Hunter Travel Guides Adventure Guide to Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands (Adventure Guides Series)

Preface; Contents; Introduction; Travel Information; Eco-Travel; Quito & Vicinity; The Northern Highlands; Central Highlands; Quito South to Riobamba; Banos Area; Cuenca & the Southern Highlands; Western Slopes to the Pacific Coast; The Western Slopes; The North Coast; Central & South Coast; The Coast; Guayaquil & Vicinity; The Upper Amazon Basin; Central & Southern Oriente; The Galapagos Islands; Appendix; Going Metric; Learning the Language; Recommended International Tour Companies; Environmental Groups; Further Reading; Ecotourism in Ecuador; Index.;This unique region provides more geographic, biological and recreational diversity than any other country in Latin America. It has Darwin's Galapagos islands, misty cloud forests, the snow-capped Andes and the Amazon Basin. The natural attractions are unparalleled. This book is the ultimate resource for travelers. With an eye toward ecotourism, it's packed with practical travel tips and full of details about the region's unique cultures. Maps. A guide to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands, which provides more geographic, biological and recreational diversity than any other country in Latin America. It contains misty cloud forests, the snow-capped Andes and the Amazon Basin. The natural attractions are unparalleled, and many people come just for them. The series of'Adventure Guides'are about living more intensely, waking up to your surroundings and truly experiencing all that you encounter. Each book offers a mix of practical travel information along with activities designed for everyone, no matter what their age or ability. Comprehensive background information - history, culture, geography and climate - presents a knowledge of each destination and its people. Regional chapters take you on an introductory tour, with stops at museums, historic sites and local attractions. The volumes also cover: places to stay and eat; transportation to, from and around your destination; practical concerns; useful websites; e-mail addresses; and tourism contacts. Detailed regional and town maps feature walking and driving tours.'This unique region provides more geographic, biological and recreational diversity than any other country in Latin America. It has Darwin's Galapagos islands, misty cloud forests, the snow-capped Andes and the Amazon Basin. The natural attractions are unparalleled. This book is the ultimate resource for travelers. With an eye toward ecotourism, it's packed with practical travel tips and full of details about the region's unique cultures. Maps, color photos'-- Amazon reviewer.'Loaded with all the information you need. Provides all the suggestions and tools necessary to put together an outstanding trip.'-- The Bookwatch.'Adventure Guides aim to deliver content... Moderately-priced and truly user-friendly, they are packed with information that other series rarely cover.'-- Library Journal Annotation A guide to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands, which provides more geographic, biological and recreational diversity than any other country in Latin America. It contains misty cloud forests, the snow-capped Andes and the Amazon Basin. The natural attractions are unparalleled, and many people come just for them. The series of Adventure Guides are about living more intensely, waking up to your surroundings and truly experiencing all that you encounter. Each book offers a mix of practical travel information along with activities designed for everyone, no matter what their age or ability. Comprehensive background information - history, culture, geography and climate - presents a knowledge of each destination and its people. Regional chapters take you on an introductory tour, with stops at museums, historic sites and local attractions. The volumes also cover: places to stay and eat; transportation to, from and around your destination; practical concerns; useful websites; e- There is no other place like these islands on earth! This unmatched archipelago is a world away from the mainland, yet it also helps define the identity of Ecuador. The Galápagos Islands captured the imagination of Charles Darwin and provided the catalyst for developing his theory of evolution, forever altering the written history of life on earth. Ever since the old pirate days, when the islands were referred to as the Enchanted Islands, the Galápagos have lured the inquisitive traveler with an unearthly beauty uniquely its own. Lying more than 600 miles off the west coast of Ecuador, the Galápagos have evolved in relative isolation. The wildlife is majestic and friendly, with very little fear of people. Don't expect palm trees, white-sand beaches, and margaritas here. Expect jutting cliffs, volcanic moonscapes, emerald coves, and desert islands. Expect giant tortoises, swimming iguanas, friendly sea lions, and a rainbow of tropical fish. The Galápagos are often called the... With Darwin's islands, misty cloud forests, the snow-capped Andes and the Amazon Basin, this region's natural attractions are unparalleled, but there is much more. A pioneer in ecotourism, Ecuador is ripe to visit now, while footprints are few.