Your guide to ecuador adventure,outdoor lifestyle,volunteer work,culture and much more.

Home Destination Blueprints Blogs Forum Products & Services

Ecuador

Home

Off The Beaten Track

Where am I ?

The natural treasure trove

Ecuador is a small country located in Northwestern South America. It is located on the Equator between Colombia and Peru and has a coastline that borders the Pacific Ocean. The Biodiversity of Ecuador is astounding as it has numerous species of flora and fauna as well as varying climates in its different regions. The landscape of Ecuador varies greatly and includes Pacific coast beaches, steamy rainforests, ice covered volcanoes amongst which the charming colonial capital city of Quito is located, the highlands of the Andes Mountains and the volcanic archipelago of the Galapagos Islands. Ecuador is a prime destination for tourists mainly for its national treasure trove of the Galapagos Islands.

Lava lizards, Frigate birds, iguanas, blue footed boobies, flamingoes, albatrosses, giant tortoises are just some of the spectacular wildlife found in the world’s second largest marine reserve which was made a National Park in 1959. The islands have unique geographical formations comprising of lava flows and tunnels and red, black or white sand beaches. Thousands of visitors flock to the town of Puerto Ayora located on the archipelago to take in the wonders of the region. Apart from the Galapagos Ecuador is also known for the world’s highest active volcano Volcán Cotopaxi at 19,350 feet above sea level located in the Parque Nacional Cotopaxi. Visitors to the park enjoy hikes which involve climbing the volcano.

The diverse topography of Ecuador has also shaped its people who mainly reside in the highland valley towns such as Sasquisili and Otavalo located in the volcanic mountains. These towns come alive on market days when the local populace gathers to sell their produce and indigenous handicrafts.