The secret to Arasha's success? Location, location, location. At under 3,000' elevation on the lower Andean slopes 3 hours west of Quito, Arasha is a tropical resort where you can relax amid exhuberant rainforest vegetation. Swim in their conventional swimming pool, hike ten minutes past the mini-golf course to their swimming hole, a deep tranquil pool surrounded by forest filled with birdsong. Or hike to the Blue Lagoon, to swim beneath a 120' waterfall in a fern-wreathed natural grotto. After an energetic hike in nearby rainforest, enjoy a massage and aromatherapy at the luxurious spa.
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The secret to Arasha's success? Location, location, location. At under 3,000' elevation on the lower Andean slopes 3 hours west of Quito, Arasha is a tropical resort where you can relax amid exhuberant rainforest vegetation. Swim in their conventional swimming pool, or stroll ten minutes past the mini-golf course to their swimming hole, a deep tranquil pool surrounded by forest filled with birdsong. Or hike 30 minutres to the Blue Lagoon, to swim beneath a 120' waterfall in a fern-wreathed natural grotto. After an energetic hike in nearby rainforest, enjoy a massage and aromatherapy at the luxurious spa.
The other secret is Arasha's close relationship with its neighbors. The resort is a private reserve surrounded by farms, with occasional residual patches of rainforest. Most of the excursions to surrounding forest zones bring in a modest income to those who protect these zones, and thus encourage the protection of the forested areas.
Meanwhile back at the resort, there's plenty to do without ever leaving the property. In the morning chocolate workshop, we learn how to transform raw cocoa beans into our own homemade chocolate fondue. In the afternoon, we return to try it again, pretending we learned nothing in the morning.
Arasha is popular with Ecuadoreans as well as the expatriot community in Quito. Guest accommodations are in individual bungalows, comfortable but not luxurious. The property is filled with the perfume of jasmine and other fragrant shrubs. Birds are always singing at Arasha.
Use these Activity Level Ratings as a general guide to help determine which of our adventures is best for you. Your perception of level of difficulty may vary from ours according to your own level of fitness and travel experience. Whether or not you stay in your comfort zone on the trip you select may also be influenced by the pacing we build into the itinerary, and your own preparation for the trip. While relatively high elevations are unavoidable when you're traveling in the Andes Mountains, we may judge a trip as "moderate" so long as passengers have sufficient time for acclimation. Our detailed trip itineraries give much more information about what you can expect. If you are unsure which trip is best for you, please call us. We'll help guide you toward the right fit.
Moderate
These adventures involve fairly easy travel. There is no camping: you sleep in hotels and country inns each evening. Trips may include short hikes and/or walks of two to three hours. Our itineraries include excursions in passenger mini-vans, over roads with many curves and potholes. Elevations rarely exceed 12,600'. At Machu Picchu and other Inca sites, we climb and descend relatively steep stone staircases. Trips to Amazon lodges involve travel by boat and canoe, plus hikes on forest trails at a moderate pace. In the rainforest, you may encounter rain, mud, and pooled water. Trips to the Galapagos include optional hikes on sometimes uneven rocky and/or slippery terrain. Passengers must get into and out of dinghies on beaches and at docks.
Active
These adventures include more hiking than in our moderate trips. You negotiate a variety of terrain, at elevations no more than 15,000'. Some trips include long days of overland travel. You sleep comfortably in hotels each evening.
Strenuous
While we rate all of our treks as strenuous, there is a substantial range of challenge between the easiest and the most demanding of our treks. Expect to hike 6-8 hours each day over steep and rugged terrain. You may hike to elevations of 17,000', with options to hike higher from several camps. Many include camping multiple nights at relatively high elevations. On most treks in the Andes, night-time temperatures can drop below freezing on one or more nights. On our Inn to Inn based treks, you'll spend each evening in a comfortable mountain lodge.
Extreme
Our toughest treks are suitable for those that enjoy a good physical challenge. You trek (and in some cases climb) over steep, rugged terrain at high elevations with substantial altitude gains. Some glacier travel requires knowledge of basic climbing techniques including use of crampons, ice axe, and ropes. These trips are in remote wilderness areas and include camping as high at 17,700'. Successful summit bids top out at 18,871' (Nevado Pisco), 19,347' (Volcan Cotopaxi) and 20,945' (Nevado Ausangate).
Departures: Year-round, any day, on request. We recommend at least a 2-night stay.
2010 Rates from $399/person for 2 night stay
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Departures: year-round, on request. We recommend at least a 2-night stay.
2010 Rates, per person
| |
Double |
Single |
Child |
| 3 days, 2 nights |
$399 |
$584 |
$309 |
| 4 days, 3 nights |
$589 |
$809 |
$449 |
Rates include full board, local touring
Spa services available at additional cost; transfers not included
Guests choose from a menu of optional excursions in the surrounding countryside.
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Guests choose from a menu of optional excursions in the surrounding countryside.
Arasha has 45 bungalows, including triples and family quads. Swimming pool, mini-golf, and other family-friendly activities. There is a movie theatre offering a feature each night at 6 PM. The full-service spa offers services at very reasonable cost.
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Ecuadorean currency is the US$.
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Ecuadorean currency is the US$.
Among the more interesting optional excursions (at additional cost), we recommend the pre-dawn excursion to the Andean Cock-of-the-rock lek. Ask your guide for details.
