It's a community ecotourism project off the beaten track. You can going trekking, rafting, horseriding, and other activities too, and it's more interesting than a place like mindo as it feels more like Ecuador!

www.piedrablanca.org
Near San Luis de Pambil
Bolivar Province

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A small, friendly and ethical 'adventure holiday' company, specialising in climbing/trekking in Ecuador. Offers three tours - all out of Quito: a two/three-week trek-based holiday, a two/three-week climbing-based holiday and a week-long add-on option in the Galapagos. Nice team, genuinely love what they do - and the bonus of eco-tourism to boot. A (rare to find these days) genuine experience of a lifetime! Recommended.

www.mountainsofecuador.com
Tel. 0844 800 9679 / 01926 887688
Email: info@mountainsofecuador.com

Mountains of Ecuador Ltd
PO Box 4529
Leamington Spa
CV31 9EP
Tel. 0844 800 9679 / 01926 887688
Email: info@mountainsofecuador.com

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From the big city to some of the last remaining pristine cloud forest on the continent in just a couple of hours. Estimates state that a mere 5-10% of the original coverage of cloud forest on the western cordillera of Ecuador still exists today. That the people of Mindo have opted to protect their corner of what’s left is just one part of the reason to go. The other part is that it’s great fun.
Suddenly skyscrapers and buses are replaced by dirt roads and beat-up truck-taxis. Hummingbirds, butterflies, orchids, waterfalls, huge trees, about 450 species of birds … Mindo’s got the lot for anyone enamoured with nature. For those with a taste for adventure, there’s a gravity-defying cable car, and Mindo’s unique version of “rafting” involving inner tubes. But the vibe is so laidback, it’s hard to maintain that pace. Just relax, no estas en Quito.

Getting there: Reina de los Nubes Bus Terminal, just down the hill from Quito’s main Terminal Terrestre, in the Old Town. About 2 hours to get there.

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Chugchilan is a small village, popular for hiking trails, that takes about a day to get to from Quito.
The Black Sheep Inn is an inexpensive ecologically friendly hotel high in the Andes Mountains. It is a perfect place to discover centuries-old culture and diverse ecosystems. It offers affordable accommodation and provides you with a great base for day hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, acclimating and exploring indigenous markets.

www.responsibletravel.com/Accommodation/Accommodation100083.htm

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An inspiring ecolodge high in the Andes, in the small village of Chugchilan, near Latacunga (about a day's journey from Quito). It's in a beautiful rural location - just getting there is an adventure. Delicious veggie food, grown organically by the lodge. Composting toilets are an experience. Great hiking, biking and horseriding nearby - the lodge give you all the info you need. All local staff and loads of benefits go to the local community. And (the unusual bit for such a great ecolodge) - totally affordable at around $30 per person per night including breakfast and dinner. It's an amazing place.

See www.blacksheepinn.com for instructions on how to get there. Local buses or private vehicles can be arranged:
tel: 593 3 - 281-4587

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