Ecuador, straddling the equator, is an incredibly diverse country with a vast array of habitats. The low Amazonian forests reach up to cloud forest clinging onto the lower slopes of the Andes before stretching up to high Altiplano and then glaciated, but very much active, volcanoes. The terrain sweeps back down through coastal cloud forest to the long Pacific coastline. 1000 miles west of here are the incredible islands of the Galapagos. This geographical situation, with a range in altitude from 0 – 6000+m above sea level, creates many unique environments with some of the greatest diversity of wildlife in the world. Culturally diverse too, you can spend your time in modern, cosmopolitan cities, historical Spanish towns or experience the traditional life of one of the hundreds of ethnic groups.
Sally has been lucky enough to spend several months in Ecuador on 2 very different expeditions. She first arrived in 2010 crossing the Columbia / Ecuador border on her bicycle. This was at the end of a solo trip that started in Mexico with just enough time and budget left to make a circuit of the country. “I got to know it quite intimately, falling a little bit in love with the beautiful landscape.”
Sally returned in 2015, working as an expedition leader with a group of students and teachers. The itinerary included white water rafting one of the many rivers that run down the Andes to eventually feed into the Amazon itself. They also completed a 4 day trek to the Quilotoa crater lake as well as several days being amazed by the wildlife of Galapagos.
Sally stayed on in Ecuador after the team returned to the UK to undertake some trekking and also summit Cotopaxi, Ecuadors 2nd highest peak at 5897m.
There is huge potential for trekking in Ecuador and the country is promoting itself as a destination for all kinds of outdoor adventurous activities. Day walks are possible from countless locations, accommodation is plentiful and public transport is easy to use. Even from the capital city of Quito it is relatively easy to climb up to 4784m in a day. Longer treks are simple to arrange, either self-led or guided. You can explore the unique and wild world of high Andean National Parks, follow Inca roads, explore Spanish colonial villages or journey through the Amazon.
The double spine of Ecuador consists of active and dormant volcanoes, the highest reaching 6268m. The glaciated high peaks offer some serious mountaineering options with all the kit and expertise needed available in Quito. Ecuadorian guides are well qualified and the country is a candidate member of the International Federation of Mountain Guides.
As well as trekking and mountaineering an Ecuador trip could easily include rafting and kayaking one of the rivers that tumble down from the Andes, canyoning, rock climbing and cycling. Time is well spent watching the varied wildlife that includes over 1600 species of birds and rare or endemic species like the spectacled bear.
Ecuador is a safe place to travel if you use the same precautions you would anywhere, particularly in the cities. As a lone female traveller Sally had no problems and later with a mixed group of under 18s still had very few concerns. There are, of course, the more popular spots on the tourist trail or in the ex-pat communities. However it is very easy to step away from these areas and experience something very different.
“Having already spent quite a lot of time in Ecuador there is still much more for me to see and do. I expect to be returning there in the future for both work and fun.”
[author] [author_image timthumb=’on’]/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/18268667_781764951990468_6226966946785923752_n-150×150.jpg[/author_image] [author_info]Sally Marsh (aspirant IML)
Sally can be contacted by messaging us or by emailing her direct at lightfootexpeditions@gmail.com[/author_info] [/author]