Highlights of Ecuador: Andes to Amazon

Customer Reviews

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  Anonymous

  · January 22nd, 2019
  What the trip delivered: The trip was filled with a good variety in landscape, ecosystems, wildlife and culturally. All the Exodus agents where very efficient and gave great pre-trip service. The tour leader was knowledgeable in history, culture and wildlife. Also a good amount of hiking which was great. What the trip didn't deliver: the tour operator adhering to their booking conditions and enforcing this in regards to enforcing that ALL travelers can undertake the trip. There was an old woman who could not walk upright without walking sticks. Along with being grossly unfit, and heavily medicated on prescription opium amongst other pain killers, which caused erratic, manic behaviour. This traveler should have been taken off the trip as it took all the effort and time of the tour leader, which has a knock on effect on rest of group. Only half way through the trip, did the tour leader ban the traveler from doing any more activities as she was not fit to continue. But he kept her on the entire trip. We had to deal with another traveller suffering from incontinence, another who was an alcoholic shouting and swearing when he couldn’t control himself. Due to this I strongly recommend that you never room share. Only book single supplement with Exodus. Otherwise you could potentially land up in situation like I did that could ruin your holiday. Either it was the wrong time of year or bad luck, but I ended up feeling like it was a tour for geriatrics all with health issues. Not an adventure company as advertised on all their marketing.
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  Exodus Adventure Travels commented on this review

  We are grateful for you taking the time to provide us with a review of your Exodus holiday in Ecuador, but we are very sorry to read that you found some members of your group impacted on the enjoyment of your trip. At Exodus, our established procedure... Show more
  Trip date: December 2018
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  Anne Gray

  · January 19th, 2012
  Quite honestly, the trip was all I was hoping for - and more. Great scenery, friendly people, glimpses of amazing wildlife, weird and wonderful plants, interesting towns, opportunities to do things I'd always wanted to do (and some I'd never thought about doing before). This trip expanded my horizons.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?I have to pick two - one easy, one tough. Easy: watching birds and monkeys as I drifted down a river in the Amazon Basin. Tough: looking out from behind an amazing waterfall after forcing myself to scramble, crawl and even climb through a low, narrow wet tunnel that most of our group  declined!What did you think of your group leader?Fabian was a real character, roguish, passionate and knowledgeable about his country (and armed with books to fil in the gaps in his knowledge of plants and wildlife), friendly, laidback, caring and reliable.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Be prepared for all weathers and large meals, be flexible and don't go with pre-conceived ideas. And don't ignore your group leader when he tells you that at high latitudes the sun can burn you even through heavy cloud on a cold dayIs there anything else you would like to add?This was my first Exodus holiday and I couldn't believe what excellent value it was.  Not everything panned out as I was expecting. But, taking my cue from my sister (who, at 76 was the oldest member of the group), I simply went with the flow and made the most of every opportunity offered.
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  Trip date: January 2012
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  Robert Taylor

  · October 22nd, 2011
  Ecuador proved to be a very interesting country and was well worth a visit. There is a lot of travelling involved in this holiday, but how else can you get to see so much?What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?The visit to the rain forest was the most exciting part of the trip for my wife and I, although she did go to bed fully clothed and with a hat on in the sweltering heat due to all the insects (they were mostly outside the hut and not inside but that did not make any difference). The boat ride through the mangrove swamps was excellent as we saw more birds on that day than all the previous days put together, it was amazing. It was also very interesting and moving seeing all the old people in their traditional clothes and in the bustling markets. Every day brought a new experience, including the visit to the nature reserve at over 14,000 feet in the Andes and the four hour road decent down from the summit (yes 4 hours, I've never seen such  a long hill) was someting I'll never forget. Interestingly a water bottle I drank empty and sealed up at the top was squashed flat by the increased air pressure by the time we arrived at the bottom!What did you think of your group leader?The group leader (Fabian) was excellent, very laid back and unflappable, knowledgable and helpful. A good leader. Mention must also be made of the driver (Roberto) who drove us for the full two weeks, he was excellent and we all felt very safe and comfortable in his hands.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?I took lots of shorts to wear and hardly wore them at all, it was either too cold (in the high Andes) or the sun was too scorching. Long, cool pants are the best. A wide brimmed hat is a must. As the walks were only billed as short we made the mistake of not taking the right footwear, make sure you take good strong walking trainers or lightweight walking boots.Is there anything else you would like to add?The people of Ecuador are very friendly and accomodating. some even shouted "Welcome to Ecuador, thank you for visiting our country"Although not a complaint, one slightly disappointing aspect was the food. We expected exotic and spicy dishes and they turned out to be rather plain. Don't let that put you off though, everything was good and enjoyable, it's a matter of opinion I suppose!The accomodation was of a very high standard throughout, especially the Hacienda for the first three nights. The exception being the rain forest lodge which was more basic than expected. Although it did not bother us, the lack of electricity in the rooms should be mentioned in the brochure. However that was all part of the experience and we enjoyed the stay there immensly.The (expected) tips did add rather a lot of cost to the trip, be prepared to budget for them!
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  Trip date: October 2011
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  Robert Atkinson

