as diverse and varied as the people and culture. From Ecuador’s famed cloud forest, to difficult jungle trails and Quito’s well-paved roads, and rugged Andean passes there is a wide variety of terrain to choose from. Whether you are a beginner or expert cyclist, pedaling through Ecuador is ideal for anyone who loves fitness and exercise, scenic beauty, vistas and the added reward of a personal challenge.

Imagine the pulse-pounding thrill of riding a mountain bike down an active volcano. If you are considering taking a cycling tour of Ecuador, then it is imperative to find the routes and terrain that suit your skill level. However, most mountain biking routes traverse some part of the Ecuadorean Andes. Make sure you are prepared for the weather, because just as diverse as the landscapes the weather will also vary. One minute you can be in cold weather cycling over the Andes, and the next be in humid steamy tropical lowlands. Either way, cruising on a volcanic ash dirt road past Cotopaxi, Chimborazo and Quilotoa on your way to see some Inca ruins is what cycling in Ecuador is all about.

Best Places to Cycle
In Ecuador, there are amazing bike rides in the Andes, rainforest and coastal region, however the two most popular destinations for cycling are in Quito and Banos. Every other Sunday in Quito, roads are closed along a 10km route on the north south axis, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, for cyclists of all ages and abilities to take over the streets. As well as cyclists, you will also see joggers, people on roller blades, skateboards, and scooters. This is a great opportunity to see the city with its abundance of parks and local squares, all while getting some amazing exercise.

If more of a nature lover, Banos is the choice for you. Travel on dirt roads, along paths that lead you straight to amazing views of the nearby volcanoes or even the breathtaking waterfalls like the Pailon del Diablo. Most of the trails are downhill, however find an off beaten path and you can be riding through mountainous jungle terrain.

Acquiring Cycling Equipment
Local bike rental is possible in Quito and Baños, but if you are travelling long distances you will want to be sure your bike is up to dealing with the terrain. Either view before booking or get references if booking from overseas.

However, if you are a hardcore biking aficionado, there is nothing wrong with bringing your own bike to the country. A strong lock is highly recommended. Also, keep in mind that if anything goes wrong with your bike, you might not be able to find the exact spare parts that you need to fix it. The last thing that you want to do is stop your Ecuadorian adventure because you cannot find a shop that sells some esoteric bike part only made in the U.S. So if you bring your own bike be mindful of security and bring a strong lock and all the spare parts you will need.

Yawn, stretch: if it’s Tuesday, this must be Medellín!  After about six hours’ sleep in Hotel San Lorenzo de Aná, it was time to get moving and see some of Colombia.  We’d been combing over our viventura itinerary for so long, it was hard to believe we were now about to live it.  Our hotel was small, basic, clean, had TVs in the rooms, and a pretty garden.  The boys were fascinated by the garden’s birds, bugs, and rocks.  Though Medellín is not coastal, and sits at elevation 1,495 meters/4,905 feet, it is nevertheless lush, green, and tropical.

At our post-midnight check-in, my pal Lorri and her son Ryan (who’d been there a day, and had stayed up to welcome us), let us know we’d need to leave with our guide Stephanie at 8:30 sharp .  We enjoyed our arepas, eggs, and excellent coffee. Lorri and Ryan had had a great time exploring the city the day before, and Lorri was anxious to see more of Parque Lleras down the hill.  We liked our little hotel, though Lorri’s shower knob was broken or touchy or both, and she’d had a hard time dialing in the right temperature.  (Later in the trip, we’d find ourselves grateful for any semblance of hot water, but we were blissfully ignorant of this as yet.)

Our guide Stephanie arrived and told us we’d be going to the bus station, then a drive up and over the mountains surrounding Medellín to the towns of Peñol and Guatapé.  A tiny car met us in the driveway for the short ride to the bus station, so we put Stephanie up front, stuffed the four of us in the back, and were on our way.

