ISE offers various excursions for their students; a chance to see more of the capital city and its surroundings as well as practice your Spanish under the supervision of a teacher outside the classroom.
The following are a few options of what we offer, and that are also available on day excursions from the city.
Mitad del Mundo - The Middle of the World
Only approximately 35 km from Quito you will encounter the equator line where an opportunity to straddle the hemispheres awaits you. You will also find an ethnographical museum and a culture museum where you can learn about the traditions of the four regions of Ecuador; don't forget to take a shot at the blow dart!
Cotopaxi National Park and Volcano
Less than two hours drive from Quito stands the impressive Cotopaxi Volcano at 5897 meters above sea level. Cotopaxi is the highest snow-capped volcano on earth and attracts hundreds of visitors each year.
It is a playground for lovers of the outdoors and of adventure, with limitless opportunities for climbing, trekking, mountain biking and horseback riding.
Mindo Cloud Forest
The area known as Mindo - which encompasses the watersheds of the rivers Tandayapa, Nambillo and Mindo - is world-renowned as one of the most bird-diverse corners of the planet and it is only approximately two hours drive from Quito.
Divided by rivers to tube, raft and rappel and criss-crossed with trails to blaze, trek and explore, the whole area is a world-class playground for lovers of the great outdoors.
Its cloud forest environment is truly dramatic, tumbling down from the icy peaks of the Pichincha Volcano at nearly 4,600 meters to the steamy tropical rainforest at around 1,000 meters. This difference in elevation explains the very high biological diversity one encounters: there is a huge range of varying habitats between the elevations, each providing a niche for a species to exploit. In this fantastical region where vegetation drips off vegetation, where nature is so abundant and where adventure follows you will find tranquility, beauty and fun.
Otavalo Indigenous Market and surroundings
Otavalo is rightly fêted as one of the greatest craft markets in Latin America. It's a festival to brilliant textiles of every color of the rainbow and the skill of its local weavers. All within two hours of Quito, Otavalo is a must experience for any visitor.
The Otavalans are proud and industrious people. Their weavings and crafts leave little doubt as to their skills, and their region little doubt as to the source of their pride.
At this very famous market, you can get lost in the tapestry of rich colored textiles and deep rural traditions whilst brushing up on your Spanish and bartering skills to acquire some unique souvenirs.
Not far from the market you have many more attractions to visit such as: the waterfalls at Peguche, the leather crafts and clothing of Cotacachi town and the hike around Cuicocha Crater Lake.
Papallacta Natural Hot Springs
Between Quito and the Amazon, just 67 kilometers from the city, lies the town and hot springs of Papallacta, which make for the perfect escape from the capital. Here you will encounter wild, high-altitude moorlands great for hiking and horseback riding, as well as a first-class spa and hot springs resort. Papallacta is the perfect place for those seeking nature, adventure and relaxation.
To get here, you head out through the capital's lower valley of Cumbayá before climbing up and up to a pass 4,064 meters (12,000 feet), before winding down again to the town at 3,120 meters (10,200 feet); there are many photo opportunities for varying landscape shots along the way.
Once at Papallacta the beautiful high altitude surroundings await your investigation before you plunge into one of the steamy inviting natural hot baths.
Student COMMENTS
Estimado Eugenio,
Finalmente volví a Inglaterra. Le agradezco por haber organizado mis viajes y mis estudios con mucha paciencia. Las 6 semanas en Ecuador
fueron unas de las más interesantes de mi vida.
I can whole heartedly recommend your language school Instituto Superior de Español. The concept of learning Spanish while travelling
is superb and your organizational talent in working out individual itineraries is admirable! For some spoilt visitors from rich countries
it might be hard to fit in with an Ecuadorian family, but it gives a unique opportunity to learn more about the country than the superficial impressions usually granted to tourists.
Many thanks to you, your team and the host families for the courtesy, patience and good humor which made my trip so enjoyable!
I can also recommend the very friendly and comfortable jungle lodge and rafting or kayaking excursions who's safety standards were better
than some European organizations I have encountered.
Monika Lloyd-Burton
Poole England
monikarcadia@ntlworld.com
Further comments...
