Hiking
Trekking and hiking through the National Parks and Nature Reserves in Ecuador is the most beautiful experience. Descend from the Highlands to the subtropical cloud forests, along amazing gorge trials and the awe-inspiring Avenue of the Volcanoes through large haciendas and Indian communities. Cotopaxi National Park is an excellent place for hiking and cycling. Hiking is another activity to experience on the Galapagos Islands, discovering breathtaking sandy beaches, and view points all with fantastic wildlife in their natural habitat.
Mountainbiking
Mountain biking is a great way to explore the National Parks. Many hotels offer bike hire. We can also arrange biking tours for those wishing to head off for a few days in the saddle. Beware you need to be fit to be comfortable with the altitude and terrain of Ecuador, but the rewards are worth it.
Scuba diving
Water around the Galapagos offers some of the world's best scuba diving. A rich variety of underwater environments and unpredictable conditions are constantly fascinating and exciting. Offshore pinnacle reefs on submerged volcanoes rise from deep surrounding water supporting rich sea life and big oceanic creatures. The Devil's Crown, a sunken volcano near Floreana Island, is a marine wonderland of sea lions, turtles, rays, morays, garden ells, white tip sharks, hammerhead and whale sharks, and thousands of tropical fish.
Swimming and kayaking with sea lions
Wherever you swim in the Galapagos you are very likely to have the pleasure of a few playful sea lions. One of the beauties in the Galapagos is that the animals are not afraid of humans because they have no reason to fear us. Therefore they will play with you while you swim or kayak around them. The Finch Bay Hotel in the Galapagos offers a secluded beach to launch your kayaking, where you will see turtles and sea lions alongside you within minutes.
Horse riding
A great option to take in the highlands is horse riding, as it is another way to enjoy this beautiful country or benefit from some more serious riding. Many of the haciendas have their own stables.
Bird watching
One of the world's premier birding destinations, Ecuador is counted among the 17 mega diverse countries in the world and holds first place for the most amount of species per area. Diverse geography and mild climate make this an ideal nursery for avian life, claiming 15% of the world's bird species.
This tiny country has about 1,600 known species of birds in the continental area plus 38 more endemic to the Galapagos Islands. During the last decade nearly 200 new species of birds have been added to Ecuador's list. Within each region - the Amazon, the Andes highlands, the Pacific Coast and the Galapagos Islands, there are habitats and microhabitats that are 'islands' of well-established endemic species.
Each geographic region offers unique opportunities to see endemic, resident, migrant and visiting species. Avian highlights include many hummingbirds, including the largest and smallest species on Earth, the prehistoric Hoatzin, Darwin's finches, the recently-discovered Jocotoco Antpitta (grallaria ridgelyi), and the magnificent Andean condor.
Spas
Enjoy the restorative experience of a spa, where your mind and body can get away from it all. The spas of Ecuador offer a world of relaxation, renewal and pampering in serene natural settings and pristine environments, with secluded facilities. Here you can indulge in renowned Ecuadorian hospitality offered at outstanding resorts set amidst breathtaking beauty. There are expert professional staff fully dedicated to improving your health and wellbeing. There is a fabulous Spa at the La Mirage Hotel in the Otavalo region, North of Quito.
The real Ecuador & Galapagos experience
Fiona is our Ecuador & Galapagos Islands expert who has extensive knowledge and experience of the destination. Take a chance to experience some of the undiscovered secrets of this land of contrasts.
Please contact Fiona who can build a tailor-made itinerary to suit your needs.
Fiona: fiona@worldwideholidays.co.uk or 01202 606158
We strongly advise to book holidays to the Galapagos Islands as early as possible due to its popularity as a travel destination.
