Walking in Ecuador and Galapagos

With its narrow cobblestone streets and white-washed buildings huddling beneath a skyline of extravagant steeples and cupolas, Quito was the first city ever to be named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its compact colonial core hides a wealth of architectural and historic treasures around almost every corner, and a short walking tour is an ideal way to begin exploring.

At Ecuador's largest indigenous market, the enterprising and prosperous Otavalan Indians sell local produce and handmade goods including the high-quality textiles for which the region is known. It’s a wonderful place to see traditional highland costume and culture, as well as pick up souvenirs and gifts from stalls piled high with colourful handicrafts.

Surrounding the town are clusters of rustic hamlets each specialising in a different cottage industry, from leather to woodwork. On some itineraries, you could choose to visit one or two of these en route for a first-hand insight into the age-old crafting traditions and supply chains which fuel Otavalo market.

The route from the capital to Cotopaxi National Park leads through the Avenue of the Volcanoes, a scenic corridor watched over by an imperial guard of volcanic cones shrouded in permanent snows. After passing under their far-reaching shadows you’ll reach Cotopaxi, 5,897m, one of the highest active volcanoes in the world and the second tallest mountain in Ecuador.

The Galápagos archipelago is an accommodating habitat for a broad range of bird species, from penguins to albatrosses and blue-footed boobies to flamingos.

While the number of individual species is not as high as many other top birding destinations, it's the high proportion of endemic varieties and the opportunity to get up close to birds with no fear of man that makes this such a special place for bird watchers.

Sea birds include the waved albatross, with a wingspan of over 2m, the flightless cormorant, pelicans, petrels, frigate birds and the blue-footed booby, with its endearing and rather comical mating dance. On land, there are Darwin's famous finches, which helped to unlock the mysteries of evolution, the Galápagos dove, Galápagos hawk and Galápagos rail among others.

Imagine a natural sanctuary where giant tortoises plod beside marine iguanas, while penguins and sea lions dart through an ocean brimming with tropical marine life... Welcome to the Galápagos Islands, where wildlife enjoys a fearless existence free from predators and unthreatened by man.

No matter which islands you visit, you'll see wildlife in huge numbers and from very close range – these exotic creatures are completely unfazed by your presence. You can walk among languid colonies of iguanas and sea birds, snorkel with playful sea lions and watch blue-footed boobies perform their delightful mating dance right before your eyes. Between June and October there’s even a chance of sighting humpback whales breaching beside your boat.

Exotic marine life teems within the clear waters of the Galápagos, an evolutionary melting pot where penguins swim in the same seas as tropical fish and turtles, and marine iguanas cohabit with boisterous crowds of sea lions.

You don't need to dive to experience the wonderland beneath the ocean surface. Having evolved without fear of predators, the islands' abundant fauna is undisturbed by your presence so you can get right up close to the underwater action with nothing more than a snorkel.

The Galápagos Islands owe their biodiversity to the meeting of currents from Antarctica and the tropics, creating microclimates that support a huge variety of life. Snorkelling is the easiest way to experience the unique marine environment, and is included on every Galápagos cruise.

You’ve heard that the Galápagos Islands are a wonderful relaxing destination for a holiday for lovers of wildlife, where you can view trusting birds and reptiles in an unspoilt volcanic environment.

Most visits are to be by cruise, where you stop at a series of different islands for short exploratory visits, returning to your vessel for meals and to sleep. Snorkelling and swimming are also offered from cruise yachts. However nowadays you have the option of spending more time on the islands themselves, based at any of the hotels and spas springing up on the larger islands, most of which are very eco-friendly and low key. There you have time to relax on white sand beaches,   and dine on high quality fresh meals served in the hotel restaurants.  If you are staying close to one of the towns, especially Puerto Ayora, you can browse the shops and bars in a laid-back atmosphere, where iguanas cross the road and sea-lions bask on the pavements.

It’s a warm and sunny tropical environment, with lovely views from many spots.  In fact, a perfect wind-down at the end of a busy holiday itinerary, as well as a great restful destination in its own right.

While many people enjoy the Galápagos from a cruise yacht, with gentle exploration of the islands on a guides walk and a bit of swimming, there is indeed much more to see and do to get your adrenaline pumping.

From on board ship you can dive and snorkel, but if you are based in a hotel on one of the larger islands you can take part in other activities for a more intimate knowledge of the volcanic landscape. Volcano hikes, kayaking, surfing and mountain biking are included in some of our Galápagos holidays and also bookable at many of the hotels and also the agencies in Puerto Ayora, the capital. Discover unspoilt landscapes away from the crowds, accompanied only by the trusting wildlife which so outnumbers the human population of the islands.

This fun activity is a great experience at any time during your visit to the Galápagos,  and a good choice for you when you first arrive in the archipelago, as you plunge straight in to an adventure on the water where you’ll make your first acquaintance with wildlife above and below the surface.  

The Itabaca Channel separates Baltra, where the international airport is located, from Santa Cruz Island. There, under the watchful supervision of qualified guides, you can go kayaking, snorkelling or riding a stand-up paddle, all the time enjoying the opportunity to observe up close wildlife such as blue-footed boobies, sea -lions, brown pelicans, herons and white-tipped reef sharks. Glide through red mangrove forests and along rocky lava cliffs fringing water so clear you observe marine life scuttling through the shallows.

After a couple of hours on the water and then head up into the verdant highlands of Santa Cruz Island to view giant tortoises grazing in the wild.