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Environment
Ecuador is divided into four geographic regions: The Costa, or coastal plain, covers a little more than one-quarter of the area of the country; the Sierra, or central highlands, extends as a double row of high and massive mountains enclosing a narrow, inhabited central plateau; the Oriente, or eastern jungle, covering about one-half the country, consists of gentle slopes east of the Andes; and the Galápagos Islands include six larger and nine smaller islands containing many volcanic peaks, mostly extinct.
The Sierra region lies between two chains of the Andes, the Cordillera Occidental and the Cordillera Oriental, which have more than a dozen peaks higher than 4,877 m (16,000 ft). Cotopaxi (5,897 m/19,347 ft), one of the highest active volcanoes in the world, is located between the two mountain chains.
The smallest country in the rugged Andean highlands, Ecuador has an array of vibrant indigenous cultures, well-preserved colonial architecture, otherworldly volcanic landscapes and dense rainforest. And all that in a nation no bigger than the US state of Nevada.
Touch down in its picture-perfect capital, Quito, and you are no more than a day's drive from a slog through all-swallowing Amazonian jungle, a snow-swept ascent of an active volcano, a sociable haggle with indigenous artesanos or a welcome wallow on a tropical beach.
Squint your eyes at a map of the region and Ecuador looks something like a grinning skull, gazing across the Pacific at its lone 'overseas' holding, the blissfully distant Galápagos Islands. Owned by Ecuador since 1832, the far-flung islands are lauded as one of the world's greatest natural history treasures, their unique diversity of plant and animal life providing a living textbook for ecologists and oglers alike. It'll cost you plenty to get out to see them, but when you weigh that against the immense affordability of mainland adventuring and the rarity of the experience, you'll be hard pressed to let your purse strings tie you down
Technical Information
Full country name: Republic of Ecuador
Area: 283,520 sq km
Population: 12 million
People: 40% mestizo, 40% Indian, 15% Spanish descent, 5% African descent
Language: Quechua, Spanish,
Religion: Over 90% Roman Catholic, small minority of other Christian denominations
Government: republic
Head of State: President Alfredo Palacio |
GDP: US$41.7 billion
GDP per capita: US$3,100
Inflation: 8.2%
Major Industries: Oil, bananas, shrimp, fish, coffee, textiles, metal work, paper products, wood products, chemicals, plastics, fishing, lumber
Major Trading Partners: US, Latin America, EU, Asia, Caribbean
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Inssurances
We highly recommend to each one taking part in our tours to suscribe to a personal insurance for the duration of the journey.
Visas and passports
For most nationalities, visas are not required for a stay up to 3 months. However, a valid passport (6 months from departure day) is required at any time and it it highly recommended to seek advise through the authorities or near the Ecuador Consulat prior to departure to make sure that you have the necessary documents to be able to make all the migratory moves inside the country. .
Vaccination, water and medical aspect
Although health and hygiene guidelines of the country are very high, and authorities do not require a vaccine certificate from travellers. It is highly recommended to seek medical advice near a specialist of tropical regions several weeks prior to departure to get updated information on vaccines. Your guide will give you basic rules to follow in order to avoid any problem
Spending and currency
As lunches and suppers are not always included in the tours, it is recommended to anticipate and allow 4 to 8 $US for each of them. The best way to get money along the journey is to have a credit card (Visa or MC) which can be used with a personal identification number (PIN) like the Bank Convenience Cards used in ATM. Visa and MC are accepted everywhere and it is possible to withdraw money without PIN by showing your passport at the bank. In order to avoid credit card charges, the best is to put money into your account before leaving to bring your balance to positive. This is a very secure and effective way to get to your money. We advise travellers against only using traveller's cheques and we highly recommend that each one carries at least 50$US cash upon arrival. The cost of drinks and other regular consumption items is 25 to 35% cheaper in Ecuador than in European of North American countries
History in short
Architectural remains of ancient civilizations dating back thousands of years, and probably related to the Maya civilization of Central America, have been discovered in Ecuador. The present-day city of Quito served as the fortified capital of several Native American groups and is one of three cities in the Americas that antedate the coming of the Europeans. The other two are Mexico City, capital of the Aztec Empire, and Cuzco, Peru, capital of the Inca Empire. Quito was the center of the ancient Native American kingdom of Quito, which was conquered by the Inca Empire in the late 15th century. None of these pre-European civilizations left written records of their cultures. The Inca dominated the Native American tribes of Ecuador and provided the major military obstacles to the early Spanish invaders, who eventually conquered the region in the 16th century.
