Day 14: Waterfalls and Rapids
After yesterday’s mid-day nap and a full night of sleep, we were ready for the waterfalls hike today! We ate breakfast, and met Santiago at 9:00 am in order to drive to the trail head another 20ish minutes via dirt road into the rainforest.
Morning walk to breakfast at Las Terrazas
The full “Santuario de Cascadas” features three routes with waterfalls, one auxiliary route, and a cable car. We decided to start with the auxiliary trail to the first waterfall. We were starting at a higher elevation, so it was a nice hike slightly downhill. We could hear the calls of a yellow-throated toucan, but were not able to spot it. After about 30 minutes of hiking, we were rewarded with the Nambillo waterfall.
Maps are helpful
The Merlin app is Shazam for birds
Making our way down
Nambillo Waterfall
We crossed the Nambillo river and continued up the trail on route 1, which doesn’t have any falls, but eventually connects to the cable car. From route 1, you can choose to hike route 2 or route 3. We decided on route 3 because it’s slightly shorter and has multiple waterfalls along the way. Route 1 only has one waterfall at the end.
Guarúmos Waterfall
Madre Waterfall
Made it to the end with Maderos Waterfall
The trail goes up and down, but is well maintained and features steps and railings when needed. We stopped at most of the waterfalls until we reached the end of the trail. These aren’t the biggest falls we’ve ever seen, but the spray was refreshing and they made for a really fun hike.
Maderos seemed like a perfect place for one more Ecuador flag picture
The trail was an out-and-back, so we returned the same way we came in. We didn’t stop at all the falls, so it went a bit faster. We headed for the cable car station to plot our next move. We could go for route 2, but that would add at least two more hours and only one waterfall. Instead, we opted to catch the next cable car, and grab a celebratory Ecuador beer while waiting. In total, the hike was about 4 miles and took two and a half hours.
The cable car is a tarabita, which is a traditional form of hanging basket/gondola transport used in the Andes. It’s basically an open air, people-sized tool box. We loaded in along with another family. Apparently you’re allowed to stand for the ride which seems bonkers. It was quick and we were back at the car in just a few minutes.
Human tool box
The main reason we didn’t want to hike for two more hours in the sweltering heat and humidity is because we wanted to go river tubing in the Mindo River! We drove back to the hotel for a change of clothes and a quick snack, then we jumped back into the car to go to a nearby river tubing company. We were doing this on a whim, so we didn’t have a set time. But we wanted to get there before the afternoon rain, and were hoping another group was there so we could meet the four-person minimum.
When we arrived, a group had left about 10 minutes earlier and there wasn’t anyone else scheduled. But… it turns out the four-person minimum is for the cost, so Santiago negotiated a price ($15 total! usually $6 per person) for a two-person excursion and we were good to go! We put on our life jackets and helmets, literally jumped into the back of a pick-up truck bed (with the raft tied above), and drove to our starting point about 10-15 minutes up river.
Suit up!
Our next mode of transportation
This adventure is a cross between lazy river tubing and white water rafting. The primary watercraft is seven inner tubes tied together upon which you sit — and hold on for dear life — while you move down the river. The river moves quick and there are many rocks, so you actually need to sit where the tubes are tied together, rather than inside the donut holes. If you did that, you’d hit a lot of rocks. The guide does an incredible job maneuvering the raft through the river and somehow not breaking his ankles. The ride lasted about 20 minutes and was whole lot of fun.
Rapidly going down the river
It was, in fact, not calm enough to eat an apple most of the way
Thanks to our guide, who despite his shirt, was not named Ricky
We timed everything perfectly. When we got back to the hotel, it started to rain. But surprisingly, that weather quickly passed and we spent the rest of the afternoon sitting by the pool, blogging, and birdwatching.
See, we vacation like normal people
Heard and spotted a Black Phoebe
This Lobster Claw plant near our room looks fake (but it’s not)
Santiago picked us up at 6:00 pm for dinner and took us to a restaurant in town called Serenity. They had some Ecuadorian food, but also international food as well. We both ordered a version of Paella. They also had Micheladas on a two for $8 special, so we had to try them. They have a kick. Micheladas are beers with lime juice, salt, pepper, and hot sauce. Pretty much like a Bloody Mary, but with beer instead of vodka and tomato juice. We ordered one traditional and one with passion fruit beer.
To continue tasting local flavors, Santiago told us about the Ecuador method of eating ice cream with cheese on top. So after dinner, we walked two blocks to a shop selling this concoction. We played it straight with chocolate ice cream, strawberries and bananas — and then covered in shredded mozzarella cheese. Looks ridiculous, but it was pretty good! The cheese adds an extra creaminess to the ice cream without adding any weird cheesy flavor. Is it really necessary? No. It is the definition of “putting a hat on a hat”, as one might say.
Mozzarella chocolate ice cream
Friday night church services in Mindo are hoppin’
We made our plans for tomorrow (last day!) and went back to the hotel for the night. On the docket is a butterfly farm, the middle of the world monument, and finding a bar/restaurant outside airport security to watch the Ecuador World Cup match at 7 pm before we are allowed to check in for our midnight flight back home.
