TRAILS  OF ECUADOR

With just 98,984 Square miles it is considered one of the world’s most diverse nations in terms of geography, wildlife, people, and culture. Ecuador is a marvelous country offering a myriad of experiences. Visitors can reach easily each one of the four regions: The highlands with 47 volcanoes, the Coast, the Jungle and the Galapagos Islands, all separated by just few hours travel time and known because of it’s impressive variety, offering a glance of choices to enjoy in a short period of time.

Highlights

  • 4,500 butterfly species
  • 4,500 orchid species
  • 1,640 avian species
  • 345 reptile species
  • 50 different ecosystems
  • 33 protected areas
  • 14 Indigenous nationalities
  • Afro Ecuadorean, Mulato and Mestizo groups


HIGHLANDS TRAILS     

The Northern Trails

Known as the lake district of Ecuador settled on beautiful valleys, surrounded by mountains and the ancient Cotacachi and Imbabura volcanoes, that stand that sentinels at the gate way to the Avenue of the volcanoes, steep green hills, flower plantations and wonderful people this is considered one of the most beautiful regions of Ecuador.

Highlights

  • Otavalo Indigenous culture and Afro-Ecuadorean communities
  • Otavalo market with I’ts colorful textiles, food market and people.
  • Small indigenous weavers villages, wood carvings and leather works.
  • Colonial Haciendas
  • Local and fusion gastronomy
  • Beautiful lakes and lagoons.
  • Best bird watching in Mindo - Choco and cloud forest reserves.
  • Quito colonial area with it’s magnificent cathedrals, buildings, museums and colonial art.

The Central Trails

This magical region was named by a famous German explorer Alexander Von Humboldt as “The Avenue of the Volcanoes”, when he traveled trough Ecuador’s central Andean valley in 1802.

South of Quito, the Pan-American highway pass trough 8 of the country’s 10 highest peaks, this area provides an exciting hiking, trekking and excellent routes for mountain biking and horse riding. 

Highlights

  • Avenue of the Volcanoes
  • Antisana and Chimborazo Ecological reserves
  • Cotopaxi National Park
  • Pristine Indian markets
  • Colonial Haciendas
  • Highest concentration of Indigenous villages of Ecuador
  • One of the greatest train journeys trough the Devil’s Nose
  • Andean cloud forest journey from Banos to Puyo, travelling trough the waterfall’s road.

The Southern Trails

Through a rugged topography and one of the most beautiful landscapes of the highlands, with steep green hills, and hidden archaeological and ethnographic treasures, lies the southern Andes, with many colonial towns that take you far enough into the past, giving the region’s isolation a rich and tangible history.

 Highlights

  • Landscape from Alausi to Loja
  • Inga Pirca Inca Ruins & Inca’s trail
  • Unesco city of Cuenca
  • Cajas National Park
  • Saraguro Indigenous village
  • Podocarpus National Park
  • Vilcabamba valley
  • Loja


LOW LANDS

The Coastal Trails

West of the Andes lie the coastal Lowlands, characterized by coffee and tropical fruit plantations, secluded beaches and excellent seafood dishes, the coastal lowlands also provide some of the finest whitewater rafting routes. Many areas still have pristine cloud, dry and rain forest, with a wide variety of birds, mammals and reptiles.
 
Highlights

  • Afro-Ecuadorean communities
  • Cotacachi Cayapas Ecological reserve
  • Machalilla National Park
  • Humpback whale watching
  • La Plata Islands
  • The Spondilus route from Guayaquil to Manta
  • Guayaquil
  • White water rafting
  • Surfing

The Amazon Rain Forest Trails

East of the Sierra, the Oriente is one of the most accessible and traveler-friendly areas of the upper Amazon basin, which is the biologically richest area anywhere on earth.  There are innumerable varieties of flora, including many of Ecuador’s 4,500 species of orchids, and many plants with medicinal value. Wildlife such as butterflies, bats, monkeys, sloth’s, parrots, macaws, river dolphins, and Caymans are all relatively easy to view. The Ecuadorian Amazon offers a wide range of activities including swimming, canoe journeys, rain forest walks, bird watching, animal spotting, and visits to local jungle communities. 

 Highlights

  • Bird watching
  • Botany (Orchids, Bromeliads)
  • Flooded Forest – Cuyabeno Ecological Reserve
  • Sumaco National Park
  • Yasuni National Park – Unesco Biosphere Reserva
  • Jungle lodges
  • Indigenous groups (Huaorani, Cofan, Sionas-Secoyas,Shuar, Achuar, Quichuas)
  • River rafting

Galapagos Islands Trails

The 13 main islands and dozens of smaller islets and rocks of the protected volcanic Galapagos archipelago have been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.  Described as "A separate centre of creation" by Charles Darwin, the creatures of these unique "Enchanted Islands" have no instinctive fear of man allowing travelers to observe the life-cycles of a huge range of marine mammals, reptiles, invertebrates and birds at incredibly close quarters. Nearly a quarter of all species are endemic and some, such as the flightless cormorant, Galapagos mockingbird and the marine iguana, are found nowhere else on earth.

Highlights

  • Diving
  • Kayaking
  • Snorkeling
  • Hiking
  • Geology
  • Natural history
  • Marine and terrestrial wildlife
  • Bird watching