The Spanish first landed on the coast of what is now Ecuador in 1526, led by Bartolomé Ruiz. Spanish conquistadores under Francisco Pizarro invaded the country in 1532 and two years later were in control of the area. Pizarro, acting in the name of the Spanish crown, appointed his brother Gonzalo governor of Quito in 1540. A short time later Francisco Pizarro was assassinated, and Gonzalo Pizarro led a rebellion against Spain. His independent rule lasted until 1548, when forces of the Crown defeated his army at Jaquijaguana and he was executed.
Colonial Ecuador was at first a territory directly under the rule of the Viceroyalty of Peru, one of the two major administrative divisions of 16th-century Spanish America. In 1563 Quito, as Ecuador was then called, became a presidency, or a judicial district of the viceroyalty. From 1717 to 1723 the Quito presidency was under the authority of the Viceroyalty of New Granada in Bogotá, but it was then returned to the authority of the viceroy of Peru until 1739, when it reverted to New Granada.
The first revolt of the colonists against Spain took place in 1809, but it did not last long. A second attempt in 1810 resulted in a revolutionary government that was suppressed by Spanish troops in 1812. Revolutionary forces, led by General Antonio José de Sucre, chief lieutenant of South American independence leader Simón Bolívar, did not win final victory until 1822. Ecuador became the Department of the South, part of the confederacy known as the Republic of Colombia, or Gran Colombia, which also included Venezuela, Panama, and Colombia.
Rocafuerte, a member of Quito's upper class, was the first active opponent of the tyranny of Flores. Tolerant, progressive, a man of travel and culture, Rocafuerte was educated in Europe. Flores recognized his enemy as the kind of man he needed in the government, invited Rocafuerte to join him, and helped Rocafuerte to become president in 1835.
In 1895 the Liberals seized power in a coup led by their strongman Eloy Alfaro. After two years of dictatorial rule, he was elected president in 1897. In 1901 he was succeeded by another Liberal general, Leónidas Plaza Gutiérrez, but retained great influence. After a break between the two Liberal generals, in 1906, Eloy Alfaro overthrew Plaza Gutiérrez's chosen successor and returned to power. In 1907 he was again elected president, and he held office until 1911, when he was overthrown. During his years of political dominance, Eloy Alfaro put into effect the essential points of the Liberal program—elimination of the privileged legal position of the Roman Catholic Church, establishment of a system of public education, and construction of a railroad between Guayaquil and Quito
The next half century was marked by both economic and political instability. Starting in the 1920s, bananas were a major export crop, and Ecuador eventually became the world's leading banana exporter. Thus the collapse of world markets for farm products during the Great Depression of the 1930s dealt Ecuador a hard blow. The country also suffered a military disaster in 1941, when it was invaded and partly occupied by Peru. An inter-American arbitration commission later awarded Peru sovereignty over a vast stretch of land in the Amazon basin that had been in dispute between the two countries ever since the breakup of Gran Colombia in 1830. Ecuador later repudiated the arbitration award, and the border between the two countries remained a point of contention until the end of the 20th century.
Ecuador followed the United States into World War II (1939-1945) against the Axis powers. At home, the end of the war coincided with a waning of Liberal influence. In 1944 the Liberal president Carlos Alberto Arroyo del Río, formerly president of the Chamber of Deputies, was forced from office and replaced by former President José María Velasco Ibarra, who had held office in 1934 and 1935 and who was supported by the Conservative faction. In 1945 Ecuador became a charter member of the United Nations. A new constitution, promulgated in December 1945, remained in force until 1967.
In 1952 Velasco, this time the candidate of a coalition of left- and right-wing groups, was chosen president for the third time, holding office until 1956. In the presidential elections that year, the conservative candidate Camilo Ponce Enríquez won a close victory over a liberal candidate. Velasco ran as an independent candidate in the elections of 1960. Sharply critical of the conservative economic policies of the Ponce government, he promised widespread reforms and was elected by a wide margin. Lacking any well-defined program, however, he did not last long; he was forced to resign in 1961. Shortly before, he had signed the charter of the Alliance for Progress, a document providing for extensive aid from the United States to signatories over a ten-year period.
