Ecuador: The Difference between an Extreme Adventure and an Extraordinarily Extreme Adventure

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When practicing extreme sports, the body receives a shot of adrenaline that makes us experience what we call “an intense sensation”. In this world, there are many of these sports that make us have amazing experiences. However, with the passing of time these experiences become monotonous with the daily practice of such sport. To avoid that, Ecuador has profited from its natural environments to maximize the intensity while practicing extreme adventures, providing carefully chosen spots with unique surroundings that make extreme adventures an original experience. Find out below the difference between an extreme adventure and an extraordinarily extreme adventure:

• Hidrospeed at Santo Domingo (The Andes)

In the area of the Andes, there are some of the nature’s most pristine places perfect for the practice of fun sports such as the hidrospeed: a sport that puts you in direct contact with water in which you don’t use any kind of boat, but a small floating sled to go down the river using your legs for propulsion. It is something similar to bodyboard, but done in a river. This sport can be practiced in a province very close to the Ecuadorian coast called Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas, in the waters of the Blanco River located inside a natural paradise called Valle Hermoso. Thanks to its geographic location, this route offers different landscapes of exuberant vegetation and contrasting weathers that change drastically as you go down the river.

• Bungee Jumping at the Pastaza River’s bridge (Los Andes - Amazonia)

This sport is practiced inside the city of Baños de Agua Santa, located inside the Tungurahua Province. Tied up to the San Francisco Bridge, you will experience the adventure of jumping off the bridge to the powerful waters of the Pastaza River, directly to the rocks where the water incessantly breaks into, adding to the experience an extra touch of risk. The surroundings of this place make the difference: the beautiful Andean and Amazonian landscapes with shinny waterfalls and the Tungurahua Volcano as its eternal guardian make bungee jumping at the Pastaza River a completely different experience.

• Towing at the Canoa Beach (Ecuadorian Coast)

Experience astonishing emotions by reaching great heights with a sport called Truck Towing. As its name says, Truck Towing consists on a Delta wing which is pulled by an all-terrain vehicle until it gains enough speed to fly up to the sky more than 700m (2296ft). The ideal place for practicing this sport is at the north coast of the Canoa Beach, located inside the Manabí Province. In this place, excellent thermal air currents are originated, making it perfect to set out a trip to the sky and observe from above the endless sea with its deep blue color and its waves braking into the white sand. Once in the air, the villages, the mountains and the forests laying on the horizon can be seen in just a glance.

• Diving at Las Grietas (Galapagos)

Diving is something usual, but in a truly enchanted place like the Galapagos Islands, the most usual things become fascinating. In the Santa Cruz Island (also known as the Indefatigable Island), west of the Academia Bay, is found a fantastic spot called Las Grietas, which is a great crack in the land that forms two perpendicular, high walls at whose bottom lies a channel of crystalline waters. This is the ideal place to take your most original jump to the water from an approximate height of 12m (39ft). You will be amazed by the water’s transparency, which allows you to easily observe the wonderful aquatic life. If you believe that this dive couldn’t get any more surprising, you will be shocked when you realize this channel has freshwater at the top and saltwater at the bottom. Have different and fun experiences in only one dive!

Extreme sports can be practiced all around the world, but Ecuador offers places that seem to have been designed by nature especially for the practice of these sports, making the experience of an extreme adventure even more special.

Photo: helixblue

Live The Amazonian experience at its best at The Cofán Bermejo Reserve

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The story tells that during the 16th Century, the Spaniards entered the Amazonian territory and found a great and well-organized indigenous civilization with an approximate population of 3000 inhabitants known by the name of “Cofa Na’esu A’i”. Its settlers are still known as “Cofanes”, and they are considered the guardians and only administrators of the most biologically diverse spot on Earth: the Cofán Bermejo Ecological Reserve, an Ecuadorian territory of more than 55.000 hectares located in the North border of the Sucumbios Province.

Perhaps the most impressive fact about this place is that the Bermejo Forest, which is located inside the reserve covering only a 3% of its territory, is the home of an approximate of 700 bird species; 3000 woody plants and at least 20 mammal species considered to be endangered according to a biological inventory made by the Chicago Field Museum.

