
ECUADOR and
GALAPAGOS ISLANDS
Ecuador is a country in northwestern South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. Ecuador also includes the Galápagos Islands in the Pacific, about 1,000 kilometres (620 mi) west of the mainland. The capital city is Quito, while the largest city is Guayaquil.
In Ecuador, you will explore small towns and villages of the Andes and immerse into local culture, learn about traditional handicrafts, encounter volcanic craters, peaks and hotsprings.
The Galapagos islands are volcanic and geologically young. They are famed for their vast number of endemic species, which were studied by Charles Darwin during the voyage of the Beagle.
BEST TIME to VISIT ECUADOR and GALAPAGOS ISLANDS
BEST TIME to TRAVEL to ECUADOR and GALAPAGOS ISLANDS
Coast : from June to November
Mountains : from June to August
Galapagos : April to December

Espanola Island - Nazca booby nesting

Espanola Island - Nazca booby - New-burn puppy

Espanola Island - Waved albatross

Espanola Island - colorful marine iguana

Espanola Island - Nazca booby

Rabida island - Red beach with sea lion

Rabida island - Red beach with sea lions

Rabida island - Red beach with sea lions

Rabida island - sea lion playing

Rabida island - sea lions playing

Marine iguana

North Seymour island - land iguana

North Seymour island - yellow warbler

North Seymour island - land iguana

North Seymour island - marine iguana

San Bartolomé island is desertic

blue-footed booby nesting

San Bartolomé island - famous landscape

woman and baby

Otavalo market is very large from food, souvenirs and clothes. Be awae than some souvenirs are coming from Asia and aren't handicrafts made locally.

young woman

food street

men with ponchos

shop

Historic center

cathedral with a blue cupola

Ingapirca - Inca ruins - the castle and temple of the sun

historic center


Volcano - from aircraft

landscape around Banos

Banos is famous for its Baths - here a father with 2 kids in a pool

Historic city - old spanish colonial style church of la Compania - cupolas

Quilotoa Lagoon (or Lake or laguna) is the destination of this excursion for its beautiful emerald colored water. But you will be also rewarded on the way by stunning landscapes.

Chimborazo volcano - ( 6,263 m - 20,548 ft), but is not the highest mountain by elevation above sea level in Ecuador, but its location along the equatorial bulge makes its summit the farthest point on the Earth's surface from the Earth's center.

Chimborazo volcano - ( 6,263 m - 20,548 ft), but is not the highest mountain by elevation above sea level in Ecuador, but its location along the equatorial bulge makes its summit the farthest point on the Earth's surface from the Earth's center.

Espanola Island - Lava lizard (female)

Espanola Island - Lava lizard (female)

Espanola Island - Marine iguanas

Rabida Island - landscape with red sandy beach

Espanola Island - 2 couples of Waved Albatrosses

Espanola Island - Waved Albatrosses

North Seymour island - land iguana

North Seymour island - Magnificent frigatebird - juvenal

North Seymour island - land iguana (male)

North Seymour island - Seals - mother and baby nursing

North Seymour island - Seals - mother and baby

North Seymour island - landscape

Santa Cruz island - Sally lightfoot crab

Santa Cruz island - beach

Santa Cruz Island - Giant Tortoise

Santa Cruz Island - Giant Tortoise

Santa Cruz Island - Giant Tortoise

Isabela Island - Giant Tortoise

Isabela Island - Giant Tortoise

Isabela Island - Giant Tortoise

Historic city - Street view with the National vow church at the top of the hill

the Historic center is surrounded by hills and mountains - view of the colorful houses on the hill

Historic center - Santo Domingo church

Historic center - golden ceiling of the Compania church

Historic Quito - view of the Plaza Grande (Main Square)

Historic center - san Francisco church

Historic center - San Francisco main church - Altar

Historic center - San Francisco main church - beautiful ceiling

Historic center - San Francisco lateral (left) church or chapel- Altar

Historic center - San Francisco main church - ceiling near the main door

Historic city - old spanish colonial style building - entrance

This Virgin statue is overlooking Quito on a 200 meteres hill called El Panecillo located between southern and central Quito. Its peak is at an elevation of 3,016 metres above sea level. The Virgin stands on top of a globe and is stepping on a snake, which is a classic madonna iconography. Less traditional are the wings, which makes her probably the only one in the world with wings like an angel.

old spanish style church

Gualeceo - market - tropical fruits

cathedral

market - women with colorful and traditional costumes

old spanish style church

Gualeceo - market - women with colorful and traditional costumes

town hall

old spanish style house

Guamote market

Guamote market

Guamote market

Guamote market

Guamote market

Guamote market

Guamote market

Guamote market

young elegant lady

young elegant lady

street food

young lama

Guamote market - woman and baby

Guamote market - tropical fruits

Guamote market - woman and baby

Guamote market - women selling clothes

Guamote market is also standing on the rail tracks so no train today

Guamote market - men with colorful ponchos