"These islands are extraordinary, enchanting, captivating, thought-provoking and quite unlike anywhere else I have ever been. I swam with seals, snorkelled with penguins, and saw so many animals and birds that I had never seen before. Seeing Lonesome George, the last of his species, and the other giant tortoises at the Darwin Centre was a touching experience and who would ever have thought a bird like the blue-footed booby existed? Just fantastic!”

Miss Tatiana Svetlova

useful information

flight

16 hrs +

time difference

GMT - 6 hrs

language

Spanish is the official language, but Quechua is the main language spoken among the indigenous people.

climate

Ecuador 's geography has endowed the country with a variety of microclimates. The coast is hot all year, with a humid rainy season between December and May. In the mountains climate depends on altitude, becoming cooler the higher you go. The Amazon region is hot, humid and wet while the Galapagos Islands are dry with a steady year-round average temperature of 77ºF (25ºC).

visas & entry requirements

Ecuador: UK nationals must hold a valid passport. No visa is necessary for stays of up to 90 days per year. Passports should be valid for at least six months on arrival. All visitors should hold an onward or return ticket and sufficient funds for their stay.

In order to enter the Galapagos islands all passengers need their passport. In order to enter the Galapagos you need to pay US $100.00 in taxes to the National Park, which need to be paid in cash at Baltra or San Cristobal airports. Children under 12 will pay US$50.00. Only 20 kilos and one baggage per person will be allowed on flights towards Galapagos. The rest of the luggage will be kept safely for you at your hotel in Quito.

health

A yellow fever certificate is required from those arriving from infected areas, and is recommended for everyone entering Ecuador, particularly for those travelling to the regions of the Amazon basin. There is high risk of malaria and dengue fever in areas below 5,000ft (1,500m). There has been a dramatic increase in the number of reported cases of dengue fever primarily in coastal and Amazon regions. The best prevention is to cover up and use mosquito repellent liberally throughout the day. High altitude can affect some people's health so visitors to Quito (6,500ft/2,800m), for example, are advised to take it easy for the first few days. It is advisable to take seasickness tablets on a Galapagos boat cruise. Tap water should not be consumed; bottled water is available. Milk is unpasteurised so it is best to avoid dairy products. Medical facilities are inadequate and medical insurance is highly recommended.