Ecuador-Home of Diverse Wildlife and Incan Ruins

Ecuador is a Spanish speaking country in South America that allows visa-free entrance for Indian citizens. The Galápagos Islands, famed for their diverse wildlife are ruled by Ecuador and are around 1,000 km’s from the mainland in the Pacific Ocean. Ecuador was an Amerindian country until it was invaded by Spain so it has a mix of both cultures, which can be seen in everything from the architecture to the blend of languages spoken there, as there are also around 13 Amerindian languages spoken as well as Spanish. The capital city is Quito, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to some grand, Spanish colonial style architecture.

Hikers and mountaineers will also enjoy visiting this interesting country as it has some rugged mountain ranges and many popular hikes and climbs, such as around the volcanic Volcán Cotopaxi national park, which is home to deer, llamas, the spectacled bear and packs of wild horses and there are interesting pre-Columbian ruins to explore. The best time to visit Ecuador is from June to September as the weather is warm and sunny, Indian passport holders do not need a visa to visit Ecuador as long as the trip is for no longer than 90 days. Transport is cheap and reliable, so holidaymakers can make the most of their holiday and visit sites such as the Museo Nacional, which holds a huge collection of Ecuadorian art, and archaeological finds such as a gold sun mask and ceremonial stone chairs and ceramic shrunken heads. The country has lots of markets where vendors sell everything from fresh produce to arts and crafts such as at Otavalo Market, and tour companies offer tours where travellers can take in Inca ruins as well as traditional markets and even shamanic rituals. Ecuadorian people are known to be very friendly, and Ecuador is a country to add to your travel diary when planning vacations away from India.