Describes the history, customs, traditions, geology, climate, national parks and conservation areas, religion, and wildlife of this South American country.

Providing painstakingly detailed information for safely and securely navigating some of Latin America’s most rewarding excursions, this guide is for both avid climbers attempting Chimborazo’s 20,700-foot summit and recreational trekkers looking to get off the beaten path. From the heights of the Andes and the cloud forests to the Amazon, coastal rainforests, and the low-lying beaches, time-tested travel advice and updated route descriptions are offered on how to select the best outing to suit each individual’s interests, abilities, and time constraints. Step-by-step instructions on how, when, and where to approach each trail guide climbers, hikers, bikers, and trekkers through these often unmarked paths.

"The Complete Travel Guide Series" offers a comprehensive exploration of diverse destinations worldwide. Each book provides detailed insights into local culture, history, attractions, and practical travel tips, ensuring travellers are well-prepared to embark on memorable journeys. With vibrant illustrations, beautiful pictures and up to date information, this series is an essential companion for any type of traveller seeking enriching experiences.

• 30 detailed treks—from approachable 1–2 day walks to challenging, extended treks • Includes geography, geology, climate, culture, economy, and more • Detailed information on passports, communications, and other travel needs Among the most dynamic travel destinations in South America, Peru boasts a wealth of trekking opportunities through glaciated mountain ranges, cloud forests, and Amazon jungle. It features the world’s greatest ancient road, the world’s deepest canyon, and the world’s third-highest waterfall. The country’s 15,000-mile Inca road network, extensive archaeological remains, and rich living cultural traditions, combined with 50 million acres of protected natural parks and reserves, make Peru ideally suited to trekking-based travel adventure. Robert and Daisy Kunstaetter, trail-tested authors and adventurous expats, bring the high quality of work they are known for to bear on Peru’s excellent trekking options. This new, full-color guidebook features everything you’ll need to find and plan for treks in the country, including the necessary permits and documentation, cultural tips for responsible trekking, information on trekking infrastructure, maps, public safety, trail safety, staying healthy, and much more! Trekking Peru showcases nine different regions in the country, covering popular areas such as Cusco and Lake Titicaca but also less-traveled areas such as the Great Inca Road and more remote areas in the Central Highlands. The variety the Kunstaetters offer and their insights as locals in the region are what make this guide stand apart and prove especially useful.

In addition to options in all price ranges for dining and accommodations, this guide features practical information on Ecuador's history, culture, indigenous peoples, and environmental issues. of color photos. 44 maps.

Annotation. A guide to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands, which provides more geographic, biological and recreational diversity than any other country in Latin America. It contains misty cloud forests, the snow-capped Andes and the Amazon Basin. The natural attractions are unparalleled, and many people come just for them. The series of Adventure Guides are about living more intensely, waking up to your surroundings and truly experiencing all that you encounter. Each book offers a mix of practical travel information along with activities designed for everyone, no matter what their age or ability. Comprehensive background information - history, culture, geography and climate - presents a knowledge of each destination and its people. Regional chapters take you on an introductory tour, with stops at museums, historic sites and local attractions. The volumes also cover: places to stay and eat; transportation to, from and around your destination; practical concerns; useful websites; e-mail addresses; and tourism contacts. Detailed regional and town maps feature walking and driving tours. This unique region provides more geographic, biological and recreational diversity than any other country in Latin America. It has Darwin's Galapagos islands, misty cloud forests, the snow-capped Andes and the Amazon Basin. The natural attractions are unparalleled. This book is the ultimate resource for travelers. With an eye toward ecotourism, it's packed with practical travel tips and full of details about the region's unique cultures. Maps, color photos -- Amazon reviewer. Loaded with all the information you need. Provides all the suggestions and tools necessary to put together an outstanding trip. -- The Bookwatch. Adventure Guides aim to deliver content... Moderately-priced and truly user-friendly, they are packed with information that other series rarely cover. -- Library Journal.

Ecuador is a small but rich country located in the northwestern region of South America. It is known for its stunning natural beauty, including the Galapagos Islands, the Andes Mountains, and the Amazon Rainforest. The country is also known for its rich cultural heritage, with a mix of Indigenous, Spanish, and Afro-Ecuadorian traditions. Ecuador’s economy is highly dependent on exports of its primary products, such as oil, bananas, and flowers. However, the country has been facing economic challenges in recent years due to falling oil prices and a strong US dollar. Despite these challenges, Ecuador remains a popular destination for tourists seeking adventure, culture, and natural beauty. The country’s diverse landscapes and vibrant culture make it a unique and exciting destination for travelers.

