Galápagos

A thousand miles off the coast of Ecuador, to whom, is the Galapagos Archipelago, one
of the most important National Parks of the Earth, declared by UNESCO in 1979 as the
first Natural Heritage Site.
The islands are truly a living laboratory of nature and its oceanic isolation has become
the habitat for numerous plant and animal species unique in the world. Its high degree
of endemism of Galapagos are one of the most special places on the planet and the word
"only" seems to have been designed to describe these islands.
The archipelago consists of 13 major islands, six smaller islands and dozens of islands
and submarine volcanic rocks. Is scattered in a vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean and is
protected in 97% of its total land area of just over 8,000 square kilometers as the first
National Park of Ecuador

 Galapagos Diving
Can be done from boats specially equipped for this
activity to provide overnight facilities on board and
made several islands tours, day trips to dive from one
of the towns.
Although you can dive all months of the year, the best
time is between June and October when sea
temperatures can drop to 16 ° C and the water is more
transparent.

 Naturalistic Cruises
They are the oldest form and include tours of several
islands along routes previously established by the
National Park by boat with overnight accommodations
and varying levels of comfort and services, ranging
from 12 to 20 passengers, 40 passenger yachts medium
and a few vessels whose maximum capacity is 100
passengers.

Costa

Costa of Pacific (Costa)

Where the green beaches meet with the sea

The outline of the coast of Ecuador is awash with hundreds of miles of beautiful wide
beaches, most of them in pristine condition. Here often meet the foothills of the coastal
range with its green hills and tropical forests that reach the very edge and meet the sea .
The coastal strip running from south to north, west of the great Andes Mountains and
consists of unique forests and tropical dry forest, the last representative of its kind in
South America and many natural habitats, home to hundreds of species of fauna and
flora.
The Ecuadorian coast has been inhabited since pre-Columbian times by advanced
cultures of skilled sailors and potters who established some of the oldest settlements of
Ecuador for thousands of years. Evidence of their presence are found in various
archaeological sites and museums in major cities.
Along the coast there are a number of big cities and small towns of historical
significance, scenic beauty and friendly and hospitable people, where natural diversity
adds a rich, delicious local cuisine and original arts and crafts and many expressions of
folklore and folk art ..

 Guayaquil
Commercial and Tourist City
Located on the Grand River Guayas and a long history, Guayaquil is the economic and
commercial heart of Ecuador and its main gateway to the world. It is a vibrant and
cosmopolitan city, which in the past 10 years, has become a major tourist attraction in
Ecuador, masterfully blending the old with the modern. Do not miss the Malecon 2000,
the colonial Barrio Las Peñas, and the picturesque Cerro Santa Ana, among many other
attractions and do not miss the delicious local cuisine.

 Esmeraldas
In the midst of intense tropical greenery, Esmeraldas is
the center of Afro-Ecuadorian and starting point for
some of the most beautiful beaches in the country, as
well as fascinating adventures in the rivers and inland
forests where indigenous people live in ancient
cultures harmony with natural surroundings. Its
original cuisine is as delicious as famous in Ecuador.

cercano punto de partida para la Isla es el pintoresco poblado de Puerto López.  Este es
también el principal punto de partida para el avistamiento de las ballenas jorobadas, en
temporada.

 Parque Nacional Machalilla

Machalilla National Park extends from inland areas
with wet and dry forests, full of flora and fauna unique
to coastal areas, beaches and historic towns. The main
archaeological site is Agua Blanca. Among the most
beautiful beaches in the country and within the National
Park is Los Frailes, a favorite destination especially for
photographers and nature lovers.

Andes (Sierra)

The majestic Andes mountain range crosses the center of Ecuador, from north to south
like a spine. Ancient volcanoes covered with snow-capped glaciers and rise above five
thousand feet and provide the perfect setting to admire the fertile valleys, stunning
moorland and picturesque villages and towns where people are proud of their ancestors
and customs, share with visitors with warm hospitality.
In the Andean region of Ecuador are the highest active volcano in the world, the
mythical Cotopaxi (5897 meters), and Cayambe, the only snow just around the 0 °
latitude of the planet, with its 5790 meters. Andean landscapes are amazing and never
ceases to amaze the visitor at every turn. The great northern forests of native Polilepys
extend along the unique frailejones the high moors.
The ancient cultures of the Sierra are equally ancient and rich traditions, local foods,
 colorful crafts and the most colorful festivals.
From big cities to the smallest towns have unique attractions that appeal to travelers ....
Airports, roads and a growing infrastructure and better facilitate the arrival and
movement of travelers through the region. The Ecuadorian Andes are full of tourist
farms, many of them of great historical value, today converted into comfortable guest
houses to show visitors the life of the field.

