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ABOUT ECUADOR


Ecuador is located in the northwest of South America on the Equator Line, with its small territory (256.370 Km2) which includes an enormous diversity of species of flora and fauna (Ecuador contains three “hotspots” which have a high concentration of biodiversity and a huge number of endemic species).

This country is formed by four different regions: Central Highlands, Amazon Rain Forest, Pacific Coast and the Galapagos Islands (natural paradise in the world); each one with their fascinating and unique characteristics, offer to our visitors variety of activities to enjoy and places to know.

 

HIGHLANDS

The Andes of Ecuador offers impressive snow-covered mountains, volcanoes, fields, lagoons, moorlands, valleys, forest, colonial haciendas, ancestral culture and traditions.

Ecuador is a multicultural and multiethnic country. Crossing the Avenue of Volcanoes, you have the opportunity to visit the most popular and famous Indigenous Markets of South America; many communities live in the highlands who still maintain their ancestral traditions, native habits, language and style life; they elaborate and offer weavings, alpaca sweaters, bags using colonial techniques and crafts for their subsistence. Otavalo, Pujili, Saquisili, Salasaca, and Guamote Indian Markets of Ecuador.

Snow-covered mountains and volcanoes: Cotopaxi (5.897 m), Chimborazo (6.310 m), Cayambe (5.790 m), Antisana ( 5.758 m), Iliniza (5.258 m), Tungurahua (5.023 m), Altar (5.320 m) and Sangay (5.230 m). All of them are the main attractive and characteristic of Highlands. The mountains and volcanoes are surrounded by extensive moorlands, lakes and an extraordinary Andean flora and fauna.

In each one of our routes you discover the magic of the Andean; there are several colonial haciendas where you will be able to appreciate the history and wealth of our country.
Trekking, climbing, Mountain Bike, Horseback riding and rafting are some of the activities that you can organize in the mountain range.

AMAZON RAIN FOREST

The Ecuador Rain Forest is characterized by exuberant vegetation and great biological diversity. There are species of plants and animals in our tropical rain forests unique in the world and very different from other ecosystems.

In the jungle, you can enjoy a different experience; guided excursions, canoe ride and adventures that give you the best opportunity to know the secrets of the rain forest, the traditions, and ancestral knowledge of diverse ethnic groups Shuar, Quichua, Syona – Secoya, Cofan, and Huaorani.

Ecuador’s government has established the National Parks System, which includes ecological and wildlife reserves; in the equatorial jungle, you can find some of them: Ecological Reserve Cayambe – Coca, El Condor, Yasuní, and Sangay Nationals Parks, Limoncocha Biological Reserve and small reserves which goal is the conservation and preservation of natural attractions, flora, and fauna. There are several projects, Eco lodges and local Indian communities are an integral part of them.

All expeditions are designed to cover a wide variety of interest: photography, bird watching, fishing, traditions, hiking, adventure, and recreation.


GALAPAGOS ISLANDS – NATURAL PARADISE

Galapagos Islands or Colon Archipelago, group of islands in the Pacific Ocean, constituting a province of Ecuador, about 1000 km (about 600 mi) off the western coast of South America. The archipelago consists of 13 large islands, 6 minor ones and more than 40 islets lying on or near the equator. The total land area is 7844 sq km (3029 sq mi).

The natural origin of the islands is volcanic; the vegetation consists chiefly of thorn trees, cactus, mesquite and mangroves. The climate and the temperature of the waters surrounding the islands are modified by the cold Humboldt Current from the Antarctic. The warmer months are between Decembers to June.

The Galapagos is known around the world for its unique animal life, which includes numerous species found only in the archipelago and different subspecies on separate islands. Here you will find six species of giant tortoise, other reptiles on the islands include two species of large lizards in the iguana family; 85 different species of birds, including flamingos, flightless cormorants, finches, penguins, masked boobies, waved albatross, lava heron, red footed boobies and many others; sea lions are numerous, as are many different shore fish. Part of the Galapagos is a wildlife sanctuary.

Galapagos Islands are an amazing place for exploring underwater habitats; this is the best destiny for professional divers and lovers of sea world, so our visitors can see everything from small fish to large mammals (whales and hammerhead sharks). In Galapagos, there are several dive sites for Beginners, Advance, Rescue, and Dives Master.

PACIFIC COAST

Esmeraldas, Manabi, Guayas, EL Oro and Los Rios are the provinces of the Ecuadorian Coast. Here you will find dozen beautiful beaches surrounded by exotic wildlife, numerous bird species, ecosystems and little villages where is possible to find handicraft centers.

There are several museums, which teach you the history and vestiges of old cultures that inhabited our coast: Tolita, Machalilla, Bahia, Valdivia, Chorrera, Manteño, and many others.

Machalilla National Park is one of the most interesting attractive of our pacific coast; Isla de la Plata: here is possible to see birds like frigates, blue-footed and masked boobies; walk on trails, swimming and snorkeling. The Frailes Beach and its dry forest, Archeological Community and Museum in situ of Agua Blanca.

Guayaquil, Salinas, Manta, Bahia de Caraquez, and Atacames are the main cities and the nightlife’s center.

We can explore the best Pacific Coast’s sites through Sun’s Rout trip.

 

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