Ecuador Tours

• The nation was part of the Inca empire until it fell to the Spanish conquistadors in 1534.  In that same year, Inca General Ruminahui razed Quito to keep it from being captured by the invaders.
• Guayaquil, Ecuador’s largest city, rejected Spanish rule in 1820 and spearheaded the country’s movement toward sovereignty, by 1822 the country had won its independence.
• Ecuador has one of the highest deforestation rates in Latin America.
• The oldest tools found in Ecuador date to 9000 BC.
• Most Ecuadorians have three things in common, pride in the natural wealth of their country (both its beauty and its resources); disdain for the corrupt politicians who promise to redistribute yet continue to pocket the wealth; and the presence of a relative in another country (over 10% of the population – some 1.3 million people – have left Ecuador in search of work elsewhere).
• Ecuador is the size of the U.S. state of Nevada but its four distinct geographical zones make up one of the most unique and diverse countries on earth – the zones include the Amazon, the Andes, the Pacific Coast and the Galapagos Islands.
• Located on the eastern side of Ecuador, the lush Amazon Basin occupies nearly half of the country and is extremely sparsely populated, home to only about 5% of the population. 
• The Galapagos Islands arose from the Pacific Ocean floor beginning about five million years ago, the archipelago comprises 125 islands, only 5 of which are inhabited.
• Cayambe Mountain is Ecuador’s third highest, but its true distinction is its location, it’s the only snow-capped mountain on Earth located directly on the Equator.
• The Sun Museum at the Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the Earth) complex in San Antonio straddles the equator. One entrance of the museum is marked Southern Hemisphere, and the other bears the legend Northern Hemisphere.
• A piece of trivia that may impress your friends: Chimborazo Volcano, though not the highest mountain in the world, is the point farthest from the centre of the Earth (it's because the planet bulges slightly at the equator).

Australian passport holders travelling to Ecuador do not need a visa at this time.

We require that your passport is valid for travel for at least six months from the date you are planning to return to Australia. Your passport must be valid to travel internationally and must be machine-readable. You also need to carry a valid return ticket on you.

Whether travelling on an Australian passport or the passport of another country, all travellers require visas for a number of countries, and it is your responsibility to secure what may be required before departing Australia. You can consult with your travel agent, but it is also recommended that you check the foreign embassy website for your respective destination as it can also provide you with useful information.

The Australian Embassy in Chile is responsible for Ecuador:
Isidora Goyenechea 3621
13th Floor, Las Condes
Santiago
Ph: +56 2 2550 3500
Fax: +56 2 2550 3560

Australian Consulate in Ecuador:
Pinturas Unidas S. A.
Km 16.5 Via Daule
Guayaquil
Ph: +593 9 5981 1614

The official currency of Ecuador is the US Dollar. It was adopted as the official currency in 2000. Notes come in denominations of $100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2, and 1. Ensure you change a small amount into small denominations.

Advise your bank of your travel plans so that they can make a note of it, otherwise they may cancel your credit card as a safety measure due to the overseas transactions. Also make a note of the 24-hour emergency contact number of the bank or building society which issued your credit card in the unlikely event that your card is lost or stolen.

Whenever possible use ATMs when the banks are open (Mon – Fri) so that if a machine ‘eats’ your card you can then deal with it straight away. It is always advisable to carry a supply of cash in addition to your credit card.

If you don’t have US Dollars with you on arrival, we advise you to exchange some money into the local currency at the airport even if the exchange rate is not the best, this way you’ll have money to get a drink, snack or give a tip during those first few hours of arrival. Your guide will be able to advise you on the best places to exchange money.

Small change is also useful for paying for toilets while on tour which is customary in many places outside of Australia.

