Each week the Quito schools offer many different activities
and excursions to make your stay in Ecuador both enjoyable and
culturally rich. Regularly-scheduled activities include Latin
dance classes (Salsa & Merengue), cooking classes, discussions/lectures,
and fiestas. The school also offers a variety of day, weekend,
and longer excursions. Options include the following:
City Tour
On the first day of classes, all new students will
participate in a city tour of Quito. During this
fun but practical excursion, the most important
aspects of daily life will be shown: how to use
the local bus, how to withdraw money from the bank,
shopping locations, Internet café locations, and
many more.
Otavalo
The city of Otavalo is north of Quito right off
the Panamericana Highway and is one of the most
well-known towns in Ecuador. Every Saturday Otavalo
hosts a famous Indian market where hundreds of Ecuadorians
open their stands to the local tourists to sell
various souvenirs such as ponchos, traditional costumes,
rucksacks, jewelry, or hammocks.
Saquisilí
The Indian market of Saquisilí is not as large as
the market of Otavalo, but is more traditional.
The market is frequented mainly by Ecuadorians and
therefore offers an ideal opportunity to witness
the local culture. One particular highlight of Saquisilí
is the animal market, in which one can purchase
anything from a pig to a llama.
Equatorial
Monument
Just 16 miles (25 km) north of Quito is the Equator,
or the "Mitad del Mundo" (middle of the world).
This significant point of interest is marked by
the Equatorial Monument which stands 100 feet high
and is situated in the exact middle of the world
at a latitude of 0°. Here you can stand with one
foot in each hemisphere! Inside the monument is
the Ethnographic Museum, which describes the different
Native American groups living in Ecuador.
Beside
the monument there is a colonial-style town, complete
with a main square, church, post office, bullring,
restaurants and many gift shops with postcards and
souvenirs. After the Equator excursion, you will
visit the nearby Inca ruins of Rumicucho. These
ruins are one of the few places in the country where
one can view well-kept remains of the Inca Empire.
Papallacta
Hot Springs
The hot springs of Papallacta are located two and
a half hours from Quito in a picturesque Andean
valley 10,800 feet above sea level. Here you can
relax in the various pools which are directly fed
with water of volcanic origin, and enjoy the magnificent
views.
Baños
This weekend trip takes you to the charming village
of Baños. Lying at the foot of the Tungurahua Volcano
and surrounded by the magnificent Andes Mountains,
this picturesque town offers a wide range of sporting
and entertainment opportunities. On horseback you
can discover the majestic Andes, or during a bike
tour you can take a refreshing bath at one of the
many waterfalls.
The city
is also a religious point of interest for Roman
Catholics, as some say the Virgin Mary appeared
in a nearby waterfall. A sculpture of the virgin,
called "La Virgen de Agua Santa," was placed in
the city's cathedral.
Cotopaxi
National Park
This national park stretches around the famous Cotopaxi
Volcano, an 18,700-foot peak and home to a rich
diversity of animal and plant species. At 15,800
feet, just below the snow-capped summit, lies a
mountain station to which most hikers stop and enjoy
the incredible view before heading back down. More
adventurous types have the option of climbing all
the way to the top.
Galapagos
Islands Tour
Travel from Quito to the Galapagos in this amazing
4-5 day tour. You’ll visit the islands made
famous by Charles Darwin and see an amazing diversity
of rare animals, such as Frigate birds, marine iguanas,
sea turtles, and sea lions. This is an incredible
opportunity to see the most unique and exotic ecosystem
on Earth, and is an experience you'll be telling
your friends about for years to come!
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