Trek Preparation VOLCANOES of ECUADOR
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“Wilderness is not a luxury but necessity of the human spirit.” EDWARD ABBEY Trek Preparation VOLCANOES OF ECUADOR Congratulations! You are about to embark on the journey of a lifetime, and we are honored you have chosen us to show you the truly inspiring landscape and culture of this beautiful country. Ecuador hosts a wide variety of adventures, and we’re excited to show off its many treasures. We know a trip like this is both exciting and perhaps a bit daunting, so we want to ensure you have all the information you need for the safest, most comfortable, most rewarding journey possible. This overview should answer many of your basic pre-trip questions; it includes general information you will need to know in the months prior to your trip. Expect to see final details opproximately 2-4 weeks prior to departure with final specific logistical and contact information for arrival in Ecuador. WWW.EMBARKEXPLORATIONCO.COM | 503.922.1050 ECUADOR PREPARATION | 1 IN THIS DOSSIER Overview 3 A LITTLE ABOUT ECUADOR 3 Before your Trip 4 PRE-DEPARTURE TIMELINE 4 GETTING TO ECUADOR 5 RECOMMENDED GEAR LIST 6 TRAINING 8 Common Questions 9 HOW IS THE TRIP SET UP? 9 HOW HARD IS IT? 9 WHAT WILL THE WEATHER BE? 9 DO I NEED A VISA? 9 DO I NEED INSURANCE? 10 DO I NEED IMMUNIZATIONS? 10 IS ALTITUDE A RISK? 10 WHAT IF I CAN’T FINISH THE CLIMB? 10 CHANGING OR CANCELLING MY TRIP 10 CAN I EXTEND MY TRIP? 10 WHAT IS A TYPICAL DAY LIKE? 10 WHAT IS THE TERRAIN LIKE? 10 WHAT IS THE SLEEPING ARRANGEMENT? 11 WHAT DO WE EAT? 11 WHAT ABOUT SANITATION AND HYGIENE? 11 WHAT ABOUT COMMUNICATION BACK HOME? 11 IS THERE ANY WILDLIFE? 11 HOW BIG WILL THE GROUP BE? 11 WILL WE BE CLIMBING WITH ROPES OR OTHER GEAR? 11 WHAT HAPPENS BEFORE AND AFTER THE CLIMB? 11 DO WE TIP? 11 CAN WE LEAVE THINGS IN QUITO? 11 ABOUT ACCOMMODATIONS 11 ELECTRICITY INTERNET 12 LAUNDRY 12 TRANSPORTATION 12 MONEY 12 EMERGENCY FUND 12 SAFETY AND SECURITY 12 RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL 12 GIFTS 12 About Embark 13 WHAT SETS US APART 13 CONTACT INFORMATION 13 WWW.EMBARKEXPLORATIONCO.COM | 503.922.1050 ECUADOR PREPARATION | 2 OVERVIEW Ecuador has it all: snow-capped Andes peaks, some of the world’s highest volcanoes, the world-famous Galapagos Islands, topaz-colored beaches, thick jungles and indigenous Ama- zon tribes- just to name a few. And we’re excited to help you discover the best of what Ecuador has to offer. The beauty of Ecuador is that you can have intimate cultural experiences, challenging high-altitude hikes and the summit of Cotopaxi; but you can do it in style with comfortable lodging, your bags ferried from point to point and delicious food. This document should help showcase Ecuador’s appeal, break down your itinerary, offer tips for trip preparation and explain how Embark will guide you through the experience- both before and during your trip. Many questions should be answered in this document; but don’t be shy about reaching out- we are happy to offer peace of mind and help out however we can. A Little About Ecuador Ecuador sits in northwesetern South America, bordered on the made of wool sold at the famous Saturday Market. Although west by the Pacific Ocean, Peru on the east and south, and Co- the largest market is on Saturday, there is a wide variety of wares lombia on the north. You’ll also find the Galapagos Islands some available throughout the week as well; you can find handmade 620 miles west of the mainland. blankets, tablecloths, clothing, and much, much more. Quito, sitting at 9,350 feet above sea leavel, is Ecuador’s capital San Pablo Lake: San Pablo Lake is one more of the beautiful city- and behind, Guayaquil, the second most-populated city in areas in the province of Imbabura, 4 km west of the town of the country. Quito’s well-preserved old town- the least-altered in Otavalo and 8,760 feet above sea level. La Laguna de San Pablo South America- was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage is an ecosystem that includes herons, ducks, amphibians and Site in 1978 and, today, attracts travelers from all over the world. many aquatic plants. It is also found at the foot of Imbabura Just south of Quito sits Cotopaxi, one of the world’s highest volcano, from which flows the water discharged by the waterfal active volcanoes (at 19,347 feet above sea level). In recent years, Peguche. Cotopaxi has become a world-class recreation destination with Zuleta: Zuleta is a small village in the beautiful highlands of Im- many visitors opting to conquer the mountain’s summit, while babura Province. This agricultural area is famed for its tradition- others choosing to bike or hike the slopes of it and surrounding al