Politics News

Eric Castro asked:


NEW OTAVALO CULTURAL EXPERIENCE” EXCURSION IN ECUADOR COMBINES

RENOWNED OTAVALO INDIAN MARKET AND TRADITIONAL CRAFTS VILLAGE LIFE

Metropolitan Touring of Ecuador has introduced a new full-day excursion ” Otavalo Cultural Experience”, combining the renowned Otavalo Indian market with experiencing the traditional way of life in Peguche, a crafts village known for fine weavings and music, and a lunch of Andean specialties. There are daily departures from Quito the Ecuadorian capital and World Heritage Site. The two-hour drive north is through spectacular scenery in the Andes Mountains with views of Cayambe, a snow-capped volcano on the Equator, and San Pablo Lake at the foot of Imbabura volcano.

The centuries-old Indian market, Otavalo is famous for handwoven woolen goods. The quality is high, prices are low and bargaining simpler since Ecuador converted to the U.S. dollar. Then, on the way to Peguche, visit the Sacred Waterfall of Peguche.

Peguche is a small village of tile-roofed adobe houses where top-quality weavings are made on pedal shuttle and back-strap looms. Visitors have time to experience, observe and photograph an indigenous way of life little changed in centuries; stroll the streets, go into houses and see women do chores, men weave, children play and guinea pigs run; browse or buy wall hangings and baby alpaca sweaters. There are also shops where local musicians make and play Andean instruments like large panflutes, drums and guitars.

Lunch is served in the local style at Sumac Micuy, where the local delicacies are prepared over firewood and in a bread oven to preserve their original flavor. Lunch includes quinua soup, freshly picked corn-on-the-cob, lima beans with cheese, roasted chicken and guinea pig, steamed potatoes and vegetables. For groups, they offer live Andean music and dances during lunch.

Metropolitan Touring also operates two- and three-day excursions to the Otavalo area, with more time to visit crafts villages specialized in wood carvings and leather goods. Stays are at Otavalo Hotels, Puerto Lago, Hacienda Cusín, Hacienda Pinsaquí or La Mirage

For more information about Ecuador tours & Galapagos Cruises visit:

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Galapagos Cruises

Eric Castro asked:


The International Galapagos Tour Operators Association (IGTOA) and the Ecuadorian Association of Galapagos Tour Operators (ASOGAL) have undertaken a campaign to promote the best training and coaching both in natural history and languages, for the Galapagos Naturalist Guides. Metropolitan Touring fully supports this campaign. Metropolitan Touring’s guides are Naturalists, who have undergone a thorough process of selection and training and are constantly improving their skills under the direction of the ship’s Expedition Managers and the “in-situ” coaching by our Galápagos Expedition Manager.

Our team of Naturalist Guides is formed by 12 full-time exclusive Metropolitan Touring guides plus a team of free-lancers, that are constantly being trained by our staff on board, in order to achieve the Galapagos Expedition Experience that we want to convey to our guests. We are eagerly awaiting the next promotion of Galapagos Naturalist Guides who will complete their studies and internship at the Galapagos National Park by the end of January 2006. The best ones are to be incorporated to our Galápagos team. During the first three quarters of 2005, guest satisfaction rates with the Galapagos Expedition component show 95.57% for the MV SANTA CRUZ Galapagos Cruise and 98.92% for Yacht ISABELA II Galapagos Cruise. We are proud of our Expedition Staff!

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Galapagos Cruises

Eric Castro asked:


The Church of The Compania of Jesus in Quito has been catalogued by UNESCO among the hundred most important World Heritage Site Monuments in the world. After an integral restoration, which took 12 years at a cost of 4.5 million dollars, this magnificent temple was reopened to the public the second week of December, and can now be viewed in its entire splendor.

The building of La Compania de Jesus Church Quito Colonial jewel started in 1605 and was finished in 1650. The restoration was both structural and artistic, in its 4500 square meters. Its interior, entirely gilded, shines like a jewel and its paintings, sculptures, altars, cupola and pulpit have been carefully illuminated so that all details can be appreciated. There are 44 paintings and 56 sculptures of the School of Art of Quito.

Among the most important paintings are those of the 16 Prophets by Nicolas Gorivar in the central columns and the large ones depicting the Final Judgment and Hell at each side of the entrance.

The church is a magnificent example of the extraordinary artistic ability of the Ecuadorian artisans; with profusely carved altars covered with gold leaf, and the sculptures by Legarda of the Holy Trinity in the main altar and Saint Ignacio and Saint Francis in the side altars.

The Compania of Jesus is the best sample of the American Baroque, one of the richest and most extraordinary temples of South America. The visit to La Compania is included in the Scenic Tour of Quito that Metropolitan Touring offers daily. Don’t miss it!.

For other Ecuador & Galapagos Cruises visit:

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Galapagos Cruises

Eric Castro asked:


Papallacta thermal hot springs, inside Cayambe Coca national park and near to Antisana volcano

Papallacta is a small and rustic village located over 3.300 meters above sea level (10.800 feet), on the 65th KM (40 th Miles) at the eastern side of Quito, in a humid montane forest, on the road which leads into the Ecuador Amazon Rain Forest; it only takes 2 hours to get there. It is surrounded by beautiful landscapes and the majestic Antisana.

The most important touristic attraction of Papallacta is its thermals, the best hot springs of Ecuador, with temperatures at their origins from 30 to 70 ?C (86 and 157 ?F). These waters have been put into pools, where the temperature fluctuates between 36 and 42 ?C (97 and 108 ?F).

First the feet, then the legs to the knees, then the torso… Thus gradually, the visitors of the thermal springs of Papallacta submerge in pools. The reason for this ritual is that to the thermal water is attributed the power to alleviate illnesses such as arthritis, acne, digestive problems or bad circulation.

There is a therapy followed by most people who visit Termas de Papallacta hot springs, they submerge into the pools of very hot water and next to it into the freezing waters of the river that comes right from the mountain.

This therapy is recommended for people who suffer of kidneys problems. Besides a source of health, Papallacta springs are a restorative experience, where your mind and body can get away from it all, while you enjoy of a wonderful view of the snow - covered summit of Antisana (5.700 meters above sea level / 18.700 feet), one of the good motives to visit Papallacta. A walk in the p?ramo, or bird watching can follow the hot baths.

Metropolitan Touring offers you programs that take you to this wonderful place, where you can find health, recreation and relaxation in an environment of great beauty…

For more information about Ecuador tours & Galapagos cruises visit:

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Galapagos Cruises