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TRAVELLING TO Ecuador

Why visit? Ecuador might be relatively small in size compared to some of its neighbours but when it comes to diversity, it is nothing short of drawcards, boasting an incredible plethora of geographical, cultural and biological wonders.

From the snow-capped peaks of the mighty Andes, to the remote waters of the magnificent Amazon, awe-inspiring volcanoes, luscious rainforests brimming with endemic wildlife, indigenous villages reflecting the country’s endearing culture and endless stretches of beautiful beaches, an Ecuador tour really is a once in a lifetime adventure.

Usually, Australians start their Ecuador tour in Quito, Ecuador’s capital, an exciting city that impresses not only with its lively vibe, bustling streets and ancient buildings but, being nestled amidst the Andean mountains, it also enjoys the most stunning of settings a city could ask for. The city is bursting with architectural gems and is one of the best preserved historical centres in all of Latin America.

For an exploration of Ecuador’s famous biodiversity, visitors will be spoilt for choice with the huge amount of nature reserves, forests, mangrove coastlines and beaches covering the country’s mainland.

In the east, Coca is the gateway for tours of the Amazon rainforest, one of the most bio-diverse regions in the world. Wildlife spotting at its most impressive is offered on an Amazon Tour where you can set off on canoe rides along the remote waters and rivers, hike through the thick forest as rich in flora and fauna as no other place on earth.

In the west, off the coast, a Galapagos Islands Cruise & Tour is a highlight of any visit to Latin America. Set against the backdrops of spectacular landscapes that range from volcanic peaks to ancient lava fields, the Galapagos Islands are one of nature’s most impressive wonders boasting some of the famous wildlife species unique to Galapagos such as the giant tortoise, marine iguanas and Darwin’s finches.

How to get there? Being in the north west of South America, it is almost as easy to get to Ecuador from Los Angeles as it is from Santiago, Chile. Which route you take is probably more likely to be determined by what you’d like to do en route - Patagonia or Peru, go via Santiago, Mexico or the US, go via LA. QANTAS actually offer a split fare into or out of LA, returning via Santiago – for those who want to do a loop.

More information: Below we have shown you just a fraction of the options available for Ecuador and multi-country travel. Browse to get an idea of where you want to travel.

Still wondering? Contact us: You are definitely better off giving us a call or dropping us a line and letting us do the hard work for you.

#Livefortoday and book your Ecuador tour with us today. Chimu Adventures is Australia’s leading Latin America and Polar specialist and can put together an itinerary to suit you.

[ Continue Reading ]

Why visit? Ecuador might be relatively small in size compared to some of its neighbours but when it comes to diversity, it is nothing short of drawcards, boasting an incredible plethora of geographical, cultural and biological wonders.

From the snow-capped peaks of the mighty Andes, to the remote waters of the magnificent Amazon, awe-inspiring volcanoes, luscious rainforests brimming with endemic wildlife, indigenous villages reflecting the country’s endearing culture and endless stretches of beautiful beaches, an Ecuador tour really is a once in a lifetime adventure.

Usually, Australians start their Ecuador tour in Quito, Ecuador’s capital, an exciting city that impresses not only with its lively vibe, bustling streets and ancient buildings but, being nestled amidst the Andean mountains, it also enjoys the most stunning of settings a city could ask for. The city is bursting with architectural gems and is one of the best preserved historical centres in all of Latin America.

For an exploration of Ecuador’s famous biodiversity, visitors will be spoilt for choice with the huge amount of nature reserves, forests, mangrove coastlines and beaches covering the country’s mainland.

In the east, Coca is the gateway for tours of the Amazon rainforest, one of the most bio-diverse regions in the world. Wildlife spotting at its most impressive is offered on an Amazon Tour where you can set off on canoe rides along the remote waters and rivers, hike through the thick forest as rich in flora and fauna as no other place on earth.

In the west, off the coast, a Galapagos Islands Cruise & Tour is a highlight of any visit to Latin America. Set against the backdrops of spectacular landscapes that range from volcanic peaks to ancient lava fields, the Galapagos Islands are one of nature’s most impressive wonders boasting some of the famous wildlife species unique to Galapagos such as the giant tortoise, marine iguanas and Darwin’s finches.

How to get there? Being in the north west of South America, it is almost as easy to get to Ecuador from Los Angeles as it is from Santiago, Chile. Which route you take is probably more likely to be determined by what you’d like to do en route - Patagonia or Peru, go via Santiago, Mexico or the US, go via LA. QANTAS actually offer a split fare into or out of LA, returning via Santiago – for those who want to do a loop.

More information: Below we have shown you just a fraction of the options available for Ecuador and multi-country travel. Browse to get an idea of where you want to travel.

Still wondering? Contact us: You are definitely better off giving us a call or dropping us a line and letting us do the hard work for you.

#Livefortoday and book your Ecuador tour with us today. Chimu Adventures is Australia’s leading Latin America and Polar specialist and can put together an itinerary to suit you.

[ Read Less ]

WHY TRAVEL WITH CHIMU ADVENTURES

  • We offer you flexible travel options in Latin America at an affordable price.

  • You can choose from over 400 suggested itineraries or pick and choose elements to build your own unique experience; cover the areas you want to explore at a pace to suit you.

  • We know each Latin American country by heart and will work with you to determine which activities and accommodations are best suited to your needs.

  • From your initial enquiry until your trip ends, you will be assigned a personal Destination Specialist who will offer a full service for your travel needs: we can book flights, insurance and any ancillary travel required to complete your journey.

