During the Oct-May wet season, most rainfall is in the afternoons. The best period to visit Quito and trek and climb volcanoes such as Cotopaxi is the west Andean dry season of June-Sept and Dec/Jan. To the west, June-Sept is the dry period and Oct-May the wet (with often a short, dry spell in Dec or Jan). Rainfall depends on whether an area lies closer to the eastern or western Andes. In the lower basins between mountains, it gets significantly warmer. In Quito, shade temperatures range from 6 to 10✬ in the morning and from 19 to 23✬ in the afternoon, with cool nights. In the Ecuadorian highlands, there is little temperature variation by season as temperature depends largely on altitude. Overall, climate varies according to time of year, altitude and region. Charles Darwin used his observations there to develop his theory of Evolution.Įcuador lies between latitudes 4º south and 2º north. The flora and fauna of the Galapagos, long separated from their continental cousins, have evolved differently. Lying 600 miles off the mainland, the archipelago comprises the summits of gigantic equatorial volcanoes. This mainly primary rainforest covers a third of the country, accounts for 5% of the population and stretches across Ecuador, from its Colombian to its Peruvian borders. Several of Ecuador’s volcanoes are still active, and it’s a great area for trekking.ĭescending the steep, east-facing slopes of the eastern Cordillera, one passes through a transition zone comprising dense cloud forest and humid high jungle, before entering the Amazon lowlands. The Highlands, or sierra, encompass two Andean Cordilleras (the Central and Western), which run north to south through the country. Ecuador’s largest volcano is Chimborazo (6,310m) whose summit, because of its proximity to the equator, is the closest point on earth to the sun. Landscapes vary from the drier south to the more humid north. There are frequent sightings from June to September. The waters off the province of Manabí, now protected by the national Park of Machalilla, are breeding grounds for this magnificent whale. The humpback whale is a regular visitor to the Ecuadorian coast. There is a decent restaurant here, Delfín Magico and you can walk along the beaches. It contains artefacts from many of the different cultures that have inhabited coastal Ecuador from the Valdivia to the present day. The port of Salango, 10km to the south of Puerto López has an excellent small museum with information on the intrepid sailors of prehispanic times. Talk to the guards at Agua Blanca, they can arrange accommodation and horses. You will need at least a couple of days to appreciate this part of the park. This is great for seeing orchids, birds and monkeys. There is also a guided trail around the reasonably well preserved and extensive site, where you can see a complex of terraces and platforms with adobe and stone walls.Īpproximately 10km beyond Agua Blanca, further inland, after hiking through the dry forest you reach the humid tropical forest of San Sebastián. Then buy your freshly cooked fish from the beach markets!Īt Agua Blanca, the ancient capital city of Salangóme, there is a good archaeological museum. If you go down to the beach early you will see an amazing range of Pacific fish, of all shapes and sizes, including hammerhead sharks. It has a very ramshackle appearance at first sight, but it’s quite charming and grows on you. Puerto López is a small fishing town of around 10,000 people. Passing through Portoviejo and Jipijapa the vegetation is unique, a dry tropical forest with bizarre shaped kapok trees. Few backpackers spend much time in Manta, but generally prefer to head south to the coastal area of Machalilla.
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