Trips

Alpine Forest - Paluguillo Paramo Reserve and Papallacta Thermal Hot Springs

August 26, 2011

We went on an all day trip to the Alpine Forest. 45 of us piled into two buses and headed off at 730am. The bus ride there was nothing short of an adventure in itself. As we climbed up the side of a mountain on a gravel road all we could do was clutch each others knees as the bus tilted back and forth threatening to topple over the side of the cliff. We all thought we were goners when the bus stalled and started rolling backwards downhill but we made it to the top with only bruises in the shape of the hands of the person next to us.

I was not ready for what awaited us at the top. We exited the bus at 4300m (14,100ft) to the windiest weather I have ever encountered and 30 F. The wind could almost blow you over if you were standing in just the right position. Ice lined the chain linked fence and patches of the earth. We agreed to hike down the mountain side 10km (6 miles) if only to escape the unpredictable bus ride down and we knew the weather conditions could only get better. The hike was beautiful with lakes around every corner and vegetation that was brave enough to live at such conditions. We enjoyed lunch by the side of a lake and finished strong with only drizzles, no wind and the promise of hot springs.

The hot springs were the perfect way to end the day. The hot water of the pools eased our achy muscles and chilly toes. I rode home on the bus sleepy from the day and content to the fact that I just did a wonderful hike in Ecuador!

Cloud Forest - Maquipucuna Reserve

August 31 - September 1

I just returned on Thursday from a great two day adventure. If I could have stayed there for a week I would have been happy. As we sat listening to the opening talk we gazed upon very large hummingbirds feeding on the nearby feeders and butterflies of multiple colors flying around our heads. The day we arrived we did a pretty strenuous 3 hour hike in warm weather that was mostly uphill but thankfully this time we were only at 1000m. The green forest canopy and carved out trail led us to our lunch destination along a river and waterfall where we could swim. The water was cool but nice after our sweaty hike. We returned to the lodge and entertained ourselves with card games until dinner was served. We all went to bed early tired from the hike and ready to awake at 6am to go bird watching.

The cabin we stayed in

We saw a few colorful birds that morning but I was more amazed when our guide made a bird call and the same exact sound replied from the distance. He has quite a talent. After bird watching and breakfast we ventured on another hike. This one was much milder than the first but just as beautiful. I was lucky enough to go the whole trip with only two bites from unknown bugs. A huge feat considering my luck in Thailand (I had so many bugs bites up and down my arms and legs). We ate lunch and headed back on a windy bus ride knowing very well that we would all have the best sleep after all of that fresh air.