Welcome to the wildest place on earth! Ecuador's upper Amazon Basin, referred to locally as the Oriente, awaits you. Spanning most of the SucumbA-os Province, this region is unquestionably one of the most biologically diverse regions on the planet. Here, you can experience incredible wildlife viewing and bird-watching, nature photography, jungle hikes, dugout-canoe excursions, and a unique mix of native people adapted to life in the heart of the tropics. From bird-size butterflies to butterfly-size birds, from piranhas to vampire bats, from poison-arrow frogs to monster anacondas, and from spider monkeys to howler monkeys, the sky is the limit for the spirited soul. The area surrounding Tena and MisahuallA- is the most-visited rainforest destination in the country. One of the more developed regions of the upper Amazon, it is also the most accessible. Jungle excursions abound and there are still small patches of primary forest, mostly in the form of private reserves. Outstanding rafting, kayaking, swimming, tubing and hiking opportunities are available, as well as birding, botany, medicinal study, cultural and general nature travel. Farther down the RA-o Napo, the land becomes more pristine. In the south, especially along the eastern slopes of the Andes and around Macas, the rugged topography and lack of access have preserved some of the best wildlife-viewing opportunities and intact indigenous cultures in Ecuador. In this region, virgin rainforest and the communities of the unique Achuar and Shuar Nations await the true adventure seeker. As the Andes descend dramatically eastward into the Napo region, the true tropical lowland rainforest begins with the headwaters of the RA-o Napo. The Central Oriente offers ecological life zones similar to those in the northern region (see The Upper Amazon Basin), with many species that live here and nowhere else on earth. This is due primarily to the mixture of different microclimates created by drastic elevation changes between the Andes and the Amazon, resulting in small pockets of life that evolved separately from their close neighbors. Thus, biologically, the Oriente a€" with up to 5% of the earth's plant species a€" is arguably the richest place on the planet. This guide gives you all the details on where to stay, where to eat, what to do, how to get around, the entertainment and arts, the history and culture. Complete with maps and photos throughout.

World-renowned 'tell it like it is' guidebook Discover Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands with this comprehensive, entertaining, 'tell it like it is' Rough Guide, packed with comprehensive practical information and our experts' honest and independent recommendations. Whether you plan to take in the colonial architecture of Cuenca or stroll along Guayaquil's Malecón 2000, relax in the spa town of Baños or climb a volcano, The Rough Guide to Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands will help you discover the best places to explore, sleep, eat, drink and shop along the way. Features of The Rough Guide to Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands: - Detailed regional coverage: provides in-depth practical information for each step of all kinds of trip, from intrepid off-the-beaten-track adventures, to chilled-out breaks in popular tourist areas. Regions covered include: Quito, the northern sierra, the central sierra, the southern sierra, the Oriente, the northern lowlands and coast, Guayaquil and the southern coast and the Galápagos Islands. - Honest independent reviews: written with Rough Guides' trademark blend of humour, honesty and expertise, and recommendations you can truly trust, our writers will help you get the most from your trip to Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands. - Meticulous mapping: always full-colour, with clearly numbered, colour-coded keys. Find your way around Quito, Guayaquil, Cuenca and many more locations without needing to get online. - Fabulous full-colour photography: features a richness of inspirational colour photography, including the vibrant colours of Otavalo market, stunning wildlife and captivating Andean mountains. - Things not to miss: Rough Guides' rundown of Quito, Guayaquil, and the northern and southern sierras' best sights and top experiences. - Itineraries: carefully planned routes will help you organise your trip, and inspire and inform your on-the-road experiences. - Basics section: packed with essential pre-departure information including getting there, getting around, accommodation, food and drink, health, the media, festivals, sports and outdoor activities, culture and etiquette, shopping and more. - Background information: comprehensive Contexts chapter provides fascinating insights into Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands, with coverage of history, religion, ethnic groups, environment, wildlife and books, plus a handy language section and glossary. - Covers: Quito, the northern sierra, the central sierra, the southern sierra, the Oriente, the northern lowlands and coast, Guayaquil and the southern coast and the Galápagos Islands About Rough Guides: Rough Guides have been inspiring travellers for over 35 years, with over 30 million copies sold globally. Synonymous with practical travel tips, quality writing and a trustworthy 'tell it like it is' ethos, the Rough Guides list includes more than 260 travel guides to 120+ destinations, gift-books and phrasebooks.

Now available in ePub format. The new, full-color Rough Guide to Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands is the definitive travel guide to this captivating country. In-depth coverage of Ecuador's incomparable wildlife, vibrant indigenous cultures, and awe-inspiring scenery takes you to the most rewarding spots-from the Amazon rainforest to the heights of the Andes to glorious, laid-back beach resorts. Stunning color photography brings the land to life on the pages. Discover Ecuador's highlights, with expert advice on exploring the best colonial cities, participating in ancient festivals, scaling volcanoes and learning Spanish, straddling the Equator, and swimming with turtles, penguins, sea lions, and even sharks. The guide includes extensive coverage of the capital, Quito, and the Galápagos Islands, the world's premier wildlife destination. Easy-to-use maps, reliable advice on how to get around, and insider reviews of the best hotels, restaurants, bars, clubs, and shops for all budgets ensure that you won't miss a thing. Make the most of your time with The Rough Guide to Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands.