In Ecuador you will find a multicultural and mega-diverse Country. Each natural region offers a wide variety of activities for everyone. Nature lovers will have a great time in the rainforest or in the tropical jungles doing birdwatching, or maybe you'll prefer a trip to the Galapagos Islands to practice scuba diving or doing whalewatching. Also, there is a place for the extreme sports lovers too! Run through wild rapids and rivers doing rafting or kayaking or visit the highlands in your mountain bike. But if you want to push to the limit, you must conquer the Chimborazo or the Cotopaxi. Mountaineering is a good option too.

The Galapagos is a unique, world-class diving location, yet it remains relatively unknown among diving aficionados. And precisely because this underwater world has yet to be "discovered," it is still private, pristine, and relatively unexplored. Nevertheless, a few tour companies specializing in diving have been operating in the Galapagos for over a decade.

Unlike many other extraordinary dive sites, however, it is not the coral reefs that are the main attraction, but rather the unique mixture of marine animals (one in four species are endemic to the islands), and their fearlessness of intruders into their watery world.

In the Galapagos it is possible to dive in the company of sea turtles, manta rays, penguins, sea lions, dolphins, and numerous species of shark, including hammerheads and whale sharks. There are also hundreds of species of tropical reef fish, many of which are particular to this fantastic underwater sanctuary.

The islands feature about 30 dive sites, a combination of which can be accessed on one to two week charters. All charters are pre-approved by the Ecuadorian National Park Service. Two to three dives per day are normally offered, in addition to land excursions. Dive operators offer professional, bilingual naturalist guides who specialize in Galapagos flora and fauna as well as scuba diving (all guides are certified dive masters). They also provide state-of-the art-equipment and dive boats that meet international safety standards.

A wide range of diving opportunities are available. These include introductory courses for beginners, 8 to 15 day dive tours for experienced divers, and dive trips combined with on shore visits led by naturalist guides. The best time of the year for diving is November to April, when the seas are comparatively calm and the water temperature is warm.

The whales have arrived and everyone is excited. Nobody wants to miss the show. Giant mammals weightlessly emerging from the ocean depths, start their flirtatious dance, giving way to the mating ritual. The Humpback Whale starts long trip to the warm waters of the Ecuadorian ocean in Antartica. Once in Ecuador, these 15 meter-long animals, jump out of the water to call their mate's attention. This ceremony continues for several weeks and it ends a year later with the birth of their offspring, which are born in Ecuadorian waters.

This is why we say these giant creatures have Ecuadorian passports. Although whale-watching can be done along all the Ecuadorian coast, the best spot is in Puerto López, a small fishing village in southern Manabí.

Here, there are many tour operators that offer safe whale-watching tours. A less safe but cheaper alternative is to make a deal with any fisherman that owns a boat.

After an hour's boat ride, whales should be seen exhaling large streams of water or showing their fins graciously, an exciting spectacle that can last several minutes. Yet the trip does not end on this note. A short distance ahead appears "Isla de la Plata", famous for its legends of piracy and its variety of sea birds. This island is also known as "The poor-man's Galapagos", because the birds that live here can also be found in the Galapagos Islands, however arriving to the Island is quite a bit cheaper than a tour of the Galapagos Islands. Frigates, albatross, masked, red-, and blue-footed boobies rest and feed their baby chicks fearless of human presence, right next to the paths on which the island keepers will walk you through, explaining the habits of these beautiful birds. This island was also a ceremonial site of millenary precolombian cultures, whose evidence can be found throughout all the Machalilla National Park. Isla de la Plata is also a part of this protected area. A little bit of snorkeling may be the right ending for your trip, and if you're lucky, some whales may show up on the way back.

You can complete the whale experience by visiting the information center located in Puerto López, where interesting data about these humpback whales is available. With every visit we learn more and more about these beautiful animals and tourism is contributing to their conservation. This year the people of southern Manabi are ready to receive the whales, and the people who love them, too. If you are a whale fan, you can't miss this.

In Ecuador the massive Andean range gives birth to scores of rivers east and west that carve their way through spectacular gorges, canyons, valleys and jungles leaving behind hundreds of miles of breathtaking world class whitewater. Ecuador holds the headwaters of the Amazon river and as a result the country has one of the highest concentrations of rivers per square mile in the world. Add to this warm tropical waters, year-round flows, excellent accessibility, and an opportunity to paddle in the Amazon jungle and you have perhaps the world's best whitewater playground.

