Country Guides
Ecuador
Top Things To Do
Top Things To Do
Ecuador
Hiking in the Andes
High-altitude walks in the Cotopaxi and El Cajas national parks require some stamina due to the lack of oxygen, but this is your chance to see the stunning scenery of the grass-covered paramo plateaus, surrounded by volcanoes.
Scaling volcanoes
Cotopaxi - the world's highest active volcano - is one of the best mountains to start your climbing career. The climb doesn't require previous experience, but you need to be very fit and accustomed to high altitude.
Jungle
The wet equatorial forest of the Oriente is teeming with wildlife. Some areas are dotted with eco-lodges from where travellers embark on canoe expeditions through the intricate network of rivers and creeks that form the Amazon basin.
Cycling down the Andes
A few tour agencies in Quito offer cycling trips that take in the high-altitude paramo at an altitude of 4,000m (13,123ft) down to the lush tropical forests at 1,000m (3,280ft), passing the numerous climatic zones in between.
Cruising in the Galapagos
One of the world's most enticing destinations, the remote Pacific islands are full of unique creatures that you can't find anywhere else in the world. The ultimate experience is swimming with the giant Galapagos tortoises. Cruises should be booked in advance.
Surfing
The Pacific coast of Ecuador has sandy beaches that draw crowds of surfers. The village of Montañita has grown into a surfers' enclave with plenty of cheap accommodation and active nightlife.
Devil's Nose
Riding on the train's roof is not forbidden by the local tourist authorities in Ecuador - it's more encouraged. The famously precipitous ‘Devil's Nose' train route takes you from Riobamba to the Alausi station, with most passengers opting to ride on top of the carriage.
Indian shopping
Indigenous markets are an ethnologist's wonder, but also a cheap and efficient way to stock up on gifts for your friends and families. While the Otavalo market mostly caters for tourists, the market in Saqisili is a authentically local affair.
See Contact Addresses for further tourist information.
Hiking in the Andes
High-altitude walks in the Cotopaxi and El Cajas national parks require some stamina due to the lack of oxygen, but this is your chance to see the stunning scenery of the grass-covered paramo plateaus, surrounded by volcanoes.
Scaling volcanoes
Cotopaxi - the world's highest active volcano - is one of the best mountains to start your climbing career. The climb doesn't require previous experience, but you need to be very fit and accustomed to high altitude.
Jungle
The wet equatorial forest of the Oriente is teeming with wildlife. Some areas are dotted with eco-lodges from where travellers embark on canoe expeditions through the intricate network of rivers and creeks that form the Amazon basin.
Cycling down the Andes
A few tour agencies in Quito offer cycling trips that take in the high-altitude paramo at an altitude of 4,000m (13,123ft) down to the lush tropical forests at 1,000m (3,280ft), passing the numerous climatic zones in between.
Cruising in the Galapagos
One of the world's most enticing destinations, the remote Pacific islands are full of unique creatures that you can't find anywhere else in the world. The ultimate experience is swimming with the giant Galapagos tortoises. Cruises should be booked in advance.
Surfing
The Pacific coast of Ecuador has sandy beaches that draw crowds of surfers. The village of Montañita has grown into a surfers' enclave with plenty of cheap accommodation and active nightlife.
Devil's Nose
Riding on the train's roof is not forbidden by the local tourist authorities in Ecuador - it's more encouraged. The famously precipitous ‘Devil's Nose' train route takes you from Riobamba to the Alausi station, with most passengers opting to ride on top of the carriage.
Indian shopping
Indigenous markets are an ethnologist's wonder, but also a cheap and efficient way to stock up on gifts for your friends and families. While the Otavalo market mostly caters for tourists, the market in Saqisili is a authentically local affair.
See Contact Addresses for further tourist information.
High-altitude walks in the Cotopaxi and El Cajas national parks require some stamina due to the lack of oxygen, but this is your chance to see the stunning scenery of the grass-covered paramo plateaus, surrounded by volcanoes.
Scaling volcanoes
Cotopaxi - the world's highest active volcano - is one of the best mountains to start your climbing career. The climb doesn't require previous experience, but you need to be very fit and accustomed to high altitude.
Jungle
The wet equatorial forest of the Oriente is teeming with wildlife. Some areas are dotted with eco-lodges from where travellers embark on canoe expeditions through the intricate network of rivers and creeks that form the Amazon basin.
Cycling down the Andes
A few tour agencies in Quito offer cycling trips that take in the high-altitude paramo at an altitude of 4,000m (13,123ft) down to the lush tropical forests at 1,000m (3,280ft), passing the numerous climatic zones in between.
Cruising in the Galapagos
One of the world's most enticing destinations, the remote Pacific islands are full of unique creatures that you can't find anywhere else in the world. The ultimate experience is swimming with the giant Galapagos tortoises. Cruises should be booked in advance.
Surfing
The Pacific coast of Ecuador has sandy beaches that draw crowds of surfers. The village of Montañita has grown into a surfers' enclave with plenty of cheap accommodation and active nightlife.
Devil's Nose
Riding on the train's roof is not forbidden by the local tourist authorities in Ecuador - it's more encouraged. The famously precipitous ‘Devil's Nose' train route takes you from Riobamba to the Alausi station, with most passengers opting to ride on top of the carriage.
Indian shopping
Indigenous markets are an ethnologist's wonder, but also a cheap and efficient way to stock up on gifts for your friends and families. While the Otavalo market mostly caters for tourists, the market in Saqisili is a authentically local affair.
See Contact Addresses for further tourist information.
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