Your travel tips

Want to go wild in Ecuador and the Galápagos? You tell us how…

Zip up a volcano Quito, Ecuador

“Take the cable car up the Pichincha volcano from capital Quito. The views are amazing, but make sure that you walk slowly at the top as the air is really thin.” Tim Flesher

Pack sensibly Galápagos Islands

“You’ll need waterproofs as well as shorts. It’s also a good idea to have swim shoes for wet landings. Pack carefully, though, as luggage allowances on internal flights can be lower than that on international ones.” June Munday

Pick the right month Galápagos Islands

“May is the best time to visit the Galápagos. Whale-watching season is just starting and it’s perfect for wildlife spotting and snorkelling.” Gina Carey

Rivers, birds and… hats Mindo, Oriente & Cuenca

“Mindo, in the Andes, has a beautiful array of bonny birds – ask where to see them at the hotel as everyone has their own contact. Elsewhere, the Cuyabeno River area is a great place to see pink dolphins, while the panama hat factory in Cuenca is fun. Try on loads of hats to get ideas and then go out to the surrounding villages to get a cheaper one there.” Anne Dickinson

Go beneath the waves Galápagos Islands

“Take a diving course before you go so that you don’t miss out on

the marine life while you’re there. That way you’ll be able to maximise your time on the Islands!” Mariella Sammut

Feel the heat Baños de Agua Santa

“In Baños you can soak in the hot waters from the active Tungurahua volcano, while the stars at dusk make an evening dip here breathtaking!" Janine Marsh

Size does matter Galápagos Islands

“We did our homework. To make sure that we saw the best places, we went in a small group of six couples on a cruiser complete with a local guide and crew. This meant that we could get close to the islands and see the sunrise on them before anyone else. Magical!” Paul Townson

Ogle iguanas Galápagos Islands

“Darwin called them ‘imps of darkness’ but marine iguanas are amazing creatures. Tortuga Bay on Santa Cruz island is a great place to see them. One spotter’s tip is to look out for the reduced speed limit signs – put in place to protect these amazing creatures.” Leah Holroyd

Small packages Tiny Bartolomé Island is known for its Pinnacle Rock, where penguins, sea lions and flocks of seabirds jostle for space

Cruising in the Galápagos required wearing sterilised wellies, to avoid spreading disease across the islands, recalls reader June Munday To shell and back