ITK Voyage - Ecuador & Galápagos

16/01/2025

The year 2024 has now come to an end, and 2025 is welcoming us with open arms. Antoine and the entire ITK Voyage team send you their best wishes for happiness, hoping to meet or see you again in the near future.

05/09/2024

Since it's current news ;), we are happy to announce that Kiara Rodriguez won the gold medal at the Paralympic Games in Paris, in the 100m T47.
This is only the second gold medal for Ecuador at the Paralympic Games!

ATENCIÓN❗Kiara Rodríguez, se lleva la segunda medalla de oro paralímpica en la historia del deporte ecuatoriano.

01/08/2024

Daniel Pintado, an Ecuadorian race walker, won the Olympic gold medal this morning in the 20km race walk! This is a historic achievement for Ecuador, which has won only three Olympic gold medals in its entire history.
Photo credit: bluewin.ch

21/06/2024

On April 17th, 2019, Imbabura province in northern was declared a UNESCO Geopark. But what exactly does this mean?

While has recognized over one thousand World Heritage Sites, there are only 177 Geoparks worldwide. These represent a unique blend of geological wonders and cultural richness. Imbabura, with its 11 volcanoes and vibrant indigenous communities, epitomizes this fusion.

From the majestic Volcano to the tranquil lakes of and Cuicocha, and the historic sites of San Pablo & Yahuarcocha, the Imbabura Geopark offers a tapestry of natural and cultural marvels.

Stay tuned as we prepare a detailed article to delve deeper into this fascinating Geopark. In the meantime, if you're passionate about culture, don't hesitate to reach out.

Let's start crafting your dream trip to this enchanting destination!

13/06/2024

ITK Adventurous travelers!

From the Islands to the Highlands, we are excited to share a glimpse of Robert and Christine's 15-day adventure! During the stage of their trip, they ascended to an altitude higher than the refuge (15,748 ft / 4,800 m) to reach the glacier's edge (17,257 ft / 5,260 m). Eventually they trekked from the quaint village of to the charming Lake, completing a moderate 5-hour trek covering approximately 15 km (9.5 miles).

Congratulations to our dear travelers!

Video credits: Our dear guide Angel Martínez

22/05/2024

Exciting News! and Islands have reopened to visitors! Check out this special article we've prepared for you and start planning your next adventure with confidence. Let us assist you in creating an unforgettable journey!

Genovesa and Española are open to visitors who would like to visit them during a full-day tour or a cruise adventure!

26/04/2024

From the Northern Andes to the South!

Our dear travelers Christine, Sylvie, Jacob, and John, visited and embarked, along with their guide, Paola, on a friends' adventure across the Ecuadorian Highlands. From Quito to the Otavalo region, from to , and from to Cuenca (UNESCO listed) & the they experienced authentic encounters in superb Andean landscapes thanks to local home-stays, picturesque indigenous markets, and a total immersion in the local culture!…

They shared with us some pictures during their journey.

17/04/2024

The , with its mystic atmosphere enveloped in mist and clouds from the ocean, or the , characterized by its giant trees, humid and hot ambiance, and incredible biodiversity, provide immersive journeys into a vibrant green world!

While both the and the Rainforest share similarities in their lush greenery and ecological richness, they diverge in some key aspects. The Cloud Forest's distinctive feature lies in its mist-shrouded ambiance and unique range of species adapted to cooler temperatures (specially birds) and moisture-laden air. In contrast, the 's hallmark is its towering canopies, relentless rainfall, and unparalleled biodiversity, making it one of the most biologically diverse habitats on Earth.
The Cloud Forest and the Rainforest share Ecuador's natural splendor.

❤️🇪🇨

11/04/2024

The waved albatross is the largest bird species in the . Don't be fooled by their comical walk; they are incredible dynamic flyers and soar beautifully in the sky, a sight to behold!
Due to the recent outbreak of Avian Influenza H5N1 since September 2023, the albatross has been considered "critically endangered," prompting the authorities to take necessary measures to protect them from this infectious disease. If you're planning your next trip to the Islands and want to see them, they are present on the islands from April to December during the nesting season (April to December). After hatching, the chicks remain with their parents until they reach adult size (by the end of the year) and are ready to leave the colony by December or January. This is why April marks the "return of the albatrosses."
However, some places in Galapagos have been closed to visitors since September 2023, including , one of the best places to observe them. While the island reopened to visitors in recent months, new cases of avian influenza were detected in March 2024, and Española Island is currently under observation, with a possibility of reopening in June.

20/03/2024

Over the years, there has been a long debate among researchers, scientists, and professionals regarding the origins, usage, and domestication of Theobroma , commonly known as cacao. While it was conventionally believed that cacao originated in Mesoamerica and later spread to , a recent discovery demonstrate that it actually happened the other way around. Let’s take a closer look in our Blog's article: https://www.itkvoyage-ecuador.com/blog/ecuador-a-journey-to-the-cacao-origins/

❤️🇪🇨