"The Galápagos archipelago, with a population of around 40,000, is a province of Ecuador, and the islands are all part of Ecuador's national park system.The islands are famed for their vast number of endemic species and the studies by Charles Darwin during the voyage of the Beagle that contributed to the inception of Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection."

An active volcano, fuming; lava crawling down its slope-it's something of wide-angle cinematic scenes or bed-time stories; surreal, but tangible. Taking a trip to Galapagos Islands' Sierra Negra Volcano, one comes to realize the marvel of peering up to something so gargantuan, and of such reserved force.

As with most locations of such mystique, reaching Sierra Negra is much easier said than done, even residents and visitors of the Galapagos are sent through a grueling process just to experience the volcano.

While on could always spare the hassle and expense involved with visiting Sierra Negra by taking a Galapagos Islands tour, making it there on your own is still realistic and similar to piecing together a puzzle.

Departing from the Galapagos Capital of San Cristibal Island, one can either take a 35 minute jaunt by plane to the island of Isabela, or traverse the ocean in a speed boat which could end up affording 3 hours that would otherwise be spent at the volcano.

Once you arrive, a 45 minute cab ride will deliver you to the base of Sierra Negra, and a horse-ride around the caldera will bring you to black and red fields of moltenous land, an area where horses can not tread, and must be addressed on foot.

Beyond, you will be taken to other, radically different volcanic cones and terrains that should be left up to only your imagination and experience.

By: Jonathan Hunt
http://www.galapagos.com

Getting around Ecuador

Ecuador is split into 3 separate climate zones: costa, sierra and selva (the coast, the mountains and the jungle). The geography, culture and climate of each of the three areas is remarkably distinct and means that even a short holiday in Ecuador can be like three holidays in one! Ecuador's excellent road network and very good domestic airlines make it really easy to combine a jungle adventure with some Andean scenery and some relaxing time on the beach even in the shortest holiday!

The coast offers some excellent beaches, and there are places to suit every taste - from 5-star resort hotels in Salinas and Manta, to laid-back surf beaches such as Montañita. The jungle of Ecuador's Amazon Basin is some of the most unspoilt rainforest in the world and much of it is protected under international law. The rainforest is home to an amazing and spectacular array of wildlife, with more species being discovered every year! What's even better is that Ecuador is ahead of much of South America in developing sustainable tourism with programmes and lodges run by and for the local indigenous communities. Meanwhile, the Andes mountains form the heart of Ecuador and are an unmissable part of any Ecuador holiday. From the splendour of the Cotopaxi volcano and national park to the hustle and bustle of the local markets at Otavalo and Saquisili, there's simply tons to see and do, and loads of fun to be had!

Highlights of a holiday in Ecuador

The obvious key feature to most people's Ecuador holiday is a cruise in the Galapagos Islands. And with good reason! The Galapagos are quite simply one of the most amazing places on earth and for nature-lovers they are an absolute must-see. Even if you don't have yourself down as a real nature fan then we challenge you to share your beach towel with an iguana or go swimming with sea-lions and not change your mind!

Where we think most people go wrong is by ignoring the rest of mainland Ecuador... Since all international flights go through the capital, Quito, anyway, why not take some time to explore this UNESCO-listed World Heritage site? The gorgeous colonial Old Town is one of the finest in South America and its winding cobbled streets are well worth a look around. Or why not take a couple of days and head south to the Cotopaxi National Park. Here you can enjoy superlative scenery by day, and then retire to a luxury Andean Spa at night to soak away your cares in the hot springs... For those of you with a little more time, then a trip into the rainforest is an unforgettable experience and a trip on the roof of the Devil's Nose train from Riobamba to Alausi is something which will stay with you forever!

Nuts and Bolts - Language, Accommodation and Money

The primary language in Ecuador is Spanish and 90% of the population have it as either a first, or only language. In the Andes mountains, particularly around the city of Riobamba, many people speak Quechua (the ancient language of the Incas) as a first language, although almost all will also speak Spanish. Some degree of English is also often spoken in areas popular with holiday-makers and by the staff of services that deal with international customers (eg: airports, banks, etc.) will invariably speak some English.

Ecuador's currency is the US dollar, which makes things very easy for holiday-makers coming from the States, and currently very good value for those coming from Europe. If you live in the UK and are considering a holiday in Ecuador then now might just be the ideal time!

In terms of accommodation, most of Ecuador's towns and cities have a wide variety of accommodation, from home stays to luxury hotels. Ecuador is ahead of the game in terms of quality character accommodation, with boutique hotels in most cities for those looking for something a little bit different. In the mountains, a small selection of Andean haciendas offer the same kind of quality and character, while in the jungle there is a range of excellent jungle lodges to suit everybody from those looking for real adventure to those looking for a little luxury on their holiday.

By: Dan Clarke
Dan Clarke is one of the founders of Real Ecuador Holidays http://www.therealecuador.co.uk - the UK's leading specialist in organising tailormade holidays in Ecuador and cruises to the Galapagos Islands. Dan is a regular visitor to Ecuador, researching new ideas and making sure the old favourites are still great!