The Terminale del Norte bus station was busy but not packed.  I could tell the boys were impressed by the place, mainly because there were no shortage of opportunities to buy candy and sweets.  There were enough open seats on the bus for Tyler and Ryan to sit together, and for Lorri and I to sit behind them.  The boys were both equipped with app-laden iPads for the long drive and were itching to plunge into them.  Though I’d rather my son appreciate the view more than on-the-road electronics permit, you’ve got to pick your battles and I enjoy peaceful rides as much as I presumed our fellow passengers did.

As we followed the Río Medellín out of town, Stephanie told us about the elaborate Christmas displays we were passing, and the huge farmer’s market, the Central Mayorista.  She was German, but had been living in the city for five years, and was knowledgeable, friendly, and sweet.  Once out of Medellín, the bus stopped every 15 or 20 minutes to let people on and off.  At these stops, and also especially at toll plazas, Extreme Food Vendors would board in front and traverse the length of the bus.  They had mostly sweet snacks wrapped in paper or plastic and dangling from sticks.  Once they’d satisfied everyone’s craving for chocolate or coconut filled bread, they’d step lightly out the rear exit — and the fact the bus by then was doing 10-20 MPH didn’t phase them a bit.

The drive was fascinating.  There were farms with skinny horses, nurseries, places you could buy pre-fabricated homes, tons of small roadside cafés.  Many of the buildings were made of or used bamboo, and Stephanie told us how a plentiful local species is often used in housing.  The roads were in excellent shape except where they weren’t — mudslides are commonplace in the lush, densely vegetated mountains.  (I kept an eye out for Kathleen Turner in her newly macheted flats.)  We had excellent cell signal throughout, so I was able to pull up Peñol and Guatapé in Stuck On Earth and give Lorri a preview of our destination.

We reached El Peñón de Guatapé, a black monolith rising out of the landscape between two small towns about 55 miles NE of Medellín, at about 11:00 a.m.  A brick stairway switchbacks its way to the 7,000 ft/2,000 km summit.  We opted for a quickie cab ride from the main road to the base, during which the boys asked Stephanie, who translated and asked the cabbie, what the rock is made of.  He didn’t know, but said many locals think it’s a meteorite — which the boys found very cool.  Before tackling the steps to the top we made a restroom stop.  This is where I learned the Colombian rule of toilet paper:  you either bring it with you, pay for it, or marvel that you didn’t have to bring it with you or pay for it.  Having been in the country already a day, Lorri performed TP management and brought me up to speed.

The walk up looked more daunting than it was.  The stairs dip in and out of sunlight and shadow, and the view across the adjacent valley and reservoir improves with each turning.  Bromiliads spring from the rock’s sheer sides, and the shrine to Mary halfway up makes a nice resting spot and view point.

The top rewarded us for our efforts.  There was ice cream, a little rain, and spectacular vistas.   The boys ran around and took pictures of us, each other, the view.  We chatted with Stephanie about the hydroelectric dam that had formed the reservoir in the 1960’s, and the farms, buildings, and churches that are now under water.

On the way back down, Tyler doggedly counted every step.  He got 606, but that didn’t include the ones to the topmost observation tower at the summit.

With El Peñón under our belts, it was time to think about lunch so we grabbed a quick cab into Guatapé.  We dined on the lakeside patio of La Fogata, and had yummy trucha (trout) and other local fare.  We were happy we arrived when we did, because about five minutes after we got settled at a prime lakeside table, a tour bus full of Colombians on holiday arrived and took every other seat in the place.  The woman at the table next to us did an impromptu, operatic duet with the musicians serenading the diners.  For dessert, we snagged ice cream from the spot next door for the boys and successfully got them to take their malaria pills (which we were taking in anticipation of the jungle portions of the trip) by burying them inside.  This was to become a daily challenge:  how to transform adult malaria pills into something kids would actually ingest.

