Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands

South America Explorers Club closed the Quito clubhouse permanently on the 1st January.

http://www.saexplorers.org/explore/peru/quito-clubhouse

I desperately want to do a trip to the Amazon somewhere in South America in february/march but it seems to be rainy season everywhere (Brazil, Peru, Bolivia). So I was quite surprised when I read that december to march is the driest time of the year in the Oriente in Ecuador. Even in the Northern Amazon of Peru which is just southeast of the Oriente Region it's obviously rainy season. For example, for the Reserva Nacional Pacaya-Samiria in the Northern Amazon of Peru it says february to may is…

Hi! I'll be in Ecuador for 17 days starting next week and definitely having trouble deciding how I'll spend it. Too many options! I'm thinking of Quito (1-2 days), Cotapaxi national park (4 days w/ Secret Garden Hostal), Lago Quiltoa area (2 days) and then heading to the coast for 7 days probably between Montanita/Canoa/Mompiche before heading back to Quito for 1 day leaving a buffer of 1 or 2 days for travel/do something else...maybe a bike ride down a volcano or visit hot springs in Papallacta…

Hi, We will be traveling from sea level in Canada (BC) heading towards our hike on the Inca Trail. We plan to spend time in Quito after our Trek so have chosen to fly in and out there. Can we spend a few days in Quito first or should we head right to Cuzco to acclimatize? Also, is it wise for me to prebook our return flight Quito - Cuzco return or can we wing it and purchase that ticket once we arrive in Quito? We are doing our Trek April 2016. I appreciate your feedback.

Hi,

I'm planning a summer trip (July/ August) to volunteer for 2 weeks followed by 5 days trekking in the Amazon (all organised through a volunteer company). At the end of this time I will be back in Quito and would like to spend up to a week doing some relaxing/ sightseeing before returning home. What I'd like to know is, where would be a good location to visit during this time which would not involve a lot of travel, and would provide a relaxing but interesting location (preferably for a bit…

Hi I'm going to Ecuador in 2 weeks and I started looking at weather reports. It seems to be raining every day?
Some rain is good but all the time? Does anyone have a suggestion for an area of the country that is drier this
time of year? Or maybe someone who has recently been there has a suggestion. The Galapagos?
How are the roads?

Hello All,
I will be arriving in Quito in less than a week to do some whitewater kayaking and general exploring. I arrive in Quito around 1am and was planning on pre-arranging a hostel with a pick up, if available. I know in the past there have been hostels that catered to kayakers but from what I have gathered, the primary hostel closed is no longer open. Any suggestions? Will any given hostel be able to pick me up at such a late time?

Hello, I have been deliberating for months about my trip to Gallapagos in summer next year with husband and two kids, I had just come up with a land based plan but was very disappointed to find out that the Caleta Iguana on Isabella which was a big part of my plan had closed down. Does anyone know what has happened to it? There is mention on the website that they may find another place on the island but this looked perfect to me. No other accomodation I see on the web appeals in quite the same…

So I am planning a trip to the Galapagos in late March/April and I was wondering what the best islands are best to visit/stay at. We're only able to go for about 10 days and I want to know the best things to do and see while we're there. I'd love to hear about your experiences as well! Thanks!!

Hi - I'm going to be in the Galapagos Islands Feb. 10-23 and would like to spend ~3 nights on each of the four main islands. However, I'm finding very conflicting information on ferries, specifically to Floreana Island. LP says there is a daily ferry from Santa Cruz. Other internet sites state there are no ferries at all to a ferry every couple of weeks. Anyone who has been there recently that can let me know what the situation really is? Thank you so much!!!