- El Teleferiqo & Vulqano Park (Quito; tel. 02/3250-076; www.teleferiqo.com): If you spend any time in Quito, and if you have kids in town, this is a must-stop. The fast and thrilling ride up the mountain in this cable-car gondola is usually enough to put a smile on most kids' faces, and there's also an amusement park (Vulqano Park) at the base of the cable car.
- Hacienda La Alegria (Aloag; tel. 02/2462-319; www.haciendalaalegria.com): This beautiful old hacienda is also a working farm. Kids can watch and even lend a hand when the cows are milked. Horseback riding is the specialty, and they have particularly good horses, trails, and trainers for introducing young riders to the sport. Their safety concern and record are exemplary.
- Ba?os de Agua Santa: While best known as a backpacker and adventure-travel hot spot, Ba?os is also great for kids. Vacationing Ecuadorian families come here, and many of the hotels and resorts cater to families. Sangay Spa-Hotel (tel. 03/2740-490; www.sangayspahotel.com) has a ton of excellent facilities and activities geared towards all ages.
- The Galapagos Islands: Many of the Galapagos cruise ships and tour companies offer specific family-oriented tours. There is tons to see and do, and plenty of science, nature, and adventure to keep the whole family interested and entertained. Tauck (tel. 800/788-7885 in the U.S. and Canada; www.tauck.com) is an excellent soft-adventure company with distinctive family package tours to the Galapagos.
Ecuador Travel Experiences
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On top of the World, literally
I realize it most when I am in the bus. The huge city passing by me, seeing hundreds of people in one ride and this is when I think to my... Continue reading »
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Cotopaxi NP
After one week of Spanish I was ready to practice ... thanks to my hands, fingers and fantasies I managed to get to the Cotopaxi NP. My S... Continue reading »
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My Cotopaxi climb!
Last weekend I braved Cotopaxi, which is the highest active volcano in the world at 5897 metres to the summit. It last blew its top in 18... Continue reading »
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Ecuador Vacation-Quito
Nov. 18, Friday: Melissa had arranged a tour with a guide. The first thing we had to see was the middle of the world, the equator. It... Continue reading »
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The Biking Dutchman: Cotopaxi and Quilotoa
So it would seem that Lyndi and I have the unique ability to harness the power of bad weather, and take it with us wherever we go. I thin... Continue reading »