Getting to this reserve is an adventure only for those with adventurous spirits and a good shape. The only way to access the place is by taking the Inter-oceanic Lago Agrio – Tulcán Highway, a branch from the Amazonian Highway. When arriving to Cascales, which is 1 hour away from Lago Agrio, there is a small way leading to the Shuar community known as Taruka. After that, the adventure begins: to get to the reserve, visitors will have to walk for 6-8 hours in the region of the San Miguel and Bermejos rivers. It is highly recommended to take good camping equipment with you and to be accompanied by one of the reserve’s forest rangers.

The effort that such a long walk implies is widely compensated when you arrive to this green paradise. Its five pathways created and used by the local indigenous communities will take you through winding tracks, steep slopes, fast-flowing rivers, giant trees and precipices, always accompanied by an astonishing fauna and a mix of Andean and Amazonian flora. This is the Amazonian experience at its best!

To live in the jungle, one must be in good shape physically and mentally. The effort you made to get there, the pure nature of the virgin jungle and the open space survival rules you’ll put into practice will make together a great memory.  Going to Cofán Bermejo is certainly a demanding but unforgettable adventure.

Photo: Jade Rivera Rossi

Visiting Ecuador? Check Out This Top 10

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Ecuador is a little known country. Nonetheless, it is a country that treasures within its limits the most wonderful natural paradises. Undoubtedly, being little known is an advantage for the preservation of this land as well as a new opportunity for visitors to come and discover the country. With four completely different regions –the coast, the Andes, the Amazon and the Galapagos Islands– inside a very small territory, Ecuador is the world’s most diverse territory in proportion to its size of only 270 000sq km (167 770mi). Travelling around the country is very easy, and you can get from the beach to the mountains in only a few hours, or have breakfast in the jungle and spend the night at the Galapagos Islands all in one day. If you’re planning on visiting this country, the following list will help you find the best places in order to fully live the amazing Ecuador experience.

1.    Quito (The Andes/Pichincha) – Quito is the capital of Ecuador, and it is located in the heart of the country. It is a city of traditions mixed with modernity, a place that can be enjoyed in many ways. It has been a long time since Quito stopped being just a necessary stop for people going to the Galapagos Islands. Quito is home of the Latin America’s less modified historical downtown and it is located nearby the “Middle of the World” monument.

2.    The Galapagos Islands – 1005km (624mi) away from the coast of Ecuador is found this group of paradise-like islands. It is a place that was born out of fire, right where 5 water currents get together, becoming a meeting point for the world’s strangest species that have survived to the most adverse climate conditions. These species found now in the Galapagos are a living testimony of the evolution theory made by the scientific that put these islands in the world’s eyes: Charles Darwin. Declared a Human Patrimony by the UNESCO and one of the greatest places to visit by the New York Times, the Galapagos gets you directly in touch with its endemic species and with impressive landscapes made by nature.

3.    Otavalo (The Andes/Imbabura) – This multicultural little town is found to the north of Ecuador. It is one of the tourist’s favorite spots, since it is home of South America’s largest crafts market. Hundreds of handcraft stands are set along many blocks through the town where, besides finding all kinds of traditional Ecuadorian handcrafts at amazingly low prices, you will also find a colorful culture living in the artists and the craftsmen and their joyful character.

4.    The Yasuní National Park (The Amazon / Orellana and Pastaza) – Located in the heart of the jungle and extending to the eastern limits of Ecuador is found this national park. It is not only a national treasure, but a world marvel. A true oxygen generating lung that is the world’s most biologically diverse area in proportion to its size. Nowadays, the Yasuní Park is at the world’s eyes due to the original and exemplary conservational idea the Ecuadorians had, called “Yasuní ITT”.

5.    Montañita (The coast / Santa Elena) – A rustic town with an artistic, bohemian atmosphere has become a paradise for surfers and hippies from all around the world who travel to this place looking for moments of peace and fun. Montañita is framed by a large beach of perfect waves, white sand and beautiful landscapes where you can enjoy the incessant sound of the waves breaking at the shore and the marine breeze refreshing you.

