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The Total Ecuador Vacation
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Galapagos
Main
Mondo
Tours
that visit Ecuador
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Having just returned from my
second trip to
Ecuador, I must say it is not only one of the most beautiful
destinations in the world, but also one of my favourite. If you are
booking a trip to the Galapagos Islands, visiting Ecuador should be a
given.
Spend a Friday night at a hacienda in Otavalo, setting your alarm for
5:00am and then weave your way through the streets and disappear
with your camera to experience the smells, sounds and beautiful colours
of which Otavalo is know for. Ride on top of the local train or take the
Chiva Express from Riobamba to Guayquil travelling
via Devil's nose, one of the most scenic train trips in the world. For the
hikers, hike through Cotopaxi National Park, admiring the highest
active volcano in the world. Reminisce back to the first
climber, a German geologist who climbed in 1872 without any
climbing gear. For the more adventurous, a walk on the 940 foot long
canopy nearly 100 feet above the ground in the Amazon should not be
missed. |
Ecuador is a country of extraordinary beauty and
breath taking experiences.
Although the smallest of all the Andean countries, Ecuador has a lot to offer.
Diversity, Amazon experiences, snow capped volcanoes, age old elegant
haciendas, golden sandy beaches, Inca ruins, Indians selling
traditional handicrafts in ancient markets, 16th century
churches, the beautiful cities of Quito and Cuenca and of course the
fascinating  Galapagos Islands. Imagine not only
straddling
between the two hemispheres but also the ancient and modern worlds,
introducing a mix of cultures and allowing you the traveller
the experience of sampling amazing ethnic cuisine and
experiencing, diverse music.
Straddling
the
equator in western South America, Ecuador has territories in both the
Northern and the Southern hemispheres. It borders Colombia to the north
and shares a border with Peru to the south and to the east.
Pacific
Coast
 Ecuador's
coastal region (aka. the western lowlands) is made up of fertile
plains, rolling hills, and sedimentary basins traversed by a plethora
of rivers that rush from the heights of the Andes to the Pacific Ocean.
All five coastal provinces, encompassing 640 kilometres of coastline
between them, have attractive beaches and plenty of hotels and resorts
for tourists. Crisscrossed by an expansive network of rivers and home
to the nation's most spectacular beaches, the provinces of Esmeraldas,
Manab, and Guayas are quite impressive destinations frequented by tourists
from all over the world. Geographically speaking, much of this area is
part of the Guayas River Basin, which has at least twelve major
tributaries located primarily near the communities of Daule, Babahoyo,
Macul, Puca, Pajin, and Colimes.
The
Highlands - The Andes & the Austro
The
Andes
Mountain Range crosses the country from north to south. The
Occidental
and the Oriental Ranges are born from this mountain system as it
divides in the province of Loja, forming plains and valleys along the
Andean Corridor. Between the two ranges there is a plateau which
reaches heights of three thousand meters. The Highlands Regions,
commonly referred to as La Sierra, is made up of ten provinces, each of
which have important peaks such as Chimborazo, the Illinizas, Coaxi,
Cayambe, and Antisana.
Chimborazo:
6,310 m
Coaxi: 5,897 m
Cayambe: 5,790 m
Antisana: 5,758 m
Altar: 5,320 m
Illiniza: 5,248 m
Tungurahua: 5,023 m
Cotacahi: 4,944 mi
The highest peaks are found in central and northern Ecuador. From
Riobamba towards the south there is a decrease in altitude and an
increase in the width of the mountain range, forming a kind of plateau
known as the Austro.
The
Amazon Region
 The
Amazon
Region and its five provinces can be geographically divided into two
sub regions: the High Amazon and the Amazon Lowlands. The Highlands is
comprised of the Andean foothills which slowly descend towards the
Amazon River Basin. Here, you'll find the Napo, Galeras, Cutuci, and
Cindor ranges. The most impressive elevated regions of this area are in
the north and include Volcano Sumaco. The Lowlands, found further to the
east, are home to some of the nation's most beautiful and important
rivers: the Putumayo, the Napo, and the Pastaza.
Galapagos
 The
Archipelago
of Colon (commonly known as the Galapagos Islands) is made up of 13
main islands, 17 islets, and dozens of ancient rock formations ( table:
map of the islands). The volcanically formed islands, encompassing an
area of 8,000 kilometres in all, lies roughly 1,000 kilometres off the
coast of the Ecuadorian mainland. Apart from its beautiful beaches and
unique and varied ecosystems, the Galapagos Islands are home to
towering active volcanoes that reach altitudes up to 1,600 meters. |
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| A wise traveler never despises his own country. - Carlo Goldoni |
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