Ecuador Adventures
“Perhaps I’ll migrate across the sea like the swallow,
toward a sun-filled land of dreams, toward the sun!”
Giacamo Puccini
Why choose an Ecuador vacation?
To trek with toucans, bike with pumas, raft with Amazonian parrots and straddle the equator, of course! While there, why not contemplate your good fortune in the shadows of Cotopaxi volcano, the highest active volcano in the world at 19,460 feet?
Ecuador, one of Latin America’s smallest countries, is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world. Half the size of France, Ecuador boasts nine national parks, 20 national, provincial or other governmental reserves and a half-dozen private reserves.
In an area less than two hundred miles, a traveler can access all of Ecuador mainland's defining regions - the coastal lowlands in the West, the volcanic central highlands, and the rainforests of the East (Oriente). Mountains, jungles, tropical lowlands and thousands of species of birds, plants and animals are all found in a very small space.
Ecuador has a rich indigenous culture - some of its inhabitants descended from the Incas. Ecuadorians are generally extremely polite and helpful. Because this country is largely undiscovered by tourists, it allows visitors to fully immerse themselves in another culture and indigenous traditions.
Is the multi-sport trip all-inclusive? O.A.R.S.’ eight-day Ecuador Multi-Sport trip includes seven nights lodging in a variety of regions; all meals (outlined in our detailed itinerary); hiking, biking, horseback riding, whitewater rafting, soaking in hot springs; expedition equipment; transfers and a vehicle for cross-country travel with private guide and driver.
Where does the road lead? O.A.R.S.’ guests essentially circumnavigate Ecuador, experiencing the Amazon Basin, rainforests, glacial lakes, Inca ruins, rivers, plateaus and volcanoes.
The O.A.R.S. Ecuador Multi-Sport trip includes whitewater rafting on an Amazon river, horseback rides to volcanoes and waterfalls, soaks in deluxe hot springs and visits to natural pools in Llanganates National Park, as well as a cultural feast of the senses at Otavalo Market. Guests will stay in traditional haciendas, jungle lodges and a French baronial mansion.
The expedition first stops in Cotopaxi National Park – a region that is host to Andean condors, highland falcons, Andean gulls, ducks, hummingbirds and a wide range of other animals including mountain lions, white tail deer, Andean fox, rabbits, rodents and herds of wild horses.
The trip continues southward to the Tungurahua province to the small town of Banos, nestled in the foothills of Tungurahua Volcano and within the Pastaza River valley. You will explore small villages, farmland and lush mountain scenery by mountain bike and on foot.
Turning northward, following the Pastaza River gorge, there will be an opportunity to try a cable car-ride over the Bride’s Veil Waterfall and take a small hike on the hanging bridge over the Devil’s Pail. You will explore Llanganates National Park as well as raft big waves on the Class III+ Jatunyacu River. The group will then ascend higher into the Andes to Papallacta Hot Springs, at an elevation close to 11,000 feet.
The trip moves further north into the Imbabura Province, an area rich in music and culture. The handicrafts sold in this region are found in markets around the world. Mountain biking and hiking in the Mojanda Lakes area on a clear day allows unrestricted views of snowcapped volcanoes of the Eastern and Western Cordilleras. The expedition stops at Guallabamba Valley on the return to Quito.
Looking to extend your Latin America vacation? Care to lounge with lava lizards or bob with Blue Footed Boobies on Ecuador’s Galápagos Islands? O.A.R.S. offers three adventures to the archipelago of volcanic islands: Galápagos Multi-Sport, Galápagos Adventure Cruise or Sea Kayaking the Enchanted Islands.
When is the best time to visit Ecuador? The best time to visit Ecuador is all year round! The best time for hiking in the highlands is June through August, the dry season, which coincides with the wettest months in the Oriente. Trekking in the Oriente is best done in the dry season, from late August through February.
What kinds of birds are found in Ecuador? Half of the bird species present in South America are found in this tiny nation, and it has twice as many birds as all of North America. What was once the northern most country in the Inca Empire, Ecuador is now known as the hummingbird capital of the world with over 130 species found here. Birds that might be spotted during days spent hiking, biking, horseback riding and river rafting include Andean Condors, Caracaras (falcons), Macaws, Toucans, brightly colored Andean Cock-of-the-Rocks, over 100 species of tanagers and 28 owl species.
What types Ecuadorian wildlife, including reptiles, might be seen? Ecuador boasts 369 species of mammals, 30 of which are endemic. Although wildlife sightings may not occur regularly, they are a special treat on our Ecuador Multi-Sport vacation. This mega-diverse country, “packed like a kneecap” between Peru and Colombia, contains the most mammals per square meter worldwide. Andean wolves and fox, pumas, white-tailed deer, wild horses – descendents of animals that escaped the earliest Spaniards who introduced them to the American continent - and herds of wild llamas that have been restored to the area are but just a sampling of what you might find on your Multi-Sport vacation.
This equatorial nation has 350 species of reptiles, with over 200 species of snakes alone. There are approximately 400 amphibians in Ecuador and the most species of frogs in the world.
Is there a variety of Ecuadorian flora? Although Ecuador occupies only 0.2 % of the planet's area, an estimate of close to 25,000 species of plants is found here. This represents approximately 10% of all plants in the world. To compare, North America has just 17,000 species of plants.
Was Ecuador a part of the Inca Empire?
Many civilizations rose throughout Ecuador including the Valdivia and Machalilla cultures on the coast, the Quitus near present day Quito, and the Canari near present day Cuenca. Asian nomads crossed the Bering Straight and reached South America by about 12,000 BC. Polynesians arrived several thousand years later. Each civilization developed its own distinctive architecture, pottery, and religious beliefs. It was not until the 15th century that the Inca Empire expanded north into Ecuador. The Spaniards arrived shortly thereafter, in 1526, in the area now known as Esmeraldas. Seven years after the Spaniards’ arrival came the end of the Inca empire – coinciding with the death of the Inca ruler Atahualpa and the Spanish invasion. Ecuador gained its independence in 1830.
Of special note, the Spaniards were the first party on record to descend the entire length of the Amazon River.
Why would an independent traveler want to experience Ecuador with O.A.R.S.? We believe it is a fundamental part of ecotourism in Ecuador to work with local guides while at the same time bringing our wealth of experience to the table. Our like-minded partners in Ecuador realize they are accountable to O.A.R.S. high standards, so you can rest assured you will be in be in good hands. O.A.R.S. has taken out the guesswork and added our guarantee. We hope you have an opportunity to join us on one of our Ecuador adventures for a journey of discovery and exploration.
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