  · October 16th, 2011
  The trip surpassed my expectations. An outstanding country with a huge variety of scenery, peoples, culture and experiences. The trip was well paced yet packed with experiences. Great stuff and incredible value for money.Mountains, check. Rainforest, check. Wildlife & Birds, check, Great food, check. Cities, check. Photo opportunities, check. I came away inspired to go back and to see more. Thanks Exodus!What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?It is difficult to pick out one moment on this trip, so I have to resort to two.The first one was the long descent from Quito via the Papallacta Pass down to the Rainforest. A stunning journey with changing landscapes, changing weather and temperatures and changing people as the day went on. The long journey was punctuated by a tasty yet unexpected lunch in the hills and culminated in a transfer to a long boat for a high speed transfer on the brown waters of the Amazon Basin to our rainforest lodge, to be greeted by large groups of monkeys swinging throught the trees.  Really made me realise why I love to travel.The second one was provided by one our group. An older gentleman who I spent time talking to and listening to his life and experiences. Made you realise that your life is in your hands and you can do so much with your time to help others and still have a fulfilling life of your own.What did you think of your group leader?Our tour leader Fabian is a real character. Like a loveable rogue and friend, he was full of stories and anecdotes and clearly showed a passion for his country, bringing things to life and painting pictures with his words.He was also full of practical advice and dealt well with the group. Really enjoyed him leading us and he helped to make the trip come alive with his humour and knowledge.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Be prepared for all weathers and take your walking boots. It will be hot and cold, dry and humid, wet and changeable, so lots of thin layers and waterprrofs plus good footwear.For the rainforest, cover up well, especially on the night walks and have bite cream and bite prevention with you at all times.Take your own plug for sinksUS adapter for electricityTake all of your US dollars in cash - no notes bigger than US$20sTake lots of plastic bags with you, useful for putting damp clothing and mucky boots in Meal portions are generous in general so beware over orderingBe aware of altitude sickness - coca tea and aspirin at the ready - I suffered with this.A bit of basic Spanish will really help, so brush up on your vocabularyIs there anything else you would like to add?On this trip you have to go for it.  The itinerary is packed to the gunnels with things to do and there are also long periods of travelling. Grab every chance you can to exlpre and do things and plan to fill your free time.Be ready with your camera at any time to try and catch the birds and wildlife, people and places. Ecuador is another world to the UK once you are out of the city centres and just begs to be snapped and explored.The only downside of the trip is that you are no longer able to ride on the top of the Devil's nose train, so ignore the pictures printed in the brochure or on line. Instead you take the journey in the comfort of a carriage. Not quite the all action adventure you may imagine, but better you know before you go tham find out on arrival.
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  Trip date: October 2011
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  Barbara Bourke

  · July 3rd, 2011
  This was a fabulous trip which exceeded expectations. Mainland Ecuador tends to go under the radar - definitely a mistake. This trip was full of variety - Ecuador is a diverse country indeed. From jungle to volcanoes to paramos to calderas to markets to World Heritage towns - this trip had a huge variety of activities and sights. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Seeing 4 volcanoes at once. Also the Cajas National Park was simply amazing for its scenery and vegetation. And I loved seeing the scarlet macaws.  What did you think of your group leader?Javier was superb. He was very knowledgeable and great fun to be with. We even enjoyed his jokes! He was always looking for ways to improve our experience. His command of English was very good and he gave us a real insight into Ecuadorian life. A wonderful guide. Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Make sure that you take a headlight for the jungle (there is no electricity in the chalets). Also take thick socks - we wore gumboots/wellingtons twice for muddy walks and thick socks made them much more comfortable. Also, make sure you take your hiking boots or good walking shoes/trainers - we did more walking than expected - all optional - I thought the walking greatly added to the experience. Is there anything else you would like to add?A wonderful trip - don't hesitate!
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  Trip date: July 2011
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  Irene Aylott

  · March 18th, 2011
  A thoroughly enjoyable tour that encompassed such varied landscapes and people, as Ecuador covers a relatively small area compared to many other South American countries. We travelled from the chilly high Andes to the heat of the jungle and Pacific coast. Our guide (Pablo) was excellent. Our driver (Nelson) was careful and made us feel secure. Distances each day were not too great and most roads were good. Our accommodation and food were also good throughout. A great way to learn about and see Ecuador.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?There were many high points - from the high mountains and snow covered volcanoes, beautiful landscapes, varied agriculture, colourful markets, varied peoples in the local dress and the delightful old towns within Quito and Cuenca. The railway journey on the rebuilt track from Alausi to the Devil's Nose switch back was great fun for everyone (not just for railway fans).What did you think of your group leader?Pablo was a professional - knowlegable, helpful and considerate. Cosmopolitan in outlook with excellent English. He made situations work for the benefit of the whole group on many occasions.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Take varied clothing as it can be cold as well as hot. The 3 night stop on arrival at Pantavi Hacienda was good and helped overcome the effect of the long journey. Is there anything else you would like to add?It would have been nice to stop at Leito Hacienda for a second night or to find a hotel nearer Alausi rather than stopping in Riobamba.
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  Trip date: March 2011
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  Anne Fairlie

