Ecuador & Galapagos Blog – The perfect travel guide

Tungurahua eruption: The Day The Earth Moved Tungurahua eruption highlights Ecuador, a Latin American country home to some of South America's most famous and active volcanoes. Almost daily, one of these volcanoes spews smoke and ash into the atmosphere, adding to the country's challenges, including severe shortages of everyday commodities like groceries and medicines The Eruption of February 1, 2014 - Tungurahua eruption One of Ecuador's most memorable volcanic eruptions occurred on February 1, 2014. Around 5:30 p.m., local time, the Tungurahua Volcano began showing increased activity as dark clouds of ash rose ominously into the deep blue sky. Within a short period, these clouds had spread, covering the sky and rising to an altitude of 13 kilometers. The effects of the eruption were felt as far away as Guayaquil and Quito. Tungurahua: The "Throat of Fire" The name Tungurahua, from the Quechua term meaning "throat of fire," also gives its name to the province it dominates. After being dormant for a considerable time, Tungurahua began showing signs of restlessness in August 1999. Since then, its activity has been a concern for both seismologists and local inhabitants. The 1999 eruption caused significant ashfall, leading to the evacuation of over 25,000 people from the area around Baños. The 2014 Eruption The volcanic activity reached a peak on February 1, 2014, when around 5 p.m., thick ash began spewing from the crater, rising rapidly and traveling as far as the province of Loja, near the Peruvian border. A series of explosions followed, starting with two moderate blasts and culminating in a massive explosion. Smoke and ash rose five miles into the sky, and flowing lava reached the Acupashal Mountain Pass, blocking the route to Baños. Response and Aftermath Authorities declared an orange alert, the second-highest level, but Hermuy Calle, the president of

Ecuador Snorkeling Sites - Why you cannot miss exploring Ecuador marine life Snorkeling is one of the most accessible water sports when traveling anywhere in the world. The equipment is cheap, certainly cheaper that diving, and anybody with decent swimming skills can do it.  Any snorkeling aficionado can tell you that Ecuador snorkeling spots are ideal due to the geographic location. Surrounded by the Andean Ecosystem (Colombia to the north, Peru to the east and south) and bordered to the west by the Pacific Ocean, Ecuador has a must-see marine ecosystem for every snorkeling lover. Here's short account of the best Ecuador snorkeling spots. A short list specially thought for snorkeling aficionados, we shall leave Scuba-diving for another article. The Galapagos Islands Marine Reserve, of course! Certainly the most bio diverse spot in Ecuador is the area where the warm Panama Current meets the colder Humbolt and Cromwell currents. In this coalition of currents lies a unique and extremely diverse ecological system filled with fascinating marine life. This area known as the Galapagos Marine Reserve has 133 000 square kilometer of pure life and magic.  Though the Galapagos Islands do not have a coral reef like the rest of the famous snorkeling locations in the South Pacific, it houses a large variety of wildlife and a good visibility for snorkeling. Manta rays, white-tipped sharks, eagle rays, sea-turtles, sea-lions, you name it, the Galapagos has it all, a colorful life-filled ecosystem of easy access. This is what makes it so special for snorkeling; you don’t need to go that deep to observe wildlife. Here´s a list of the best spots for snorkelling in Galapagos: 1.  The ever so beautiful Bartolomé Island near Santa Cruz Bartolomé Island is probably one of the most recognized sites in Galapagos. Pinacle Rock prOivdes one of the

Top tourist attractions in ecuador The tourist attractions in ecuador, the name Ecuador comes from the French word or Équateur, meaning “The middle of the world”, since the country straddles in the southern and northern hemispheres. It is exactly for this reason that Ecuador is such a biodiverse and strikingly beautiful location. Due to its location and the geography, the country consists of four regions namely: The Coast, the Highlands, the Ecuadorian Amazon and Galapagos Islands. This diversity host famous landforms, natural attractions as well as cultural manifestations which are must-visit for every traveler. The beauty of it is that they are all so different that you will get the feeling you’ve been to more that one country, and Ecuador is only 109,484 square miles! Check-out our top visiting spot in Ecuador, a great start when planning your itinerary for your Ecuador trip. Ecuadorian Sierra: Otavalo Market Otavalo is a largely indigenous town in the Imbabura Province, northern part of Ecuador. The indigenous Otavaleños are famous for weaving textiles, usually made of wool (that is sometimes as black as a raven), which are sold at the famous Saturday market. Although the largest market is on Saturday, there is a very wide range of wares available throughout the week in the “Plaza de los Ponchos”, and the many local shops. A full day trip to Otavalo Local Market from Quito is enough to fall in love with the palce. Ecuadorian Sierra: Quilotoa Loop hike The Quilotoa loop is made of mostly small, Andean villages which surround the famous Quilotoa Lake. The scenic beauty of the place is astonishing, specially considering it is actually an old volcanic crater. This spot is also home to the rich cultural hieritage of the high mountain villages. The famous lagoon offers a great opportunity for hiking