We spent the balance of the afternoon touring the Guatapé Reservoir in a tiny boat.  Remarkably, the reservoir and its gorgeous, glassy water were devoid of water sports lovers.  There were only small boats such ours and one or two larger tour boats.  The shores were forested, green, and dotted with fincas (vacation home estates). There was also an eerie artifact of Colombia’s Pablo Escobar days.  His former, once luxurious finca, still juts into the reservoir on a commanding piece of property, but today it’s a charred and graffitied shell.  Stephanie told us there are several of Escobar’s erstwhile homes in similar condition throughout the country, left this way as a cautionary tale and reminder of his ill-fated end.

Guatape dock” width=”324″ height=”243″ />

We stopped nearby at Puerto de la Cruz, once the colonial-style home of a doctor, now a café and museum. Photos and exhibits tell how people nearby were relocated to Guatapé when the dam was built and the reservoir flooded their land.  We took our time there, enjoying some cervezas. cappucino, hot cocoa, and spectacular views. Too soon, it was time to get back to Guatapé and catch the bus back to Medellín.  We enjoyed the boat ride back and more strolilng through the picturesque town of Guatapé. Guatapé is full of dazzlingly colored buildings, many of which include bas-relief artwork between the sidewalk and about hip level.  The town has a beautiful church, packed for mass on a Tuesday afternoon, and a conveniently located wine bar where we provisioned up for the ride home.  It also has a wild-looking canopy ride over the lake.  We were tempted, but our kids were a bit young for that particular adventure (I think the minimum age for riders was 15).

After a long and crowded bus ride back, we had a few minutes to freshen up and go meet our viventura host Matt Dickhaus for dinner.  Tex-Mex in Medellín?  Yep, at T-Bar Restaurante.  I think you can find just about every cuisine imaginable around Parque Lleras.  Over our first shot of aguardiente (the national drink; a little like ouzo), we discussed the rest of our trip.  We had a flight the next morning to Nuquí for 3 nights on the Pacific Coast. Then, back to Medellín with time, we hoped, for sightseeing and shopping, and off again to the Caribbean coast, this time with Matt coming along for the ride.  Lorri and I were a little nervous about the Nuquí leg of the trip, where, during the transit portion, we’d be left to our own devices without a guide.  But someone from the lodge was to meet us at the airport, so we weren’t too worried.

We talked too about the Hotel Charlee across from where we were dining.  It looked like the local equivalent of the Cosmopolitan, Las Vegas.  Lorri and Ryan had taken the full tour before we arrived.  The art (”naked people!”) and rooftop club/lounge/pool had made quite an impression.

All in all, a great end to an exhausting but fun day.

Next time:  I’d take private transportation to Guatapé and Peñol.  The bus was efficient and a good window into the culture, but long and crowded.  I’d also make sure to save enough time for the Canopy ride, and probably spend a night or two in Guatapé.

Next up:  Flying to Nuquí, and on by boat to the El Cantil Ecolodge.

Ingredients:

• 1 3/4 cups cornstarch
• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup butter
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1-2 tablespoons Pisco or Brandy
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 cup dulce de leche
• 1/2 cup toasted coconut, finely chopped

Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Place the cornstarch, flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl and mix briefly.
3. Cut the butter into small pieces and add to the flour mixture, blending with your fingers until the mixture is smooth.
4. Add the powdered sugar, vanilla, Pisco, and mix with your hands until the dough is homogeneous and smooth (add another tablespoon or two of Pisco if dough is too crumbly to form a ball). Let the dough rest in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
5. Roll out dough to 3/8″ thickness, and cut into 2 inch circles.
6. Place cookies on baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
7. Bake cookies for 10-15 minutes, until they are barely golden brown. Let cookies cook 5 minutes, then transfer to rack to cool completely.
8. To fill the cookies, spread one cookie with dulce de leche and top with second cookie. Roll the edges in the coconut.
9. Store in an airtight container.

Makes about 25 cookies.

Experience the rhythms of South America that are taking American society by storm.

The culture and musical history of South America seems similar to other societies like Europe and North America, but in reality the details are quite different. Building on African and indigenous rhythms, South American music should be considered a unique and rich cultural flavor all its own.  Each country within the continent has created and expanded their musical powers across the globe. For instance, Brazil is considered one the the world’s greatest musical powerhouses, boasting everything from samba, bossa nova, and the world famous Carnival troupes. Argentina is the home of the famous tango, while music from Bolivia, Chile, Peru, and Ecuador use indigenous flutes and drum beats found in many a wide variety of music genres today.

