NATURE

Located on the Equator right between Colombia to the north and Peru to the south, lies Ecuador. It is the smallest of all the Andean nations. Despite the small size of Ecuador, the country offers an incredible array of scenery. As a visitor you can trek through the steamy jungles of the Ecuadorian Amazon basin, climb snow covered volcanoes in the Andes, or relax on tropical beaches. All of this spectacular scenery is located within just a short distance of the capital, Quito. Each of these areas is home to a dazzling array of species. In fact there are few countries in the world that are as species rich as this small nation.

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To put things into perspective, travelers have the opportunity to see well over 300 species of mammals, 1,600 species of birds, 4,500 species of butterfly and similar number of orchids, to name just a few of the species residing in Ecuador. Think of Ecuador and the word “megadiversity” might come to mind. One of the most famous examples of Ecuador’s biodiversity can be found on the Galapagos Islands. Much of the flora and fauna found (both on land and just off shore) are only found in this part of the world. Remember, it was due to Charles Darwin’s experiences on these beautiful islands that laid the foundations for the Theory Of Evolution.

Ecuador has four main regions in terms of geography and species. The respective regions are the Andes, the Amazon, the Andes-Amazon Region, and the Coastal Area/Galapagos Region. Each region is home to a number of state and private run parks and reserves. From any of the major cities it is fairly easy to get out to a particular park though once there getting around may be somewhat difficult. As such most parks and reserves have guides to help show you around the area and point out all the wonderful flora and fauna found within each area.

It is possible to arrange tours from Quito and Cuenca without any difficulty. Our Spanish language schools have staff on-site to provide info, set up tours, or to refer you to a great tour company.

We are confident that you will find Ecuador to be a wonderful country. Take some time to get outside the cities and you will be amazed by what you discover!