Ecuador - Mountain, Coast and Rainforest Adventures

By Suzanne Bender

Ecuador has much to offer the more adventurous traveler, with numerous providers of various tours and activities. These range from treks on foot, by bike, and on horseback throughout the Amazon and the Andes. Wherever you want to go, and how ever you want to get there, you will find something to excite your sense of adventure in this spectacular country.

Ecuador is a country of diverse and extreme landscapes, with the magnificent coast vying for your attention against the splendor of the mountains, the wealth of wildlife and the unique plant life of the rainforest. The people here are equally diverse, with European, African, and Asian cultures incorporated into the local culture, alongside traditions brought here from other parts of the Americas.

A visit to Ecuador means an encounter with a range of habitats, which can be explored, either alone or with a guide. Many visitors choose to join a trek on horseback, which offers the chance to travel longer distances than on foot, but with the same close relationship to the surroundings. There are routes that take you through snowy mountains, to the sides of volcanoes, through dense jungle surrounded by the vibrant forest birds and insects and the warm tropical rain. You can hire a bike to race along dirt tracks through breathtaking scenery, or climb some of the most stunning mountains in the world.

Your choice of guide will have a dramatic impact on your experience of Ecuador. A local guide will be able to provide the best knowledge of the exact area that you are visiting, and will also be able to advise you on what to expect from the weather -- especially important if you're interested in climbing in the mountains. Traveling with a knowledgeable and experienced guide means you can feel confident in venturing out into the most remote locations, and get to know the Ecuador that most tourists never see. There are a variety of tour options; including guided expeditions up into the mountains for climbers with varying levels of experience; cycling and motorcycling trips, which will usually be supported by a vehicle carrying supplies to set up camp for you each night; as well as simple day treks both on foot and with horses.

Ecuador's landscape contains a mix of deep ravines and rushing rivers in the mountains, volcanic craters that look like something on an alien world, and lush green forests. A guide can bring you through this unique land, revealing to you the secret spots that are hidden among the breathtaking sights. Discover the homes of stunning wild animals, and hot springs bubble up from the earth!

There are many other adventure activities you can participate in on your tour of Ecuador, including skydiving and rafting on the many exciting stretches of white-water. After you've exhausted yourself, you can always head to the beach for a more relaxing end to your vacation, surrounded by warms sands and the peaceful Pacific waters.

After traveling the world extensively, Suzanne Bender is a 38 year old American citizen currently residing in Australia.

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