Travel Articles: Cotopaxi Volcano

Two weeks in Ecuador, including an 8-day cruise on the San Jose in the Galapagos, 3 nights of land-based explorations on the islands of Santa Cruz and San Cristobal, and several days exploring the Highlands around Quito, Cotopaxi and Otavalo. Fulfilling my lovely partner's lifetime dream of seeing Darwin's inspiration!

A truly special trip to share with my wonderful mom. Days in the highlands allowed us to explore the roots of the Andean cultures and remnants of the former Incan empire. Followed by a week on the islands that inspired Darwin and that still, to this day, house an incredible diversity of species and adventure.

An exciting 2-day Ecuador land trip and an 8-day Galapagos cruise in December 2022.

El Porvenir means “the future with hope” of what will come. The owner of Hacienda el Porvenir, tucked deep in the Highlands South of Quito, Jorge’s great grandmother bought this hacienda for her family and her "porvenir". The Hacienda is 1000 hectares and at one point was home to horses and grazing cattle but her vision …

In one of my many previous careers, I was a program director at an outdoor education center. In that role, I have built high ropes courses, inspected high ropes courses, and trained high ropes course facilitators. I have put thousands of 5th thru 8th graders through these courses, with specific goals in mind. So, as you might imagine, I have a …

As we bumped along kilometer after kilometer of cobblestone road heading from Quito into the more remote highlands near Cotopaxi National Park, I think Jen and I both started wondering, “where in the world….?” But upon arrival at Tierra de Volcan, or “Hacienda el Porvenir”, it was immediately obvious this was worth …