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Take your school on an expedition to visit Ecuador – A small diverse destination from the volcanic Cotopaxi National Park (with the world’s highest volcano at 5,897m) on the Amazon and Andes.
If your students are interested in Architecture then the cities of Cuenca and Quito are both Unesco World Heritage Sites, and are truly stunning.
Finally, you can visit the unforgettable Galapagos islands and look out for tortoises, penguins, sea lions and iguanas.
Grade – moderate
Altitude – 0m – 6,267m
Visa – No visa required – Minimum 6 months on passport on arrival
Capital – Quito
Official Language – Spanish
Population – 15.7 million
Climate – Lies directly on the Equator, 12 hours of daylight all year round. June – September Sunny season.
Religion – predominantly Christianity/Catholicism
Currency – United States Dollar
Ecuador, as the name suggests, is situated around the equator in Western South America. To the west its limits are with the Pacific ocean and to the east with the Amazon. The northern neighbour is Colombia as to the south it borders Peru. Right through the center of the country running north to south is the Andean mountain range with the country’s highest peak Chimborazo reaching 6310m. The capital is Quito located at 2800m in the Andes and the largest city is Guayaquil near the Pacific. With 2.5 million inhabitants, Ecuador is a wonderful and lively country with plenty to offer visitors.
Nowhere else on earth will you find so much natural diversity – and all the fun that accompanies it. Ecuador is the second- smallest country in South America, but its range of offerings is no less than astounding. In one day’s drive you can journey from the Amazon Basin across glaciated Andean volcanoes, down through tropical cloud forest and into the sunset for a dinner of ceviche on the balmy Pacific coast.
For nature lovers Ecuador is a dream, with exotic orchids and birds, bizarre jungle plants, strange insects, windswept páramo (Andean grasslands), dripping tropical forests and the fearless animals that hop, wobble and swim around the unique, unforgettable Galápagos Islands.
For the adrenaline junky, the choices are outrageous. Mountaineering and trekking are world class (try the Quilatoa Loop); toss in some horseback riding and surfing and you’ll go home with a happily aching body.
For the culture vulture, Ecuador’s indigenous heritage of traditional costumes and highland markets will enchant you. As for colonial architecture, few cities top the beauty of Cuenca and Quito, both of which are Unesco World Heritage Sites. And you won’t want to miss Baños, with its enticing mix of natural beauty and jumping nightlife.
"Best weeks of her life" - Danial Hogg – Vietnam Australia International School -