6.    Cuenca (The Andes / Azuay) – This city, considered a Human Patrimony by the UNESCO, can be perceived as a large-scale museum built to the delight of its inhabitants. With buildings that keep an exquisite Colonial taste and four beautiful rivers running through it, Cuenca is a city with whom you fall in love at first sight that will definitely stay forever in the hearts of its visitors.

7.    Ingapirca (The Andes / Cañar) – Very close to the city of Cuenca is found the Incas’ legacy in Ecuador: The mysterious building complex of Ingapirca, or “Inca’s Wall”. With structures that have survived the passing of time, Ingapirca offers a tour through time in which you will almost feel part of the ancient lifestyle of the people that once were part of an empire as big as the Roman Empire. As you walk along the different parts of this archaeological complex, you will learn about the Inca’s way of life, their technology, their astrological knowledge, their architecture, their rituals and their mysteries.

8.    Baños (The Andes / Tungurahua) – This is a town whose name, which means “Baths”, is due to a number of waterfalls found within its territory. Baños is located in the center of the Andean region, and its closeness to the Amazon makes it a paradise for adventure tourism lovers. Various fun activities such as trekking, biking, canopying, bungee jumping, rafting and kayaking can be enjoyed in this magical town and its surroundings. A trip you can’t miss while being at Baños is a visit to a place called the “Pailón del Diablo”.

9.    The Cotopaxi National Park (The Andes / Cotopaxi) – Home of the 5897m (19347ft) high volcano of the same name, the Cotopaxi National Park offers a tour through unforgettable and inhospitable landscapes that show us the power of nature. As you walk along this volcanic land, you will see the Andean lakes, clouds so low that their shadow can be seen projected in the yellow grass, and the Cotopaxi Volcano, perfect as an ice cone with its peak covered in sparkling white snow. The Cotopaxi Park is ideal for climbing, or simply to have a cup of hot chocolate at a height of 5000m (16404ft) and enjoy the astonishing landscape that surrounds you.

10.    The Cajas National Park (The Andes / Azuay) – Very close to the city of Cuenca is found the Andean mountain range’s narrowest spot, that curiously is the place with the largest number of lakes in Ecuador, framed by a beautiful park known as the “Cajas”. With a size of 28400 hectares and an altitude that varies from 3100 to 4400m    (10170 to 14435ft) above the sea level, this park is an impressive place, excellent for hiking and camping in a special connection with nature.

Ecuador is a diverse destination that amazes with its beautiful landscapes and high biodiversity, becoming one of the world’s most magical places. It is a sustainable, astonishing, wonderful and unique South American paradise definitely worth visiting!

Yasuní: A World Treasure Found in Ecuador

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Inside the large Ecuadorian Amazon, in the provinces of Orellana and Pastaza, is found a place that needs no introduction: the Yasuní National Park. With a size of only 625 000 hectares, this place is considered by scientists as the World’s most biologically diverse place. Home of enchanting Amazonian landscapes, this park has inspired the whole world to preserve Nature.

To talk about the Yasuní National Park is to talk about the heart of the Earth. It is a paradise that welcomes visitors, leading them through narrow paths in which everything that can be seen and touched is a piece of life. If you pay attention, you will observe the little insects living in giant trees and realize you’re sharing the same territory with wildlife such as jaguars, snakes, eagles, monkeys, alligators, birds and frogs.

The large amount of rivers that run through the Yasuní come down abruptly from the Andean mountain range, and they are known as the “white waters”. Other rivers of the park come directly from the Amazon, and their waters are warm. These are known as the “clear waters”, and when they mix with the white ones, they create life for the entire park’s wildlife.

The golden rule when visiting the Yasuní is respecting everything that exists there. You must respect everything that you see, touch, breathe or feel. To give you an idea, in only one hectare of the Yasuní you can find 655 tree species discovered so far, that is three times more than the US and Canada together. These hectares are also home of 1 3000 animal species (mammals, amphibious, birds, reptiles and fish), more than 100 000 insect species, and the world’s largest number of amphibious found. These statistics make of Yasuní a world treasure in Ecuador, and one of the greatest oxygen generators. Various scientific theories tell that this was an area that didn’t freeze during the Earth’s glaciations, becoming a refugee for the flora and fauna of those times.

