Geography

Roughly the size of Colorado, no country in Latin America offers such diversity in such a small area. Ecuador features five distinct ecological "zones" with unique climates, vegetation, and wildlife. Without leaving the country, you can experience the rainforest, the mountains, and the seacoast! From the high Andes running the length of the middle of the country, the eastern slopes fall sharply into the Amazon basin.

The elevation change from the Andes to the Amazon results in unsurpassed biodiversity for a country of Ecuador’s size, and a wealth of hiking, rafting, and other outdoor adventures. Five million years ago the mountain range now named the Andes appeared, dividing Ecuador into two low forested plains and a narrower, intermediate band bordered by the "Avenue of the Volcanoes." About the same time, a cluster of islands were forming 1,000 Km. off Ecuador's Pacific coast: the Galapagos islands.

Ecuador is often pictured as a land of steamy jungles astride the Equator, bordered by the Pacific Ocean. But a large area is Andean Sierra, dominated by a range of towering volcanoes and highland valleys that form a significant temperate ecological region sustaining numerous wildlife species. The rainforest region to the east of the mountains remains the most sparsely populated of Ecuador's three continental regions and contains only about three percent of the population, but is home to a veritable world of wildlife.

Culture - Quito

Situated in a high valley in the Andes, Quito has views to hills and mountains in all directions. The colonial part of Quito is a UNESCO world cultural heritage site, with remarkably well-maintained churches and colonial-era buildings.

Modern Quito's history began in 1534, when the Spanish conquistadors marched into the city only to discover that the Inca had destroyed it in their retreat. In the ensuing centuries, Quito was dominated by Catholic religious fervor. The city became a spiritual and artistic center that produced a series of gold-gilded churches decorated by the artists of the Quito School, incorporating indigenous elements into European styles. In particular, La Compañía de Jesús is one church not to be missed.

The Mariscal Sucre part of Quito, also called “gringolandia,” has many tourist hotels, restaurants, Internet cafés, and other amenities for travelers. Quito also has the advantage of being close to the geographic center of Ecuador, making it a good home base for day trips to markets, rafting, or spas, all of which can be extended into overnight outings. In addition to the sights and day trips, Quito and other towns sharing its combination of high elevation (over 9,00 feet) and proximity to the Equator are blessed with year-round spring-like weather.

Community Connections

Ecuador has two of our favorite community-based lodges and guesthouses. One is the Runa Tupari project in the Andean highlands, near the market town of Otovalo. Runa Tupari works with local families who want to host travelers in small guesthouses on their farms. Staying in these comfortable guesthouses, each with private bathroom and hot water shower, allows us a glimpse into the lives of local villagers. You'll see their houses, crops, and animals, and scenes of daily life in a high altitude Andean village. The guesthouses are comfortable and cozy, and on cool nights the local families build fires in the guesthouse fireplaces. The guesthouses are an excellent base from which to hike at the Ecological Reserve Cotacachi-Cayapas, climb the extinct volcano Fuya-Fuya, or browse the colorful tapestries in the market of Otovalo. Runa Tupari has trained two dozen local and native guides who are licensed by the Ecuadorian Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of the Environment, allowing guests to learn about the regional wildlife, flora, culture, and history.

Yachana Lodge is a second community-based highlight, in the Amazon rainforest instead of the Andean highlands.

When to go

The rainy and dry seasons of mainland Ecuador vary between geographical regions of the country and the temperature is often related to the altitude (the higher you go, the cooler it gets). The dry season in the highlands region is June through the end of September. In the Amazon, it rains most of the year, but the driest months are November through January, and the months with the highest precipitation are February through May. On the coast, the wet season (roughly January to May) has sunny days and daily afternoon downpours, but it makes the best beach weather. The dry season (roughly June to December) is cooler and usually overcast.