Ecuador is a small country, yet, it goes from perpetually snow- covered mountains and volcanoes, to tropical warmth and everything in between. It even has some small desert valleys. 

Visit any place, town or tourist attraction in the Galapagos Islands (Proudly Ecuadorian Territory), Andes Highlands, the Tropical and Rainforests and the Coast  of Ecuador with all the marvels each region has to offer.

Regular packages and  new CUSTOM MADE TOURS at your heart´s desire, with all Hotel  Reservations, Transport (air, water or land).and guides, Ecuador Forest Lodges, Galapagos Cruises and lodging at new Hotels !

We can now take you to special sites never visited before by travelers, which are now exclusively available from us, including the startling Jibaro tribe sites, Huaorani sites and other indigenous tribes by special request at time of booking as the costs have to be figured out.

Then, please go to > All Of Ecuador-site.com our own Non-Profit Tour Operator, subject to the same standards of quality  for the best tours in Galapagos and all of Ecuador, ease of booking and transportation in coaches, vans or cars authorized by the Ministry of Tourism, anywhere from Airport to where your heart desires with 13 years+ experience and guests return to us with confidence and trust, call or e-mail Arasha for BEST RATES, again, this service is only for Arasha Hotel and Resort patrons.

We are delighted, to have won "Leading Resort and Spa" in all of Ecuador years 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006 , 2007, 2008, a 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013  (In two categories: as a Resort and as a Resort Spa) for a total of 14 awards. Currently we are also finalists for all of South America, under the categories above mentioned.

 NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC magazine TRAVELER included Arasha at top of page main photo of this article, situating our resort within the best 50 Spas in Central and South America !

Link: http://www.traveler.nationalgeographic.com/wellness-directory/south-and-central-america-text


World travel AWARDS, based in London England, has once again honored ARASHA by informing us that over 120,000 travel agencies voted in this year's competition and ARASHA was  chosen as the best in Ecuador and now in 2013 as BEST RESORT IN SOUTH AMERICA. We are humbled and extremely appreciative to all of those who voted for us.
In order to ensure your clients receive the most exceptional experience possible, we commit ourselves to continue providing outstanding service as you would expect from a Top Rated resort and reinforce our  efforts of excellence and who knows...... maybe we will win 2014 award as well!  Muchas gracias....! 

For past and recent news please navigate:

ARASHA-World Travel Awards Winner 2013 down to 2004 and

www.worldtravelawards.com and read all about South America as we are mentioned more than once in two different categories), Leading Resort in Ecuador and Leading Resort & Spa in Ecuador.

Arasha Tropical Rainforest Resort & Spa rated "excellent" by travelers in "Trip-Advisor"

Please take a look at what Foreign Customers comment to "Trip Advisor" about their stay with us !

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GALAPAGOS INFORMATION !

GALAPAGOS ! One of Planet Earth Icons. Nowhere else you can find anything like it, you jump from one surprise to the next from desertic islands where enormous cactus grow and impressive and very large land iguanas either see you pass by at Hispaniola island (when they dont follow you if by chance you are wearing yellow socks shoes) and in spite of their ferocious looks they are gentle as can be, to large rock beaches wwhere you find the sea iguanas and similar size and look but black and their bellies redish.

You will walk along designed paths and look at your side red or blue bubbies nesting and looking at you as if you were their show and remain tranquil, showing no sign of fraight. Male frigate birds that the male inflates a large red balloon like apendix under their beak, they are courting the females. Smaller lizards of various sizes going their own way, some of them with nice colors in their body and going back to the rock beaches bright red crabs you will love to take photos with their contrasting color agains the black rocks

Then you hop your yacht or small craft and move to another island where there are beaches that range from snow like to gold and black send where you will meet the sea lions or seals resting and taking the sun, they will not move an inch and look at you with their warm eyes and the babies no doubt will come next to you and try to pull your socks if you have taken off your shoes and pat them, with the mother looking at the game, although you are not supposed to do that. You are in a different unknown world to you that, rest assured you will never forget.

Move to another island and you will think you are in the moon, small craters some of them a few feet high will tell you the boiling and heat that were present at the time and the rather fast period of coolingh that permitted the volcanoes to keep their shape.

We can keep going on and on, but rather click the link to our own Tour Operator "All of Ecuador" and once you are there touch the GALAPAGOS Tab in the left menu for pictures and additional information. All of Ecuador-site.com

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POOL TABLES IN THEIR OWN BUILDING AND THE COFFEE WORKSHOP

Right at the back of Cayapas Hall is the place to go and shoot pool for the fans of the game. Lots of fun with mates and a good opportunity to make new friends.

With guide assistance, participate and toast the coffee kernels, grind them to a fine texture, and prepare an aromatic and delicious cup of coffee to drink at the premise. Much fun and great reward.

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PROJECT ON ITS WAY..A FRUIT ORCHARD WITH EXOTIC TROPICAL TREES, FRUITS, FLOWERS AND MEDICINAL PLANTS.

