Report from Ecuador

February 20, 2024

CNH Tours owners, Marc Patry and Heather Blenkiron, are currently in Ecuador to lead a not-for-profit fundraising Galapagos cruise on the M/V Evolution.  While in the country, they are also spending some time visiting Quito, the Cloud Forest and Yasuni National Park in the Amazon basin, from where they are writing this missive. 

Today we received an update from the Ministry of Tourism concerning the Ecuadorian State of Emergency and want to share it with you, our former, current and potential guests:

The state of emergency, supported unanimously by Ecuadorians, has been a testament to our collective determination to restore peace to our country. A tangible outcome of this effort was witnessed during the recent Carnival holiday, which reduced over 50% in security incidents compared to the previous year. We have not experienced any security incidents affecting tourists, and we have successfully kept 100% of all routes and flights at our airports operational.

The arrivals to the Galapagos in January 2024 experienced a minimal decrease of just 3% compared to the previous year. All these measures are indicative of our steadfast resolve to bring peace back to the nation, affirming that life in Ecuador is already unfolding normally.

We invite you to see for yourselves, share in our traditions, explore our landscapes, and enjoy the hospitality that defines us.

For more details and updates, follow our official channels on Twitter @TurismoEc and on  Facebook at /MinisterioTurismoEcuador.

With gratitude and hope,

Date: February 20, 2024

Niels Olsen Peet

Minister of Tourism of Ecuador

Like our guests, we have been concerned about recent events in Ecuador.  We have taken all of the precautions we have recommended to our guests (private land transfers, guided visits, only using known taxis (recommended by our hotel).

From our moment of first arrival into Ecuador in the early hours of February 15^th, all has gone very smoothly with no concerns whatsoever. 

Since January 9^th, CNH Tours has hosted 92 guests in Ecuador - on the mainland, in the cloud forest, the Amazon, Quito and Galapagos. Not one has reported any concerns over safety.   

We met with our continental team on February 18^th at Mama Cuchara hotel (our go-to accommodations in Quito). 

 

Left to right: Our land services expert, Mercedes Murguetio; Quito Active Galapagos Logistics, Adriana Vallejos Yar; CNH Tours Co-Owner, Heather Blenkiron; Guayaquil Logistics, Maybell Galvez.

 

 

Napo River port at Coca, in the Amazon basin. Armed forces personnel are circulating, giving folks a sense of security.