embroidery, dairy products, alpaca farming and highland crops mountains. such as wheat, maize, potatoes, lentils and quinoa. The village Broadly speaking, Ecuador can be broken down into four geo- is home to Hacienda Zuleta, a large farm once owned by an graphic regions: La Costa (“the coast”) sits west of the Andes and ex-president of the country, Galo Plaza Lasso, for over a century is where much of the country’s banana and rice crops are grown. and his descendents still own and run the hacienda today. Many La Sierra (“the highlands”) covers the Andes, the country’s tallest people in Zuleta wear their traditional costmes on a daily basis peaks, and the city of Quito. La Amazonia (“the Amazon”) hosts and the village is known for tranquility. several Amazon jungle provinces and national parks. And La Re- Cotopaxi National Park: Just 35 miles from Quito city, it is gion Insular hosts the world-famous Galapagos Islands, roughly located in the Central Sierra, near the eastern flank of the Andes 620 miles west of the mainland in the heart of the Pacific Ocean. which cuts through the great massif that forms the volanoes of Here is some more details information regarding each of the Cotopaxi and Ruminahui, and through the northeastern part of regions our land-based itinerary will encounter: the Pita River that constitutes a natural boundary. The charac- Otavalo: The captial of Otavalo Canton is a largely indigenous teristic flora is represented by the sigse, dear horn, sisan grasses, town in the Imbabura Province. The town has about 90,000 Valeriana pilosa, varies moss species, lichens and others. Fauna inhabitants and is surrounded by the peaks of Imbabura (15,190 to be found is 17 different species of mammals (including wild feet), Cotacachi (16,388 feet) and Mojanda Volcanoes. The horses) and 37 bird species. It is very sparcely populated. indigenous Otavalenos are famous for weaving textiles, usually WWW.EMBARKEXPLORATIONCO.COM | 503.922.1050 ECUADOR PREPARATION | 3 UPON REGISTRATION » Copy of your passport » Confirmation of overseas medical and/or travel insurance » See below for more 6 MONTHS » Finalize your travel dates, including air travel. Buy your plane tickets 3-9 months in advance » Invite friends/family you’d like to join you » Schedule an appointment with your doctor, or a travel clinic, for immunizations » Organize and begin your training program. See below for details 4 MONTHS » Confirm who is going with you » Shop for and begin testing your gear » Keep training 3 MONTHS » Send final payment to Embark 2 MONTHS » Be sure your immunizations are up to date. Some immunizations have long lead times and require multiple doses. Further details on immunizations is below » Keep testing your gear » Keep training! 1 MONTH Before » Make sure all logistics are in place » Finish purchasing all necessary gear Your Trip » Keep training! For many people , planning a trek to the volca- noes of Ecuador seems like a highly daunting 1 WEEK task, with countless details and variables to » Taper your training consider. Embark has developed a checklist of » the most important highlights when planning an Pack expedition to Ecuador. » Rest PRE-DEPARTURE TIMELINE Get excited for your big adventure! Any trip to South America, but especially one that includes climbing Cotopaxi, involves several steps to be taken several months prior to departure. This time line is a rough but reliable guideline for when you should tackle your to-dos. WWW.EMBARKEXPLORATIONCO.COM | 503.922.1050 ECUADOR PREPARATION | 4 Going to ECUADOR To find the best rates, start looking for your flights at least 4 to 9 months in advance of your trek. Typical rates average anywhere from $1,000-$1,500. You will need to book your flight to arrive into Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO) . It is the closest, most easily reached destination and is located 45 minutes outside of Quito city center, where you will be based prior to your trek. Flights service UIO regularly from many different international locations but the easiest, most efficient, flight routing is through Atlanta, GA and Fort Lauderdale, FL and down to Quito’s Airport, arriving late in the evening- perfect timing to beat that jet lag and to immediately head off to your hotel and go to sleep. There are a few other routes to Quito airport: FROM THE UNITED STATES Delta via Atlanta JetBlue via Fort Lauderdale (East Coast) American via Miami (East Coast) FROM EUROPE KLM Royal Dutch Airlines » International flights allow one checked bag free of charge, provided it weighs no more than 50 pounds. Additional bags, or any that are over 50 pounds, will incur a charge. » On domestic flights to the Galapagos, you can bring one bag weighing no more than 25 kg, or about 55 pounds.