Ecuador has lots to offer on a small area, like colonial cities, Indian markets, active volcanos and the Amazon forest. Real highlights in South-America are the capital Quito and the Galapagos islands, the #2 and #3 on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Just south of Quito you can pass the Equator, where the country takes it's name from.
About Galapagos Islands
The Galapagos Islands have no equivalent in the world. The volcanic islands are located 1000 kms west of Ecuador - with nothing in between. This distance made it possible and necessary for all animal life to adjust to the harsh conditions on the islands. Charles Darwin used this for his evolution theory (that conflicted with Adam and Eve...).
Because of the distance people did not know about the islands and regular visits only exists for a few hundred years... a very short time in nature´s history. Animals are not afraid of humans and just sit there... a strange experience!