 Otavalo
An hour north of Quito is Otavalo, world renowned for
its traditional market, one of the most colorful and
important of South America, where the most original
and varied crafts of Ecuador and Latin America,
highlighting the colorful textiles produced by skilled
craftsmen Otavalo. In the surrounding area are the
beautiful lakes of San Pablo, Cuicocha and
Yaguarcocha; Peguche craft villages, San Antonio,
Cotacachi and the beautiful "white city “of Ibarra.

 The Devil's Nose

Ecuador's historic Trans-Andean Railroad, opened in
1908 is traveling through various parts of the Andean
Region. The most famous is the Devil's Nose, an
impressive feat of engineering, through an ingenious
system of zig-zag, allows the train more than 300
meters down a steep rock wall. The adventure starts
from Riobamba, in the central Andes at the foot of the
majestic Chimborazo and passes through beautiful
scenery and picturesque towns such as Guamote Alausí.

 Cuenca and Cajas

In the southern Ecuadorian Andes is Cuenca, also declared Cultural Heritage of
Mankind, considered an architectural gem with its well preserved colonial center. Here
we see the traditional architecture with its beautiful flowered balconies, its dozens of
churches and cathedrals, beautiful squares and narrow streets.
Within walking distance of Cuenca is the Cajas National Park, a mystical place in the
Andes where a complex of lakes scattered across hidden valleys and rocky hills, is the
perfect place for the admiration of nature or practice of activities such as hiking,
horseback riding, trout fishing, etc

Amazon

The Ecuadorian Amazon region covers nearly half the area of Continental Ecuador and
extends from the foothills of the eastern Andes to the jungle plains crossed by several
major tributaries of the Amazon and hundreds of smaller rivers, lakes and streams. This
region is part of the largest tropical rainforest on the planet, a giant ocean of green, lush
and exotic; full of magic, mystery and adventure ...
Ecuador has the greatest diversity of plants and animals per square kilometer in the
world. Occupies third place in a variety of amphibians and fifth in butterflies, as well as
having thousands of species, many endemic orchids, hummingbirds and birds in
general. Much of this immense biodiversity found in the Amazon region and thus
constitutes a true paradise for nature lovers, scientists and scholars. Here you can find
relatively easily hundreds of species of birds and monkeys, turtles, caimans, tapirs,
armadillos, deer, insects, fish and snakes like the huge boa constrictors.
As part of this natural world is also home to some of the most important cultures and
ethnic groups in Ecuador, who maintain their customs, clothing, traditions, typical food,
beautiful crafts and harmonious coexistence with the tropical forest. Among the most
prominent ethnic groups are the Shuar and Achuar, Quechua, Cofan, Huaorani and
elusive Tagaeri and Taromenane.
From various parts of Ecuador is accessed by air or by land to the most interesting
natural and cultural attractions of this vast region. The growing tourist infrastructure
offers increasingly better facilities for travelers thrill-seekers. In a few hours (or less by
air), can be reached from the Andes mountains to the heart of the Amazon rainforest.

 Extreme Sports
Kayaking, rafting, mountain biking
The foothills of the eastern Cordillera and the
Amazon rivers offer ideal conditions to practice
many adventure sports like kayaking, rafting,
canopying, etc. Not
in vain Ecuador hosted the World Rafting
Championships in 2005. Some class III and IV rivers
are the Anzu, Alto Napo, jaw, and Upano Misahuallí
(IV +). An exciting downhill biking from the Andes
to the Amazon will take at least three hours of
adrenaline, waterfalls and breathtaking landscapes,
from the beautiful tourist town of Baños de Agua
Santa to El Puyo, in the Amazon.

 Cuyabeno Reserve

Accessed by land through the Baeza-Lago Agrio

road or in a short 30 minute flight to Lago Agrio
airport and then continue by land and canoe sailing
the Rio Aguarico to venture into the fascinating
complex Cuyabeno lake. Multiple ways to visit this
area are offered, which include Forest Inns of
varying levels of comfort, even with the ethnic
community experiences Cofán that inhabits the
area, tropical forest walks, rowing in the hidden
lagoons, bird watching, observation alligators night and tasting the local cuisine.