We imagined a small inn with all of the elegance, comforts and privacy of a hacienda just a few blocks from the world famous handicraft market. You know the old clich of dropping out of the rat race and running a little hotel in paradise? Well, we fell in love with Otavalo, Ecuador and decided to do just that! With the help of ten indigenous young ladies from the community we at Hotel Ali Shungu wish to make your time here in Otavalo the highlight of your stay in Ecuador! Hotel/Restaurant Ali Shungu, Otavalo, Ecuador. the best Hotel and Restaurant in Otavalo!. Spacious, beautifully decorated no smoking. Just a few blocks, five minutes from the world famous Indian Craft Market. All rooms have balconies with views, overlooking our lovely garden. Best bird watching in or near Otavalo in our huge, chemical-free garden. Orthopedic mattresses, local folk art decor and steaming hot showers. Gourmet Restaurant with extensive selection of International dishes. FREE WI-FI INTERNET ACCESS and computer in reception for guests. Secure Parking Garage - Free Tour Information - 24 hour security. Gift Shop with Fine Alpaca Textiles and Exotic Jewelry. Safe, Crime Free Residential Neighborhood! PLUS 22% TAX AND SERVICE. Calle Quito con M. Egas. Otavalo, Ecuador, South America. Phone: 011 593 6 2920750. Hotel Ali Shungu, Otavalo, Ecuador. GARDEN HOTEL AND GOURMET RESTAURANT. Ali Shungu Mountaintop Lodge. Four warm, spacious Guesthouses Lodge Restaurant. Only 3 miles from the Otavalo markets. Breathtaking views east, west, north, south. Same excellent Ali Shungu service! 40 acres of Private Natural Reserve, Lodge Guests only. Gourmet Home Cooking, Organic Vegetarian Meat dishes. Horseback Riding (2 hrs. included), Paths for Idyllic Walks, Downhill Bicycling, Hikes, Hammocks, Cultural Tours. Free Wi-Fi Internet access for guests. Safe and Tranquil Agricultural Indigenous Community. 3 miles from 2500 acres of Protected Cloud Forest. 30 minutes from volcanic lakes Mojanda Cuicocha mountainlodge@alishungu.com. Would you rather stay outside of but close to Otavalo? ALI SHUNGU HOME PAGE

There are huge numbers of tour offices all over the country, especially in Quito. If you are planning to go to the Galapagos or the jungle, and if you are an adventurous person, you might want to wait until you arrive here in Ecuador to visit some of the agencies that offer Galapagos and Jungle trips yourself. Prices are very, very competitive and many places will be open to bargaining with you. Especially in light of the fact that there have not been a record low number of tourists here this year. The more middle men that are involved in your Galapagos or Jungle trip, the higher the price will be. It's always a good idea to ask other travellers who they recommended and to read the guide books. A place that was first rate some time ago, may not be that way now, or perhaps has even closed down, and new businesses and services are constantly opening. Again, the South American Explorer's Club has invaluable information--they have a book of comments so you can see what other travellers have to say about everything. Also as a member you have access to all their trip reports. Beware of any hotel or agency who may want to control your whole itinerary. Chances are they are making huge commissions on every leg of your vacation and what is set up for you may or may not be in your best interest. If you have read about a hotel and would like to make a resesrvation, it's always a good idea to call yourself and speak directly. Most places have an english-speaking representative and some hotels are even owned and run by Americans themselves. Most upscale places now use email for reservations. Making reservations through a third party can become jumbled with misunderstandings. When contracting a tour or trip with an agency, get EVERYTHING in writing--what you are paying, and what you are receiving. Try to cover and understand every detail of your trip before forking over your money, and don't forget to get a receipt. The South American Explorers Club. The South American Explorers Club (founded in l977) is an extremely invaluable clearinghouse, especially if you plan to do a lot of independent traveling in Ecuador and other parts of South America, or are just interested in South American news and lore. The annual membership is about $40 and gives you access to the organization's clubhouse in Quito (and in Lima and Cuzco, Peru), where you can relax and find lots of information on destinations and tour operators, get tips and advice from the English-speaking staff, meet other travelers, store your belongings, receive and send faxes and email, receive packages, obtain maps and guidebooks, have access to their incredible library, and stay up to date on the absolute latest. Club members can also get discounts from some hotels, travel agencies and guides and receive 4 informative magazines a year. The Club bulletin boards are invaluable sources of information. The Quito clubhouse is at Jorge Washington 311. The phone # is 225-228 and the internet address is. The main office is located in Ithaca, New York.

