Excursions

In Brief Frequent excursions around Quito Learn to use your Spanish outside of the school setting Accompanied and lead by our teachers and staff Experiencing the Ecuadorian Culture

Each week we organise excursions around Quito. Depending on the interests of students we offer amongst others the following excursions:

Otavalo

Otavalo is to the North of Quito on the Panamericana and is one of the most well known towns in Ecuador. Every Saturday Otavalo hosts the most famous Indian market. Hundreds of stands offer tourists and locals many opportunities to shop. In the early morning the focus is on animals so that one can purchase anything from chicken and sheep to lamas. Another major attraction is the part of the market selling clothes. Tourists can here purchase various souvenirs such as ponchos, traditional costumes, rucksacks, jewellery or hammocks.

Saquisilí

The Indian market of Saquisili is less well known than the large market of Otavalo, but this makes it more traditional. This market is used mainly by Ecuadorians from the local area and therefore offers an ideal opportunity to see the Ecuadorian culture in all its diversity. One particular highlight of this market is the animal market, in which one can purchase anything from a pig to a lama.

Mitad del Mundo Only 16 miles north of Quito is the Equator. The heart of the exhibition is a 100 feet high monument with an ethnographic museum, which deals with the various Indian cultures. Especially fascinating are the many physical experiments in the Museo Solar which work out only directly on the Equator! Immediately after the visit to the Equator, you will visit the close-by Inca ruins of Rumicucho. These ruins are one of the few places in the country where one can find and experience well-kept remains of the culture of the Inca Empire.

		Papallacta The hot springs of Papallacta are a 2.5 hour drive away from Quito in a wonderful Andean valley. Even the valley is 10.800 feet above sea level! You can relax in various pools, which are directly fed with water of volcanic origin and enjoy the magnificent views.

Baños

This weekend trip from Friday to Sunday afternoon takes you to the picturesque village of Baños. Surrounded by the beautiful Andes, at the foot of the 16.500 feet high volcano Tungurahua, the village offers a wide range of sporting and entertainment opportunities. On horseback you can discover the surrounding mountains, or during a bike tour you can take a refreshing bath at one of the many waterfalls.

 

Nationalpark Cotopaxi The National Park stretches round the 18.700 feet high peak of the Cotopaxi volcano and is home to a very rich diversity of animal and plant species. At 15.800 feet, just below the snow-capped summit lies a mountain station to which most hikers go. The views from there are incredible. For the few "cliff-hangers" there is the option of climbing right to the top.