Ecuador Holiday: a Country in Four Parts

The South American nation of Ecuador is an increasingly popular destination for adventurous travellers from all over the globe.

Situated on the continent's north western side, Ecuador – Spanish for "Equator" – is bounded by Colombia to the east, Peru to the east and south, and the Pacific ocean to the west.

One of the reasons for Ecuador's growing popularity is its small scale compared to other Latin American countries.

The other is the sheer amount of amazing attractions it packs into just under 300,000 square miles. Indeed, the country is divided geographically distinct regions: the "Costa" Pacific coast region; the "Sierra" region, extending high into the Andes; the "Oriente" plains, which spread into the far northern Amazonian rain forests; and of course, the Galapagos islands.

Ecuador also packs a lot of history into its space. Conquered first by the Incas, then by the Spanish conquistadors, the country features well-preserved pre-Columbian and colonial architecture.

The capital, Quito, is often described as South America's oldest and most beautiful city. Situated 9,350 feet above sea level on the slopes of Cerro Pichincha. Its colonial feel is tangible, most significantly in the Plaza Mayor.

On the coast lies Ecuador's largest city, Guayaquil. A major port, Guayaquil is in the process of upgrading its image, so as to live up to its nickname as "la Perla del Pacifico". This week sees the start of Guayaquil's annual fiesta.

The majority of visitors to Guayaquil and indeed Ecuador, however, have come to visit the Galapagos islands – the evolutionary laboratory that inspired Charles Darwin's life's work.

The volcanic excrescences of an ocean floor lava vent, the Galapagos islands lie some 600 miles off the Pacific coast of Ecuador. There are 60 islands, the largest of which are Fernandina, Isabela, Baltra, James, Santa Cruz and San Cristobal.

97 per cent of the Galapagos islands are a national park, and the incredible wildlife described in Darwin's works are all on display: from giant tortoises, to land iguanas, to blue-footed boodies, and blood-sucking finches.

Unused to the presence of humans, many of the islands' fantastical creatures will quite happily allow you to walk right up to them, and studiously ignore photographers with the relaxed disdain of catwalk models.

It is possible to fly to the Galapagos islands, from Guayaquil to Baltra or San Cristobal, with flights taking around 90 minutes. Alternatively, there are cruises that sail from the mainland, although these are usually very expensive.

Moreover, all trips to the islands must be accompanied by a guide, and there is a tax of $100 US per person for all visitors. Expensive, yes – but a unique place, that needs and justifies your expenditure.

Inland, Ecuador also has its incredible Andean scenery. Part of the mountain range's "Ring of Fire", the country is home to numerous volcanoes, active and inactive. The vast, snow-capped peaks of the Cotopaxi national park – including Cotopaxi itself, the world's highest active volcano – rising out of the plains are unforgettable. It is a day-trip away from Quito, but anyone hoping to make an attempt on Cotopaxi itself should schedule a few more days.

Certainly, Ecuador shares many of the "rough edges" common to all South American countries, but it is one of the most stable, safe and friendly of them all.

Much less "European" than the Atlantic states of the region, Ecuador is home to more unique places and environments than some whole continents.