Ecuador manages to pack in incredibly diverse variations of scenery and climate within its borders. In fact, the attraction of the Galapagos Islands seem to have taken the focus off mainland Ecuador as a holiday destination, which is a great pity.

The capital Quito is a World Cultural Heritage site, and home to a splendid Cathedral, La Compania Church whose golden baroque altar is one of the most beautiful in Latin America, good hotels and restaurants. Exploring Quito should definitely include a trip up the sugar loaf hill for the great panoramic view of the city.

Ecuador is home to the Panama hat - do not return home without one!  Crafts are varied and tempting - in fact an extra suitcase may be necessary to pack with jewellery, embroidery, leather work, weaving and local art work.
The fascinating Inca ruins at Ingapirca can be combined with a scenic coach ride to Cuenca, the most beautiful city in Ecuador. This is a coach ride with a difference, it runs on rails! And requires strong nerves, as part of the track is a switchback known as "the Devil's Nose". The faint hearted (or stomached) can fly to Cuenca instead.
The Machalilla National Park is the only place on earth to combine tropical dry forest, tropical cloud forest AND tropical rain forest. It is also home to over 360 species of birds. Climate is warm and rainy from December to May, and cool and dry from May to December (the whale watching season on the Pacific coast).

 

 

Of course, a holiday combining Ecuador and the Galapagos works very well – as do either of these destinations as individual holidays.  We are happy to offer Galapagos Cruises – please ask for details.  These cruises are becoming increasingly popular and with their popularity is a certain risk of spoiling the “unique” nature of these fascinating islands.  Sadly, we think going to the Galapagos Islands sooner rather than later is a very good idea as they are becoming increasingly crowded with tourists.

When to go: Ecuador is a year round destination, so if you can be flexible it is worth visiting out of peak season. Most visitors tend to travel to Ecuador in the European summer (June to September) to avoid the humidity. The weather is mainly dry and cool but bright at this time.

 

HAVE A LOOK AT OUR CURRENT SPECIAL OFFER WHICH COMBINES ECUADOR & THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS WITH THE PACAYA SAMIRIA RESERVE AND MACHU PICCU IN PERU.

 

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