Although Ecuador is a small country, it is incredibly diverse and is home to many natural wonders – an ideal destination for the curious traveller.

The capital, Quito, is nestled high in the Andes and is one of the best preserved historical cities in the whole of Latin America. The colonial centre of the city is filled with cobbled streets, ornate churches, and grand old mansions, many of which have been converted into luxury hotels. The great Pichincha volcano towers over Quito to the west, and many more such as Cotopaxi and Antisana can be found in the National Parks a short distance to the south, along what is called the ‘Avenue of Volcanoes’. These parks are ideal for those keen on scenic walks and even bird-watching.

About a ¾ hour flight to the east of Quito, the Amazon basin opens up in the lowlands and the landscape gives way to the lush vegetation and seemingly endless rivers of the Amazon rainforest. Filled with exotic plants and the sounds of animal life, the rainforest shows nature in all its intensity and diversity. There are a number of lodges with excellent naturalist guides and comfortable cabins, or for those who like to move around more there are river cruises which allow visitors to travel to different areas and habitats in the forest.

To the west, 600 miles out into the Pacific Ocean lie the Galapagos Islands, a small volcanic archipelago famous for their diverse wildlife and as the place where Darwin developed his theory of evolution. Sea-birds, iguanas, tortoises and sea-lions abound on these small islands, and the friendly and fearless nature makes them easy to approach and wonderful to photograph. Because each island is different, the best way to see their diversity is on a cruise, which usually make two stops per day and offers a variety of land excursions and water activities such as snorkelling and kayaking. The cruises available range from small yachts to larger expedition vessels, and from comfortable but basic cabins to the height of luxury, meaning that you have plenty of choice to find the cruise that is right for you.

If you would like to explore this unique destination either with a group or would like a tailor-made itinerary please call Eagle Travel who work with Veloso Tours, Specialists in South America.

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