If diversity is what you seek-out, Ecuador is the place you should travel to satiate your hunger for a perfect destination. Starting from the snow capped Andes mountain peaks to the lush green jungles of the Amazon Basin; from the rocky marine paradise of the Galapagos Archipelago to the steamy mangrove swamps of the southern coast and home to some of the oldest civilizations of the world. This means that one is spoilt for choices for an active exciting escapade.
You will bring home memories more captivating than the Panama Hats like mountaineering and trekking trips say at the Quilatoa Loop or a horseback ride down the cobbled muddy woods, there is also world class opportunity for hiking, rafting, surfing etc. Their indigenous heritage of traditional costumes and highland markets of the Ecuadorian lands will enthrall you. There is also the mesmerizing colonial architecture in the cities of Cuenca and Quito, both of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
The best draw is however lies in the West of Ecuador, the enchanting Galapagos Islands. This archipelago is a group of about 19 islands on the Pacific Ocean which has been credited as the “most incredible living museum of evolutionary changes.” Your children may flip twice along with the seals here when they hear that in 1835 Charles Darwin himself visited this place in his quest to find “The Origin of Species.” This has also been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
How to reach there:
By Air:
Quito is the capital of Ecuador and has a plush international airport Mariscal Sucre International Airport. It has an executive lounge which comes free for the Business Class travelers.
There is another point of entry at Guayaquil, located north from downtown, known as Simón Bolívar International Airport. This contemporary airport has all the usual amenities of duty-free shopping, restaurants, etc.
Baltra and San Cristobal are two other airports at the Galapagos Islands. Aerogal is the name of the airline which flies to Galapagos. All the flights are through the mainland.
By Train:
There are no international train services into Ecuador. The national railroad from Quito to Guayaquil (Via Lactacunga and Riobamba) is being rebuilt, but in the meantime, several sections are running for tourists.
By Boat:
Since Ecuador is situated at the coast and has some very large rivers, a boat ride can be a nice way to get around. Especially in the rainforest a boat ride can get you to places you usually wouldn’t be able to go.
Places to stay:
• Piedra Blanca Ecolodge:
The Piedra Blanca Ecolodge is a community run eco-lodge that has been developed at in the forested valley at the western foot of the Andes in the province of Bolivar. The site is virtually untouched by tourism but visiting travelers can find a range of natural and cultural attractions over there.
• The Black Sheep Inn:
Named as one of the 50 top eco-lodges by National Geographic Adventure Magazine and being eco-certified by the Ecuadorian Ministry of Tourism, The Black Sheep Inn, is perched on a hill side in Chugchilán, Cotopaxi Province and serves as a great base for day hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking and exploring indigenous markets. The place is also perfect to discover centuries-old culture and diverse eco-systems.
• La Selva Jungle Lodge:
Located in Angochagua in the Ecuadorian Amazon rainforest, the Le Selva Jungle Lodge has many exiting excursions which will give you a genuine feeling for the important and richly bio diverse region of the world.
Eco-adventures
The biodiversity is the main assets of this land dotted with 10 national parks, 14 natural reserves, a wild life refuge and a recreation area which are considered natural heritage and protected by the State. They cover an area of around 4,669,871 hectares of land and 14,110,000 of water, divided into four regions. These lands play the grounds for an energetic experience with dude ranches, whitewater rafting, houseboat rentals, bicycle tours and mountain biking.
Rafting – The rafting tours offered in Piedra Blanca are not at all your typical whitewater rafting found in other parts of the country, but rather multi-day rafting trips down the Zapotal River in traditional wooden indigenous rafts designed in pre-Incan times. A typical rafting tour lasts 2 days and costs $60 per person per day including all meals. However, single-day trips are available and also 5-day trips all the way to the city of Guayaquil. These trips are certainly an adventure and an insight into the traditional way of life in the area.
Horseback riding – Horseback riding tours can be taken to visit a variety of interesting local sites. These tours can be taken through the forest to visit waterfalls and pre-Inca inscriptions or also to local towns and villages to visit markets and organic farms. The guides are happy to arrange a tour to suit your specific desires.
Hiking – Piedra Blanca offers a wide range of trekking possibilities. First, there is the option of taking a single or multi-day rainforest trek to see caves, waterfalls, and the exceptional flora and fauna (including monkeys and toucans) of the area. Next, you can hike to or from the town of Salinas, taking two days during which you will pass through several villages and take in spectacular mountain vistas. Finally, you can also take a historic hike along one of Ecuador’s old trade routes used during colonization and later to smuggle alcohol from the coast to the highlands.
Volcano watching – Not to miss en-route from Quito is the Cayambe Volcano. At 4,690 m on its south slope is the “highest point in the world crossed by the Equator and the only point on the Equator with snow cover”. The volcano is located within the Cayambe Coca Ecological Reserve.Ecuador has 19 potentially active volcanoes, including nine that have shown recent activity.
Eco-food
Ecuadorian cuisine is diverse, varying with altitude and associated agricultural conditions. Most regions in Ecuador follow the traditional 3 course meal of sopa (soup) and Segundo (second dish) which includes rice and a protein rich food. Supper is usually lighter and sometimes just coffee or agua de remedio (herbal tea) with bread. Plantain and peanut-based dishes are the basis of most coastal meals. In the rainforest, a dietary staple is the yuca, or cassava. Many fruits are available in this region, including bananas, tree grapes, and peach palms.
Culture
Culturally Ecuador presents an ancient and diverse flavor none can resist. The majority of the Ecuadorian population is Mestizo, a mixture of both European and Amerindian ancestry, and much like their ancestry, the national culture is also a blend of these two sources, along side the influence of the slaves from Africa. 95% of Ecuadorians are however Roman Catholic.
Ecuador’s mainstream culture is defined by its Hispanic Mestizo majority and, like their ancestry, is traditionally of Spanish heritage influenced at different degrees with Amerindian traditions and in some cases with African elements. Also some minor African elements are found in the northern provinces of Esmeraldas and Imbabura thanks to the 17th century shipwreck of a slave-trading galleon in front of the northern coast of Ecuador.
Andean tradition thrives in their local markets. They provide many opportunities to observe how people have been trading for thousands of years. You can visit these markets and bargain for a poncho, fresh fruit and produce, fried bread, or some fine hand carved furniture.
