Ecuador & Galapagos (overview)
  • Quito: majestic colonial architecture, cathedrals, Catholicism, indigenous markets, Quechua, llamas, altitude at 3,000 metres.
  • Northern Sierra: haciendas and markets.
  • Southern Sierra and Cuenca for volcanoes and colonial city feel.
  • Monteverde: cloud forest with rich biodiversity, abundant birdlife.
  • Amazon and isolated jungle lodges.
  • Galapagos – cruises, walking tours, land based lodges, Darwin, finches,
  • Can combine with Peru
  • Mainland – all-year-round destination (equatorial) but also affected by Pacific Ocean weather systems. Can be a bit wetter in winter (July/August)
  • Avoid July and August as the seas can be choppy and the ‘Garua’ season from July to August brings a mist/haze (at worse fog)