EXPLORE ECUADOR

With volcanoes, tropical beaches, rain forests, and cobblestone towns Ecuador is one of the premier destinations in South America. It's a friendly, easily navigable country the size of the state of Nevada where you can summit a 20,000 ft peak in the morning and enjoy dinner on a white sand beach in the evening.

Ecuador's three distinct geographic zones offer exceptional beauty and a wealth of recreational opportunities. Explore the wilds of the Amazon Rainforest, relax at a 17th Century Hacienda while shopping for exquisite handicrafts in the world-renowned markets of Otavalo, or head to the coast for a sport fishing expedition. Whatever your interest Ecuador has it all!

More than just a land of beauty, Ecuador is also rich in culture. Remarkable collections of pre-Colombian and colonial art and architecture are visible throughout the country. The capital city Quito and the Southern city, Cuenca, have been declared UNESCO world heritage sites, recognized by the United Nations for their outstanding colonial architecture.

A strong sense of culture is present everywhere you go. Ecuador's various indigenous groups proudly continue the traditions of their ancestors finding a way to mix the old with the new in a unique cultural blend.

When you explore Ecuador you will have a variety of tours to choose between. Whether you prefer to travel alone or part of a group these programs can be arranged separately or as a compliment to your Galapagos Vacation. Wherever you decide to explore, you will experience a rich reward for your choice to visit Ecuador.

Amazon Rainforest

The Ecuadorian Amazon Rainforest close proximity to the capital city of Quito makes it easily accessible. The Amazon Rainforest region covers the entire east side of Ecuador and stretches from Columbia to the north to Peru on the east and south. There are a number of lodges where you can visit as well as many indigenous settlements, which welcome visitors. The relative closeness to the Andes makes the temperatures milder than in other Amazon regions.

Andes Highlands

Running the length of Ecuador and splitting the country into two from north to south the mountains and valleys of the High Andes form the heart of Ecuador. The Andes are one of the greatest mountain ranges in the world. With an average elevation of 12,000 ft, the range stretches for 4,500 miles from the tip of South America at Cape Horn along the western coast to Panama.

The Andes is the most visited region on mainland Ecuador - there is much to see and much to do. The two largest cities in the Andes Highlands Quito and Cuenca are both beautiful cities surrounded by towering Andes Peaks. Both cities retain their colonial history and have fabulous churches, plazas and other monuments making them well worth a visit.

Traveling to the northern part of the Andes is Otavalo and the surrounding Craft Villages. This area provides a wonderful view of the many cultures of Ecuador and a glimpse into the history of the country. A stay at one of the local Haciendas brings you back to a by-gone era where you can explore the region entering into craft workshops and learn how the indigenous people create everything from weavings to leather goods in ways that have been handed down one generation to the next.

The Andes Tropical Forest is a birders paradise. An area of extreme ecological importance it is one of the most bio-diverse areas on the planet. Bird lovers come from all over the world to see the many species that live in this area from small jewel colored hummingbirds to the cock-in-the-rock.

Coastal Ecuador

Guayaquil is Ecuador's largest city, principle port and the economic center of Ecuador. The city is located near the head of the Guayaquil Gulf on the Guayas River. Most of the nations import and export trade pass through the city's deepwater port. Major industries in Guayaquil include shrimp fishing, petroleum refining, food processing, machinery manufacturing, and the manufacturing of consumer goods.

Some of Ecuador's most beautiful beaches are just a short drive north of Guayaquil. Salinas, Playas, Libertad, Punta Carnero, Ayangue, Valdivia are all within a two-hour drive of Guayaquil. There the waves of the Pacific Ocean crash along lengthy white sand beaches. These towns are a quick get-away and a perfect spot for sailing, sport fishing or relaxing in the sun.