Countries like France, Germany, Norway, Spain and Switzerland have now put the world’s eyes in Yasuní, because it is a place whose preservation is vital for the whole world. Famous people like Leonardo DiCaprio, Glenn Close and Edward Norton figure as ambassadors of this area, supporting the Yasuní ITT project to preserve the park and its biodiversity. Yasuní is the right place to meet with millions of years of history, a place that continues being a life generator and a hope for the world’s environmental situation.

Photo: wren el renegade

Live the Anzu Adventure to the Amazon

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In the Ecuadorian Amazon Rainforest Region, a 30Km (18 miles) river called Anzu goes through the predominantly green landscapes of the provinces of Napo and Pastaza. Anzu has different water currents great for practicing extreme sports such as rafting and kayaking but, if you are a like the kind of person who prefer to stay on land, you will find several touristic attractions that can’t be left unvisited.

The first adventure is right at the river’s source and is called "the Anzu Cave", a cave made of several smaller caves which have little holes leading to chambers. On the most inner chambers, stalactites and stalagmites of various sizes and shapes can be observed.

Going forward on the river’s course, you can also visit the nearby communities, which are essential to understanding the whole environment. Apart from discovering impressive cultures, you will be able to live these people’s harmonious way of life. Activities like hunting, identifying medicinal plants, participating in the local rituals and celebrations, and being hosted by a family or staying in a private house are part of the Anzu experience.

The trip continues with the Hola Vida Reserve, a place 220 hectares wide where you can see different bird and insect species and old giant trees. An activity that you can’t miss here is taking a bath in the Escondida waterfall whose cold waters are believed to have energetic powers.

Finally, you will approach the end of the Anzu River. Walking a nearby path, you will get to the mouth of another majestic river: the Napo River, located right at the heart of the Ecuadorian Amazon, which marks the beginning of a new adventure.

Photo: larry&flo

Five New Volcanoes Discovered in Ecuador

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It was difficult for researchers to believe that finding one day some little fragments of volcanic glass –obsidian– would consequently be one of the greatest geological discoveries in Ecuador, something that would reaffirm to the world the reason why this land is known as the “Volcanic Land”. Two American volcano experts, Minard Hall and Patricia Mothes, have announced this way the discovery of five new volcanoes found inside the Ecuadorian Amazon.

Located inside the province of Napo, 75km (46mi) away from Quito, the recently discovered volcanoes have a height range that goes from 2800 to 3700m (9186 to 12139 feet). They got named “El Dorado”, “Domos de Huevo de Chivo”, “Lava Baeza”, “Centro Cosanga” and “Centro Pamayacu”, and this last one is believed to be potentially active. The age of the volcanoes is estimated to be around 2 000 and 20 000 years old.

The amazing expedition inspired the volcanoes’ discoverers so much that they don’t rule out the possibility of the existence of more volcanoes, which might be located close to the Cordillera Real Andina (Royal Andean Mountain Range). More than 50 volcanoes have been identified in Ecuador at present, and 20 of them are considered active by the Global Volcanism Program. Many of them can be visited through the touristic corridor known as the “Volcanoes Avenue”.

The recent discovery has been proudly announced to the rest of the world. Due to their understanding of the cosmos, Ecuadorians feel admiration and respect for these impressive giants, and they are often considered to be the guardians and protectors of their territory.

Swim and Slide Through the Cracks of the Millenary Jumandy Caves

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It is hard to believe that inside a touristic resort with pools, sport fields and lodges you would find a naturally formed mysterious place which you can only discover if you venture inside it in the Indiana Jones style, entering an underground world full of adventure and history, swimming in lakes and sliding through cracks, in an absolute darkness.

This place can be found in Ecuador, and it is known as the Jumandy Caves. The caves are located in the province of Napo, 5km (3mi) away from the village of Archidona. They are hidden among an exuberant nature resulting almost imperceptible, something which has made them preserve their mystery the way they have done it for many years throughout history. They were once used by the indigenous chief called Jumandy (which means wise man in Quechua), who protected his tribe from the Spanish invaders by hiding inside them, where they could not be found. Besides being a protection and a refuge for our people, these caves have also been a witness of our Earth’s natural evolution.