Whether you are a whitewater rafting enthusiast or a kayaking aficionado, Ecuador is an unrivaled whitewater destination that you should not pass up.

Eastern Andes (Amazon Basin)

The jungle rivers of the Amazon side of the Andes are by the most part bigger and have more year-round water than their west Andes counterparts.

Besides exceptional whitewater they provide an opportunity to experience the Amazon jungle and the rhythm of life of its native inhabitants. Between rapids indigenous groups of Quichuas are often seen going about their daily life.

Rafting trips can easily be combined with a variety of jungle excursions lasting from 1 to 5 days. From Quito, travel time is about 4.5 hours to the jungle town of Tena, which is where most trips start from.

The Upper Río Napo (Class III) - Big waves and pure fun! In almost every sense, this is as perfect a rafting river as could be asked for. It has the perfect combination of exciting rapids, calm pools, and exuberant jungle scenery. Being one of the two major sources that form the Amazon river itself, it always has plenty of water to be rafted year around.

From the months of March through October the Upper Napo is usually at it's full splendor with a steady medium to high water flow. It is typically run as a one day trip which consists of a full 25 kilometers of rafting and only one hour of driving time round-trip from Tena.

The Río Misahuallí (Class IV and IV +) - Usually addressed as the Misahuallí River Experience, this is the most challenging rafting trip presently offered in Ecuador. It has some big class IV rapids, set in a deep and majestic canyon with virgin jungles all around it. The trip involves tackling a challenging gorge filled with back to back class IV rapids, portaging the rafts around a spectacular 30 foot waterfall and subsequently running the single biggest rapid commonly rafted in all of Ecuador called "the Land of the Giants" . This river can only be rafted from mid-October through mid-March of normal years. During other times of the year this river is typically to high to be run. It is an outstanding 1-day trip for people in good physical shape.

Western Andes

The Western side of the Andes offers two popular rivers: the Río Toachi and the Río Blanco. These two rivers run practically parallel each other until the town of Valle Hermoso where they come together forming the lower Rio Blanco.

The Río Toachi (Class III - III+) - The Toachi has become Ecuador's most rafted river due to the fact that it is the whitewater trip closest Quito. As far as rapids are concerned, the Toachi is an excellent river and makes for excellent rafting during its medium and high water season from January to the end of May.

Due to increased pressure from civilization, Toachi is no longer considered among one of Ecuador's most pristine rivers, though it continues to be the most viable rafting option for travelers that do not want to stray far from Quito. The round trip drive to the river and back takes an average of 5 1/2 hours and trips are offered about 4 days a week.

The Upper Río Blanco (Class III) - Running parallel and just north of the Toachi is the pristine Upper Río Blanco. If run in medium to high water the Upper Blanco is a rafting delight. Non-stop, continuous rapids keep the crew awake and having fun for the entire length of the trip. The scenery and surroundings of this trip are lush and beautiful. The best time to run this river is during the period from January through May. At other times the water levels of this river can get so low that you might find yourself lifting and pushing the raft over rocks. The drawback to the Upper Blanco is that it makes for too long a day of driving to make it an enjoyable 1-day trip. The ideal way to enjoy this river is to do a 2-day trip from Los Bancos to Valle Hermoso where you camp on the river.

Choosing the Best Rafting Trip

Water is the single most important element in making a river trip fun. No matter the magnificence of your surroundings or the lack thereof, if the river has a good water level, the ride is going to be fun. Extreme high water can be dangerous and unforgiving while a very low water trip can be somewhat lacking in excitement and laborious if you end up having to carry the raft over rocks that should have had water running over them. Consider the optimal season for the river you are looking to run and ask around to make sure the water levels are good. There are also other rivers in Ecuador that are good for rafting but are not as commonly run such as the rios Anzu, the Quijos and the Upano.

Tropical Bird Diversity

Most birders are aware that bird diversity varies according to latitude. The arctic region has few resident birds, the temperate zone has more, and the tropical belt has the most. Half-way between the United States and the equator is tiny Costa Rica, which has over 850 species -- more species than in the entire United States. Ecuador, sitting right on the equator, is the culmination of this trend:With over 1500 species of birds, Ecuador offers more bird diversity in less space than any other country in the world.

Geographic good fortune has blessed Ecuador with a wide variety of faunal zones, including some of the richest on this planet, each with its characteristic birds.

