Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Volcanic Activity
Recent volcanic activity on Tungurahua has
forced an official ban on hiking and climbing to
the
refugio
and summit. Though this may
change at any time if the mountain quiets
down, you are literally risking your life by going there if it is
active. Inquire locally at a tourist office (not a climbing tour
operator) about the latest conditions and warnings.
Be sure to thoroughly investigate the quality of climbing outfitters
and guides, including their license and equipment. Many of the warn-
ings with jungle excursion tour operators (below) apply here as well.
Note that several operators based in Baños also offer climbing excur-
sions to Cotopaxi and Chimborazo.
Guides
3-
740-506, expedicionesamazonicas@hotmail.com, is one of
the top companies for leading climbs up Tungurahua. Their
guides and equipment are better than those at most other
outfitters, and they charge just $50 for the two-day trip. The
guides at the budget hostel
Pensión Patty
, Eloy Alfaro
556 and Oriente,
Expediciones Amazónicas
, Oriente and Halflants,
3-740-202, are another good option if
youwant to climb the volcano. They havemules that can lug
your gear.
Jungle Excursions
Baños is an ideal place to organize a tour into the Oriente and the
rainforest of the upper Amazon Basin. Many of the myriad tour oper-
ators that line the streets offer a wide range of trips into the jungle.
Prices here are generally much less expensive than from Quito, but
the quality of the tour and destination is usually lower as well. If you
have a limited amount of time or are on a budget, this is the place to
start. It's easy to find other travelers with similar interests, form a
group, and make an otherwise expensive trip far more economical.
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