Velasco's successor, Vice President Carlos Arosemena Monroy, did not enjoy a long tenure either. He was overthrown in 1963 by a military junta, which implemented economic and social reforms in a series of decrees, including one for agrarian reform. In 1964 the junta submitted a ten-year national development plan to the Alliance for Progress commission, thus opening the way for negotiation of loans to finance development projects. It soon, however, faced mounting demands for a return to constitutional government, and after two weeks of rioting in July 1965 it installed a cabinet more acceptable to the opposition, but political unrest continued. In 1966 violent antigovernment demonstrations that provoked harsh retaliation triggered a countrywide upheaval. The junta was then forced out.
President Rodríguez was replaced by Admiral Alfredo Poveda Burbano in 1976; he ruled at the head of a three-man junta. In the following years inflationary pressures were somewhat alleviated. A referendum on a new constitution and subsequent presidential elections were held in 1978, and a runoff between the two top presidential candidates followed in 1979. Later that year Jaime Roldós Aguilera was installed as president, and the new constitution took effect. Roldós promised to initiate social and economic reforms, but conservatives in the legislature blocked his program. Another outbreak of border fighting with Peru was ended by international arbitration in March 1981. Two months later Roldós was killed in a plane crash; his brother León Roldós Aguilera then was named vice president, as former vice president Osvaldo Hurtado Larrea succeeded to the presidency.
In 1984 a conservative businessman, León Febres Cordero Rivadeneira, won the presidency in a runoff election against a left-wing opponent. He proposed to keep Ecuador from defaulting on its foreign debt by devaluing the currency, cutting public spending, lessening protection of domestic industries, and reducing real wages. But these policies, which drew strong opposition from Ecuador's labor unions and opposition parties, were even less successful than the nationalistic policies of the preceding regimes. In 1986 Febres Cordero's Social Christian Party was badly beaten in midterm parliamentary elections.
Also in early 1995 Ecuador became involved in skirmishes with Peru in the border region claimed by both countries. Fighting lasted for almost two months until a cease-fire was signed. In 1998 Ecuador and Peru signed a peace treaty that finally ended their long-standing border dispute.
In 1996 voters elected Abdalá Bucaram, a populist, as president. Bucaram, who received much of his support from the poorer members of society, campaigned against corruption and opposed the tight fiscal policies that were being implemented in many Latin American countries. However, after the elections, Bucaram retreated from his populist campaign position and introduced austere measures designed to curb Ecuador's rampant inflation. This cost him much support among the poor, a problem that was compounded by charges that he had engaged in nepotism and corruption. Within six months Bucaram's administration was widely unpopular.
Up to 2 million citizens took part in a general strike on February 5, 1997, with more than 10,000 surrounding the Congress building and calling for impeachment proceedings. On February 6 the National Congress voted to remove Bucaram for "mental incapacity." Congress voted to replace Bucaram with Fabián Alarcón, president of the Congress, but Alarcón's succession to the presidency was challenged by Bucaram and by Vice President Rosalía Arteaga Serrano, who claimed the right, as vice president, to succeed Bucaram. A compromise allowed Arteaga to serve briefly as interim president, but she stepped aside following a second vote by Congress on February 11, in which it became apparent that Alarcón had enough support to assume the presidency by amending the constitution. In April 1998 Arteaga resigned as vice president and was replaced by Pedro Aguayo.
In July 1998 Ecuadorians elected a new president. Jamil Mahuad, the mayor of Quito and the presidential candidate of the Popular Democracy Party, took office in August. Mahuad faced a number of difficult economic problems. During the late 1990s Ecuador's foreign debts increased substantially, while its economy declined as a result of several factors beyond the control of the government. The 1997 and 1998 El Niño severely damaged crops. A drop in world oil prices reduced the national income from petroleum production. In addition, a financial collapse in Asian economies in 1997 caused an economic slowdown in Ecuador and many other Latin American countries.
In January 2000, as the sucre kept declining, opposition parties, labor unions, and Native American groups banded together to demand Mahuad's resignation. Mahuad announced a plan to replace the sucre with the U.S. dollar with the intent of giving the country a stable currency. Thousands of poor Native Americans marched on Quito to protest, fearing that the adoption of the dollar would make them even poorer.