The range of sounds are starting a new trend in American music history, not only are these soulful beats hitting contemporary and classical music but also hitting the main stream. Thanks to MTV’s Latin America division and the young Latin Grammy Awards many Latin American artists are getting recognized. Artists like Shakira, Enrique Iglesias, Ricky Martin, Marc Anthony, Jennifer Lopez, Selena, have in some instances become more well known then American artists.  Rock music is also taking off with Argentina’s Los Fabulosos Cadillacs and Colombia’s Los Aterciopelados now having worldwide followings.

Listen to the Sounds of South America from soothing flutes of Peru in a famous song El Condor Pasa to the fast beats of Brazil.

Everyone wears a poncho on International Poncho Day, in Colombia. Watch the video to see birds, dogs, and even lambs walking around the street in a handmade ponchos.<!–

1) Galapagos Islands

The Enchanting Islands, as they are popularly known, offers visitors the chance to get up close to hundreds of bird species, unique flora and fauna, and numerous endemic species found no where else in the world. In the Galapagos you can swim with sea lions, dive with white-tip reef sharks or just meander around giant tortoises in the wild. Moreover, the islands offer fantastic walks on beautiful beaches with jaw dropping sunsets everyday.

2) Amazon Jungle

You do not have to go to Brazil to experience a real rain forest. A large area lays in the east part of Ecuador, which offers exactly the same pristine jungle. Get ready to examine diverse vegetation,  and unique creatures as you trek through the Ecuadorian Amazon. With over 1,000 different species of birds living here, it is a prime location to bird watch. Do not miss this exotic spectacle of monkeys swinging overhead or the search for the brightly colored poison dart frog. Then relax in your Amazon lodge as you enjoy an elegant dinner overlooking the Napo River.

3) Quito

The capital of Ecuador has been recognized since 1978 as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its well-preserved, beautiful colonial center. Transported back to colonial times, we walk amongst the oldest monuments of the city, which include: the 300 year old San Francisco convent and Jesuit Church.  Likewise, you can get an insight into the cultural richness of Ecuador just by enjoying a coffee in one of the side cafes as traditional dressed Quechua women flourish past in their vivid clothing arrangements.

4) Train to the Devil’s Nose

Considered one of the world’s best railway engineering feats, this scenic railroad travels over a series of switchbacks as it zigzags down the steep mountainside passing small villages and Andean lakes along the way. Starting in Riobamba the train rolls through a variety of climate zones for a a really short time.  As you pass over the Andes to the village of Simbambe, the train drops in altitude from aprx. 8000 ft to about 1000 ft in a mere 45 minutes.  The highlight of the trip is to overcome the 100m high, prominent rock also called the “Devil’s Nose”. Experience the thrill as you wind through mountainous terrain on this unforgettable journey.

5) Mountain Biking in Banos

Enjoy the a downhill mountain bike tour to the peaceful village of Banos as you pass roughly 35 miles with 360 views of unbelievable scenery. Along the way, you can stop to admire the numerous waterfalls before you drive further into the tropical climate of the rainforest. At the foot of the excursion you will find the Tungurahua volcano of the Andes and the entrance to the jungle of Puyo.

6) Cotopaxi

Rising 19,347 ft towards the equatorial sun, the Cotopaxi volcano is the second highest volcano in Ecuador. Clearly distant from the Quito skyline, Cotopaxi is also one of few mountains with an equatorial glacier atop its peak. Alexander von Humboldt, the first European who tried to climb the summit only got half way, however you can be one of few that actually trek to the summit with guided tours and assistance to get  you to the top.