The inside of the caves is completely dark, so using a waterproof flashlight is absolutely necessary. If you look at the cave’s ceiling, you can observe the millenary stalactite formations, which are pointy mineral cones produced by the constant dropping of water from the surface; consequently, you can also observe the stalagmites on the ground, resulting from the accumulation of the fallen minerals of the ceiling. Together, stalactites and stalagmites can form big columns of unique and impressive shapes.

The adventure intensifies when you find the underground lakes. The only way to go across them is by swimming with the flashlight held high. Further on, you also get to know some natives that represent the past societies that lived inside the caves for protection. From time to time, you slide through water currents to descend, getting muddy at some places and washed up in others, so this scientifically amazing tour is also lots of fun. The tour’s length varies depending on your choice, the shortest being 45 minutes and the longest being from 7 to 8 hours, depending on the group’s pace and the challenges found on the way. The tours are always guided by a local.

At the end of the tour, perhaps the first thing you will remark is the beautiful sky full of stars. You may decide to camp there and stay over for one night to continue this adventure full of respect for the Amazonian nature, so you come out having known it from the subsoil to the sky.

Photo: catavergara

Volunteer in Ecuador and Have One of your Life’s Greatest Experiences

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A volunteering program’s idea is simple: To help, protect and get to know the nature and the people through voluntary work. This may not be a priority for some people, but it is a lifestyle and a philosophy for a few others. Having this experience in Ecuador is something as rewarding as amazing, due to its great diversity –in all senses. Even though it is a relatively small country compared to the rest of Latin American countries, Ecuador is abundant in natural landscapes and completely different cultures. It is a diverse, multicultural and multiethnic country. This means that landscapes and wildlife, as well as people, races and traditions change drastically within a few miles, giving us the impression of being in a different country. This variety is precisely what makes Ecuador a destination with endless volunteering alternatives. In only one country, there are four different surroundings among which volunteers can pick:

•    The Coast: the fishing and agricultural communities are found in the Ecuadorian coastal region, from the beautiful beaches of the Pacific Ocean to a few miles further to the East. Working in the middle of nature, staying at the typical bamboo-made houses and meeting one of the most unassuming, friendly people of the world who will make volunteers feel welcome will certainly provide a joyful, wonderful stay. Contributing to these communities is immensely appreciated. A few days after working at this place, volunteers will feel as if they have been living there for years, as part of the peasant family.

•    The Andean Region: hundreds of indigenous communities, living in houses made of adobes (sun-dried bricks made of clay and straw), are settled down next to the mountains of this beautiful Andean landscape of blue skies. Each community is certainly unique; each of them has a different culture and a different way of seeing life, always under the golden rule of respecting and coexisting with each other. This respect for diversity has made them capable of welcoming with joy and without prejudices people from everywhere around the world, with any kind of ideology, willing to share their time with mutual learning and affection. A lot of foundations and associations have developed volunteering programs here, each contributing to the development of these communities, their millenary agriculture and their education.

•    The Amazon: the jungle is located to the East of Ecuador, crossing the Andes. If you want to get to know the work of scientists, help discovering new species and learn about them, the Amazon is perfect for you. It has a wonderful ecosystem full of fauna and flora that remain unidentified always in need of volunteers on its various scientific stations located at rivers and tropical forests.

•    The Galapagos: these islands are very similar to the Amazon in terms of variety of fauna, flora and ecosystems, but a little different to the rest of the volunteering options regarding costs and logistics. Nevertheless, Galapagos has always had a special charm. Various foundations are in constant need of volunteers for their ecosystem preservation projects, whose main objectives are to avoid the insertion of foreign species and the pollution of the environment, as well as helping reforesting the area and taking care of the endangered species. Volunteering at the Galapagos would undoubtedly be a valuable contribution to preserve this natural living laboratory.

Ecuador amazes with its great variety of cultures and ecosystems. No matter which volunteering program you choose, it will always be a unique experience that only a few people in the world get to enjoy, remembering it forever.

Photo: alexindigo

YASUNI ITT: A Big Idea from a Small Country… will the world respond?

