Ecuador

Ecuador, a small South American Republic not much larger than Britain, has an astonishing variety of scenery, climate and people. From the snow covered peaks of the Andes to the verdant lowlands of the Amazon rainforest - all within hours of Quito. Such a variety of landscapes make Ecuador a photographer's paradise.

Quito makes a natural centre for exploring the Sierra, with Indian markets, volcanoes, lakes and mountains. Both sides of the Andes are covered with a misty cloud forest. To the east lies the Oriente or Amazon lowland forest that merges seamlessly into Peru. The Pacific coast lies to the West. Guayaquil the biggest city and main port, lies in the lowlands and is closer to the Galapagos archipelago.

Ecuador has one of the highest bio-diversities in the world. For the naturalist, the incredible range of flora and fauna, particularly birds, will mean binoculars and cameras are never idle. Bird-watchers go into raptures over the 115 species of hummingbirds and other rarities. (Over 1,600 bird species have been recorded in Ecuador).

Straddling the Equator, some 600 miles west of Ecuador in the Pacific lie the strange and wonderful Galapagos Islands, home to a variety of unique creatures, dominated by reptiles such as the giant tortoise and iguanas, and a haven to birds like frigates and boobies. Today they are a 'World Heritage Site' and they were declared a national park in 1959.