Home Based Travel Agent - November 2008 - (Page 34)

Latin America FOR THE TRAVELER Ziplining offers an exciting way to experience the natural beauty of Ecuador Joe Pike with Jorge Perez, owner of Tierra Del Volcan, Ecuador Ecuador The best adventure travel ever? You decide BY JOE PIKE I was hundreds of feet above the ground, upside down on a zipline, blood rushing to my head, adrenaline pumping through my veins and all I could think was, “Is this really happening?” If you ask that question—if you have that one surreal moment during any getaway—it’s a great vacation in my book. And that’s why adventure-seekers touring Ecuador must look up Tierra Del Volcan (www.tierradelvolcan.com). Located in the Andes near the Cotopaxi volcano, one of the largest active volcanoes in the world, Tierra Del Volcan is situated about an hour and a half from the main airport in Ecuador’s capital of Quito. 34 Thrills in It owns three haciendas, all quaint, intimate mountain-lodge-type boutiques that ooze authentic Ecuadorian culture—from the colonial-style kitchen, to the food and clothing worn by the waitresses to its lounges where a fire is usually burning. Here, guests sip on canelazo, a tea-like beverage that is served hot and mixed with naranjilla, a local fruit, and sugar cane liquor. (Beware of this drink. It is so tasty it seems harmless, but it’s actually pretty strong.) Now, you won’t have the day that I experienced and you probably shouldn’t. Since we only had one day to experience everything, we crammed ziplining and horseback riding into an eight-hour period. My joints still haven’t forgiven me. I left for Tierra Del Volcan in the morning from my host hotel, The Swissotel (www.swissotel.com) in Quito. The ride is just shy of about two hours, depending on the driver, and is incredibly bumpy for the last third of the way where the roads are rocky and worn. We were lucky enough to be driven by Tierra Del Volcan owner Jorge Perez, who was like Jeremiah Johnson, Indiana Jones and Davy Crockett all rolled into one smooth-talking, shadewearing, goatee-sporting Ecuadorian. An Amazing Ride When we arrived, Perez’s guides attended to me and the other guests, securing harnesses and strapping on helmets. We began hiking to our first of five ziplines. The altitude might make you shortwinded a little quicker than usual. In fact, Tierra Del Volcan is the highest point in Ecuador, so you should drink plenty of water (and perhaps take some antibiotics) beforehand to avoid any sickness, which is usually just a stomachache or headache. When I arrived at the first zipline, Perez gave us some simple instructions. For example, he told us not to grip the line, but rather to place our hand over it to allow it to slide between our (gloved) palms. I went second in our group. As I took off, hundreds of feet above the ground, all Home-BasedTravelAgent NOV EMBE R 2008 http://www.swissotel.com http://www.tierradelvolcan.com

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Home Based Travel Agent - November 2008 Contents Editor’s Note Publisher’s Note Your Lifeline Agent Spotlight New Technology Industry News Hot Deals Cultural Tourism Luxury Hotels For the Traveler: Luxury For the Agent: Luxury For the Traveler: Latin America For the Agent: Latin America Hawaii For the Traveler: Provence For the Agent: Provence For the Traveler: Florida For the Agent: Florida Home-Based Agent Expo New Products

Home Based Travel Agent - November 2008

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