There are two international airports in Ecuador--Quito (the Andes) and Guayaquil (the coast). When arriving in Quito, expect to pay $5-$10. for a taxi to the new city where most of the tourist hotels are located. Generally, taxistas in Ecuador are pretty honest and friendly. Ones that sit in front of the first class hotels will charge a bit more. For long trips, it's always good to hire a newer car and one that doesn't have an odor of gas inside (which means a bad exhaust system, and a headache for you). Here in Otavalo, Taxis will charge about $10. per hour, and we have gotten very fair rates for people going to Banos or the Coast. Many times it's much cheaper to hire a taxi by the day than to actually rent a car yourself or pay a 4X4 tour company, with guide (some places do not require a guide and you can always be sure that your taxi driver will have alot to say, and may speak a little English). Taxis in Quito have meters, though they are not always used. Establish a price first if the taxi has no meter. Ask at the hotel what a particular trip should cost. Taxi fares within the city of Quito are very inexpensive compared to North American standards. Also, there is an efficient electric trolly system in Quito that runs north and south. It's fast and easy, but beware of thieves. Renting a car and driving yourself should be only for the adventurous and experienced who have some extra money to spend. Expect to spend at least $50 per day. Driving in developing countries can be barbaric at times. If you do rent, check the contract well and make sure you understand all charges and check the car well, for spare tires, jacks, and working windshield wipers. You should choose hotels that have secure garages as you can't leave the car on the street at night! Avoid driving at night! And drive defensively! Bring a valid driver's license with photo, and if possible, an international driver's license, easily obtained through Triple A in the U.S. You will be expected to present it at the many roadblocks in Ecuador. Don't be afraid or intimidated by the routine police checks in Ecuador; they only wish to see your documents. Always be friendly; a smile will get you all the cooperation you need. While you are driving, ignore anyone on the highway who tries to motion you over to stop. This is a dangerous scam to extort money from you or rob you. Quito has a number of car rental agencies, including the three international companies, Avis, Budget and Hertz. The procedures for reporting an accident are somewhat hazy, but everyone agrees that you must report to the nearest police station as soon as possible. The police will try to decide and divide the fault, but almost always, the foreigner will end up paying. Buses are an excellent way to see the country and can be considered an anthropological experience. They will always take longer but cost practically nothing. It's not a good idea to put your bags in the back luggage compartment of the bus.

Ali Shungu has an internationally renowned natural foods restaurant on the premises, open 7 days a week (7 am to 8:30 pm). We serve breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and cocktails in our lovely folklore-decorated dining room, next to the fireplace or on the garden patio under the volcano. You'll find over 60 healthy and delicious items on the menu; gourmet vegetarian fare and only the choicest of meats. We buy organic vegetables! That means you can enjoy our salads with no worries! Raw veggies are rinsed with BAC-STOP. Ali Shungu restaurant uses no chemicals, MSG or aluminum cookware. Here are just some of the many tasty delights you'll find at Ali Shungu: WAFFLES raspberry syrupSPICED OATMEAL with fruit cream3-cheese VEGETARIAN LASAGNAbroccoli/cheese OMELETSmeat/vegetarian. CURRIESfilled green PEPPERSHot ROAST BEEF sandwichesRATTATOUILLEvegetable casseroles with PASTRY CRUST deluxe CHEESEBURGERSfresh ORGANIC TOMATO BASIL soup smoked TROUTENCHILADASGUACAMOLEsubmarine SANDWICHESSALADSvegetarian SOUPSspinach/cheese PIEsmoked HAM CUTLETSthe best STEAKSNY CHEESECAKECARROT CAKEthe best cup of ORGANIC ANDEAN COFFEEand much, much MORE..…. ALL AT VERY REASONABLE PRICES! Gourmet Natural Foods Restaurant. Travel Information about Otavalo and Things to Do. Wi-Fi Internet access for guests

Begging is a fact of life in Ecuador. Especially concerning the elderly, it's a good idea to give something, a piece of food if you can. Follow your heart and common sense. Please show basic human respect to these people. More and more children are begging these days and are being brought into the big cities by their desperate mothers who have no way to earn a living in the country. Again, follow your heart-- it's better to buy some fruit, bread and cheese or other food. Children may not spend the money you give them on food, which is their greatest need. There are so many homeless children roaming the streets of Quito, selling flowers, shining shoes. There are a number of centers in Quito, one being The Centro del Muchacho Trabajador which helps to educate and feed homeless kids. A tour of the place can be arranged, and donations are greatly needed. Talk to the folks at the South American Explorer's Club for more info on this. Elderly seem to have the right to beg and even the locals will tithe a little bit of food to them. Even a half U.S. dollar in the local currency can greatly impact the life of an old person. The sucre has been phased out. The country has changed its currency to the US $ but Ecuador is still in financial peril and there is much uncertainty with banking policy. We do not recommend that you depend on your credit card at this time in Ecuador, except in the big cities. Many smaller banks have suspended working with them, and if you encounter a business that will accept them, you could pay well over 15% to use it. The majority of the ATM machines are unreliable and inconsistent, especially outside of Quito. It is best to bring traveller's checks and cash. (Always keep a copy of your traveler's check numbers in a different place than the checks.) There are a number of money change houses (Casa Paz in Quito is the biggest with branches all over) and banks in the larger cities that will change traveler's checks and dollars for the local currency. However, there are few smaller denominations available at this moment. Bring small denomination US. dollar bills (ones, fives, tens and twenties). In smaller towns, dollar bills are the easiest to change. The locals will gladly accept dollars but will not always be able to give you change. Also it's convenient for handing out 1 dollar bills for tips and when making small purchases. With smaller bills, you have the upper hand in bargaining for a good price, as well. Do not bring old or torn US bills. The Ecuadorian banks will not accept any torn, ripped in even the smallest way, or old bills; consequently, the people will not accept them either. Most upscale businesses will accept traveller's checks, however, smaller businesses and Indians in handicraft markets will not. Always make sure you have small denominations in the local currency on hand, as it's difficult for people to make change (especially in small towns). Western Union has offices in Ecuador and can assist for international transfers. They are more expensive than a bank but more reliable and quicker.

 Luggage storage
 Credit cards accepted
 Dinner may be served in the room
 Facsimile services
 Garage places
 Heating
 Smoke-free guest rooms
 Parking lot
 Private park, garden, courtyard
 Fridge
 Restaurant
 Safe deposit box
 Shop on premises
 Private/Ensuite bathroom
 Animation, entertainment
 Tea and coffee making facilities
 Phone at reception
 TV sets in rooms
 Patio, summer terrace
 Cheques accepted