Just back after a somewhat whirlwind trip of Ecuador and Peru, but every time I visit these amazing places it just reiterates how remarkable they are.
I spent a week in Southern Ecuador arrived in the welcoming heat of Guayaquil after the cold UK summer, I then made my way to El Cajas National Park, with an area of 289,000ha and between 3100m and 4450m above sea level it was quite an adventure.
I passed tundra vegetation on a mixture of jagged landscape of hills and valleys and passed over 270 lakes and lagoons and saw traces of 96 villages dating from pre-incan times.
The El Cajas National Park is home to a large variety of animals, some of which are endemic or highly endangered.
Among the most prominent are the South American Condor, of which only 80 remain throughout all Ecuador; the Curiquinga, a large black and white raptor, and the largest hummingbird of the world which lives only on agaves flowers.
My travels took me through the stunning colonial town of Cuenca, through to Riobamba and Banos, amazing areas each offering something unique and wonderful, before finishing in the Cotopaxi region where I visited the Quilatoa lake - wow - it was totally breathtaking! How the villagers still live in this remote area is beyond me, but the Quilotoa lake is well worth the effort to visit and is truly remarkable.
Ecuador is an easy destination to travel round and see these remarkable places in just one week! I went from a stunning warm coast to breathtaking Andean highland, stunning waterfalls and amazing views of the dominant volcanoes scattered throughout this incredible land.
In Peru I visited the much sought after site of the Condor in the Colca Canyon - a site not to be forgotten.
I was totally overwhelmed by the beauty of Arequipa and then made my way to Chiclayo where the stunning ruins of Sipan never fail to impress! I then made my way further North onto a precious hidden gem called, Chaparri Ecolodge, located in the dry forests of northern Peru.
This unspoilt lodge provides a tranquil escape in a spectacular landscape in the foothills of the Andes with excellent wildlife viewing opportunities, located close to the principal archaeological sites and museums of Lambayeque which are also worth a visit.
Chaparri is the site of Peru's first wildlife rescue centre designed specifically for Spectacled Bears.
Seven bears that have been confiscated from illegal captivity are currently housed in large semi-wild enclosures that provide the bears a stimulating natural environment in which to live.
I visited some of these enclosures with a local guide Thomas and watched the wonderful bears in their natural habitat and learnt more about these threatened animals.
Chaparri also receives a selection of other rescued animals (Ocelot, Andean Condor, King Vulture, Military Macaw recently) which occur in the area and these may also be seen.
It was an incredible site and certainly very moving, given the dedication of the staff.
I would love to tell you more about my travels so please contact me for more information.
I spent a week in Southern Ecuador arrived in the welcoming heat of Guayaquil after the cold UK summer, I then made my way to El Cajas National Park, with an area of 289,000ha and between 3100m and 4450m above sea level it was quite an adventure.
I passed tundra vegetation on a mixture of jagged landscape of hills and valleys and passed over 270 lakes and lagoons and saw traces of 96 villages dating from pre-incan times.
The El Cajas National Park is home to a large variety of animals, some of which are endemic or highly endangered.
Among the most prominent are the South American Condor, of which only 80 remain throughout all Ecuador; the Curiquinga, a large black and white raptor, and the largest hummingbird of the world which lives only on agaves flowers.
My travels took me through the stunning colonial town of Cuenca, through to Riobamba and Banos, amazing areas each offering something unique and wonderful, before finishing in the Cotopaxi region where I visited the Quilatoa lake - wow - it was totally breathtaking! How the villagers still live in this remote area is beyond me, but the Quilotoa lake is well worth the effort to visit and is truly remarkable.
Ecuador is an easy destination to travel round and see these remarkable places in just one week! I went from a stunning warm coast to breathtaking Andean highland, stunning waterfalls and amazing views of the dominant volcanoes scattered throughout this incredible land.
In Peru I visited the much sought after site of the Condor in the Colca Canyon - a site not to be forgotten.
I was totally overwhelmed by the beauty of Arequipa and then made my way to Chiclayo where the stunning ruins of Sipan never fail to impress! I then made my way further North onto a precious hidden gem called, Chaparri Ecolodge, located in the dry forests of northern Peru.
This unspoilt lodge provides a tranquil escape in a spectacular landscape in the foothills of the Andes with excellent wildlife viewing opportunities, located close to the principal archaeological sites and museums of Lambayeque which are also worth a visit.
Chaparri is the site of Peru's first wildlife rescue centre designed specifically for Spectacled Bears.
Seven bears that have been confiscated from illegal captivity are currently housed in large semi-wild enclosures that provide the bears a stimulating natural environment in which to live.
I visited some of these enclosures with a local guide Thomas and watched the wonderful bears in their natural habitat and learnt more about these threatened animals.
Chaparri also receives a selection of other rescued animals (Ocelot, Andean Condor, King Vulture, Military Macaw recently) which occur in the area and these may also be seen.
It was an incredible site and certainly very moving, given the dedication of the staff.
I would love to tell you more about my travels so please contact me for more information.
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