Browsing: Ecuador

Few destinations offer such a close connection to wildlife and the natural world as the Galápagos Islands. Located nearly 600 miles off the coast of mainland Ecuador, this volcanic archipelago has long attracted travelers interested in nature, conservation, and the remarkable species that call the islands home. Giant tortoises roam the highlands, marine iguanas bask on lava rocks, and blue-footed boobies gather along rugged shorelines shaped by volcanic activity and ocean currents.

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There are two reasons why cable car rides are utterly irresistible.

Firstly, the engineering that enables a length of wire to haul a small metal cabin up steep mountains and across gaping valleys is intriguing. But more importantly, there’s the gorgeous view from the top, with a city or countryside sprawled out far below.

So when I had some free time in Quito, the capital of Ecuador, it was obvious how I’d spend it. Quito’s …

On a planet where over-tourism is spoiling the very place you’ve gone to visit, it’s a rare treat to be far from the crowds and close to nature. A place where only a handful of other humans are swimming with baby sharks in the bay, or you’re the only person stepping around a dozen iguanas sunbathing on the pier. Where you and your friends are standing only a few feet from some barking, frolicking sea …