We are working on it right now ! New and delicious tropical fruits like Naranjilla, that you can eat splitting the fruit and using a spoon, or have it made into a delicious Emerald juice, milk shake with a taste that will make you gulp another glass. Passion fruit, sweet and seedy with a touch of tartness, Maracuya for juice or cocktail only, several banana varieties which come in an array of sizes and uses. Ask your guide if you want to harvest some fruit if in season.

In the same area you will see a nursery where you'll find growing flowers and orchids which come in various shapes and colors. We use our own flowers, to create arrangements that decorate different areas of the resort. These, along several medicinal plants and shrubs which you will also find, that are used by Shamans to cure and relief some ailments.

A PROJECT THAT DID NOT MAKE IT. READ ALONG AND LEARN WHY !

About three years ago, a cable car installation project was proposed, to travel above the rainforest trees canopy and allow an aerial view of the rainforest down below, which at first seemed like a good idea, but after giving it careful thought and consulting with several knowledgeable people, we opted against this project.

These artifacts no matter how silent the design may be, still make noise and even more so in a hotel that provides them as an attraction day and night. The birds and forest fauna (native animals) will simply vanish and if their activity is after dark will also affect the night fauna, which includes birds and mammals. After all, it is an invasive intrusion to their media. Throughout the years, our goal has always been to protect the surrounding habitats and species by handling everything in the most eco-friendly manner.

From the designs we looked, there were many electromechanical parts involved and the security and safety factor was a concern if a failure occurred and the users were left in mid air. This happenings cause panic in certain persons, even more so if it is in a site abroad. Other people are just scared of altitude, security or both and then we decided to replace it with the fruit plantation and orchard.

Through the years all the birds and mammals which live in the primary and secondary forests of Arasha have felt protected and even cured when found sick or hurt.

We have had visits of armadillos, kinkajous, sloths, even an owl who has a favorite landing and resting spot nearby the entrance and who extends its wings full length when noticing it is being watched, birds et al. some of them have entered the reception building where the front desk is located, made an inspection to see if everything is in working order and left without showing any fright from the humans present. Wild boars (species quite small in this area and very shy) have allowed guests to take pictures of them, they ventured and were seen nearby the Mini Golf or close to the NEGRITO creek, both Arasha grounds. So, we left our beautiful forest and its inhabitants intact and protected !

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In 2011, ARASHÁ was a finalist, among 9 other fine resorts in other countries, for "Leading Resort in South America". We were nominated for this distinguished title by "World Travel Awards" based in London, England. It was truly exhilarating to receive this honor and we look forward to the challenge of winning this award in the years to come !

Aside of a Resort, Arasha is an International Convention Center, AID, BID, FAO Departments of the United Nations, Local Banks, Unilever, Cervecería Nacional (Ecuador's largest beer manufacturer) Pharmaceutical Companies, Employee Incentive programs, we would like to name them all if it was possible, totalling more than 450 events since we were prepared with all the Halls and equipment indispensable to succeed and leave our guests happy and coming back.

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We ARE in TAMPA, Florida USA.  Courteous, warm, and professional staff will be able to help you with your every need. Please do not hesitate to contact us. Our extensive information can be found at the top on the MENU. Get information about new laws that benefit you, prevailing new rates, questions about transfers you may have etc by getting in touch with our USA Office or headquarters office in Quito. For both, click CONTACT US here or in the Top Main Menu and you will get all the additional information you may need.

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ECUADOR - NEW (IVA 12%) TAXATION LAW ! ITS BENEFITS FOR INCOMING TOURISM. APPLICABLE TO FOREIGN TOUR OPERATORS; FOREIGN OUTGOING AGENCIES AND FOREIGN TOURISTS, WITH EXAMPLES FOR EASY UNDERSTANDING !
Tourism is an INDUSTRY and the export of it is constituted by the Service Providers, namely Local Tour Operators, Agencies or individuals and also by the Hotels, Hostals, Resorts, Lodges providing shelter and/or food.

This reformed law applicable to Incoming Tourism, and currently enforced,Title II-TAX TO ADDED VALUE -  CHAPTER I ART. 56 IVA ON SERVICES RENDERED 14. a) and b) & 15. published in the OFFICIAL REGISTRY OF ECUADORIAN LAWS #351 dated December 29th 2010, applies to Foreign Tour Operators, Foreign Agencies and Foreign Tourists, that have an operating branch in Ecuador, (representing the foreign Operator or Agency that already exists, outside our country.) The law also applies to Foreign operators/agencies that utilize a local agency or operator as an intermediary, they will be required to pay a 12% IVA tax, since business and money is being done inside Ecuador and it becomes a local transaction, plus the intermediary's own commision totaling two comissions to the foreign tourist to pay.-

ANY LAW cannot be fractioned when exposed, if the theme and sequence are the same, which only stands to reason so as to prevent manipulation of the referred law, including Only what may be of benefit and excluding any part of it which may be negative, that is why we transcribe and translate both articles.

