Geographically speaking, Ecuador consists of four distinct geographical regions: the Pacific coastal (Costa) lowlands in the west, the Highlands (Andes - Sierra) in the center; and the eastern lowlands (Oriente). The last, Galapagos Islands which are 600 miles west in the Pacific ocean. 

The coastal lowlands (Costa) are in general relatively flat, interspersed with low hills that spurs of the Andes. The most prominent is a line of hills reaching an altitude of approximately 750 meters (2,500 feet) that extends to the coastal of Guayaquil. The northern part of the coastal lowlands is covered by a tropical rain forest, while in the south there is a rapid transition to the arid conditions that prevail also over the coastal region of Peru.

The Highlands (Los Andes Ecuador) consist  of two parallel ranges, a southern extension of the Colombian ranges-the Cordillera Occidental and the Cordillera Central- make up the highland region. The two ranges are separated by a succession of ten main basins that form part of a long, deep rift valley. The intense volcanic activity characteristic of this rift valley has produced the discontinuities that resulted in a series of basins. Rising alongside the basins are thirty volcanoes, many of them active, with some of the world's highest, largest, and most beautiful snow-capped volcanic cones. These include Mt Chimborazo (20,561) and Cotopaxi, the world's largest active volcano. Numerous national parks and protected areas of wilderness feature a wide range of microclimates and enormous bio-diversity, making the Sierra a paradise for bird watching in particular.  The highlands provide exciting hiking and  trekking and there are excellent routes for mountain biking and horse  riding.  One of the world's greatest train journeys begins in Riobamba  passing through the famous "Devil's Nose" on the way to the coast.

The Eastern lowlands (Oriente) The eastern lowlands are part of the Amazon basin. An undulating plain slopes gently eastward and is drained mainly by the Putumayo (which flows along part of the boundary with Colombia), Napo, and Pastaza rivers and their tributaries. This region is covered almost entirely by dense tropical rain forest. Most of it is uninhabited; settlement is confined to the foot of the Andes and to small areas along the banks of the main rivers, where some agriculture is practiced. Ecuador Amazon Jungle Travel

There are innumerable varieties of flora, including many of Ecuador's 4,500 species of orchids, and many plants with medicinal value.  Wildlife such as butterflies, bats, monkeys, sloths, parrots, macaws, river dolphins and caimans are all relatively easy to view.  The Ecuadorian Amazon offers a wide range of activities including swimming, canoe journeys, rain forest walks, bird watching, animal spotting and visits to local jungle communities.  The Amazon accounts for little more than 5% of the total population but here there are small communities of Indians such as the Huaorani, Cofan, Shuar, and Siona-Secoya who live in jungle villages and carry on with many of their ancient traditions.  The Amazon also has some of the finest white water rafting routes in the country. 

Galapagos Islands - Ecuador's most beloved and popular national park lies in splendid isolation about 600 miles off the mainland. Made famous by Charles Darwin, the Galapagos Islands are no less enthralling now than they were a hundred years ago. Every year, thousands of curious visitors journey to the remote islands to behold the wondrously variegated wildlife that inspired The Origin of Species. Galapagos Islands Travel Tips

Climatic conditions generally reflect the country's equatorial latitude and local vertical altitudes. There are almost no seasonal variations in temperature. The average temperatures of the hottest and coolest months at Quito are 54.9 F and 54.5 F, and at Guayaquil (sea level) 81F and 76F. Seasonal differences are rflected mainly in variations in rainfall. There is no dry season in the extreme north, where maximum rainfall occurs twice March-April and September-November. The vertical zones are similar to those of other Andean countries. The tierra caliente (hot zone) extends to an upper limit of 3,300 feet. Most of this zone is in the coastal and eastern lowlands. The tierra templada (temperate zone), ranging from 3,300 to 6,500 feet , extends over some interment basins, valleys, and slopes of the Andes. The tierra fria (cool zone), from 6,500 to 10,000 feet, is a climatic zone of most of the basins and densely inhabited valleys of.  Ecuador Hotels