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Ecuador » General Information » |
| Adventure Travel |
 The
diverse topography of Ecuador within a small territory makes
the country an ideal setting for outdoor activities: mountain
climbing, trekking, rafting, biking, horseback riding, paragliding,
diving – among others. Besides the fact that Ecuador
has a mosaic of terrains: snow-capped volcanoes in the Andes,
cloud forests in the slopes of the mountains, rainforests
at the “Oriente”, beaches and tropical forests
in the Coast… the climate in all of these environments
is favorable for almost year-round excursions.
Trekking is one of the most popular adventure activities
and there are several places in the Andes and tropical forests
to explore. In several trails one feels as the discoverer
of pristine and remote lands. Some of these terrains are also
available for horseback and mountain bikes. Several national
parks within the highland region of Ecuador are especially
popular with trekkers because of the ease of accessibility,
established trail systems and marvelous scenery. Such is the
case of Cotopaxi, Cajas and Podocarpus National Parks in the
Andes.
For mountaineers, Ecuador comprises one of the largest concentrations
of volcanoes in the world. It is possible to reach high altitudes
on moderate routes that do not require technical ice climbing
skill. Huts or “refugios” have been built on many
of the higher and more popular climbs. High altitude acclimatization
is an important factor that is often underestimated due to
the short length of many climbs. Good climbing weather is
possible almost year-round, but normally the best months are
June through September and during a short dry spell in December
and January.
 The massive Andean mountain range also gives birth to scores
of rivers. These rivers wind their way through spectacular
gorges, canyons, valleys and jungles, and leave behind hundreds
of miles of breathtaking world-class whitewater that feed
into the mighty Amazon River. Ecuadorian rivers, especially
those in the east, have warm, tropical waters and excellent
accessibility. There are a variety of rivers to choose from,
with varying grades of difficulty.
Another adventure sport that is becoming increasingly popular
is Scuba Diving, especially in Galapagos and Machalilla National
Parks, where you have excellent opportunities of encounter
with dramatic underwater wildlife. Between June and October,
in both of these sites, the temperature of the water drops
due to the influence of the Humboldt cold current, giving
place to a better visibility.
Adventure travel has significantly grown in the country with
the development of specialized agencies. Highly qualified
agencies offer the highest standards in outdoor adventure,
immersed in the natural beauty of Ecuador.
Article © by This is Ecuador Magazine
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