This new law will APPLY to you as a Foreign Tour Operator or Agency if certain conditions and criteria are fully met and observed. Article 14 is the legal support for following Article 15; thus, if fully complied YOU will not have to pay the 12% IVA tax.

Article 14:

a) The service provider should be a legal resident of Ecuador
b) The Payee or Beneficiary should NOT be a Resident of Ecuador
c) That the expenses or utilization of the income belonging to the Receiver or Beneficiary’s, must be in a foreign country, even if the services rendered are in Ecuador ("pais" in the original).

Article 15:

Bundled packs of INCOMING Tourism invoiced inside or outside of Ecuador (pais in the original text) to individuals or Societies NOT RESIDENT IN ECUADOR.
:

Two examples would be as follows:

1.- If a foreign agency, operator or even individuals, decide to handle all their reservations directly, with the service provider, i.e. hotels, yachts, resorts etc… they are exempt from paying the 12% IVA TAX and the Tour Operator abroad will receive his full commission, avoiding the local third party commission as well.

2.- On the other hand, if a foreign agency, operator or provider chooses to handle their business through a branch of their own company or ANY other third party, established in Ecuador, they are not exempt and must pay the 12% tax plus the costs, taxes etc of that ecuadorian branch and any commission charged by the third party.

By dealing directly with the hotel, resort, hostal etc of your choice, you also reduce the commission rate, because it will not be necessary to make a split of say (as an example) 50% each between the foreign tour operator and a local tour operator or travel agency; had you used a third party inside of Ecuador; so as not to inflate even more the cost for the consumer. The same applies, if you were to make your reservations, via Arasha/All Of Ecuador to another hotel, resort, lodge or similar if we were a profit-making operator.

Arasha Cia Ltda, Eximius Journeys and its Registered trade name "All of Ecuador" are members of the same GROUP, legally independent enterprises, they work together in the same premises and will provide all the services of a tour operator and the beneficiaries (Ecuadorian Hotels, Resorts, Lodges and similar) will be transfered to you, as a foreign Tour Operator; then, the New LAW will apply, you will get your full comission, sharing nothing and will not have to pay the 12% IVA tax. Article 15 is self explanatory, pointing exclusively to Tourism Packages (Paquetes Turísticos in Spanish), also applied if party involved IS NOT A RESIDENT OF ECUADOR and there are no transactions within the country's territory.

Now, you can enjoy from 98 passenger yachts in Galapagos to 12 passenger smaller crafts plus any other lodging of any category anywhere in the country. Arasha can attend now 120 pasengers at 2 persons per room with cots for families.

Even though Galapagos requires no longer 6 or more months advance payment due to the worldwide drop in tourism of which we are all aware, so you can book maybe 3 months earlier to choose a better yacht, cabins and at lower rates. Payments can be done directly to the facility or via Arasha/All of Ecuador when we will transfer the amount and instruct to whom the invoice should be made. (Either you as the Foreign Tour Operator or the client himself if you have previously so arranged and prefer)

Consequently, Eximius Journeys, owner of "All of EcuadorTM" functions now as a Non-Profit organization, making this a
great benefit overall to both, the Foreign tourism agencies and Tour Operators, because they get their full commission (they don’t have to end up loosing a part (IF COMMISSION IS SHARED) because they used a third party, but, even more important, is the fact that this largely contributes to the cost of your customer being reduced by not adding one extra commission and the 12% IVA tax. If you need any further explanations or make clearer a stated concept, do not hesitate and please e-mail us or give us a phone call.

Hotel, Resort, Lodge and yacht owners are glad to learn they will have to pay only one commission (Yours,the foreign Tour Operator) and will NOT have to charge the 12% IVA tax. You don't need to go to "All of Ecuador" if you wish, Arasha will do it for you if you prefer so.

Otherwise, charging both items increments sensibly the total cost to your client which reflects obviously in lower sales. This is the reason why All of Ecuador, assists Arasha in the logistics, and is a Non-Profit Organization and is a member of the same group. The tax must be paid by the hotel or similar or the tour operator when they become the Local third party, as they turn to be participants of an internal transaction between two Ecuadorian companies, societies or any other legal existence established in our country, therefore the NEW reformed Law will not apply nor its benefits.

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ARASHA! LEADING RESORT IN SOUTH AMERICA

WHY ? Let's see what a NON TOURIST, well known magazine says about Ecuador and you will find some of the many reasons to visit the "pearl" of Western South America. Check climate plus any interesting pages you find in the first page of the link's right column.

http://internationalliving.com/countries/ecuador/

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CHOOSE A TOUR OPERATOR OR OUTGOING TRAVEL AGENCY OF YOUR PREFERENCE TO CONTACT ARASHA DIRECTLY IN ORDER TO REDUCE COSTS UP TO 42% .

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