On January 21, 2000, sympathetic junior military officers led a bloodless coup d'état, and a three-man junta announced its rule from the Congress building. However, on January 22 the junta turned power over to Vice President Gustavo Noboa Bejarano after the United States threatened to cut aid and the United Nations and the Organization of American States condemned the military coup. That same day the Congress met in a special session at Guayaquil and ratified Noboa's ascension to the presidency. Noboa followed through on Mahuad's currency plan, signing a bill in March 2000 that made the U.S. dollar Ecuador's official currency. The bill also allowed more foreign investment in Ecuador's oil, electricity, and telecommunications industries. The International Monetary Fund then announced a $2-billion aid package for Ecuador.
In 2002 Lucio Gutierrez, a former army colonel, won the presidency of Ecuador. Gutierrez was part of the three-man junta that briefly ruled the country after the 2000 coup ousted Mahuad. After serving a few months in jail for his role in the coup, Gutierrez began campaigning for president. He won the support of many indigenous organizations and left-wing political parties. As president-elect, he pledged to fight corruption and help the country's poor.
Climate
Although Ecuador lies on the equator, the country has a wide range of climates because of the varying elevations. The Costal region is generally hot and humid, with a mean annual temperature of about 26°C (about 78°F). On the Sierra the temperatures range between about 7° and 21°C (about 45° and 70° F), depending on the elevation. Quito, which is some 2,850 m (9,350 ft) above sea level, has an average annual temperature of 13°C (55°F). The Oriente is warmer and more humid than the Costa; temperatures approach the upper 30°s C (lower 100°s F), and annual precipitation is about 2,030 mm (about 80 in).
| In short.. |
Amazon |
Andes |
Coastal region |
Galápagos |
| Humid season |
Almost all year round |
Nov. to May |
Dec. to May |
June to Nov. |
| Dry season |
January & February |
June to Nov. |
June to Nov.. |
Dec. to May |
| Average temperature in °C. |
25° to31° |
15° to20° |
25°to 31° |
18° to30° |
Fauna and Flora
The animal life of Ecuador is varied. Large mammals include the bear, jaguar, and wildcat, and among the smaller mammals are the weasel, otter, and skunk. Reptiles, including the lizard, snake, and crocodile, thrive on the slopes of the Andes and along the coastal lowlands. Birds are the most varied group, and many North American birds migrate to Ecuador during the northern winter. The Galápagos Islands, with many unusual native animals, serve as a wildlife sanctuary.
The Galápagos archipelago is renowned for its unique and fearless wildlife and as a mecca for evolutionists. You can swim with sea lions, float eye-to-eye with penguins and stand beside a blue-footed booby as it feeds its young. The barren and volcanic landscape is peerless in its haunting beauty.
The Amazon Basin lowlands east of the Andes are an almost impenetrable tangle of rainforest known to Ecuadorians as the Oriente (the East). Although the Amazon itself does not flow through Ecuador, all rivers east of the Andes eventually empty into it. The world famous Galápagos Islands were Ecuador's first national park and are celebrated for their unique and fearless wildlife.
Thanks to its agreeable climate and patchwork of habitats (alpine grasslands, coastal swamps, tropical rainforest), Ecuador is one of the most species-rich nations on earth. Dubbed by ecologists a 'megadiversity hotspot,' it boasts 300 species of mammal alone, including monkeys, sloths, llamas and alpacas. Birdwatchers come from all over to gawk at the famous Andean condor, but there are plenty of other bird species, and about half of the 58 species found on the Galápagos Islands are endemic. Ecuador's freshwater fish are equally exotic, though most visitors prefer to experience from a distance the amazing qualities of electric eels, stingrays, piranhas and the tiny candiru catfish - a little charmer who swims up the human urethra and lodges itself in place with the help of its sharp spines
Along the northern part of the Ecuador coast, and within the inner portion of the southern coast, tropical jungles abound. In some places the jungles extend up the slopes of the Andes as wet, mossy forests. Both flanks of the Cordilleras, as well as the Oriente, are densely forested up to about 3,050 m (about 10,000 ft). At higher elevations, paramo grass predominate.
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The travellers group is composed of 6 to 12 travellers, accompanied by a naturalist guide and a professional driver.
Equipments
Necessary equipments for the journey are supplied but for the personal belongings : a good pair of walking shoes, a compact sleeping bag , a good travel bag (preferably flexible or a back pack) maximum 55L and a smaller one (15 L) for every day excursions, a wind-proof jacket... a and a good mood and humour ready to get over any difficulty !
Booking conditions
Please take the time to consult the regular booking conditions prior to book/reserve on one of our tours. Please note that special booking conditions may apply to some circuits and/or departures. In such case, information will be given to you on booking/reservation.