  · September 6th, 2010
  It is a country of tremendous natural beauty and this trip touches many of these places. It is sometimes a challenge to see these delights through the weather ....... but it is a thriving land
  Trip date: September 2010
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  Patricia Selway

  · January 9th, 2010
  We have now been home for 5 weeks and only now are my feet back on the ground! I have been on lots of your trips and have never been disappointed and this was not an exception. It was like at least three different holidays rolled into one - so varied with not only snow clad volcanoes but also jungle and unbelievable beaches.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?It wasn't exactly a planned "Activity Holiday" but gave us the opportunity for numerous inspirational moments from riding horses in a volcanic crater, mountain biking down volcanic excape routes, body boarding in the Pacific Ocean to tubing down the Napo River in a rain storm What did you think of your group leader?Our Group Leader ,Pablo was first class.   His English was exceptional which was a huge advantage to us as he took the time and trouble to explain everything  in great detailDo you have any advice for potential travellers?This holiday had lots of "optional" extras so to get the most out of it bring lots of extra cash!  you can avoid spending this but there is so much to see and do that isn't covered in the cost that you might lose out!Is there anything else you would like to add?The best part for me was finding a tarantula on the bathroom floor at the lodge in the jungle at 6.00am when I got up to go to the loo!  I felt that I had really arrived in South America!
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  Trip date: January 2010
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  Kenneth Pomfrett

  · August 31st, 2009
  An interesting, varied and enjoyable holiday which enabled us to see many aspects of Ecuador and its people.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?The walk around the lake at Cotopaxi and the optional trip(with whale watching) to La Isla de La Plata. What did you think of your group leader?Pablo is  a great group leader. He is accomodating, knowledgeable, humourous and extremely capable. His right hand man, Nelson, our driver, is a great asset to any organised tour, unflappable and apparently fearless.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Ensure that you are fit, some parts of this trip require a little stamina. Go with an open mind and be prepared to enjoy yourself.Is there anything else you would like to add?Go on the tour, enjoy yourselves and support the Ecuadorian economy.
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  Trip date: August 2009
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  Natasha Gabor

  · May 28th, 2013
  Fantastic trip! Ecuador is amazing with so much to see - mountain, rainforest, cloudforest, coastal plain, varied paramo. There are beautiful people, colourful markets, colonial cities, and interesting wilds like jungles or mountain national parks. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?There were a number: firelight cleansing by the shaman at the jungle lodge, hummingbirds at Guango, crater-lake walk, monkeys outside my jungle cabin, Chimborazo, dolphins in the mangroves, Cuenca old-town, selecting my unique panama hat, the descent into the rainforest... I could go on.What did you think of your group leader?We had Fabian and he is the best guide I've had - he is laid back, easy-going, funny, a great story-teller, flexible, unflappable, patient, kind, and also well-informed with excellent planning skills. It matters to him that we had a good experience, and he went out of his way to add highlights into the trip which were unique and special. Mauricio was our driver - he was constantly smiling, polite, and helpful - and very safe and dependable. Recommend both unreservedly!Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Bring layers of clothing -  both a fleece and rain-jacket to layer since you get all sorts of climates on this trip. The altitude makes the sun more potent - opt for a stronger sunscreen than you normally use. You will take a boat to the jungle lodge, so if you can have just what you need in a lightweight duffel bag for those 3 days you'd likely be happier (pack some plastic bags, a lighter, bug spray, your flashlight). There is not much time to wash clothes on this trip - bring what you'd need for the duration. Bring US cash in $20's - higher bills are harder to change in some places, and there are few bank machines outside the major cities. Prices are in USD. I carried an altitude sickness prescription in case we needed it (it was not expensive). 'Undulating walks' means 'always up' ... more than I imagined, but well worth it! Check that your insurance covers you for altitude - no insurance would cover travellers for El Angel since it's red-flagged by the foreign office.Is there anything else you would like to add?This trip was busier than I imagined with little personal time. However, we packed in so much that it was worth it. I would have liked to have lingered at some incredible spots we visited. I didn't find I had enough time to really enjoy some of the locales (i.e. Guango hummingbirds, jungle lodge, Pantavi, Banos - baths?) You will likely dine as a group for most meals as there is just not much time/ choices in some areas to do your own thing. There are some long drives, but usually with stunning scenery. The vehicle was very comfortable. We unfortunately didn't stay in Banos (safety) and we missed Ingapirca due to a road closure. If I were designing the trip, I'd ditch El Angel (a full day of travel/ insurance issues) in favour of some of the cloud forests with ample birds (like Bellavista) and Papallacta thermal baths in the shadow of the Andes peaks..
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  Trip date: May 2013