BRAZIL AMAZON North Pantanal South Pantanal Salvador Iguassu FallsRIO DE JANEIRO Yacutinga Rainforest BUENOS AIRES Valdes Peninsula The Falkland Islands Los Glaciares National Park Torres del Paine Patagonia Chiloe Island SANTIAGO Valparaiso ARGENTINA CHILE Ibera Marshlands Atacama Desert Lauca N. P. GUYANA GEORGETOWN ECUADOR Otavalo Quito Amazon Cotopia Mindo cloud forest In focus The Galapagos Cycle Climate - Ecuador Different wildlife events happen at different times of the year in the Galapagos. Here we cite a few of our favourites: January - green sea turtles arrive to the beaches to lay their eggs February - greater fl amingos begin nesting on Floreana March and April - waved albatrosses arrive for the start of their courtship May - most of the marine iguana eggs hatch from their nests on Santa Cruz June - humpback whales can be seen along the coast of Ecuador to the Galapagos July - a great time to see breeding sea bird colonies August - Galapagos hawks begin their courtship displays on Espanola and Santiago September - Galapagos sealions are very active October - blue- footed boobies raise their chicks on Espanola and Isabela November - an excellent time for snorkelling December - hatching of giant tortoise eggs begins and lasts until April Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Temperature max (° C) 22 22 22 21 21 22 22 23 23 22 22 22 Rainfall ( mm) 99 112 142 175 137 43 20 31 69 112 97 79 Top tip: Many of the countries straddling the tropics will have their temperatures moderated by high altitude, so you'll need to pack a variety of clothing for your trip. February Orcas start arriving off the Valdes Peninsula and can be seen until the end of April. Pages 158- 161 May In Guyana the main wet season from May until August is considered the best time for jaguar sightings ( although there are sightings year round). Pages 164- 167 June The start of the dry season in the Pantanal make this a good time to see mammals such as black howler monkeys, anteaters and crab- eating fox. Pages 150- 153 July Southern right whales start arriving off the Valdes Peninsula in order to mate and calve. They remain until December. Pages 158- 161 THE AMERICAS | SOUTH AMERICA 139 ISABELA SANTA CRUZ SAN CRISTÓBAL FloreanaEspañola Santiago Genovesa Pacific Ocean Fernandina

Quito, the capital of Ecuador, sits at an altitude of 2,850 metres on the slopes of the active Pichincha Volcano and was founded in the 16th century on the ruins of an Inca city. It lies just 25 kilometres south of the Equator. Quito's beautiful old town is perhaps the least altered historic centre in Latin America. Most itineraries will spend some time in Quito, whilst transferring between attractions and many will allow enough time for exploration. You could visit the Equatorial Monument, go horse- riding or white- water rafting, visit an Indian market or simply take a city tour. Hotel Patio Andaluz MID OUR CHOICE This is a lovely, boutique hotel, which was declared a National Monument by UNESCO in 1978 as it was part of the original City of San Francisco of Quito at the time of its foundation. It has 31 rooms, a restaurant, a cava bar and a library, and is located in the heart of the city. Hotel Relicario del Carmen MID A small historic hotel in the heart of the colonial centre. It is an old house said to date back to 1705. It has 18 charming rooms and is oozing with character. Many of the original paintings decorate its hallways. Hotel Quito MID Hotel Quito is conveniently located in the heart of the commercial and residential area of the city. It has all the amenities you would expect of a modern, city centre hotel, including a swimming pool and comfortable rooms, and is offered as a good value option. Quito & the Andes 140 Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands Ecuador, as its name implies, straddles the equator. It is a land of startling contrasts and, when combined with the unique islands of the Galapagos, offers the wildlife enthusiast perhaps the ultimate holiday with a simply staggering number of species, many of which are endemic. These range from the high Andes and desert- like mountain plateaux to the lush green jungles of the Amazon Basin and rocky marine paradise of the Galapagos archipelago. Talk to an expert 0845 130 6982