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Sport & Activities
Rainforest treks: Travellers wishing to explore the rainforest of the lower Amazon basin and its abundant plant and animal life should head to the Oriente region (see Resorts & Excursions section). It is probably best to do this as part of an organised tour, which can be booked with a number of local operators providing tailor-made itineraries and experienced guides. The presence of hundreds of waterways, many of which are tributaries of the great River Amazon, means that such tours invariably involve travelling by boat. Usually, these are large motorised canoes travelling up the main rivers (such as the Napo or the Aguarico), although trips on non-motorised boats along the smaller waterways are also available, which is a far better way to observe the wildlife. Several indigenous communities living in the region have preserved their traditional lifestyles and are actively engaged in resisting the ongoing attempts by oil companies to develop and exploit the Ecuadorian rainforest.
Hiking: There are some good hiking trails in Cotopaxi National Park, one of them following the shores of Lago Limpiopungo, located at an altitude of 3800m (12,465ft).
Climbing: Several tour operators based in Baños, Ecuador’s tourist mecca for adventure sports and trips to the rainforest, also offer climbing expeditions to the volcanoes. Experienced climbers may head to the Cotopaxi volcano which, at 5985m (19,345ft), is one of the world’s highest, best reached from Quito.
Wildlife: Apart from the rainforest, Ecuador’s rich wildlife is best represented in the Galápagos Islands, whose most famous inhabitants are the giant Galápagos tortoises (weighing up to 272kg/600lb). Adventure tours around the islands are available, either in large cruise ships or in smaller ships and yachts (advance booking is essential). The amount of time visitors are allowed to stay on the islands is regulated by the Government. For further details on the Galápagos Islands, see the Resorts & Excursions section.
Watersports: There are 2800km (1750 miles) of coastline along the mainland, with beach resorts offering various types of watersports. Good snorkelling is available via chartered boat trips around the Isla de la Plata (located in the Parque Nacional Machalilla, Ecuador’s only coastal national park). Fishing is particularly good off the western coast. Whitewater rafting is also popular in and around Baños.
Scenic train journeys: Several of Ecuador’s railway routes, particularly those in the Andes, pass through spectacular mountain scenery, often at dramatic altitudes. The Ecuadorian custom of riding on the roof of the train makes the views even more breathtaking. One of the most famous routes, whose climax is the precipitous ‘Devil’s Nose’ passage, is from Riobamba down to the Pacific coast. Train schedules are fairly erratic and visitors should check locally prior to travelling.
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