Why Ecuador?

When I travel around Ecuador, I am always amazed at the amount of different landscapes in such a seemingly small country. You may start your day at the foot of the snow capped Cotopaxi Volcano, and later that afternoon find yourself surrounded by dense rain forest. 

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Straddling the equator on the Pacific coast wedged between Colombia and Peru, the smallest of the Andean nations covers an area no bigger than 284,000 square kilometres. But for all its diminutive size, the country is packed with the most startling contrasts of scenery and a diversity of culture and history that every visitor will find dazzling.

Encompassing tropical islands, towering snow capped peaks, cloud forests, sandy beaches, and simmering jungle, those lucky enough to explore this South American backwater are treated to a variety of unique landscapes and activities that leave many saying Ecuador manages to capture an entire continent in one country.

From the traditional colourful Indian markets, the colonial towns, Inca ruins, and stunning mountain views to the steamy Amazon jungle - where bears, bats, monkeys, and sloths live among orchids, ferns, vines, and mighty mahogany trees - Ecuador has something for everyone. 

To top off any trip, the Galapagos Islands are a must for an extraordinary wildlife experience. Once you’ve swum with baby sea lions and penguins, watched iguanas crawl along tree branches and tortoises soak up the sun, you’ll understand why Darwin studied his theory of evolution on these lively islands.