  • We have offices across South America so you can be assured that ground staff are close at hand to assist whilst you are travelling.

FEATURED Ecuador TRIPS & DEALS

View Map
12 Days

Signature Galapagos

Quito, Ecuador, Galapagos Islands

Ship: Seaman Journey

START: Quito, Ecuador

FINISH: Quito, Ecuador

  • Selected Tuesdays
View Map
9 Days

Signature Galapagos Express

Quito, Ecuador, Galapagos Islands

Ship: Seaman Journey

START: Quito, Ecuador

FINISH: Quito, Ecuador

  • Selected Fridays
View Map
8 Days

Galapagos 8 Day Cruise Seaman Journey

Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

Ship: Seaman Journey

START: Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

FINISH: Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

  • Selected Fridays

Ecuador TOURS

View Map
12 Days

Signature Galapagos

Quito, Ecuador, Galapagos Islands

SHIP: Seaman Journey

START: Quito, Ecuador

FINISH: Quito, Ecuador

  • Selected Tuesdays

View Map
9 Days

Signature Galapagos Express

Quito, Ecuador, Galapagos Islands

SHIP: Seaman Journey

START: Quito, Ecuador

FINISH: Quito, Ecuador

  • Selected Fridays

View Map
9 Days

Signature Ecuador - Quito to Guayaquil

Ecuador

START: Quito, Ecuador

FINISH: Guayaquil, Ecuador

  • Daily 

View Map
3 Days

Mashpi Cloud Forest Lodge Extension

Ecuador, Amazon

START: Quito, Ecuador

FINISH: Quito, Ecuador

  • Daily

View Map
4 Days

Ecuador Amazon Extension Sacha Lodge

Ecuador, Amazon

START: Quito, Ecuador

FINISH: Quito, Ecuador

  • Daily except Sundays 

View Map
4 Days

Quito Extension

Ecuador

START: Quito, Ecuador

FINISH: Quito, Ecuador

  • Daily

Ecuador REVIEWS

All Chimu Adventures' clients are given the opportunity to review their trip once they return home. These reviews are administered by a third party and as such are unfiltered by Chimu Adventures.

BLOGS ON Ecuador

Whether you are looking for advice on visas and vaccinations,when to travel, best markets or beaches to visit, wildlife guides or the top restaurants in a city, Chimu blogs are likely to have it covered. The range of topics is vast, with new and fascinating blogs being added regularly. There are airport guides, Galapagos Island guides, what to pack and what not to pack, and even a blog on the most romantic locations to propose in Latin America!

READ NOW

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

No specific vaccinations are required for Ecuador travel, unless you are travelling from a country with risk of yellow fever, in which case proof of yellow fever vaccination is required. We do, however, recommend that you visit your doctor or a traveller’s medical centre for current information specific to those places that you will be travelling through. 
 
As a general guide we recommend the following:
 
  • Hepatitis - Both A and B (twinrix)
  • Yellow Fever - Especially for jungle areas
  • Typhoid
  • Diphtheria
  • Cholera
  • Rabies (minimal risk)
  • Tetanus
  • Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)

The unit of currency in Ecuador and on the Galapagos Islands is the United States Dollar (USD).

Please check websites such as www.oanda.com or www.xe.com for up to date exchange rates prior to your departure.
In Ecuador the standard voltage is 120/127V and standard frequency is 60Hz. Power sockets are of types A and B.
Please visit the below link for more information: http://electricaloutlet.org/

 Spanish is the official language of Ecuador but 13 Indigenous languages are spoken, the principal ones being Quichua in the Andes and Amazon and Jivaroan in the Amazon.

Ecuador is in fact one of the best places in Latin America to learn Spanish as Ecuadorian Spanish is spoken slowly and clearly.

The wildlife that you will see will depend on where your Ecuador travel takes you. Ecuador has a vast biodiversity that includes over 300 mammal species, 1,500 bird species and a huge array of reptiles and amphibians. The Galapagos Islands are home to many endemic species of birds and animals found nowhere else in the world and some only found on specific islands. 

The best time to visit Ecuador will depend on the places that you plan to visit and the activities that you plan to include on your Ecuador travel. The highlands are best visited between June and September if your Ecuador tour includes hiking in the Andes; the Amazon is a year-round destination with the wet and dry seasons offering different experiences; the coast is best visited between January and May and the peak season for the Galapagos Islands is December to June.

Most South American countries have now recognized that tourism plays an important part in their economies and governments have taken great steps to change South America’s poor security image. Violent crime is rare in Ecuador.
 
To minimise security risks we recommend the following: 
 
  • do not show any outward signs of wealth or wear expensive jewellery
  • keep your valuables in your hotel in safety deposit boxes
  • keep any valuables that you must carry with you hidden, as pickpockets can be present in crowded areas and around tourist areas
  • use only registered taxis with official identification
  • avoid going on your own to remote areas where tourists would not be expected to go
  • always keep your day pack and camera close to you and never leave them unattended
A pre-arranged visa is not required to enter Ecuador or the Galapagos for the following countries:
  • Australia
  • United Kingdom
  • The United States
  • Ireland
  • Canada
  • New Zealand
  • European Union
  • South Africa
For other nationalities please visit the website of the relevant consulate.

Our Ecuador tours include breakfast daily and many other meals may also be included in your itinerary. As a rough guide for additional spending money based on having moderately-priced lunches and dinners and buying a few souvenirs at local markets, we suggest a budget of 25-30 USD per day per person. 

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