After an amazing few days, we headed back to Quito for our final day in Ecuador. Andres was there to greet us at the airport. He took us on an unexpected tour of the Old City. The historic center of the city dates from its founding by Francisco Pizarro in 1534 and was declared the first world heritage site by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization).
We toured the market and the President's Palace, while navigating narrow and winding cobblestone streets, magnificent churches and open squares.
The Metropolitan Cathedral, located in front of the Plaza of Independence, is one of the most important historical and architectural constructions in the center. Also important are the San Francisco church, the Compañía of Jesus, San Agustín, Santo Domingo, El Sagrario, La Merced, Carmen Bajo, San Sebastián, Santa Bárbara and San Blas.
Adventure Life's Andres was a fantastic tour guide! He even had special credentials that allowed us to bypass lines.
We had a wonderful dinner at a pub next to Casa Aliso, and hopped on our flight home at 11:00 PM. Our trip was everything we expected and then some. 5 stars!
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
1 day ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.