Ecuador

Why visit? Ecuador might be relatively small in size compared to some of its neighbours but when it comes to diversity, it is nothing short of drawcards, boasting an incredible plethora of geographical, cultural and biological wonders.

From the snow-capped peaks of the mighty Andes, to the remote waters of the magnificent Amazon, awe-inspiring volcanoes, luscious rainforests brimming with endemic wildlife, indigenous villages reflecting the country’s endearing culture and endless stretches of beautiful beaches, an Ecuador tour really is a once in a lifetime adventure.

Usually, New Zealander’s start their Ecuador tour in Quito, Ecuador’s capital, an exciting city that impresses not only with its lively vibe, bustling streets and ancient buildings but, being nestled amidst the Andean mountains, it also enjoys the most stunning of settings a city could ask for. The city is bursting with architectural gems and is one of the best preserved historical centres in all of Latin America.

For an exploration of Ecuador’s famous biodiversity, visitors will be spoilt for choice with the huge amount of nature reserves, forests, mangrove coastlines and beaches covering the country’s mainland.

In the east, Coca is the gateway for tours of the Amazon rainforest, one of the most bio-diverse regions in the world. Wildlife spotting at its most impressive is offered on an Amazon Tour where you can set off on canoe rides along the remote waters and rivers, hike through the thick forest as rich in flora and fauna as no other place on earth.

In the west, off the coast, a Galapagos Islands Cruise & Tour is a highlight of any visit to Latin America. Set against the backdrops of spectacular landscapes that range from volcanic peaks to ancient lava fields, the Galapagos Islands are one of nature’s most impressive wonders boasting some of the famous wildlife species unique to Galapagos such as the giant tortoise, marine iguanas and Darwin’s finches.

How to get there? Being in the north west of South America, it is almost as easy to get to Ecuador from Los Angeles as it is from Santiago, Chile. Which route you take is probably more likely to be determined by what you'd like to do en route - Patagonia or Peru, go via Santiago, Mexico or the US, go via LA.

More information: Below we have shown you just a fraction of the options available for Ecuador and multi-country travel. Browse to get an idea of where you want to travel.

Still wondering? Contact us: You are definitely better off giving us a call or dropping us a line and letting us do the hard work for you.

#Livefortoday and book your Ecuador tour with us today. Chimu Adventures is New Zealand’s leading Latin America and Polar specialist and can put together an itinerary to suit you.