Planning & Details
Once you know you're coming to the inn, it's important to nail down a few basics.
Transportation
Black Sheep Inn is well off the beaten path. It's a 4 or 5 hour drive to
Quito.
Getting to the inn from
Quito (or further) takes a bit of planning. You can hire a
private jeep from Quito for $100 one way. Local
buses are a cheaper option, about $8 per person one way.
Our Travel page shows more
options for getting here, including
driving directions for taking your own
vehicle.
Weather and Climate
Black Sheep Inn is nestled high in the Andes Mountains, 10,500 feet (3200 meters) above sea
level. But oddly enough, there is never snow here due to our equatorial positioning.
We live in an area with a very temperate climate. We like to call it 'eternal spring'.
Daytime temperatures range from a low of 60°F or 15°C to a high of about 75°F or 23°C.
A hot day can be 80°F or 27°C.
Once the sun goes down, around 6pm, it gets cooler. Evenings
range from 40°F to 50°F (4°C to 10°C). It only gets cold enough for a
frost, 32°F or 0°C, once or twice a year.
The best thing to do as far as clothing is to use the 'layer system'. If you get warm,
you can strip off a layer, or if you get cool, add a layer. See our
packing list for more details of what to bring for your time at the Black Sheep Inn.
Black Sheep Inn is located 55 miles (88 km) south of the equator. Year round the days and
nights are 12 hours long with sunrise at 6am and sunset at 6pm. Temperatures remain the
same year round as well. The only distinct change in the climate is from wet to dry.
In the dry season (June through September) days are the warmest, and nights the coolest.
Sometimes the dry season, especially August, can be very windy.
The wet months are October through June. During the wet season you can expect sunny
and crystal clear mornings, cloudy drizzly afternoons, and rain by sundown. The rainy
season is our favorite time of year, when the patchwork fields come alive with vibrant shades
of green. It doesn't rain all the time and it is very lush and fresh. A good
schedule is a hike in the mornings, and a sauna in the afternoon or evenings.
We often get 2 weeks of beautiful weather around Christmas and New Years. May and June
are also good times to visit because it is between the two seasons. The important thing
to remember is that here in the mountains, the weather changes fast. You can have a
sunny morning, with a hailstorm in the afternoon often with a rainbow, a breathtaking
sunset/moon rise, and then a rainy night. The best thing is to be ready for it all.
Packing List
Please bring an open mind for intercultural experiences.
The best part of traveling is learning something new!!
In general it's good to bring layers so that if you are hot you can strip off
a layer, and if you get cold you can add a layer. At 10,500 feet or 3200 meters in
elevation, it can get quite chilly, even on the equator. Another tip is to bring
fast drying things. Yes, we have laundry service, but all laundry is line dried at
the Black Sheep Inn. If you bring some light weight but warm polypropylene tops
and leggings, those are an excellent layer. BUT, you shouldn't run out and buy
a whole new wardrobe. Bring what you are comfortable in, and in general, you don't
really ever have to 'dress up' in Ecuador. Even if you want to eat at some of the
fanciest restaurants in Quito, most are quite accepting of clean, neat looking gringos!
Shoes & Socks
-- Hiking Boots - We suggest hiking boots because it is important to have the ankle support on some of the more difficult hikes, especially on steep trails.
-- A pair of comfortable slip on shoes/loafers OR a pair of running shoes; some people prefer them to hiking boots.
-- 2 pairs of wool socks/hiking socks.
-- 2 or 3 pairs of light weight fast drying socks.
Pants & Undergarments
-- 2 or 3 pairs of pants. Hiking pants, that have the zip off legs, are really handy.
-- A pair of shorts and/or a bathing suit if you are thinking of using our sauna or waterslide and prefer not to go naked.
-- You can make your own decision about underwear!
Warmth & Shirts
-- A good rain jacket or wind breaker.
-- 3 short sleeve shirts.
-- 2 long sleeve shirts.
-- Long johns or leggings.
-- A sweat shirt or turtleneck.
-- A sweater, although you can buy a hand knit sweater in Ecuador for $10 - $20.
-- You can also purchase a lovely hand knitted scarf or cap
of natural fibers here at the Inn.
Toiletries etc.
-- Black Sheep Inn provides towels, linen, pillows and blankets. We also provide biodegradable soap, shampoo and conditioner. But feel free to bring your own brands, if you prefer.
-- Sunscreen - the high altitude equatorial sun is very strong! Even on cloudy days.
-- A floppy hat or cap for hiking.
-- Personal toiletries; shavers, moisturizing lotion,
medications, feminine products, etc.
Stuff
-- A good book or two, we have a book exchange at the Inn.
-- A current copy of your favorite magazine that you'd contribute to our lodge's magazine shelf when you finish.
-- Film/battery charger for your camera.
-- Black Sheep Inn outlets and power in Ecuador in general are standard 110 volt, 60 kHz, equal to those found in the USA.
