Otavalo: Meet the World’s Largest and Most Colorful Indigenous Market

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It is early morning in Otavalo, where the world’s largest and most colorful Indigenous market takes place. It all begins at dawn, when the first costumers arrive attracted by the food and the animals for sale. This market dates back to pre-Inca times and it is a veritable collection of animals to eat and buy that mingles with the sound of the Andean pipes and the Quichua, the native indigenous language.

By 9am, the activity takes place at the hundreds of handicraft booths spread all along the main streets. The center of the action is the "Poncho Plaza", where almost any craft item produced in Ecuador can be found at really cheap prices.

The little stalls offer a bewildering and exciting array of local handicrafts, with textiles of outstanding rainbow colors predominating. Naturally, you will also find there the famous Panama hats -originally made in Ecuador- at half the price or less than what you would pay in Quito, the capital. The variety of colors of the various fabric products, the blankets, ponchos, balsa wood bowls and carvings, as well as the variety of fruit and vegetables on sale is a feast for the eyes in this lively market where haggling for lower prices is expected and part of the fun.

The market is safe and tourists are always welcomed by the friendly local people, the Otavaleño indigenous. People can’t help but be delighted by the dignified Otavaleño ladies who still wear their distinctive traditional dress of intricately embroidered white blouses with flounced lace sleeves, their black skirts and their long, braided hair often decorated with colorful ribbons.

Saturday is the busiest market day and the best time of the week for tourists to go. This world-famous outdoor marketplace, that some consider “a place to visit before you die” (Book “1000 places to visit before you die” by Patricia Schultz; and Ninemsn’s article “Top 10 Places to see Before You Die”) is a wonderful way to experience some local culture while you get a good price for loads of gifts and souvenirs for everyone back home!

Photo: Pictures from Heather

Unknown Facts about Galapagos

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Are you curious about the Galapagos Islands and willing to learn more about them? Do you want to know what makes them so special? Don’t miss this list of interesting facts!         

1.    The name of “Galapagos” comes from the word Galápago, an old Spanish term used for horse saddles that were shaped like the shells of some of the first turtles found in the region.         

2.    The name of “Las Encantadas” means enchanted or bewitched. It has been given to those islands because they are often very foggy, something that confused the early Spanish navigators who thought they were looking at the same island moving around in the mist.

3.    It’s in the Galapagos Island where the rarest species on the planet lives: being the only one of its kind, the giant turtle of the “Geochelone Nigra Abingdoni” subspecies –better known as “Lonesome George”–  lives with two female turtles,  but it has been incapable of breeding. George appears in the Guinness Book of Records as the “rarest living creature”.

4.    The Flightless Cormorant is the only type of cormorant found in the Galapagos. From all the 28 cormorant species worldwide, it is the only one that has lost the ability to fly. Nevertheless, thanks to its heavy and powerful legs, it can make deep, long underwater dives to get its food.

5.    To determine who will have the right to mate, the male Galapagos Giant Turtles will rise on their legs and stretch their necks. The longest neck wins and gets the female.

6.    The Galapagos Masked Boobies lay two eggs, but invariably raise only one chick. If both eggs manage to hatch, the oldest chick will kill its younger brother –a behavior called siblicide–.

7.    The Galapagos Islands are, in fact, the peaks of submerged volcanoes that arose from the bottom of the ocean due to an intense volcanic activity produced when the Nazca plate moved over a hot spot, under the surface of the Earth.

8.    The Galapagos are considered to be one of the most active volcanic areas in the world.  In fact, a volcano called “La Cumbre”, located on Fernandina Island, erupted this year on April 11, after four years of inactivity.

9.    In 1535 the Spanish bishop of Panama, Fray Tomás de Berlanga, deemed the islands as “cursed by God, inhospitable and worthless”. His expedition found big stones, giant turtles, “dragons coming from the sea” (marine iguanas) and cactuses… but no water. With two sailors and ten horses having died of dehydration, they eventually found a source of fresh water and promptly abandoned the islands.

10.    In 1841 the American novelist Herman Melville navigated around the Galapagos Islands on board a whaling vessel. There, he gathered the material that he would later use for his famous novel Moby Dick, in 1851. He also wrote, in 1845, ten philosophical essays about the Encantadas Islands.

11.    Charles Darwin was so repulsed by the marine iguana that he described it as “a hideous looking creature, of a dirty black color, stupid and sluggish in its movements.”

12.    Prince Charles and his wife Camilla became the official “godparents” for a tiny, two-year old turtle during a visit to the Galapagos’ Charles Darwin Research Station. Since the turtle was formerly known as “No. 53”, the Prince of Wales decided to rename it after his eldest son, William.

Ingapirca: An Inca Secret 1200mi North of Machu Picchu

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Five hundred years ago, the Inca Emperor Huayna Capac constructed a building complex called Ingapirca, or Inca’s Wall. It remains a living testimony that unveils a lost culture that once was, in fact, bigger than the Roman Empire.

