Geography
Ecuador is the second smallest of the South American countries and, as its name suggests, sits astride the Equator. The country is divided into three distinct regions: The Sierra, which comprises the Andes and its foothills, The Oriente, which is the low Amazon rainforest region to the east of the Andes and The Coast, which lies to the west of the central Andean crest. The most distinctive feature of the Ecuadorean Andes is the large number of volcanoes, most of which display the classic conical shape. Eruptions from volcanoes such as Cotopaxi and Chimborazo have partly blocked the central “Valley of the Volcanoes,” creating a number of basins, filled with volcanic ash to depths of several hundred metres, especially in the Latacunga and Ambato areas. Rivers have cut through this fairly soft ash, creating deep gorges, cliffs and plateaux and large areas are relatively arid and infertile. Large areas of eastern Ecuador (The Oriente) are low-lying and covered by dense Amazonian rainforest. A transitional zone, between this rainforest and the Andean heights, is occupied by cloud forest, starting at altitudes above 1500 metres and extending upeards to above 3000 metres. Between 3500 metres and the snowline at around 4700 metres, the characteristic vegetaion is grassland (known as ‘‘paramo’’) with large tracts of ichu grass - a poor, rough pasture type grass. Some of the areas around the volcanoes are in the ‘‘rain shadow’’ and are, as a result quite dry, with a scrub type of vegetation.

Time Zone
The time in Ecuador is GMT -5 hours.

Climate
Being on the equator Ecuador does not display the four seasons of the temperate zones. Climatically there are two seasons, wet and dry, and these vary depending on the geographical area you are in. The dry (and relatively cooler) season in the highlands is from June - September with a second, short dry season around Christmas and New Year. Daytime maximum temperatures at these times can be expected to be around 20 degrees centigrade, falling to between 5 and 10 degrees centigrade at night. Higher up, of course, it will be cooler, with nighttime temperatures below freezing at camps above 4000 metres. You should be prepared for all four seasons in one day, especially in the altiplano. Whilst in the “Oriente,” the Amazon region, hot and humid is the rule, year-round. Temperatures of 30 degrees centigrade are the norm here. The Galapagos Islands have a climate of their own and are generally hot and dry throughout the year.

History & Population
Until the late 15th century the lands which are now Ecuador were inhabited by a group of some 25 loosely federated tribes collectively known as the Canari Nation. These provided the most fiercesome opposition encountered by the Incas in their territorial expansion northwards from Peru. By the end of the !5th century the Inca nation extended its domination as far north as Ibarra. The Incas brought a new level of civilization to Ecuador building roads and forts and establishing a detailed system of records for population and food supply allbeit for the purpose of efficient taxation. In Ecuador the Inca Empire was short lived, lasting only a half century. In 1532 the Conquistador Francisco Pizarro arrived in South America and only a year later had captured the Inca capital Cusco in Peru. Though military resistance to the Spanish continued in Ecuador for a further decade, by 1544 the great Inca Empire had been defeated and Ecuador, then known as the Viceroyalty of Peru began a Colonial period of relative stability. As the nineteenth century dawned notions of libertarianism and freedom from colonial government were rife throughout the New World. Figures such as Simon Bolivar and his young General Antonio Jose de Sucre fought against the Spanish for Ecuador’s independence. The culminating battle fought on 24 May 1822 above the capital Quito on the slopes of the volcano Pinchincha, finally wrested the country from the Spanish Crown. Since its independence Ecuador has had a tempestuous history with no less than 88 governments and 17 constitutions. Military interventions and often bloody coups were the norm until the adoption in 1979 of a truly democratic constitution giving universal suffrage. Though with over 15 different parties, political life is always colourful, a greater degree of stability now exists in the country. The majority of Ecuador’s 11 million population inhabit the more fertile farming areas of the Sierra and also the coastal regions. Ecuador’s interesting mix of peoples is based on an indigenous Indian element and a Spanish element, though the biggest part of the Ecuadorean population is made up of mestizos, who are of mixed ancestry. The majority religion in Ecuador is Roman Catholic. The official language is Spanish though for many of the ‘Indiginos’ of the Sierra the ancient Quichua is the only toungue.

Currency
Ecuador’s own currency the Sucre was suspended in 1997 following rampant inflation. Today US dollars are the only accepted currency throughout the country

We recommend you take the majority of your travel money in the form of cash US dollars. One of the easiest ways is to draw money from ATMs which can be done at any major bank in Quito using your credit or debit card. Often this gives the most favourable rate of exchange. Credit cards can be used in many shops and restaurants in Quito and are particularly useful for more expensive items.

Visas
For entry into Ecuador, you must have a full passport that has at least 6 months remaining validity. Citizens of European Union countries, USA, Australia and Canada do not require a visa if the intended stay in Ecuador is less than 90 days. A tourist card will be issued on arrival at Quito. Nationals of other countries should check the prevailing situation with the Ecuadorian consulate.

Vaccinations
You should visit your own doctor and dentist for a check-up prior to taking your trip to Ecuador.
The following is a ROUGH GUIDE for immunization. (We must stress that this is only a basic guide to the most commonly required vaccinations for travel worldwide. You must seek and abide by the specific advice of your local doctor/medical professional).

(a) Polio (normally you will just need a booster.)
(b) Tetanus.
(c) Typhoid. A full course requires 2 injections separated by an interval of 4-6 weeks.
(d) Hepatitis (A) and (B).
(e) Anti-malarial prophylaxis: Please refer to your doctor for the most up to date information about anti-malarial medication for the areas that you will be visiting.
(f) Rabies pre-exposure vaccination. Please refer to your doctor for advice on whether you need rabies pre-exposure vaccination. In the unlikely case of your being bitten, this vaccination does not eliminate the need for urgent evacuation to a suitable medical facility for additional treatment,. However, it does simplify that additional treatment and also prolongs the period that you can safely delay before receiving post-exposure treatment.

Given enough notice, your doctor will be able to administer all the above vaccinations.

Additional Sources of Information

Books
Ecuador Travel Survival Kit (Lonely Planet series)
Climbing and Hiking in Ecuador (Bradt Enterprises)
Fool’s Climbing Guide to Ecuador - Michael Koerne
Travels Amongst the Andes of the Equator - Whymper
Flight of the Condor - Michael Andrews
Land Above the Clouds - Tony Morrison

Our trip dossiers/itineraries give details of books and maps that are specific to a particular trip. Click here for details of book and map retailers.

Web
Lonely PLanet - www.lonelyplanet.com
Rough Guides - www.roughguides.com