Spring with Eagle’s Nest: Opportunity for Adventure
By Jeremy “Soup” Campbell and Paige Lester-Niles
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| Picture yourself trekking through Ecuador or Belize this spring on an Eagle's Nest Spring Break Hante Adventure! |
The Andean region is the heart of Ecuador, with a natural beauty that can be found not only in the grassy highlands, mountain lakes, and the still-active volcanoes, but also in the smiling faces of the Otavalo people who make it their home. Situated proudly along the Avenue of the Volcanoes is the iconic image of Ecuador: the perfectly conical Cotopaxi volcano. Views from the snow covered summit of Cotopaxi, the second highest equatorial volcano in the world, are breathtaking and memorable. Close by, Cotopaxi’s sister peak, Cayambe, presents equally spectacular glaciated peaks. Both offer the experience and excitement of high altitude mountaineering for admiring climbers and adventure seekers.
Nearly 1200 miles to the northwest, Belize is blooming with a rainbow of vibrant color. Hummingbirds race to retrieve nectar from elegant stands of tropical trees while the keel-billed toucan, with its bright yellow throat, calls across ancient Mayan ruins. This small country, made up of rain forests that have been carved out by rushing rivers, is home to exotic wildlife, sandy beaches, palm trees and soothing sea breezes.
This spring, Hante Adventures will visit both of these stunning countries, and we encourage you to join us. Adult Alums who are longing to recapture their days on Hantes or parents who are eager to have a Hante experience that rivals those of their teens, are able to sign up for Hante Ecuador: Spring Summit’s Expedition, which will run March 9th – March 21st. On this 13-day Hante, our group of 6 adults will be traveling in the Ecuadorian Andes, immersing ourselves in the beautiful Quechua culture and trekking in the breathtaking Highlands. We will be learning basic mountaineering skills and slowly progressing towards higher elevation climbs. As a group, we will be participating in a 2-day glacial travel school. Each night we will be staying in the comforts of high mountain lodges and climber’s refuges. When the time is right we will wake up to the moonlight and make the early morning push to the summit of Cotopaxi at 19,388 feet.
Our teens will have the opportunity to spend their spring break in Belize. During the week of March 15th – 21st, they will spend time exploring a Mopan Mayan Indian village on the edge of the Jaguar Sanctuary. While at the sanctuary, they will venture into the rainforest at night to observe animals uniquely adapted to the nocturnal world. At the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary they will search for the highly endangered jaguar and also for morpho butterflies, leaf cutter ants, and keel billed toucans. After exploring the jungle, we will head to the seaside port of Dangriga and a small fishing camp in the Bluefield Range Islands, where we can relax in our beach huts after a day of snorkeling in crystal clear water.
Whether you prefer to soar like the condor or silently explore like the elegant jaguar, we hope that you’ll participate in a Hante Adventure this spring. The opportunity for adventure, growth and exploration is waiting for you. For more information about these Hantes, and many others that are being offered this year, please visit our website or contact Jeremy Campbell.