Ecuador's Amazonian faunal zone alone has more than 600 species of birds, and several other Ecuadorian zones are nearly as rich.Ecuador's small size (equal to the U.S. state of Colorado) and well-developed transportation system means that this diversity can be easily accessed and experienced even by those with limited time and money.The key to seeing lots of species in Ecuador is to visit as many different faunal zones as possible. However, if your goal is to observe a selection of birds closely, you will have a more satisfying experience by picking one or two zones and remaining there as long as.

Ecuador's Faunal Zones

For birding purposes, Ecuador can be divided into eight faunal zones:

* Amazonian Lowlands

* Northwestern (Choco) Lowlands

* Southwestern (Tumbesin) Lowlands

* Subtropics

* Eastern Subtropics

* Temperate

* Paramo

* Galapagos Islands

These zones are largely the result of the uplift of the Andes mountains, which separate and isolate western Ecuador from the eastern part of the country. Additionally, the western lowlands experience a strong moisture gradient from south (arid) to north (very wet), causing even more diversity.

Logistics

A birding trip to Ecuador can be cheap or expensive, depending on your degree of independence and your required comfort level. The low-end budget traveler can take public transportation (very cheap) to small towns near good forest. Cheap hotels in small towns run USD 2- 3 per night, and meals about the same. If you intend to bring your own food (there are seldom restaurants in good forest), make sure to do your shopping ahead of time in a big city, because the small towns are not always well supplied of a great variety of food. At the other end of the price scale are the Galapagos Islands and the Amazon lowlands; the best Amazonian lodges charge USD100-150 per day (including airfare from Quito to Coca, motor canoe transport, all meals, and a birding guide).

Recommended Birding Guides

The birder with limited time would do well to arrange a tour with a professional bird guide. Tropical birds can be hard to find, especially the rare ones, and a good guide who knows bird songs can be invaluable. Unfortunately many unqualified people call themselves bird guides.

Birding Strategies in the Tropics

If you choose to go on your own, you can follow certain strategies to improve your chances of seeing that once-in-a-lifetime rarity. The most important thing is to bring a tape recorder and directional microphone. The above equipment will cost you as little as USD 150 and yet allow you to call in many species that I guarantee you will not see otherwise.If you can afford it, invest in a good pair of binoculars for tropical birding.Tropical forests are dark and wet, so you'll need binoculars with large front lenses (bigger than 40 mm in an 8x or 10x binocular) and with some water resistance."Gas-sealed" binoculars are best; these never suffer from internal condensation, a common problem in humid environments with cheap binoculars.One unsettling characteristic of tropical birds is their habit of foraging in large mixed-species flocks. This means that a birder might not see any birds at all for a long while, and then suddenly be confronted with forty or more species flitting around for ten minutes or so, followed once again by silence. Tropical birding depends on finding these flocks -- you should search hard if you hear chirping in the distance.

Field Identification Guides

At the moment, the best field guide for Ecuador is Birds of Colombia by S. Hilty and W. Brown. It covers over 90% of the birds you are likely to see in Ecuador.Common Birds of Amazonian Ecuador, Canaday and L. Jost, (available at Libri Mundi in Quito) highlights the 50 most common birds in the Ecuadorian Amazon.The high elevations are completely covered by Birds of the High Andes by J. Fjeldsa and N. Krabbe.

It's a new and totally different way of making tourism. Small indigenous communities share their homes with tourists and let them know about their ancestral ways of living, their cultures and to experience a daily adventure sharing their knowledge

Some communities have seen in tourism a good source of resources so they have opened their doors to show the attractions of their regions from a unique angle.

Ecuador is famous for its colorful indigenous markets. The most famous of them, Otavalo, explodes into a sprawling smorgasbord of exotic colors, sounds, and smells every Saturday, as thousands of local artists and crafts people bargain with an international mix of travelers. Ecuador, especially the Sierra region, is filled with other markets in addition to Otavalo; below is a schedule of some of the more well known ones.

Market schedule:

Sunday: Santo Domingo de los Colorados, Otavalo, and Park El Ejido in Quito

Tuesday: Latacunga, Otavalo

Wednesday: Pujili, Otavalo

Thursday: Saquisili, Otavalo

Saturday: Otavalo, Latacunga, Zumbahua, and Park El Ejido in Quito

Larger cities, such as Quito and Cuenca, also have a large selection of shops that sell traditional folkloric pieces to fine paintings. Furthermore, with the advent of the Internet, it is also possible to get great Ecuadorian handcrafts from the comfort of your home.

