WildlifeIf the Galapagos alone does not provide enough of a wildlife fix then there are many other locations in which to top up your quota of animal encounters. EcuadorThe Ecuadorian Amazon basin is readily accessible from Quito. This slice of the Amazonrainforest enchants visitors with its array ofbirdlife, monkeys, colourful butterflies and tropicalbirds. Wildlife spotting opportunities are excellentat the lodges here and your guides are likely tobe from local indigenous communities, which arebecoming more involved with eco-tourism and, ofcourse, have unrivalled knowledge of Amazonianflora and fauna.Costa RicaA little further afield, Costa Rica is a nature lover'sparadise and, despite being a small country, offersan incredible amount for visitors to see and do.Mist-shrouded cloudforests around San José andMonteverde, combined with the tropical forests of Tortuguero and Corcovado national parks, offer wildlife viewing at every turn. Add to thisvolcanoes, hot springs, tumbling rivers, canopywalkways, coffee plantations and the sandy Pacificcoastline, plus a dizzying array of activities fromzip-lining, river-rafting, trekking, and mountainbiking to volcano climbing and sea-kayaking, thereis something to suit all interests.VenezuelaOff the beaten track in southwest Venezuela are the vast, seasonally flooded savannahs of LosLlanos. These flat and fertile plains rival Brazil'sfamous Pantanal for biodiversity but receive farfewer visitors. Five national parks protect wildlifethat ranges from anteaters to anacondas, as wellas a spectacular variety of birds, monkeys, big cats,river dolphins, caiman and capybara.Culture and historyAny visitor to Latin America will be astonished by the wealth of history and different cultures.Neighbouring countries to the Galapagos willsatisfy all historical interests from ancientcivilisations to stories from the colonial periods.For those interested in ethnography, the Andeanhighlands is home to numerous indigenouscultures that retain their proud heritage today.PeruPeru is one of the most popular countries tocombine with the Galapagos. Its wealth of ancientremains in stunning locations includes one of thehighlights of the South American continent; theIncan citadel of Machu Picchu. The country'sfascinating history spans thousands of years andcountless civilisations from 2000 BC to the bloodyconquest by the Spanish in 1535, and has left thePeru of today with a myriad of fascinating sites andcolonial cities. These man-made wonders are setagainst a breathtaking backdrop of snow-cappedmountains, sapphire lakes, terraced fields in allshades of green and gold, and emerald forestedslopes that tumble down into the Amazon basin. EcuadorOften overlooked en route to the Galapagos is mainland Ecuador itself, which boasts awonderfully diverse array of sights and cultures.Whilst their country may have little to comparewith the Inca sites of Peru, Ecuadorians retain astrong indigenous heritage, proud of their customs,and are regularly seen in their traditional dress.Colourful local markets are commonplace andhistorical haciendas (farmhouses) are dottedaround the countryside, providing a characterfulplace to stay. Combined with the colonial citiesand UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Quito and Cuenca (home to the famous Panama hat),Ecuador often surprises those visitors who takethe time to explore this diminutive country.Beyond the GalapagosMany visitors to the Galapagos want to make the most of their time in Latin America and visit some of the region's other attractions, with Ecuador's mainland being an obvious and appealing choice. Convenient flight connections mean that nearby Peru,Colombia and Venezuela, as well as the Central American countries of Panama and Costa Rica and the Caribbean Dutch Antilles, are also easily combined with a visit to theGalapagos. Below we explore some of the attractions that entice people to Latin America and suggest some popular, as well as lesser-known destinations, to include in your trip.24Achuar chief, Ecuadorian AmazonLos Llanos, VenezuelaToucan, Costa Rica

www.audleytravel.com/galapagos ?01993 838 635 ?Beyond the Galapagos25Arequipa, PeruMachu Picchu, PeruLocal lady, Otavalo market, Ecuador