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 Sean and Wayne spent a lovely 10 days in the Ecuadorian Andes during July 2007.
Per Wikipedia: Ecuador (IPA: /ˈɛkwədɔr/), officially the (Spanish: República del Ecuador Spanish pronunciation: [re̞ˈpuβ̞lika ð̞e̞l e̞kwaˈðo̞ɾ]), literally, "Republic of the equator") is a representative democratic republic in South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, by Peru on the east and south, and by the Pacific Ocean to the west. It is one of only two countries in South America (with Chile) that does not have a border with Brazil. The country also includes the Galápagos Islands in the Pacific, about 965 kilometers (600 miles) west of the mainland. Ecuador straddles the equator, from which it takes its name, and has an area of 256,371 square kilometers (98,985 mi²). Its capital city is Quito; its largest city is Guayaquil. Complete set of photos of our trip at Ecuador 1 and Ecuador 2.
Our Guide -- Dennis Yepez | Vivatravelguides article -
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and
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- cell: +593 9 9712169
Maps of Ecuador (central)  
Planned Itinerary  | Day 0: Monday, 02-July -- arrive Quito 8:00pm, Delta 199 via Atlanta
Hotel: Hotel Río Amazonas International; Tel: 593 2 2556300 | | Day 1, Tuesday, 03-July -- Scenic Drive to Pintag to start the trek. Hike starts trough the picturesque Ubillus village getting to see beautiful mountain Andean forest, big Andean birds and interesting plants. Box lunch. Then we continue hiking at the páramo to the Sincholagua Mount base where the campament will be waiting for us. Andean dinner and sleep.
Hotel: Camping | | Day 2, Wednesday, 04-July -- Andean Breakfast. We start the hike from the base of Sincholagua and then we climb 800 ft above to its western slope to get breathtaking views (if weather is good) of the Intisana Snow capped volcano. Descend and approach to the North Entrance Gate of the Cotopaxi National Park. We'll walk to the Pita River Camping area and then we will take our Andean Dinner.
Hotel: Camping | | Day 3, Thursday, 05-July -- Hike to the Limpiopungo flat valley where we take the horses. Climb up to the refuge of Cotopaxi (15000 ft.) by horse or car. Then we'll walk to the Glacier and take our box lunch. Later we'll go down hill on bicycles to the Limpiopungo valley. Transfer to the Hacienda to stay overnight. Dinner at Hacienda.
Hotel: Hostería la Ciénega, Quito-Lasso; TripAdvisor Review; Tel: 593-2-254-1337 Fax: 593-2-222-8820 | | Day 4, Friday, 06-July -- Drive to Baños visit to waterfalls and hot springs. Overnight at nice hotel.
 
Hotel: Hotel Sangay; Tel: 593-3 740490 | | Day 5 , Saturday, 07-July -- am Rafting in Baños. Pm Drive to Riobamba to stay overnight.
Hotel: Hotel Tren Dorado; Tel: 593-964890 | | Day 6 , Sunday, 08-July -- early wake up and train ride to Devil's Nose (Riobamba-Alausi- Devil's Nose-Alausi). Drive to Ingapirca Inca ruins and visit. Drive to Cuenca.
 
Hotel: Hotel la Casona; Tel: 593 7 2810823 or 593 7 811131 | | Day 7, Monday, 09-July -- Cuenca City tour (Republican Churches, Main Cathedral, plazas, Flower Market. Free Afternoon
Hotel: Hotel la Casona; Tel: 593 7 2810823 or 593 7 811131 | | Day 8, Tuesday, 10-July -- Return flight to Quito in the morning (8 am) pick up at Airport and city Tour in Quito Old Town (I suggest you get to see Quito, its the second most important Spanish colonial city in the Americas). Drive to Papallacta to stay overnight.
 
Hotel: Termas de Papallacta; TripAdvisor Review; Tel: (593-2) 2568-989 Fax: (593-2) 2549-794 | | Day 9, Wednesday, 11-July -- Relaxation at the Hot Springs and drive back to Quito. Overnight in Quito. Farewell dinner
Hotel (tentative): Termas de Papallacta; TripAdvisor Review; Tel: (593-2) 2568-989 Fax: (593-2) 2549-794 | | Day 10, Thursday, 12-July -- depart Quito 9:05pm, Delta 199 to Atlanta | | Day 11, Friday, 13-July -- arrive Reno 11:55am |
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