Ecuador offers the cyclist seemingly endless back roads and trails to explore. The Incas, who were legendary road builders, and their living descendants, have been carving scenic paths for centuries. Today, in many areas mountain bikes are used by indigenous people and campesinos as a major form of transportation.

For most people, the extreme cycling environment of the Andes is best enjoyed going downhill.

The Andes create a playground of huge vertical descents and gut-wrenching climbs at altitudes where the snow line and the equator meet. Descents of 10,000 ft (3,000 m) in a single day can be obtained in several areas of the country. The world-class descent directly down the slopes of Cotopaxi Volcano, the technical descent down Pichincha Volcano, and trips that take riders from the heights of the Andes to the Amazon Basin are all highly recommended.

Self Supported Rides

Biker-friendly buses and pickup truck taxis, plus readily available lodging and food in most rural areas, make cross country self-supported bicycle travel in Ecuador extremely appealing.

For the experienced mountain biker or long-distance adventurer who can handle intense altitudes and climbs, a thousand adventures await. Careful planning is key. Maps of varying scales can be found at the Instituto Geografico Militar (IGM) behind the Casa de Cultura.

The lesser-traveled back roads make the best routes. Avoid the Inter-American highway, and most other paved roads in Ecuador, as you will encounter reckless truck and bus drivers that are not used to seeing bicycles on the road. Traditional cobblestone roads will rattle your bones loose. Also, it's better to go in the dry season, as rains can get frigid in the Andes.

Bike rental is available in Quito and Baños, but quality varies widely, so check your bike carefully before heading out. High quality, strong bikes are recommended. Shocks are a good idea for the extended descents. Strong aluminum rims are essential as the high speed descents on potted terrain will otherwise bend your wheels.

Packing up your bike up at home and bringing it with you on the plane is a simple alternative. Bring a strong lock and always leave your bike locked in a secure location.

Pack wisely and bring plenty of spare parts, including extra tubes and a tire, don't forget a first-aid kit as you'll probably be pedaling in remote areas.

Ecuador is one of the smallest countries in South America, but for climbers and trekkers it offers an incredible diversity of mountains, ecosystems and cultures to explore. Within a day's drive of the modern capital city of Quito are 20,000 foot glaciated peaks, Amazon rainforest, warm coastal beaches, and dense cloudforest with hidden Incan treasures. Whether you decide to ramble out on your own or hook up with a local guide service, the logistics of planning excursions in Ecuador are simpler and the approach time shorter than in other, more remote, areas of the world.

Climbing in Ecuador

The high Andean peaks of Ecuador are located primarily along the Avenue of the Volcanoes, a fertile central valley, which is buttressed by two ranges, the Eastern and Western Cordilleras. Most of the highland populace, including the indigenous Quichua, ekes out an agrarian living in this region.

Some of the summits are young, cone-shaped volcanoes like Cotopaxi with technically straight-forward climbs offering the novice a chance to get near or above 20,000 feet. Others are deeply eroded, older volcanoes with challenging rock and ice routes (e.g., the glorious ring of peaks on El Altar).

For your first few days in Ecuador, you should acclimatize by ascending some of the smaller mountains (15,000 feet or less), such as Iliniza Norte, Imbabura or Pichincha to avoid developing AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness). These lower peaks are non-glaciated, easily accessible within a day's travel from Quito, and offer either hut facilities or nearby hostels that can be used as a climbing base.

Once your body has adjusted to the altitude, you are ready to try one of Ecuador's four classic glaciated peaks: Chimborazo, Cotopaxi, Cayambe or Tungurahua. Although the standard routes are technically straightforward. Novices should hire a local guide. Experienced mountaineers can attempt the more remote and/or more difficult peaks of Antisana, El Altar and Iliniza Sur or the more challenging routes on the other mountains. As a relatively recent playground for climbers, Ecuador still provides many opportunities for first ascents on new routes.

There are three anomalous volcanoes (Reventador, Sumaco and Sangay) that don't belong to either of the Cordilleras, but rather thrust up from dense jungle east of the Andes. These climbs have the added attraction of giving you a chance to test out your machete skills, as you must blaze trails through dense cloudforest or rainforest just to get to the base of these giants.