In the Ecuadorian city of Cañar, 1200mi north from Machu Picchu, this magnificent construction was erected between valleys and mountains where llamas and alpacas graze, a place among eucalyptus and potato fields covered by the fog and the modest rain.

When arriving to Ingapirca, the contrast of colors between the landscape and the construction is the first thing that gets the attention. It’s impossible not to wonder what did the place look like five hundred years ago, when there where buildings such as a room constructed in alignment with the moon where religious rituals and cults to this natural satellite took place; a big plaza used for celebrations that could gather more than 3000 people; an exclusive area for “The Sun Virgins”, women chosen at the age of 12 to serve the High Priests that would sometimes cook the meals for the sun festival; and a room used only for the priests’ prayers.

Perhaps the most impressive construction of this complex is the Ingapirca Castle, which is the only known oval-shaped Inca building, erected as a cult to the Sun god. The perfect alignment with the sun (at 0°) that the Incas made with this construction provides the best illumination for its rooms during the solstices of June and December. This also reveals their advanced astrological knowledge.

In the surroundings of Ingapirca we can appreciate some elements that feed the mystery of this culture. Such is the case of the “Inca Face”, a mountainous formation that reveals a possibly genuine shape of a face. Another element is the “Moon Calendar”, a stone with several holes that were filled with water, serving as mirrors where the Incas could see the moon’s reflection and in this way tell the date. Finally, there is the “Inca Trail”, a 31mi route (3 days walking distance) starting at the village of Achullapas and leading to Ingapirca. This route allows us to see and live the same trail the Incas once walked.

All these astonishing features take us to the time where the king, the priests, the Inca society, their buildings and the environment, all interacted to create the legend of The Incas, a culture that, in spite of being already extinct, still surprises us. As you will discover, Ingapirca is an archaeological complex that connects us with the Inca experience. It is not just about its construction, but also about its culture. It’s an encounter with the world’s origins and with ourselves, a feeling of inner peace.

Ingapirca is a journey to ancient times, and what is experienced there, becomes unforgettable. At the end of the visit, and according to the Incas’ belief, a part of the visitor stays in the place, as a part of the Inca soul stays in the visitor.

Photo: jrubinic

10 Facts You Might Ignore About Ecuador

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If you look at a map, you will see that Ecuador is a small country in South America, just north of Peru. It is only the size of Colorado in the United States. Do you want to learn more about this place? Here are some other facts that you may not know about it:                

1.    Although it measures only 250.000 Km² (155342sq.miles), there are 18 different languages spoken in Ecuador among the native communities, and both Spanish and Quechua are considered the primary languages of the country.

2.    Most people are not aware that the Galapagos Islands actually belong to Ecuador.

3.    Ecuador’s weather is not hot, even if it is located on the equatorial line. Cities along The Andes Region have an average high temperature of 15.5°C (60°F) all year-round. The Coastal Region is constantly refreshed by the Humboldt Current, it may be humid, but the temperature rarely reaches 35°C (95°F). The Amazon Basin is the only area consistently hot and humid.

4.    Ecuador’s official currency is the U.S. Dollar. In fact, Ecuador is the only country besides the U.S. using the U.S. Dollar as its sole currency.

5.    Ecuador has the most biodiversity out of any country in the world in proportion to its size, with more than 9 species of animals and plants per square kilometer (0.62mi). Over 15,000 types of vascular plants, more than 1,600 species of birds, 1,750 of freshwater fish, 413 of amphibians, 374 of reptiles, and 324 of mammals have been discovered in its territory. Almost 80% of its biodiversity is found in the Amazon Rainforest region, which is the least populated part of Ecuador.

6.    Ecuador has the place on Earth closest to the sun: the summit of Mount Chimborazo. This is because the Earth bulges at the Equator. This makes the top of Chimborazo the furthest point from the center of the Earth …In other words, the closest point to the Sun.

7.    The westernmost point of South America is found in Ecuador. It is a place called “The Chocolatera” (chocolate pot), a place from which you can watch the sea beating the rocks endlessly and furiously.

8.    In Ecuador’s “Sumaco Park”, we can find 831 bird species ―14 of which can’t be found anywhere else in the world— all packed into a 106Km² (66 sq. mi) area. This bird diversity is higher than that of Costa Rica or all of the United States and Canada combined.

9.    In Ecuador, there are 4,000 identified orchid species that constitute the highest diversity of orchids in the world, 1,300 of which are not found anywhere else in the world.

10.    Ecuador is a cheap place to travel. You can still get a decent meal at a sit-down restaurant for less than $4. The price for a hotel room in many towns may start at $20 or so, and it can be even less if you know how to negotiate… so be ready to walk away and the price may drop!