Meals and gastronomy
Breakfasts are served in hotels or Inns. Lunches (not included) and suppers (3 of them not included) are served in restaurants or typical bistros. Your guide will be very happy to guide you in your choice of typical dishes and help you in selecting your menu.
You will try local dishes such as Caldos, (copious soups or stews), grilled Cuy (Guinea pig) and Lechón (Sucking pig), or llapingachos (patato and cheese crêpes). One the coastal region you will enjoy a Ceviche, a recipe based on fish and shrimps, marinated in lemon juice, garlic, onion, hot pepper and coriander, simply delicious. Fresh fruit juices are delicious mainly, tomata de arbol. Local beers, Pilsner or Club, are good as well as Aguardiente and rum. During parties, do not miss tasting a good chicha (corn beer), often offered in the streets.
Activities
ECU tour includes sportive activities such as hiking, rafting, horse back riding and mountain hiking. All equipment for the various activities are included. Although this trip is ranked as moderate difficulty, it is highly recommend that the potential traveller makes sure that he/she is in good physical condition. Hiking lasts from 2 to 6 hours and never above 3500m. They are prepared for persons used to walk and wanting to discover wonderful regions requiring a moderate physical demand. Each individual walks his/her own pace, we are visiting Ecuador to see, hear and smell; this is not a race
Galapagos Islands
Galápagos Islands were uninhabited when first explored in 1535 by Spanish. Over the XIII and XVIII centuries, the islands became a meeting point for buccaneers and pirates. English and American war ships as well as whale boats often accosted Galápagos Islands during XIX century. Island were inhabited once annexed by Ecuador in 1832. Charles Darwin, travelling aboard the Beagle spent six weeks studying Galápagos' fauna. These observations led him toward his masterwork, On the Origin of Species (1859). Darwin edited his journals from the explorations and published them in 1839 as The Voyage of the Beagle. The scientist's abundant enthusiasm and curiosity shine through these richly detailed accounts.
Santiago is the fourth largest island in the archipielago and has several great visitor sites.
One of the best sites is Puerto Egas, south of James Bay and west side of Santiago. Their is a long, lava shoreline where eroded rock formations, house an excellent variety of wildlife. Marine iguanas bask in the sun while land iguanas scater around feedind on exposed algae. The tide pools contain many Sally Lightfoot crabs, which attract other types of hunters. Following the trail Fur seal lions are found. Puerto Egas is no only a good spot for taking pictures but also perfect for snorkeling and seeing many species of tropical fish
Bartolome Island has a climb up stair case to its summit from where one can obtain a great view of both bays and towards Santiago. This island is famous for its Pinnacle Rock, where sea lions and penguins can be seen. While on the southern side, there are nesting sea turtles (in season). Some of which are wanding in the shallow waters near the shore or resting on the sand. This beach is great for swimming, snorkeling; and close the shore white-tipped reef sharks
Rabida Island, is also known as Jervis and lies 5 km south of Santiago. Do to a high % of oxidized iron in the composition of the lava, the island has a redish pigmentation. This is one of the best placesto see pelicans nesting while sea lions haul out. Near the beach, there is a salt-water lagoon where flamingos and white-cheecked pintail ducks can be seen, although during the 1900's the flamingos have not been seen lately. There is a trail that will take you up to a volcanic peek covered with palo santo trees, from where the red color of the beach and volcanic formations can be appreciated. At the end of this trail there is an excellent snorkeling spot.
Santa Cruz is the second largest island in the Galapagos. A road crosses the island from north to south, giving a good opportunity of seeing some of the highland interior. The small town of Puerto Ayora is the economic center of the archipielago, with the highest population and greatest number of tourist facilities. Most visitors stay in Puerto Ayora while arranging a boat or sometimes anchor in the harbor of Academy Bay during their cruise
The Charles Darwin Research Station is based on Santa Cruz. Visitors are encouraged to make donations to this organization, which carries out investigations and advises the Ecuadorian government and travel agencies on minimizing the impact of tourism on the islands.It contains a national-park information center and a museum. The station is also an tortoise breeding and rearing center, where tortoise of different subspecies are prepared to be reintroduced back to their natural habitat
Baltra is a small island off north coast of Santa Cruz. There are no accomodations, nor visitors sites here. But public and private transpotation is available from the airport to Puerto Ayora.Located slightly to the north of Baltra, North Seymour is a low, flat island, formed as a result of a submarine lava formation uplift. It is covered with low, bushy vegetation, which contains the largest colony of magnificent frigatebirds in the Galapagos. There is also a large population of blue-footed boobies that perform an amusing courtship dance, when nesting conditions are right. This goofy stride, picking-up high their blue feet in a slow motion, wing spreding, whistling and honking; is one of the highlight of this island
The Daphne Islands are locared 10 km of Seymour. Both of the islands are volcanic origin, making them hard to visit.