Hiking & Trekking

If you prefer hiking and trekking, there are a number of excellent trips through the Andean paramo (a sub-alpine zone) which features spectacular views of Ecuador's volcanic peaks. The most popular treks are the Trek de Condor, which passes the often cloud-shrouded Antisana, Sincholagua and Cotopaxi volcanoes; and the Ingapirca trek which takes you along an old Incan trail to Ecuador's most important Incan ruins, Ingapirca.

For the intrepid trekker there are several Andes-to-Amazon hikes that take you from the grassy plains of the high altitude paramo, through cloudforest, and finally to lowland rainforest. During your descent, as you pass from one ecosystem to another, you'll see dramatic changes in the flora and fauna while you are peeling off layer after layer of clothing. At the beginning of your journey, you may be huddled on a paramo cushion plant as a condor soars overhead; and a few days later, you could be wiping the sweat off your brow as you try to get a glimpse of a blue and green macaw squawking in the crown of a palm tree.

There are numerous route options, since the locals keep most trails well-trodden. On the Eastern Slope of the Andes heading down to the Amazon basin, try the routes running from Oyacachi to El Chaco, Atillo to Macas, or Saraguro to 25 de Mayo. Recommended treks on the coastal side of the Andes include the Golondrinas hike, Lloa to Mindo, and Chugchilan to Pucayacu.

Coastal and rainforest hikes are possible, but it's a good idea to hire a local guide as it is easy to get lost and you're often traveling though private or community-held land. There are some great hikes from lodges along the Napo River. For the more adventurous, a canoe trip along the Tiputini or Yasuni rivers can be arranged with indigenous guides. Near the coast, an especially interesting area is the Bilsa Reserve near Quinide. This area is also home to the Chachi indigenous group.

Weather

At any given moment in Ecuador, it is sunny SOMEWHERE and rainy SOMEWHERE. However, it is difficult to predict the weather ANYWHERE - especially during an El Nino year. Nevertheless, there are some basic trends.

Each region of the country has two seasons: wet and dry.

Coast: the northern coast is humid between January and June and dryish for the rest of the year. The southern coast is humid from January to April and is generally dryer than the north throughout the year.

Oriente (Amazon Basin): it rains most of the time in the Oriente, though the period from December to February is usually slightly drier.

Sierra (Andes): the eastern mountains (including Antisana, El Altar and Sangay and, to a lesser extent, Cayambe and Tungurahua) are influenced by the weather patterns of the Amazonian lowlands. The wettest months are June through August. December and January have seen the most successful ascents of the difficult El Altar. Ecuadorian climbers favor February for attempting Antisana, and October through January for Cayambe.

The western mountains' dry season is late June through early September, with an additional short dry spell in December and early January. The wettest months are February to May, with April being the wettest of all. During the dry season, temperatures tend to dip at night and high winds can be a problem, particularly in August. The weather in October and November tends to be variable.

National Parks Entrance Fees

Mainland park entrance fees generally run from USD 5 to 10.

Climbing Huts (Refugios)

There are huts at Cotopaxi, Chimborazo, Cayambe, Ilinizas, and Tungurahua. Almost all huts have bunks, stoves, pots/pans and toilets. Some even have electricity via a generator. The cost per night is around USD 10. The hut at Cotopaxi has a cellular phone for weather information and emergencies: 09-9638344. Plans to install cellular phones at the other refuges have been discussed as well.

Guide Services

Guide services in Ecuador are a classic example of "you get what you pay for," so we recommend avoiding the cheapest ones. There are many agencies and individuals who will take you up Cotopaxi for nickles, but don't have enough expertise, and they could put you in a dangerous situation.

Equipment and Packing

Climbing and hiking gear can be easily purchased or rented at reasonable prices in Quito, and with a bit more difficulty in Banos, Riobamba and Ambato. Because Ecuador's climate is so varied, it is important to pack well.

Further Reading

Climbing and Hiking in Ecuador 4th ed , Rob Rachoweicki and Mark Thurber, Bradt 1997. Most complete and up to date guidebook for Ecuador.

Montañas Del Sol by Serrano, Rojas and Landazuri. Campo Abierto, 1994. Spanish language climbing guide to mountaineering in Ecuador.

Travels Amongst the Great Andes of the Equator by Edward Whymper, 1891. The 1880 expedition which first climbed Ecuador's highest peak, and made seven other first ascents

Ecuador's rich heritage has been well preserved in the nations many museums. We have assembled a comprehensive list of these museums, including their hours of operation, addresses, and phone numbers, to help traveler's discover the country's exciting history.