JULIO VERNE is settled in the centrally located provincial town of Riobamba, within a 3 1/2-hour drive of Ecuador's capital Quito and 5-hour drive of Guayaquil and Cuenca.

Click here to see a detailed map of Ecuador and Galapagos (JPG, 102 Kb)

Riobamba, also known as the heartland of the Andes, is surrounded by snow-capped mountains: on the westside Chimborazo and Carihuairazo; on the eastside Altar and Sangay; and to the north, at a slightly greater distance, Cotopaxi and Ilinizas. Its central location and its high altitude (2750 m.) make Riobamba the perfect place to acclimatize and prepare for hiking and climbing tours in the Andes.

From Riobamba you can make day trips to beautiful lagoons, rural villages, and authentic indigenous markets. Three times a week you can take the famous train to the Devil's Nose, and afterwards stay in the village of Alausi to hike the Inca Trail to the Inca Ruins. Besides, the surroundings of Riobamba are a very good place for outdoor sports like mountainbiking.

If you want to arrange a tour to the jungle or to Galapagos, you don't necessarily have to come first to our office in Riobamba. Instead you can make your reservation by e-mail or by phone, and meet our guide on the day and place of departure.

Our jungletours in the Cuyabeno and Armadilo area start in Lago Agrio and Coca.

The Pastaza Trek and Kiwaro Expedition leave from Puyo.

You can start the Galapagos tours either in Quito or in Guayaquil.

Our address is:
Agencia de Viajes Julio Verne
Calle El Espectador 22-25 y Avenida Daniel Leon Borja (2 blocks north from the train station)
Phone and fax: 593-(0)3-2963436
P.O. Box 181
E-mail: julioverne@andinanet.net
www.julioverne-travel.com