• The price of a cappuccino in Quito is approximately $2.25 USD
• The price of an inexpensive lunch is approximately $4.50 USD
• The price dinner in a moderate restaurant is approximately $16 USD
• The price of a beer in a local pub is approximately $2.50 - $4.50 USD
  
  Ecuador’s cuisine is typical of South America – chicken, beef, maize and potatoes are staples (with the addition of pork in the mountains). Food is often simply cooked and presented, with meat being grilled and vegetables usually boiled or fried.  There is a heavy reliance on meat, try the famous mixed grill Parilladas – it is a mountain of beef, sausage and chicken!  Appetising snacks, desserts or side dishes include a range of fruits such as mangoes, guava, avocados and sugar bananas.  Plantain, the large cousin of the banana, is used in savoury dishes and is often thinly sliced and fried to make a kind of chip. It may also be cooked in rice, a surprisingly pleasant combination of flavours.
  
  Important: When dining at buffets (i.e. breakfast) please refrain from taking food away with you to ‘save’ for later!  If you feel that you’ll need snacks between meals, pack some dried fruit, nuts, muesli bars etc.
  
  If you have specific food allergies and/or preferences, we highly recommend you take every precaution before your tour, including carrying a small card with your food allergy listed in each language of every country you are travelling to show to table staff when ordering. Whilst we take all dietary requirements seriously, due to the serious nature of potential allergic reactions, it is your responsibility to be as prepared as possible.

As Ecuador lies directly on the equator, the country has two distinct seasons – wet and dry, with the temperature varying according to altitude and location. The higher you go the cooler and drier it becomes. Generally, the best times to visit are between April through to October during the drier, winter season. The wetter, summer season runs from November through to March.

Want to get out and explore on your own?

Generally speaking, Ecuador has an efficient public transportation system but taxis are widely available throughout the country, particularly in larger cities and towns, and are encouraged for ease of getting you from A to B during your stay as fares tend to be low.

When catching taxis, have small change on you and choose one with a meter, if it doesn’t have one then negotiate the price before getting in. We recommend you ask your guide or hotel staff the names of reputable taxi companies.

So, you’d love to bring home a special souvenir from Ecuador…

Handicrafts are sold throughout the country – the most famous Ecuadorian product is the Panama hat. The Andean region is famous for leatherwork and the quality of its woven goods. Sheep, goats and even llamas are bred for wool and woven goods range from thick and colourful ponchos to more modern and conventional sweaters. The southern provinces have a reputation for fine silverwork. Brooches, belt buckles and rings are finely crafted with geometric designs. In the mountains you will find numerous craft fairs – the most famous on the tourist route is the one held each Saturday in Otavalo, 100 kilometres north of Quito. Ponchos, woodwork, embroidery and other mountain crafts are on sale here. Much of the good quality woodwork comes from this region.

• Carry your passport with you when travelling between provinces in Ecuador. By law, visitors are required to always have their passports in their possession, but this is less likely to be an issue if you're not travelling long distances (do carry a photocopy of the passport at all times, as well as a copy of the page with your customs entry stamp/printout).
• Always ask for permission first before photographing the local people.
• Carry some toilet paper or small packets of tissues with you, as many public places and restaurants don't provide it.
• Don't throw toilet paper down the toilet; use the rubbish bin next to the seat!
• Try to remain aware when you’re out and about, different tactics seem to go in and out of style among thieves, but their main objective is to divert your attention—staging a fight or accident, for example—so they can make their move when you're focused on something else.

Ecuador celebrates many festivals and events throughout the year with Inti Raymi being the most popular celebration held in late June from the Incan calendar. This millenia-old celebration of the summer solstice and harvest is celebrated throughout the northern highlands including Otavalo where brightly dressed musicians and dancers can be seen singing and dancing heading towards the Capilla San Juan on the first day of the festival. You are welcome to watch and attend the festivities in Otavalo too.

In the first week of December, open-air stages all across Quito can be found where the streets are filled with live music, dances and parades as the locals celebrate Fiestas de Quito, the biggest party commemorating the founding of the city by the Spanish.

Other national public holidays to be aware of include:

• New Year’s Day
• Carnaval (Monday & Tuesday)
• Good Friday
• Labour Day / May Day (May 1st)
• Battle of Pichincha (May 24th)
• Independence Day (August 10th)
• Independent of Guayaquil (October 9th)
• All Soul’s Day (November 2nd)
• Independence of Cuenca (November 3rd)
• Christmas Day