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The best things in life do come in small packages, and such is the case of an idea that came from a little package: a country called Ecuador. As some may already know, Ecuador’s economy depends directly on oil resources whose gains are then invested on health, education and housing. This is the reason why, even though the planet is experiencing a climate crisis, the Ecuadorian and worldwide oil industry are expanding to new frontiers.

One of these oil industry’s new horizon is located in the heart of the Amazon basin: the Yasuni Forest. Declared a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1999, Yasuni is the most biologically diverse place on earth, with 13.000 species of mammals, amphibious, reptiles, birds and fish; and more than 100.000 species of insects. Just one hectare of this forest has as many as 655 tree species, more than what the United States and Canada combined have.

The Yasuni forest is also home to some of the last indigenous people still living in voluntary isolation. These people are now waiting for a miracle for the deforestation to stop, since they happen to live above Ecuador’s largest undeveloped oil reserve: the “Ishpingo-Tambococha-Tiputini“(ITT) Oil Block. This block contains 20% of all the oil reserves in Ecuador (850 million barrels), representing 407 million metric tons of CO₂ to the atmosphere, a 7 billion dollars gain and an extra 7.2 billion dollar for the carbon market.



Two decades ago, the Yasuni forest got considerably reduced from 1.476.000 hectares to only 625.000 due to the pressure of the oil companies, so the Ecuador government is facing now a huge dilemma: should it keep deforesting the reserve and drill for the oil, which would provide the country with the economic sources it needs to develop; or should it help preserve the environment by not deforesting the world’s biggest ecological reserve? Looking for the best possible solution, the Ecuadorian government came up with a revolutionary idea and started to contribute to this race for life: “The Yasuní ITT Project”.

The idea is quite simple: The government will leave the Yasuní oil underground and request, as a compensation for having avoided environmental pollution, a 50% of what the Country would have gained if the area had been exploited ($350 million a year) for a period of 10 years, giving up the rest of the gains.

To better understand the foundations of this project, it’s essential to know that there is something called the “Carbon Market”, regulated by the Kyoto Protocol. The program has created First and Second Generation bonds (G1 and G2) to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. The G1 bonds are given to companies with environment generating practices, while the G2 bonds are given to the companies that reduce their deforestation and pollution levels. These bonds are placed into the Carbon Market so that the companies with environment polluting practices can buy them. Depending on the amount of bonds they buy, these companies are allowed to pollute the environment.



Yasuní-ITT from Santiago del Hierro on Vimeo.

All these been said, Ecuador’s Yasuní ITT Proyect is proposing the European Union to place into the Carbon Market bonds called “Yasuní Certificates of Guaranty (CGY)”, that would be Third Generation bonds given to countries that avoid or prevent environmental pollution, something that would keep millions of tons of CO₂ from being emitted to the atmosphere. The money raised from these “green bonds” would be placed into an international trust foundation to support local environmental and social development programs that would help Ecuador move towards a sustainable economy, while preserving the rainforest and recognizing the rights of the indigenous communities in Yasuní. This preventive model is the Ecuadorian’s major initiative to become supporters and contributors to the preservation of the planet.

From 2007 until today, this historical initiative has been supported by the Medicine laureate Rita Levi-Montalcini and several Nobel Peace Prices such as Muhamad Yunus, Desmond Tutu, Rigoberta Menchú; as well as by various countries such as France, Germany, Norway, Spain and Switzerland. If the plan succeeds, it could even become a worldwide accepted model.

With the current Kyoto Protocol model resulting in global emissions 40 percent above the ones registered in 1990 (the basis year), this is an alternative that has already being considered as effective not only for Ecuador, but for countries with similar conditions such as Bolivia, Brazil, Indonesia, Malaysia, Peru, the Philippines, the Republic of Congo and Venezuela.

For Ecuador’s plan to succeed, the international community has to get engaged with the initiative in a significant way. Will the world respond? Perhaps the following letter, written by a Yasuní native to the former Ecuadorian president, back in 1995, could motivate the countries provide an answer:

"What will happen when our children grow up?
Where will they live when they are older? 
Our rivers are peaceful and in our forests we find the food, the medicines and everything that we need.
What will happen when the oil companies finish destroying what we have?" 

