South America

We took a three country tour of Northwestern South America during the Fall of 2006, visiting Ecuador, Bolivia and Peru.

We spent four weeks in Ecuador making a full loop starting and ending in Quito with stops in Latacunga, Banos, Cuenca, Puerto Lopez, Bahia de Caraquez, Canoa, and Otovalo. We spent a week laying on the beach in Canoa, complete with surf lessons for Brett; saw Blue Footed Boobies during an excusion to Isla Salango from Puerto Lopez; took a tour of a hat factory in Cuenca; visited the markets of Otavalo; strattled the Equator at Mitad del Mundo; rode the Devil’s Nose train atop the box cars; and hiked Guagua Pichincha outside of Quito.

Photos of Ecuador: http://public.fotki.com/fromtheopenroad/our-trips/ecuador/

From Quito we flew to La Paz, Boliva and enjoyed a week exploring Bolivia’s capital city. We took day trips to Tihuanacheo and Valle de la Luna, went to a futbol match, and then took off for Lago Titicaca. From Copacabana, we took an overnight catamaran cruise out to several of the islands on the highest navigable lake in the world.

Photos of Boliva: http://public.fotki.com/fromtheopenroad/our-trips/bolivia/

After exploring Copacabana, we took off for Peru’s side of Lago Titicaca, using Puno as a base to explore Isla Uros y Taquile. Leaving the lake behind, we took off on a great train trip up to Cusco. Our week in Cusco included two days spent at Machu Picchu which will never be forgotten. We wrapped up the trip in Lima before heading back to the States for Christmas.

Photos of Peru: http://public.fotki.com/fromtheopenroad/our-trips/peru/

Map:

View Quito Canton in a larger map

Where in the World:

View Quito Canton in a larger map