 | Ecuador is more than the Galápagos | | | I always try to kick off my summer with a big trip. Last year, I walked the Camino de Santiago. This year, I spent two weeks traveling through Ecuador, taking in all of the splendor and diverse environments this country packs into its small borders. I still marvel at how much I did in those two weeks. I hiked up Cotopaxi volcano and to the rim of Sierra Negra. I ate some of the best fresh seafood (and sushi) of my life. I did a tasting of chocolates from different regions. Then I made my way to the Charles Darwin Foundation to observe its efforts restoring giant tortoises to their natural habitats. | With a passion for the outdoors and wildlife, the Galápagos was high on my places to visit on this trip. Instead of doing a cruise, I opted for an island-hopping tour staying in guest houses on each island. My guide along this journey was Dario Vicente Chimarro Garcia, a wildlife expert who grew up in the Galápagos. Dario’s been guiding people around the islands for more than 15 years. Here he shares his best advice to help you plan a trip to this spectacular country. | | | From the rainforests of the Amazon, to its volcanoes, to the giant tortoises of the Galápagos, you’ll have a hard time narrowing down where to go in Ecuador. | | | | | Ecuador has wildly dissimilar environments, meaning it serves up awesome travel experiences in every season. Read more on when to visit. Local tip: June to September is the best time for trekking in the Andes. | | | | | Transportation in Ecuador is generally inexpensive, particularly if you stick to the buses. Here's more on getting around Ecuador. Local tip: Expect to pay more for transit if you add the Galápagos to your itinerary. | | | | | Many people come to Ecuador to marvel at tortoises and other wildlife in the Galápagos. But from volcanos to the Amazon, there’s so much to see here. Planning tip: If you go to Amazonía, take time to visit the sustainable, community-run tourism projects in Kichwa villages. | | | | | Ecuador has a lot of great food. Dario recommends encebollado, a tuna soup with yuca, and bolon de verde, a ball made out of green plantain with cheese or pork (or mixed), that comes with a chicken or beef stew. Fun fact: Encebollado is said to be a great cure for hangovers or those mornings when you need a bit of a lift. | | | Surf the beaches along the Indian Ocean in northeastern Sri Lanka or go foraging in Sweden. Here are more places you should visit during the month of August. | | | | Growing up partly in Quito and partly in the Galápagos, Dario studied ecotourism while at university. Afterward, he was a guide in the Ecuadorian Amazon before coming back to the Galápagos Islands. | | | What do you want people to know before they visit Ecuador? | People often are unaware that Ecuador is such a (bio)diverse country and that there are many places to visit. Investigate and plan well your time in the country. Also, infrastructure in Ecuador isn’t always great. I recommend to travel with small luggage, and preferably a bag without wheels. | How can people ensure they support the local community when they visit the Galápagos? | Make sure you choose a land-based tour and not a cruise. Stay on the islands, choose smaller hotels, support the bars, restaurants and other businesses directly. On the Galápagos Islands we don’t see a penny of the money the majority of the cruise companies make. This is the sad reality of tourism in Galápagos.
| | | | | “The Amazon and Galápagos are two totally different experiences." – Dario Vicente Chimarro Garcia | | | Are there any common mistakes you see people make when they come to visit? | In general, people bring way too much luggage. Travel light. Also, investigate what the weather will be like. People are often surprised by the colder temperatures in the cold season, and are overwhelmed by the heat in our hot season. | You've been a guide in both the Amazon and Galápagos. What's your best advice to people trying to choose between those two areas? | The Amazon and Galápagos are two totally different experiences. If you can do only one, think if you want rainforest, rivers and animals, or if you would prefer islands, beaches and animals. If you have the time and budget, definitely combine the two regions for an amazing experience.
| Any recommendations of a souvenir to take home? | The best souvenirs to take home are without a doubt Ecuadorian coffee and chocolate. | | |  | Love travel inspiration in your inbox? | | | Share with a fellow travel lover by forwarding to a friend. Did someone share this email with you? Subscribe by clicking here. | | | This email was sent to you by: | Lonely Planet Publications Ltd. | 1101 Red Ventures Drive, Fort Mill, SC 29707 | | | |
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