Ecuador is home to an incredible array of lush rainforests, volcanic vistas and breathtaking valleys to explore. It’s difficult to decide which natural wonder is the most worthy of discovery, but here are five you can’t miss.
The Galapagos Islands are Ecuador’s pride and joy, perhaps the most famous of its natural wonders. The volcanic archipelago contains thousands of plant and animal species found nowhere else on Earth. That, combined with the fact they inspired the Theory of Evolution, make it worth a trip.
Sangay National Park rests in the center of Ecuador in the Cordillera Oriental region of the Andes and contains the entire spectrum of ecosystems found in the country in one place. The High Andes tower over tropical rainforests, expansive foothills, alluvial fans and the plains. The region is also home to nearly 400 bird species, including the condor, along with spectacled bears and mountain tapirs.
Cotopaxi is one of the most active stratovolcanoes on Earth, having erupted more than 50 times in its lifespan. The mudflows from the explosions created numerous valleys at the base of the mountain making it stand tall against the horizon and the surrounding Andes.
Brazil might be the country that comes to mind when one mentions the Amazon rainforest, but part of the basin actually rests in Ecuador. This spectacular region hosts more than 15,000 species of plant life and 500 species of birds. Inside you’ll also find freshwater dolphins, anacondas, jaguars and a dozen species of monkeys.
Cajas isn’t the most famous park in Ecuador but it is the most unique. The park holds 232 high montane lakes ripe for exploration along with misty cloud forests that create an eerily beautiful atmosphere.
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