7) Cuenca

The third largest city in Ecuador is definitely worth a visit as you pass through historic buildings of colonial charm and bustling markets. The El Sagrario is of particular interest, which was built in 1557 more than 455 years ago. Linger around the city as you venture to different museums, churches, and galleries or stop off to by some authentic souvenirs. Want more nature, then a trip to El Cajas National Park would suite you, having over 275 Andean lakes and many places to just relax and enjoy your surroundings.

Exotic Cuisine

In addition to the unforgettable scenery and historic landmarks, Ecuador offers travelers delicious and even exotic cuisine dishes. Come taste the varieties of savory soups, potato side dishes and hearty meat meals in Ecuador or be more adventurous and try the roasted guinea pig called Cuy. This specialty is served mainly in the Andean regions and although it is unknown in the United States, do not be afraid to try this dish. People say it tastes like chicken.

9) Whale Watching

Each summer between the months of June and October, humpback whales travel to their breeding areas off the Pacific coast of Ecuador. Take a small boat and really get a chance to see the whales up-close in their natural habitats before the move on to warmer waters. The best starting points for your whale watching experience are from the coastal towns of Puerto Lopez and Salinas.

10) Rafting

Throughout the region, Ecuador offers a wide variety of white water rafting trips from the calm rivers to the Class IV rapids in the Andes.  The most challenging of rapids is located between the Sangay National Park and the Llanganates, here you can expect challenging rapids but with rewarding scenery at every turn. Cruise along as you circle around rainforests, rushing waterfalls, or basalt canyon cliffs.

1. Mount Roraima, Venezuela

Since long before the arrival of European explorers, the mountain has held a special significance for the indigenous people of the region, and it is central to many of their myths and legends. This tabletop mountain is a remarkable place with sheer 400-metre high cliffs on all sides. There is only one ‘easy’ way up, on a natural staircase-like ramp on the Venezuelan side – to get up any other way takes and experienced rock climber. On the top of the mountain it rains almost every day, washing away most of the nutrients for plants to grow and creating a unique landscape on the bare sandstone surface. The peak of the mountain is actually considered one of the world’s oldest geological formations. It is believed that the plateau was formed by water and winds, but the reason why some species can’t be found anywhere else remain a mystery.

2. Nazca Lines, Peru

These lines, found near Peru’s coastal plains, were scraped into the Earth between 500 BC and AD 500. They spread out over 173 square miles and form animal and plant figures, including a spider, monkey, killer whale, hummingbird, and pelican.  There are many theories about the Nazca lines that seem to have many perplexed. Some theories state the Nazca people created them to be seen by their gods in the sky,  or are just depictions of star constellations from above. Some even believe they are works or signs to extraterrestrials as most are only viewed from the air.  Every last theory has never been scientifically proven and still remains a a topic of deep thought and conversation.

3. Atacama Desert, Chile

The Atacama Desert is a plateau in South America, that covers over 600 miles on the Pacific coast line. According to NASA, National Geographic, and various other publications, the Atacama Desert is the driest desert in the world.  The average rainfall is said to be around just 1 millimeter per year.  Similar to the surface layer of Mars, with craters and rock formations, the Atacama desert will definitely have you questioning  how any plant or wildlife could live in such an inhospitable environment.

4. Perito Moreno Glacier, Argentina

The Perito Moreno is a glacier in the South West province of Santa Cruz, Argentina. With 97 sq miles of ice formation, and over 19 miles in length, this ice field is the 3rd largest fresh water reserve in the world.  As a result of global warming, studies of other glacial formations show a constant, but slow decrease in glacier size and that one day these giant glacier formations will disappear altogether.  Besides its amazing presence and awe-inspiring beauty, explorers and scientists have become very intrigued with this local attraction in recent years because it is a rare site to have a glacier actually grow in size each year. Lasting through warmer weather, the Perito Moreno glacier is truly a mystery one must see for themselves.

