Ecuador - South American Treasure

This relatively small country is blessed with a spectacular array of natural and cultural diversity. It has four distinct regions: the Galapagos Islands, Pacific Coast, Andes Mountains and Amazon Basin. Of these, it is the islands that so inspired Charles Darwin which are most visited by North American tourists. Yet Ecuador’s other regions hold fascinating treasures to which travelers from all over the world are drawn in increasing numbers.

Located on the Pacific Coast, Ecuador’s largest city, Guayaquil is a bustling metropolis and one of South America’s most important ports. Its newly renovated waterfront boardwalk, the Malecon 2000, is a wonderful place for a long stroll. This tropical coastal city also boasts lovely plazas, the Artisan Market and the colorful and lovely colonial district of Las Peñas.

The city of Quito is located in the Andean Mountain region and is surrounded by 3 volcanoes. Set at 9350 feet above sea level, it is the second highest capital city in the world, after La Paz, Bolivia. Many visitors to Ecuador concentrate on this central and mountainous region only, spending several days exploring this lovely colonial capital and visiting some of the indigenous markets in nearby towns. The largest and most well known is the market at Otavalo, which takes place every Saturday of the year and is approximately two hours north of Quito. Some of the many colorful and locally handmade products you will find here include woven rugs, sweaters, wall hangings, belts, purses, jewelry, and hats.

Not to be missed is the beautiful city of Cuenca, designated a Unesco World Cultural Heritage Site in 1999. Its colonial architecture, white marble facades, cobblestone streets and intricate ironwork balconies take you back in time and provide a perfect backdrop for a slow-paced stroll. Cuenca is also the nation’s intellectual center and has eight universities as well as many museums and galleries.

Cajas National Park is located a mere 20 miles west of Cuenca. This breathtaking and well-managed park offers hiking, fishing, camping and spectacular scenery dotted by 250 lakes. Birders are also frequent visitors, since among the 125 species of birds found here you can see the gray-breasted toucan, the condor, and a variety of hummingbirds.

For those interested in the Ecuador’s Inca legacy a visit to Ingapirca is a must. This 500 year old site once served as both a fortress and a place of worship for the Incas. Its centerpiece is the Temple of the Sun, an impressive example of Inca architecture. Ingapirca is located less than two hours from Cuenca and can be visited as a day trip.

To the east of the Andes highlands lies the tropical region of the Amazon Basin. Its biodiversity and richness are truly remarkable. Most visitors to this area come to experience the rain forest and its abundance of plant and animal life. In the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve alone the diversity of animals and insects includes butterflies, pink river dolphins, capybaras, caimans, anacondas, tapirs and over fifteen species of monkey, not to mention well over 500 types of birds. Choosing the right jungle lodge is essential and much thought should be given to supporting sustainable tourism in this fascinating but fragile region.

The Galapagos Islands lie 600 miles west of Ecuador’s Pacific coast. They were discovered in the 16th century by Tomas de Berlanga, and were officially incorporated as part of Ecuador in 1832. This group of 123 islands was uninhabited by humans or large animals until the 16th century, and so provided a pure environment where plants and animals adapted to their surroundings in complete isolation. The islands were declared a national park in 1859. Only a handful of the islands are inhabited and tourism is limited to six major islands.

The Galapagos Islands can be visited from a variety of cruising and sailing vessels. Cruises can be from three to seven days long, include visits to two different islands each day, and are usually escorted by a team of multi-lingual naturalist guides. Accommodations aboard these vessels range from the comfortable to the luxurious.

A relatively new alternative for visitors to Galapagos is the Finch Bay Eco Hotel, on Santa Cruz Island. From this innovative resort guests can take day cruises visiting the other islands, with lunch included, aboard the resort's Sea Finch Yacht. The hotel has a bar and dining room, outdoor jacuzzi and on-staff naturalists, as well as its own desalination plant and garbage processing and recycling programs.

For information on a variety of travel packages, cruises and tours to Ecuador please submit a Vacation Request or contact us at: info@travel-muse.com.