Area: 100,645 sq. miles (260,670 sq. km) divided in 22 provinces, including the Galapagos 600 miles (1000 km) off the mainland.

Population: Over 12 million inhabitants, including 10 native ethnic cultures.

Language: Spanish plus 10 indigenous languages. Local people in the tourist trade speak English, French, German, Italian and other foreign languages.

National parks & protected areas: Over 50 (including private reserves), comprising 17% of territory.

Entry documents: To enter Ecuador you must have a passport and it must be valid for at least 6 months after your departure date from Ecuador and onward bound ticket. Visitors can stay up to 90 days. Tourist card is given upon arrival at no cost. Suggestion: Bring a couple of photocopies of your passport plus extra photos to expedite a new one in case you lose or misplace it during your trip.

VISA: USA and European citizens do not require visas to enter the country as tourists.

Travel Insurance: Andean & Rainforest Expeditions LLC (ARE) prices do not include travel insurance. ARE recommends travelers contacting their health, property and homeowners insurance providers to determine the extent of their coverage while traveling abroad. Travel insurance policies are also available through the ARE office.

Health: No inoculation required, though guests with heart or blood pressure conditions should check with their local doctor about visiting high altitude regions. Medical facilities are readily available throughout the country in large cities but are not available in remote areas.

Immunizations: Before traveling to Ecuador it is important for the visitor to have the right protection against diseases and to understand fully what type of vaccinations that will be needed according to the regions he/she will be visiting. For general protection for visitors to Ecuador, it is important to have the following vaccinations:

• Hepatitis A
• Tetanus
• Typhoid

For people traveling to the jungle in the Oriente and the coastal lowlands, Yellow fever inoculation is highly recommended.

For precautions against malaria consult your physician or a specialist in tropical medicine after you determine the areas you will be visiting in Ecuador. It is vital that persons with medical problems or special diet requirements make them known to us well before departure so that land operators are properly informed. For more information on medical considerations when traveling to tropical countries contact the:

Center for Disease Control and Prevention at http://www.cdc.gov/travel/tropsam.htm

Altitude: Travelers to Quito and the Andean areas need to take common sense measures in regards to altitude acclimatization. Visitors are encouraged to limit exertion for the first few days and maintain themselves adequately hydrated. Individuals with coronary or other health problems should consult their physician before deciding to travel to Quito and other high altitude locations.

Customs: One bottle of liquor and 300 cigarettes duty free.

Currency: US Dollar. Most establishments accept traveler checks and credit cards. Take note Ecuadorean dollar coins are not negotiable outside the country. Banking hours are from 9 am to 1:30 pm, Monday through Friday. Teller machines are found in most major cities and towns.

ATM'S: The machines are compatible with the international system.

Airport departure tax: US$ 25 is payable in cash upon leaving Quito or Guayaquil on international flights.

Electricity: 110 volts, 60 cycles AC. Galapagos yachts and most lodges on mainland have outlets and adaptors for recharging batteries and other portable appliances.

Local time: Eastern Standard / GMT-5 (no daylight savings time) / GMT-6 in Galapagos. Check correct time with your guide when you arrive.

Other details: Airmail to US, Canada & Europe takes 5 to 8 days. Overseas communications by phone, fax or email is efficient. Cable TV at most city hotels. Embassies and consulates found in Quito & Guayaquil. Stores close on Sundays, except at a few shopping malls (ask guide for details). Food is not spicy hot and quite wholesome and delicious (check with guide about local dishes you should not miss).

Quito and the central valleys (i.e. Otavalo, Ambato, Riobamba, Cuenca) have an early spring-type climate. In the high Andean regions (i.e. Cotopaxi, Chimborazo, Papallacta) it's wintry cool and in the Galapagos, coastal lowlands (i.e. Esmeraldas, Mindo, Machalilla) and Amazon rainforest (i.e. Cuyabeno, Napo) warm and tropical.

So dress accordingly. Sports clothes for the day are appropriate. Lightweight rain gear is useful for brief showers (waterproof plastic rain ponchos, not Gore-tex, are ideal). For evenings in the city, dress as formal as you wish (establishments don't require suits or cocktail dresses). Light/heavy long-sleeve shirts/blouses and sweater and well-insulated windbreaker is necessary for cool nights in the highlands and even the jungle or Galapagos.

Travel hardware:

Note: Make sure all checked luggage has locks.