Reviewed 23 Oct 2011 by Amber Bauer
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
I loved the Quichua Homestay... learning their traditions and experiencing life in the jungle. They are wonderful, warm people who seem naturally shy whilst very honest and giving.
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Relax, enjoy, and take every opportunity for adventure that you get! The weather was colder and wetter than I expected for September so bring a few fleeces and a lightweight waterproof!
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
It will almost certainly have benefitted local people as we stayed at local hotels, bought from local shops and took adventures (white water rafting, canyoning, horse riding etc) with local companies. I'm not sure we were very popular taking local buses... it left fewer seats for locals and I wonder if they didn't think we should be traveling privately if we could afford it. The environmental impact of our trip was never really discussed... I don't think we did anything special to reduce our impact.
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
This was an experience as well as a vacation. I loved it. A great mix between cultural and adventure. Our guide was a little disappointing and I feel like I could have learned more about Ecuador history, daily life, clothes etc than I did.
Reviewed 04 Jul 2011 by Liz Schwartz
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
I really enjoyed the jungle lodge, and all of the helpful, funny guides there. I enjoyed the 5 day festival in Cuenca.
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Learn some Spanish before going so as to speak with locals.
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes - took public busses, and stayed with a quichua family.
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
It was really great. Maria, our guide, made the tour especially smooth and enjoyable.
Reviewed 01 Oct 2010 by Hayley Pankhurst
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
There are too many highlights to pick just one! The Amazon homestay and jungle lodge, the white water rafting, horse riding in Banos, Cajas National Park.
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Take more money than the operator suggests, as you won't want to miss out on all the optional extras.
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes. We stayed with a family in the Amazon, as a part of which we visited a school built using funds from the operator. We used public transport. Some of the hotels we stayed in advised us not to wash towels every day, quoting environmental reasons.
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Action packed, with enough variation to fill three vacations! Really good.
Reviewed 09 Oct 2008 by Nick Gowlett
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Our Shaman host at the jungle homestay. He glided around, playfully and skilfully making leaf hats etc. and happily sharing with us his knowledge and Chechan philosophy. A wise man and free spirit in a beautiful place.
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
No need for mosquito nets and no need for malaria pills - except for the ultra-precautionary. The 'basic' hotels were good - soap, shampoo and towels provided. Minimal walking with full luggage. Weather cooler than expected - very pleasant. Laundry facilities available so ration clothing but bring camera battery charger! The active add-ons are a must - don't miss out. Learn a few words of Spanish and read a little about Ecuador if time.
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes. The Indigenous people seem undemanding and worthy of help/understanding.
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Brilliant. Helped very much by our excellent guide.
Reviewed 28 Jan 2008 by Jennifer Hann
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Hard to narrow it to one, but an example was horseback riding up the mountain in Banos, Ecuador while listening to, and FEELING (!) Volcan Tungurahua rumble back to life. Equally wonderful was interacting with the warm & gentle Ecuadorian people who welcome you with their shy smiles, polite ways and creative art.
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
1.Pay attention to the wet and dry seasons, which are the only real differences in seasons;. 2.Realize clean bottled water is available everywhere, as are most essentials, so forget the water purifiers & extra personal items, etc.. 3.Bring useable but worn clothing you leave behind to make room for the wonderfully affordable local art & clothing. 4. Practice a little Spanish so you can interact with the local folks who reward any communication with a quick smile and immediate charm.
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Absolutely. We mostly used public transportation; ate local food; did a 2 night home stay; cleaned and refilled water bottles; bought food & items from local markets where our guide introduced us to new items; walked on local trails & learned about conservation efforts; and visited and supported several local cooperative art centers.
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Very high. Great value for the money; emphasis upon real interaction with local people and getting off the beaten path. Thanks!
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