International Flights: Several international Airlines ensure the transport to Quito (or Guayaquil), such as : Iberia, Lan, Air France, KLM, American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Lufthansa, etc. One of the best solution is to compare a find the more convenient for you. You can check in Easyvols, Ebookers, Edreams, Go voyages, Opodo, Kayak, Despegar.

Visa Requirements: A passport (with at least 6 months remaining validity) is required for this trip. Visas are not required for nationals of EU countries, the USA, and Canada. Please note that if you intend to travel to Ecuador via the USA you must have a machine readable passport and you must complete an online 'Electronic System for Travel Authorisation' (ESTA) prior to boarding any US-bound aircraft or ship.

Language: The national language of Ecuador is Spanish. English is not widely spoken though Ecuadorians who have dealings with tourists and restaurant staff in Quito will usually have fairly good English. We recommend that you take a pocket phrase book and learn some basic Spanish.

Climate: With the Pacific Ocean to the west and the great basin of the Amazon to the east, Ecuador has a complex pattern of weather. In general the eastern highland region receives the most precipitation. In the Central Highlands it is drier though cloud and rain can and do occur at any time during the year. In general the days are warm with temperatures between 12 and 22°C. Evenings can be chilly in the higher towns with the possibility of night-time temperatures dipping below freezing point once above 3500 metres.

Electric Supply and Plug: Ecuador's electricity supply is 120 - 127v at 60HZ. The most common plug sockets are usually the USA type which take two flat parallel blades, sometimes with a central round earth pin.

Vaccinations: You should attend your own doctor and dentist for a check-up. Your doctor will have access to the most up to date information on the required vaccinations for the country you are visiting. In general we recommend vaccinations against the following: Polio, Tetanus, Typhoid, & Hepatitis 'A'. Malaria prophylaxis is not recommended for this trip unless you intend to visit the rainforest as an extension to your trip. You should also bring your own personal first aid kit, which should include the items listed in the equipment list at the end of this dossier.

Altitude: These travles involves going to high altitude. During the course of your trip you will reach altitudes in excess of 3500 metres. This is not something that you should worry about; the human body is quite capable of adapting to a very wide range of altitudes, but it is important that we follow some simple rules in order to acclimatise successfully. Before coming on this holiday you should read the advice on trekking.