Napo Valley: An Ultimate South American Rafting Trip

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Whatever you thought rafting was before, you should necessarily change your conception of it when rafting in Ecuador. Rafting isn’t just about doing sport; it also means experiencing the magnificence of nature at its greatest. Being challenged by powerful rivers is not the only reason to take this adventure; it is also the search for breathtaking surroundings. That’s why the Amazon Rainforest Region offers one of the best rafting hotspots ever discovered: The Napo Valley.

Home to three main rivers —the Anzu, the Jatunyacu and the Misahualli—, The Napo Valley offers an amazing jungle landscape that combines an abundant wildlife, crystalline waters and native indigenous lifestyle. Let its rivers show you the way to one of South America’s ultimate rafting experiences.

The Anzu River – Class: ll and lll; Length: 16km (9.9mi)
The Anzu River is the perfect place for those looking for a soft adventure together with spectacular jungle scenery. This relaxing river, which goes through small rapids and relaxing ponds, offers you the opportunity to practice rafting while appreciating the beautiful landscape. While traveling along the river, you will be able to take a glimpse at the daily life of the local inhabitants that live along the shore in small bamboo and wood houses, as well as a variety of birds such as kingfishers, egrets, yellow-rumped caciques and green tangaras.

The Jatunyacu River (Upper Napo) – Class: lll+ and lV; Length: 25km (15.5mi)
Located inside the Llanganates National Park, an area declared a Biosphere Zone by the United Nations, the Jatunyacu River or “Upper Napo” is one of the two major sources that feed the Amazon River. It is considered Ecuador’s best one-day rafting run, as it is all that you could ask for a river rafting experience. Its name meaning “big water”, this river carries a great amount of clear water through a perfect combination of exciting rapids, peaceful pools and exuberant jungle. Although it is best for rafting between March and October, Jatunyacu can be rafted all year long.

The Misahualli River – Class: IV and V+; Length: 23Km (14.2mi)
This is Napo Valley’s most challenging rafting, recommended only for those in good physical shape. Nestled in a deep and charming canyon surrounded with lush virgin jungles and sparkling waterfalls, the Misahualli River is undoubtedly the gem of the region, an extraordinary river of magical beauty. The highlights of this trip are the amazing 10 meter (32.8ft) high, impressive Casanova Falls; and the legendary “Land of the Giants”, one the largest rapids rafted in Ecuador. Usually the river can only be rafted from mid-October to mid-March, given that the rest of the year it remains much higher.

Ecuador’s tourism slogan, “Life at its Purest”, can be confirmed by these rivers and their exceptional landscapes of dense vegetation and wilderness sounds. The Napo Valley provides traveling easiness to visitors and offers various alternatives to combine up to 5 days of rafting trips, jungle excursions and camping expeditions along the river, everything you need to ensure it will be an unforgettable trip.


Photo: skifatenum

Take a Ride to the Devil’s Nose On this 1900’s Engineering Marvel

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If you ever have the occasion to travel to Ecuador, make sure you have a life-time adventure winding through curves and tunnels on the once called “the most difficult railway in the world”. Enjoy unbelievable landscapes of valleys, pasturelands and picturesque towns along the way riding on this historical train line built between 1899 and 1908 and still considered a technical masterpiece. Starting from Riobamba and arriving to Alausí, the ride’s main objective and most spectacular point is a place known as the “Devil's Nose”.

The train departs from Riobamba city at 5:00am. It is still dark, but the station’s activity is at its peak. The first stop is at the Cajabamba Station. The weather is freezing cold, but the sight is wonderful. Next stop is the Guamote Station, located 50 kilometers (31 miles) away from Riobamba. It is a place full on enchantment, culture and tradition where tourists are given a 30-minute break to get a coffee or eat something, having the opportunity to be in contact with the friendly local population.

As the train goes further on up the track, the landscape changes and the layout become increasingly sinuous, making it hard to go through the mountains. Near the Palmira Station, at 3239m (10626 feet) above the sea level, the landscape becomes desolate: almost nothing grows in there, there’s only a few conifers and dry grass. Looking at the landscape, people would sometimes get the impression to be on the moon. However, as soon as the train starts going back down, a beautiful contrast can be perceived: the landscape becomes greener and nicer again.

The Alausí Station is almost the last stop. After having passed it, the train finds itself front to front with the astonishing Devil’s Nose: an impressive, almost vertical 600-meter (1968ft) cliff. The sound of the railway indicates a slight movement of the train, and this is where the spectacle begins, because the train must perform an adventurous, almost technically impossible zigzag movement in order to go down the abrupt precipice. To do this, the driver must turn the train to the right, move the railway track switch and then reverse it to go to the left, repeating this for several times while descending through this magnificent cliff.

Past the Devil’s Nose, this breathtaking ride gets to its end at the Simbambe Station, the train’s final destination. Once in the Alausí Village, the passengers can be transferred back to Quito. This trip is an extraordinary experience and definitely a must-see for travelers going to Ecuador.


Photo: andyinsouthamerica