San Cristobal is the fifth largest island in the archipielago and has the second largest population. Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the provincial capital, is on the southwest point. There is a Banco del Pacifico with money exchange service, a small hospital,a post office, a poor telephone service, but all this is been improved
One hour northeast of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno is Isla Lobos. This small island is separated from the main island by a narrow stretch of rough waters. There is a trail where lava lizards are often seen. Upon its rocky shores, blue-footed boobies nest (in season), while sea lions rest and play.
About two hours notheast of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, is another small rocky island called Leon Dormido or sleeping lion do to its resemblance. Leon Dormido is also called Kicker Rock. Small vessels navigate through the towering rock's split.
Isabela is the largest island in the archipielago. This island consists on a chain of five volcanoes, from which Volcano Wolf is the highest.Puerto Villamil is a small port on Isabela, where not many travellers pass by. Urbina Bay, located on the western coast of Albemarle Island at the foot of Alcedo Volcano, was upliftedfrom the sea in 1954. Flightless cormorants and pelicans nest along the coast during their nesting seasons, and tutles and rays can
be seen in the bay. Highlands include large and colorful land iguanas
Tagus Cove, a tour along the cliffs in a launch will give the visitors a good chance to see the Galapagos penguin, the flightless cormorant and other sea birds. The Experimental Station is located very near Puerto Villamil in the south of Albemarle. Here the Galapagos National Park experiments with the reproduction process of the subspecies of geochelone elephantopus gunteri (tortoise). Volcano Sierra Negra, located at the southern end of Isabela, is one of the best and most impressive examples of avolcano in the archipelago. This is the second largest crater in theworld after Ngorongoro in Africa.Fernandina is the third largest, the youngest and westermost island in the Galapagos. Many eruptions have been recorded since 1813, making this island most likely to have volcanic eruption and witnessing them.
Puerto Espinosa, across Tagus Cove, is a visitors site where some of the unique species of Galapagos can be seen. Marine iguanas conglomerate in large groups than in any other island.
They bask around in the sand, swimm near the shore and blocking the way at the landing dock. Among these different species, is the Flightless Comorant. A bird that do to the lack of predatorshad to adjust their way of survival and perfectionate their skills of finding food in the ocean .
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Luggages and personal belongings
Please bring only the necessary. Small bags make it a lot easier for everyone to manage luggage. Hard and rigid suitcases are not recommended. The ideal is to have two bags one of which, an approximately 25 litre backpack, is used as a day bag for small excursions and the other, approximately 45 litres, contains the majority of clothing and personal belongings. We recommend that each participant brings with him/her:
- All necessary documents ( Traveller's File), passport, visa, address book, credit cards, cheques, copies of important documents etc)
- A compact sleeping bag
- A pair of comfortable shoes to hike in
- A pair of sandals or light shoes
- A light rain coat or plastic poncho
- 2 fleece style jackets or 2 thin woollen jackets
- 7 pairs of socks (3 woolen and 4 cotton)
- 2 pairs of long trousers
- 2 pairs of shorts
- Cotton underwear
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- T-shirts / tops ,Long sleeves shirts
- Water bottle
- Flash light, frontal lamp
- A light cap or hat
- Swim suite
- Plastic bags (for dirty & wet clothes)
- Personal toilet articles and medication
- Insect repellent
- Sun glasses
- Sun block (min. SPF15 – no oils please
- *Binoculars
- *Pocket knife
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Do not bring too much! You have the chance to wash your cloth during the tour.
* Optional but very handy !
Special list for Galapagos Islands
Please note that on domestic flight from Quito to Galapagos Islands, passengers are only aloud one 20kg hand luggage. We recommend taking comfortable and light clothes for the cruise, such as T-shirts, shorts and a bathing suit. Water being on the cool side, those who possess a wetsuit are welcome to bring it. Necessary diving equipment such as masks and tubas are supplied. You will need good hiking shoes for the excursions on the different islands as well as a pair of light sandals to wear on the boat. The boat might be tossed by the waves and persons who are prone to seasickness are invited to bring their medication with them.
