Ecuador

Ecuador is a very intriguing country; within short driving distance, you can travel from the coast to the highlands and Amazon rainforest. Although the country is not particularly large (the size of the U.S. state of Colorado), there is great variety in the climate, largely determined by altitude. The Pacific coastal area has a tropical climate, with a severe rainy season. The climate in the Andean highlands is temperate and relatively dry; and the Amazon basin on the eastern side of the mountains shares the climate of other rain forest zones. Because of its location at the equator, Ecuador experiences little variation in daylight hours during the course of a year.

In Ecuador you will find well-preserved colonial cities and the snow-capped volcanoes of the Andes. Just 620 miles west of the mainland sit the Galapagos Islands, which are well known as a region of distinct fauna, famous as the place of birth of Darwin's Theory of Evolution, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Ecuador is one of 17 mega-diverse countries in the world according to Conservation International. There you can find 1600 bird species (15 percent of the world's known bird species) in the continental area, and 38 more endemic in the Galápagos. In addition to 25,000 species of plants, the country has 106 endemic reptiles, 138 endemic amphibians, and 6,000 species of butterfly.

Let us help you plan an amazing trip to Ecuador! Contact us with your ideas, or use our sample itinerary below as a guide to planning your trip to this fascinating country.

Sample Itinerary 

Ecuador Highlights with Chiva Express - 12 days/11 Nights

Day 2: Quito

Full-day colonial Quito tour and the Equator. The tour begins with a visit to Independence Square, where the Presidential Palace, the Cathedral and El Sagrario Church are located. You will also visit the Church of La Compañia (1605), with its amazing gilt altars. This is considered the finest example of baroque art in the Americas, and the Moorish influence can also be noted in the intricate designs carved on the magnificent red-and-gold columns and ceilings. You will then visit the church and monastery of San Francisco (1535); the oldest Ecuadorian church. Finally, drive up to the highest viewpoint of the city, El Panecillo, where you will have a spectacular view of Quito and the opportunity to see the virgin Mary with wings—the only such statue in South America.

After visiting the colonial and modern areas of the city of Quito, a 30-minute drive will take you to La Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the World) with its 30-meter-high monument marking the equatorial line, and excellent ethnographical museum.

The adventure starts in Quito with a bus ride to the station of Tambillo, where the “Chiva Express” (a colorful one-coach train), like a bus on tracks, is ready to depart. A highlight of the trip is to “ride the roof” with a panoramic view of the stunning Andean region of Ecuador. You will leisurely enjoy the ever-changing scenery as the Chiva Express advances along the ancient tracks. A snack is served at the Station of Machachi. You will then ride up the slopes of Cotopaxi Volcano. Continue by bus to an Indian market, lunch and overnight at Riobamba, located at the foot of imposing Chimborazo Volcano.

After an early breakfast, transfer to the train station to board the Chiva Express for a scenic ride to Alausí. Twist and turn over the Andes, along bridging ravines and river gorges. Arrive at Alausí and prepare to go down the Devil’s Nose switchbacks, one of the most impressive feats of rail engineering in the world, and back to Alausí. Continue south along the Andes by motorcar to Cuenca, visiting en route the Inca ruins of Ingapirca, to arrive at dusk. Accommodations and all meals at the hotel in Cuenca.

Today you will enjoy a tour of this beautiful city. You will discover, at a leisurely pace, the beauty and charm for which Cuenca has been recognized as a World Cultural Heritage Site. Its red-tiled roofs, cobblestone streets, flowery plazas and museums make it very special. Overnight in Cuenca.

The day starts with a ride along the Santa Ana valley and then high in the mountains, through very scenic landscapes, which change at every curb. Stops are made at the small towns that produce a variety of handcrafts, such as artistic handmade guitars at San Bartolome; Chordeleg, famous for gold and silver jewelry and Ikat weavings on ancient shuttle looms. Visit lovely orchid gardens with over 2500 species and then lunch at an attractive hostel, very popular with the locals. After lunch, follow the road along the banks of the Santa Barbara River, lined with weeping willows, past the village of Gualaceo to return to Cuenca in time to catch the flight to Guayaquil. Airport arrival and reception, transfer to your hotel.

Transfer to the airport to take the flight to the Galapagos
Morning flight from Guayaquil to Baltra Airport in the Galapagos. Upon arrival, transfer to the Canal of Itabaca to board the yacht and go to the Bachas beaches. These two small beaches are found to the west of Turtle Cove. Their sand is made of decomposed coral, which makes it white and soft, and thus a favorite nesting site for sea turtles. Behind one of the beaches there is a small brackish lagoon, where occasionally it’s possible to observe flamingos and other coastal birds, such as black-necked stilts and whimbrels. The other beach is longer, but it has two old barges that were abandoned during World War II, when the United States used Baltra Island as a strategic point to protect the Panama Canal. (The metal is rusty and sharp, so it is not a recommended place for swimming.) Return to the yacht before 6 p.m. Start sailing at 3 a.m.

Arrive at Plazas in the morning. These two small islets sprang up a short distance from the east coast of Santa Cruz. The unusual vegetation and location of the island create an interesting landscape that further emphasizes the fauna and flora of Galapagos. Despite its small size, some of the most interesting and outstanding species of the archipelago dwell here. You’re almost certain to observe the land iguanas that are often found in the shade of a cactus. Nesting on the rugged southern cliffs are swallow-tailed gulls, which can be seen along with various other sea birds. The protected rocky seashore is a prime habitat for a large colony of noisy sea lions. The Plazas also feature a large population of land iguanas, sea lions and swallow-tailed gulls; you will also see yellow-tailed mullets, Audubon’s shearwaters, red-billed tropicbirds, frigate birds and brown pelicans gliding past the cliff. After the visit to Plazas, you will continue your trip to Santa Fé Island, leaving at about 11:30 a.m. Once you arrive at the island, you’ll have lunch on the yacht.

Santa Fe is a bay on Barrington’s northeast coast and an extremely picturesque anchorage. There are two different trails you may follow at this site. One leads to a scenic viewpoint on top of a cliff where it is possible to find the land iguanas so endemic to the island. The other trail is near the beach, and is short and circular. Early in the morning or in the afternoon when the sun is low, you’ll find land iguanas here as well, resting in their natural habitat. This is a perfect opportunity to observe these prosaic creatures in the same situation as Darwin himself did, so many years ago. Another attraction is the unusually tall forest of prickly cactus.

Arrive in Floreana. Visit Bahia Post Office - Corona del Diablo
You’ll set sail early (about 3 p.m.) so that you can see dolphins playing in the waves from Floreana to Santa Cruz. Arrive at Puerto Ayora at 7 p.m.

 Napo Wildlife Center Lodge