A return visit to further explore the diversity of Ecuador with urban adventures, hikes in the cloud forest, and explorations of the Amazon. There is so much to see in the Amazon from trees, flowers, creepy crawlies, birds, and beautiful sunsets. You are surrounded by the wilds of the forest, so its easy to get up close and personal with it! Paddle out on the lake to sit in the silence of the rainforest or hike a ways in to the trees and find a new friend.
Quito is one of my favorite cities to explore, with its meandering streets, friendly people, majestic churches, and Colonial architecture. Wandering the streets of Old Town shows the mix of cultures over the generations that has lead to today's modern Quito. A stroll down La Ronda shows the importance of the arts with galleries and musical groups playing all along the road. Street in Quito (Laura Cahill) Yum! Helado! (Laura Cahill)
On a lovely sunny day in June I explored La Carolina Park, similar to Central Park in New York. Quiteños gather at La Carolina on weekends to play soccer, basketball and volleyball. The southern part of the park has a small pond where paddle boats and a skatepark for bicyclists and skateboarders. Throughout the park artists perform and sell their art. I also visited the Botanical gardens, showcasing the diverse variety of plants all over Ecuador from orchids to cacti. Quito Botanical Gardens (Laura Cahill) Quito Botanical Gardens (Laura Cahill) Quito Botanical Gardens (Laura Cahill) Quito Botanical Gardens (Laura Cahill) Quito Botanical Gardens (Laura Cahill) Skate park in Quito (Laura Cahill) Artist in Quito (Laura Cahill)
Creating a checklist was very beneficial and meeting objectives on certain dates helped as well (to keep my trip organized). The Adventure Travel personnel helped keep me on track which is why my trip was so successful. Communication from both travel agencies (AT/MT) was vital.
Iziah Carthens
3 days ago
This is an amazing company to work with. I generally do not use tour companies as I am more of an independent traveller so I was slightly reticent. They were fantastic from the start - 10/10 - from lining up a phone call to discuss requirements, then their ongoing communication in the lead up to the tour and during it (thank you, Franny and Phen). They also explored cost-effective options (eg group transfers). The tour was in Patagonia so Adventure Life organised a pickup from the El Calafate airport to the El Chalten accommodation, two day hikes with a private guide and then to the El Calafate accommodation. A tour coordinator came to the hotel to explain, using the maps, what was involved in each day tour and what should be expected, and patiently answered all questions. The tour guide Marcos was excellent - very professional, knowledgable, communicative and at all times felt very safe with his navigational skills (important in the Patagonian wilderness). On the second day I forgot to take hiking poles so Marcos kindly gave me his. I honestly wouldn't have changed a thing and would happily recommend and book through them again.
Petrina Sta
5 days ago
Adventure Life has been great throughout my planning process for our up and coming Galapagos cruise. Kevin Moore, in particular, was very helpful in assisting me in making choices and providing me with options. He was also very patient, as I worked through figuring out what I really wanted in this vacation.
Lucy Greenway
5 days ago
Adventure Life was a pleasure to work with. They helped us find different options for our charter and answered a lot of questions with patience and clarity.
Brooke Hopper
6 days ago
Excellent service, great hotels and well organized excursions with expert guides! Highly recommended!
