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.

