Iquitos: Back to Land

When we arrived at Iquitos, I was tired and ready for a few days on land. We had spent way too much time on the river and I was craving decent vegetarian food that wasn't made of plantains and wanted to just enjoy a nice air conditioned room (remember, it was really hot, but it would also rain every now and then). So you can never really step out without your rain jacket.

We checked into a hotel that we randomly found, as we hadn't done any research. But we headed to the restaurant "Dawn on the amazon" for this meal:

A meal with fresh guacamole after forever!

Sam, one of our travel companions and I wanted a very specific vegetarian pizza at Chez Maggi, Iquitos. Not knowing how to explain to the waitress, we drew her a circle on our notebook and indicated the toppings on each side. The pizza was perfect! Mine is the cheese-less side, with mushrooms. Sam's is the cheesy side, minus the mushrooms. Say that in Spanish, now!

Pizza at Chez Maggi

Riding the local bus from Quistaquocha

Las Boras - a day trip on the boat from Iquitos

The floating village of Belen

How will they bring this out?

The market at Belen

Interesting ways to buy oil. I like the variety.

Just like India

Another vegetarian meal

Mamey - the local version of sapota

We discovered Iguana Haus shortly after our first day. They had excellent air conditioned, clean rooms for 40 soles, with wifi and kitchen. We cooked several meals here. We decided to fly to Lima from here on as time was running short and our visa for Chile would be expiring soon.

So we walked around the airline companies and finally bought tickets to Lima for USD 170 for two people. Not a bad deal within a few days notice. We just hung out with Sam and Law and eventually met Cat for the first time! We'd go on to meet Cat later in Peru and go on the Inca Jungle Trek with her and almost eight months later, she'd come to India and stay at our place in Bangalore! Travel friends are so much fun!

Vegetarian food to try out at Iquitos:

• Dawn on the amazon
• Yellow Rose Texas
• Pizza Chez Maggy will make Pizza whatever way you like
• There is a veg resto on Jr. San Martin between Jr. Prospero and Ramirez Hurtado
• Rest. Vegetariano Darshan on Jr. 2nd De Mayo between Av. Elias Aguirre and Av. Miguel Grau - near plaza 28 de Julio.

Sightseeing:

• We went to Las Boras and Quistacocha. Las Boras is an Amazonian tribe which tourists can see and interact with the tribe members. I dont think we'd go specially for this, but if you have time to kill, why not?
• Quistacocha is a big zoo and entertainment park. Okay to go. Kids will enjoy.
• Belen - the market is very interesting. The floating village is okay, but gives a very different perspective on how people live. I would recommend going as a group.

Quilotoa Loop - How to do it?

Some information about the Quilotoa Loop and how to go about doing it. There are many ways to do it. Here, with this plan, you can do it even if you do not want to trek, but just want a very different experience.

Nearest big city is Latacunga. From the terrace of Hostal Tiana, you can get a clear view of the Cotopaxi. Latacunga has a vibrant market and plenty of 'peluquerias'. 

Quito to Latacunga:

From Quito's Terminal Quitumba - its the last stop on the troll bus on circuits C2 and C4. Buses are color coded and 25 c a ride. Wait for empty trole. 1.50 ticket + 0.20 terminal fee. Really swanky bus terminal. Looks better than many airports sans long security lines. Ticket counter 20/21 have tickets for Latacunga. 1.5 hr bus ride. Hostal Tiana very cute place to stay. Bunks are really spacious and have reading lamps.

Quilotoa:

• Bus from Latacunga departs at 11 AM. Terminal #16 Vivero bus.
• Bus costs $2.50 per person and there is a bus later in the afternoon. There is also a minivan that leaves for Latacunga around 3 PM.
• Around 1.30 PM to 2.30 PM, there is a bus that goes to Chugchillan from Quilotoa. Need to wait from 1.30 pm on the street.
• Latacunga to Quilotoa bus timings - 10, 11.30, 2 and 3.30
• Hostal Chukirawa @ $10/person including breakfast and dinner. Clean rooms. 

Chugchillan:

• Mama Hilda hostel - food + stay @ $30/2 people. There are other hostels too.
• Lovely hostel with great hosts
• Milk truck leaves at 8.30-9.30 AM in the morning to Sigchos. Or early AM bus ~ 4.30 AM. $2/person.
• Bus ride to Chugchillan @ $1

Sigchos:

• Bus from Latacunga to Sigchos @ $1.80/person. Easily available from the bus terminal. 
• We walked into a nice restaurant at Sigchos and requested them to make me a vegetarian meal. $3.60 for 2.