Ecuador 2024

aramacao

aramacao

Well-Known Member
15+ year member
After Japan 2023, I am planning new trips for the future, and in 2024 I have 2 currently non-exclusive options: Singapore and Ecuador. I'll deal with Singaporein the corresponding thread, here I will talk about e.cuador

This journey is still in an extremely early pase. In fact, I know practically nothing, except that I would surely visit Quito and the Galapagos Islands. I think the islands would have a requirement of a week, and then it could be approximately another week on the mainland. Any advice on that? Any place with fauna that is interesting?
 
aramacao said:
After Japan 2023, I am planning new trips for the future, and in 2024 I have 2 currently non-exclusive options: Singapore and Ecuador. I'll deal with Singaporein the corresponding thread, here I will talk about e.cuador

This journey is still in an extremely early pase. In fact, I know practically nothing, except that I would surely visit Quito and the Galapagos Islands. I think the islands would have a requirement of a week, and then it could be approximately another week on the mainland. Any advice on that? Any place with fauna that is interesting?
Click to expand...
I don’t have any advice but I know two people who went to the islands and they really enjoyed it.
 
I've some doubts: I read that to travel to the Galapagos practically any time throughout the year is good, but to travel to continental Ecuador I see very different information on the internet. When do you think it would be better to travel, for example, to Quito? What time in the year?
 
Dassie rat said:
Please be careful. Ecuador was a relatively safe place, but there has been a big rise in crime (Ecuadorian security crisis - Wikipedia).
Click to expand...
I know, I am aware of the risks. It seems that the problems occur mainly in coastal areas. In Ecuador my plans are to only visit Quito (my girlfriend has friends there) and the Galapagos Islands. Soon I will consult you about the parks to visit in the Ecuadorian capital.
 
My experience of Ecuador was a tour of Tandayapa near Quito and also Galapagos, indirectly organised through Tropical Birding. Thoroughly enjoyed Tandayapa, great hummingbird feeders with about 15 species constantly on display! As for Galapagos, do your homework; our trip missed Isabella and Fernandina so no Flightless Cormorants! Great wildlife, but I found it somewhat restrictive; no opportunity to step off the trails or collect even a single empty shell. Don’t get me wrong; I understand the reasons for this and support them, but I felt far less “free” than I expected to.
 
Tetzoo Quizzer said:
My experience of Ecuador was a tour of Tandayapa near Quito and also Galapagos, indirectly organised through Tropical Birding. Thoroughly enjoyed Tandayapa, great hummingbird feeders with about 15 species constantly on display! As for Galapagos, do your homework; our trip missed Isabella and Fernandina so no Flightless Cormorants! Great wildlife, but I found it somewhat restrictive; no opportunity to step off the trails or collect even a single empty shell. Don’t get me wrong; I understand the reasons for this and support them, but I felt far less “free” than I expected to.
Click to expand...

Did you go to a zoo or similar in Quito?
 
I've already talked a little about this in the Peru section, but I think it is more appropriate to talk about this here: little by little the time to plan the trip to Peru and Ecuador is approaching, but since I have limited time, I want to ask you. I know that zoos in Ecuador are quite unknown but who knows, maybe you can help me. I'm not going to spend much time in Quito, just 3 days, and that's why I want to dedicate as little time as possible to the zoos since I also want to do tourism, but there are very rare species there and I want to see them. Finally, I've decided to visit the Quito Zoo and the Quito Vivarium. The Vivarium doesn't worry me because I'm sure it can be seen quickly, but the zoo does a little. How long do you think a visit requires? I like to stop and take photos of rare animals, but I don't intend to stay all day unless it's essential. Any advice on this would be greatly appreciated.
 
Finally I was in the Galapagos Islands and Quito and I can say that I am very surprised that Ecuador isn't more generally known by the average tourist: it's a wonderful country and I recommend it to everyone, the nature is amazing.

Regarding zoological centers, I was able to visit various centers in Galapagos, especially dedicated to land tortoises. These are guided tours, highly recommended to see how they work for the survival of these species.

As for zoos themselves, I visited the Quito / Guayllabamba Zoo. Currently it functions more as a rescue center and almost all the species exhibited are native. They maintain several rarities and the facilities in general are more than acceptable. The environment is very beautiful and you can see the animals in well conditions. I also visited the Vivarium of Quito, a small center located in the center of the city, which maintains a lot of native species, some very rare, in Good terrariums. Finally I visited the Wikiri Sapoparque - Centro Jambatu de Investigación y Conservación de Anfibios, a research center with an exhibition and breeding part, really wonderful. They do spectacular work with endangered species, especially with the genus Atelopus.

In summary, I highly recommend a visit to this country and in general I have found its animal centers to be surprisingly good. If at any time someone else wants to know them, I will try to help in any way possible.
 
Thanks @aramacao for your comments. I'm sure that some of us would love to know a few more details about the zoos. Do you have species lists for the collections or would you like to type up some mini-reviews? :)
 
snowleopard said:
Thanks @aramacao for your comments. I'm sure that some of us would love to know a few more details about the zoos. Do you have species lists for the collections or would you like to type up some mini-reviews? :)
Click to expand...

I might detail some lists later, because I have to go through the photographs and this can take a long time, since I am quite busy. Until then, if you have specific questions, I can answer them.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top