Special list for jungle excursion
For your stay in the Amazon jungle, we recommend bringing light and comfortable clothes which are quick to dry (we advise you against wearing jeans), plastic bags, sandals or light shoes to wear at the camps and in the conoe, one pair of socks per day as well as a light sweater. A good pair of binoculars is highly recommended.
Tips on what to wear
Uptaded information to come...
Lodgings
Lodging in charming Inns, on double occupancy basis (2 to 3 *). These places have been chosen with the following standards in mind : welcoming, charming, comfortable and very friendly more than being luxirious..Your hotel in Quito is an old restored traditional first class charming house. Thanks to its downtown location you will be close to all services (restaurants, banks, shops) and also close to the historical and tourist spots of interest. The 11 rooms are decorated with taste and have their private bathroom, cable TV and phone with direct access and a safety box. Hair dryers are available. Bottled water, chocolates, shampoo and soaps are also offered in each room. The yachts sailing to Galapagos Islands have double occupancy cabins and a shared guest room. Comfort and installations vary depending on the class of the boat: regular tourism, upper tourism and first class
Extra stay
Willing participants can book a room in the capital for extra stay prior or after the tour begins ; cost : 60.00$US /night for 1 or 2 persons.
Children and the journey.
Children can take part in ecotourism tours in Ecuador, if they are motivated . Tours can easily be adapted and groups divided. Programs can vary according to the presence of young children among them. We know how to adequately adapt a journey if children are on board. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you want to discuss further on that matter , we will try to respond to your specific needs with pleasure.
What to read
We recommend travellers interested in learning more about Ecuador to purchase and read prior to departure, Lonely Planet Ecuador which will answer all your questions about the country, people and environment. Ulysse Ecuator guide is also a very good guide to learn more about the country and its people.
Electricity : 110V 60Hz - American standard - 2 pins.
Time zone : GMT/UTC - 5 hrs.
Galapagos : GMT/UTC - 6 hrs.
Glossary :
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Steps preceding any departure:
- You select the tour and dates you wish to book (or reach an agreement with us on your Tailor Made Tour's program.
- Using our Booking Form you make your reservation / booking.
- As soon as your booking request is received we get in touch with you to confirm the booking and we send you an invoice including payment instructions and booking conditions.
- Upon reception of this invoice you must send your initial deposit (25%) to secure your booking. NB: If your package includes the international flight and/or an insurance plan, it will be integrally payable with your initial deposit. You will receive your flight tickets and/or insurance enrollment confirmation on the next business day following the reception of your payment.
- After reception of your initial deposit we will send you a detailed and complete TRAVELER'S FILE.
NB: Unless your booking request is received within 45 days from the departure date, in which case you will receive your Traveler's File upon payment of your initial deposit, please allow between 15 and 30 working days for the preparation of these documents and 2 or 3 more days before receiving any printed material.
This complete file will contain the following detailed information:
- Voucher / proof of your booking.
- Detailed program with a map of the tour's route.
- Information on your tour guide(s) and other human resource(s) connected to the project.
- Information on the meeting point and a list of the inns and hotels with their description, address & contact information.
- Info on the cities, sites & regions visited on the tour.
- Technical & practical information.
- General recommendations for the traveler.
- Emergency plan and detailed maps of the country and /or region(s).
- Travel insurance complete documents and/or flight tickets (if included in your tour package).
- Your balance must be received 45 days before your departure or in the week following the reception of your Traveler's File if you are booking within 45 days preceding your departure.
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Comparing our tours and prices with others, consider...
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- The number of participants in the tour. The GROUP SIZE has a major incidence on the quality of the services provided by the tour leader and the driver. Small groups remain personal unlike large groups.
- What IS and what is NOT respectively included in the tours you compare.
- Our tours respect the principals of ecotourism. Our guides, staff members and providers are meticulously selected to meet our exacting requirements and standards and they are remunerated equitably and considered with great esteem as we much value their participation to our mission.
- The quality standard of the services and accommodations we provide in our tours is high and our customer service is exceptional. We are committed to offering the very best to our travellers before, during and after their tour.
- We provide our travellers with the contact information of their tour manager who is available 7 days a week, reachable at all time before and during the tour to promptly assist them with any situation or simply answer questions or doubts before the tour starts.
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Tours & Destinations
