Ecuador

So named due to its location on the equator, Ecuador is a tour destination that is becoming increasingly popular and it's not hard to see why. Though the smallest country in South America, Ecuador more than compensates for its size by boasting an astounding wealth of diversity in both the natural and man-made environments. Indeed, for such a tiny country, Ecuador unquestioningly bests many larger nations when it comes to tour attractions and this, along with Ecuador's favourable climate and remarkable terrain, assures travellers of the experience of a lifetime when they choose Ecuador trips.

Traveller Testimonial:
I just wanted to thank you for the trip of a lifetime. The Amazon Rainforest, Galapagos Islands, Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca were certainly all special places for us but we think we will always remember the people the most. We certainly will be recommending Adventures Abroad to anyone who wants a tour with that personal touch. Thank you to all.
-Warwick and Robyn Freeman   Tour EP1: Ecuador, Galapagos & Peru

Ecuador's capital, Quito, vies for the title of most beautiful city in South America. Tucked snugly in the breast of the Andes mountain range, Quito's breathtaking vistas of snow-capped peaks, volcanoes and natural wonder are only enhanced by the features the city has to offer. As one of the oldest cities in the Americas, Ecuador's Quito acts as an impressively preserved document of historical event and the memory of its Spanish colonial past lives on in the wonderful architecture of an age gone by. Complementing its fascinating historical sites is the Quito of today; a bustling metropolis full of interesting and welcoming people and modern amenities.

A tour to Ecuador would most certainly be incomplete without a visit to the famous Galapagos Islands. This world-renowned archipelago is as alluring today as it was in the times of Charles Darwin, as nowhere else on the planet can rival its ecological diversity. But an Ecuador trip that takes in the Galapagos is more than just a sightseeing trek; it is an interactive journey, where undaunted animals of all shapes, sizes and species are as curious about people as the people are about them. On land or under sea, there is in Ecuador the opportunity to get up close and personal with some of the most intriguing and visually stunning creatures ever to traverse on, swim near or fly over the land.

For those looking to get active on their tour, Ecuador's landscape lends a great deal of choice to the traveller: Ecuador's Pacific coastline in the west provides the sun-worshipper with the ideal haven to stretch out in the golden sands, and the watersport enthusiast with a picturesque setting to partake in any water activity imaginable; the 'sierra' in Ecuador's central areas serves as the perfect hiking, mountain biking or walking tour destination; and Ecuador's expansive 'oriente' in the east, dominated by Amazon rainforest, is home to a wide array of wildlife and exploratory possibilities. Ecuador trips venture to a land of plenty.

Summer in the northern hemisphere coincides with the best time to tour Ecuador, when conditions in the Andes are bright and crisp, and temperatures in the Galapagos Islands are cooler but still perfect for swimming and snorkelling. Our Ecuador combinations of mainland and Galapagos Islands are among our most varied offerings in South America, with a highlight packed medley of Andean indigenous cultures and monuments, Colonial era towns and cities, stupendous mountain scenery, lush tropical rainforest, and the Galapagos Archipelago, one of the most fascinating zoological, geological, and botanical wonders of the world.

Despite the country's small geographical size, one can move in a matter of hours from jungle rainforest to foothills and the high slopes of the Andes, and then down to the Pacific coast while observing a breathtaking panorama of scenery and nature. From the highlands to sea level, its people, whose cultural origins and traditions continue to be formed by their geographic environment, echo Ecuador's fascinating diversity. The Galapagos Archipelago is one of the most fascinating zoological, geological, and botanical wonders of the world. Made famous by Charles Darwin's theory of evolution, these hauntingly beautiful islands are a wildlife haven and home to an animal population that is extraordinarily tame. The mainland matches these wonders with volcanoes, Andean markets, colonial architecture, Inca ruins, and lush jungle.

Make this the year to move the Galapagos Islands to the top of your "Must-See" list. Made famous by Charles Darwin's theory of evolution, these hauntingly beautiful islands are a wildlife haven and home to an animal population that is unique and extraordinarily tame. We have added even more choices to what is already one of our most varied range of offerings in South America through our partnership with two of the finest vessels cruising this fascinating archipelago.

Taking its name from its geographical location on the Equator, this small South American country compensates for its inferior size with a superior array of attraction in its natural environment. Snow-fringed mountains, rugged volcanoes, golden-sand beaches and lush Amazon rainforests are among the most striking of Ecuador's natural assets and with the nearby world-famous Galapagos Islands laying claim to the most diverse and abundant array of plant, insect and animal life on the planet, a tour to Ecuador and the Galapagos has all the right ingredients for a trip-of-a-lifetime.