More Information on:
•    www.yasuni-itt.gov.ec
•    www.liveyasuni.org
•    www.sosyasuni.org
•    www.amazoniaporlavida.org

Photo: Yasuni ITT

Huaorani and Achuar: Ethnic Groups from the Ecuadorian Amazon

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When thinking about the Spanish conquerors’ arrival to the Kingdom of Quito, Ecuador, it is impossible not to imagine how astonished would they have felt by looking at the various social settlements and realizing how different could their culture and customs be, regardless of being separated by very short distances.

This diversity is still found today in Ecuador, a multiethnic and thus multicultural nation that is nowadays home to fourteen ethnic groups, living in more than sixteen communities. Among these indigenous groups we can find the Huaorani and the Achuar, both communities that have stood out as nature’s guardians.

The Huaorani have a population of 4.000 people, located inside the Ecuadorian Amazon basin, in the provinces of Orellana, Pastaza and Napo, which comprised in a 6,125km² (3805sq.mi) area considered by the Ecuador government, since 1990, an untouchable indigenous reserve, thanks to its support and conservation of ethnical customs and beliefs policy. Their reserve overlaps with the Yasuní National Park, one of the most biologically diverse places on Earth, something that provides them some measure of environmental protection and, at the same time, makes them its primary defenders, given their belief of respecting everything that exists.

The Huaorani people are known for taking the decision to live in complete isolation, away from the contemporary world. The forest is their home, and they consider the outside world to be unsafe. Among their beliefs is found that of afterlife. According to them, a person who dies walks a trail to the next life guarded by large python. Those who cannot escape the snake fail to enter the spirits’ domain and return to Earth to become animals. Another Huaorani belief is that deer’s eyes are similar to those of humans, and therefore they shall not hunt and eat them.

Some Good Reasons to Study Spanish in Ecuador

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Just like it happens with the English language, Spanish can present some variations according to the country where it is spoken. The pronunciation, the expressions, as well as the meaning of the words are elements that may change from one country to another. Because of this, Spanish may be easier to learn in certain countries rather than others.

Given these facts, the question arising in your mind now might be “Which is the best country to learn Spanish?” …The answer is Ecuador. Because Ecuadorians are known for their exceptionally clear pronunciation and use of Spanish diction, the Spanish you’ll be learning from an Ecuador native will allow you to be understood in any other Spanish-speaking country. Ecuadorian Spanish is considered one of the easiest to understand in the Spanish-speaking world.

If learning Spanish the easy way isn’t enough, here are some other excellent reasons to make this beautiful South American country the best choice to pursue your language goal:

1.       The Warmth of the People: Ecuadorians are friendly, kind-hearted persons. They enjoy having contact with people from other countries, so you may find them approaching you for conversation on their own initiative. In Ecuador, everyone is a friend.

2.       The Excellent Spanish Language and Culture Schools:  Ecuador has a big number of Spanish language and culture schools where you can learn fast, getting the individual attention you need from the best professional teachers. The students are shown fantastic ways to put learning into practice, and encouraged to speak Spanish while out in the community to be totally immersed in the language.

3.       The Magnificent Surroundings: When you decide to take a break from studying, you won’t get bored. In Ecuador, there’s plenty to see and do. Apart from its towering volcanic peaks, pristine cloud forests and the unique Galapagos Islands, Ecuador is also a home for vibrant indigenous cultures, a place rich in Historic Colonial architecture, Incan archaeological sites and colorful local markets that remain largely unaffected by modernity. Ecuador is a country of diversity and contrasts. It is the only place where you can travel through tropical coasts, mountains and cloud forests within a few hours.

4.       The Travel Easiness: Of all Andean countries, Ecuador is certainly the one in which traveling is easier. Distances are short, infrastructures are acceptable, prices are quite accessible and the spring-like climate goes all year round.

Whether your choice is the captivating city of Quito; or you rather stay at Cuenca, in the heart of Ecuador’s culture; or if you love the beach and decide to take a Spanish and a surf course at the same time in places such as Montañita or Manta… no matter where you choose to study, Ecuador could lead you to the most worthwhile and memorable learning experience of your life.

Photo:  ElGringoLoco

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