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Ecuador
Ecuador may be a tiny country, but its geographical diversity is staggering and changes dramatically from its eastern to western borders. Its bio-diverse Amazon rainforest is alive with swooping scarlet macaws and spider monkeys bouncing off virgin canopy, while stunning ecolodges dot the basin floor. Up in the culturally rich highland area, colourful Indian markets, smoking volcanoes and striking colonial towns are in abundance. The Andes then slip away to the lush coastal area, a land of mangroves, empty beaches and bounteous tropical plantations. Far out in the Pacific Ocean lie the submerged volcanic peaks of the Galapagos Islands; a sanctuary for unique and exotic overland and underwater wildlife, which has developed free from human interference.
Esmeraldas
Ecuador Travel Tips
BRAZIL
Ibarra Otavalo
Equatorial Monument
Quito Coca
Volcano Cotopaxi
ECUADOR
Ambato Jipijapa
Mt. Chimborazo
PERU
Riobamba Babanoyo Guayaquil Salinas Fernandina Cuenca Alausì
GALÁPAGOS ISLANDS
Santiago Baltra
Santa Cruz Machala Isabela San Cristóbal
Floreana Española
· Time: GMT -5 · Flying Time from UK: Approx. 15 hours to the mainland plus an extra two hours to the Galapagos. · Language: The official language is Spanish but English is generally spoken in large hotels & some tourist areas. Quechua is still spoken by many Andean Indians. · Currency: The US dollar £1 = US$2.03 · Visa Requirements: A visa is not required by UK citizens for stays of up to three months. · Festivals, Events & Busy Times: There are numerous local events and festivals throughout the year, including Easter, Christmas & New Year. Celebrations also take place on 24 May (Battle of Pichincha), 10 August (Quito Independence Day) and 06 December (the founding of Quito). · Departure tax: US$40.80 from the Int. Airport of Quito, US$26 from the Int. Airport of Guayaquil, US$7.60 for domestic departures, subject to change. · Tourist Office: Contact the Embassy of Ecuador: 3 Hans Crescent, London, SW1X 0LS. Tel: 020 7584 1367 or http://ecuador.embassyhomepage.com. For more useful information, see pages 88-89.
Quito & The Central Highlands
Located in the heart of the country, Quito is divided into the well-preserved colonial old town and the cosmopolitan new town. It lies just south of the equator and also close to the town of Otavalo, famous for its traditional Indian market. Stretching to the south is the so-called `Avenue of the Volcanoes', the most spectacular of which is Cotopaxi. There are Inca ruins near Riobamba, and the beautiful city of Cuenca has been a cultural centre since the early days of the Spanish conquest.
The Amazon
Most of Ecuador's Amazon lodges are in the northeast of the country, close to the town of Puerto Francisco de Orellana (also known as Coca). As well as bird watching and wildlife tours, the region also offers canoeing and rafting for the more adventurous traveller, plus visits to local communities for a glimpse of the traditional lifestyles of the rainforest inhabitants. Access to the Amazon is easier in Ecuador than in most other Latin American countries and ideally complements a trip to The Andes and The Galapagos Islands.
The Galapagos Islands
One of the world's greatest destinations for nature lovers, and a paradise for scuba divers, the Galapagos Islands are located several hundred miles off the Ecuadorean coast. The Galapagos are home to many species of birds, mammals and reptiles, some of which have evolved differently from island to island. A cruise is the best way to see both this diversity and the fantastic scenery, but there are also hotels which offer sports such as kayaking and windsurfing to cater for those who would prefer a more active holiday.
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