5. Laguna Colorada, Bolivia

The Laguna Colorada (Red Lagoon) is a shallow salt lake in the southwest altiplano of Bolivia with a close border to Chile. It will surely fascinate you with its awesome beauty and amazing features. Travelers love to watch flocks of flamingos upon the lagoon shore and also visit to surrounding geysers and hot springs. However, travelers don’t come to watch the array of bird species in the area, but more to view the water of the lake, which is fiery red in color giving  it an incredible look. The reason for the maroon hues is due to the high salt content and pigmentation from algae and plankton thriving in the water.  The Laguna Colorada is certainly a bizarre attraction that many travelers have never even heard about until now.

6. Floating Islands of the Uros, Peru

Travelers to Peru should not miss out on a unique visit to the floating islands of Uros. These islands are made and re-made from the totora reeds which provide home, sustenance and transportation for their residents. About a two hour boat ride from Puno, on the Peruvian side of the lake, one can find over 40 man-made islands. The largest and often a main destination is the island of Santa Maria. These floating islands are the home of the Uros tribe, one which pre-dates the Inca civilization. According to their legends, they existed before the sun, when the earth was still dark and cold. They were impervious to drowning or being struck by lightning. What makes this place so amazing is the fact that people live and perform daily activities on an uneven, thin layer of land on the water’s surface.  Yet the Uros, with their basic reed homes outlasted the mighty Incas with their huge stone temples and mountain-top enclaves. Journey for yourself and sleep on floating islands, but be careful with one wrong move you might find yourself knee deep in water.

7. El Penol, Guatape Colombia

El Penol, or The Rock, is a monolithic formation located in the town of Guatape, Colombia. At its highest part, the rock has an elevation of over 7000 ft. and the weight of approximately 11 million tons. The Tahamies Indians, former inhabitants of this region, worshiped the rock and due to its high importance both Guatape and El Penol thought the rock should be considered a part of their own land. Visitors who come to face the massive structure often wonder what the words or symbols “GI” represent. In fact it is a G and the incomplete writing of U, as the citizens of Guatape thought by writing “Guatape” on the rock that it would then be in their jurisdiction. As evident, the city of Guatape never finished painting their city’s name on the rock. Years later, as a result of weather, the rock cracked down the center allowing the ability for a winding staircase consisting of 644 steps to be built along the rock’s edge.

8. Uyuni »”>Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia

The Salar de Uyuni is the world’s largest salt flat at over 4,000 sq miles. Located in the Potosi in the southwest region of Bolivia, this salt flat has an elevation close to 12,000ft. Formed during the uplifts of the Andes, the Salar de Uyuni was created by layers upon layers of both fresh and salt water. The crust serves as a source of both salt and a high resource of lithium which actually holds up to 70% of the lithium reserve in the world. Due to its extremely flat surface, it is considered a great place to to measure and accurately track the Earth’s satellites. After rain covers the surface, pictures taken look as if people are walking on water. This enigma might be the answer to how such stories surfaced from biblical times.

9. Easter Island, Chile

Easter Island is a Polynesian island off the Pacific Coast that was annexed from Chile in 1888. The island is famous for over 887 monumental statues called moai created by the early Rapanui people around 1250.  Almost all (95%) moai were carved out of distinctive, easily worked solidified volcanic ash or tuff found at a single site inside the extinct volcano Rano Raraku. The native islanders who carved them used only stone hand chisels. Many theories still circle around the reason behind the statues. Some researchers believe they overlooked the city as protectors to ward off enemies, while others believe each carving could have been of a notable chief of the village. Whichever theory you believe in, the statues are quite a puzzlement to wandering travelers.

10.  Salt Cathedral of Zipaquira, Colombia

The Salt Cathedral of Zipaquira near Bogota, Colombia is an underground roman Catholic church built in the tunnels of a salt mine nearly 200 meters below the Earth’s surface. As many as 3,000 individuals take a pilgrimage to see this remarkable church each Sunday, despite no bishop or Catholic figure presently leading a service.  The mines were created around 5th century B.C.  and throughout the day miners would stop and pray at a small cross. Many years later, in 1954 the small area to pray was expanded. Visitors, religious or not, now walk along tunnels and salt corridors to experience the newly constructed sanctuary, which is actually built below the original Cathedral.