Ecuador – Country National Park
Ecuador is a country-reserve. After all, the area of ββparks and protected areas is the largest in the world to the total area of ββthe country. This fact does not prevent the country with the monument to the Equator from being the smallest in South America. Donβt think that a trip to Ecuador will captivate you only with the diversity of the Amazon jungle and tranquil parks. Undoubtedly, now, when choosing and planning a trip, we not only pay attention to the cost, but we are already trying to study more about the country where we plan to go.
It may well be that one of our readers, looking through tours to Ecuador, saw the Galapagos Islands, cherished and alluring since childhood, and rushed, without finishing reading the information, to the nearest branch of the tour operator to buy a ticket from Moscow and rush off to Paradise. You can’t argue with that! After all, it’s true – this is an indescribably beautiful and mysterious place. For botanists, not in quotes, biologists, zoologists and, in addition to the scientific fraternity, of course, for the simple, long-nosed tourist. Everyone wants to admire or study the unique ecosystem of the Galapagos Islands, where the largest haven for endemics on the planet is located. Fortunately, this is not all that can be done in Ecuador.
On the road with clouds
Let’s leave the lovers of turtles and daisies alone with each other and go to Ecuador itself. We are interested in the Volcano Road, which is laid in the picturesque valley of centenarians and will lead us to the active Cotopaxi volcano, and at the end Mount Chimborazo will majestically await. These two giants personify the greatness of Ecuadorian nature, and the inhabitants of the valley – the veneration of customs and the memory of the descendants, the indigenous South Americans. The Chimborazo volcano, according to historical data, went extinct one and a half thousand years ago. Its name translated into Russian means “snow on the other side” or “ice woman”. Life is not enough for the etymology of words and meanings, and we still need to climb Chimborazo. It is recommended to conquer the giant ridge with four peaks in the fall and winter, and the ascent has several difficult and dangerous sections. Avoiding rockfalls, anticipating and not getting caught in an avalanche, climbing up a glacier in time before it has had time to shed its melted snow, getting a dose of adrenaline – a good price for standing frozen at the summit in a moment of bliss and thinking about future trials and adventures.
I’ll come back
Summing up the trip to Ecuador, we can confidently say that this country deserves repeated visits. The mysteries of the past, the rich color of local life and a huge number of attractions leave hope and a great desire to come here again and again.