The Weather in Ecuador

Ecuador has an amazing variation in weather and seasons; largely as a result of its tropical and coastal location, and geographic diversity.For climbers and trekkers however, we focus on the weather specifically in the Highland region, noting that much of our itinerary is in the Eastern Cordillera, which is more often influenced by the weather from the Amazon. November to February and June through September periods are found to be the most stable, with rain/snow or wind still possible at this time.Bad weather does not usually persist, and it is quite common to have four seasons in one day!Temperatures at both day and night time are quite moderate considering we are in an alpine environment (0 through to 20 degrees C depending on altitude).When climbing at night, the temperatures will drop below zero and rise through to extremely warm 20s if the sun comes out during our descent. On the trek we are a little lower and temperatures somewhat warmer.Although it sounds unpredictable, the climate tends to be well suited for trekking and adventure activities - nighttime temperatures are not too extreme nor are any periods of bad weather prolonged or intolerable. Quito (2850m) has a cool climate generally, while Banos (1800m) tends to be warm and tropical.

The climate of the Galapagos Islands varies from season to season and year to year, and there is quite a difference in temperature between the coastal areas and higher elevations. Due to the effect of the cool Humboldt Current the climate of the Galapagos Islands is generally mild and dry, with the temperature rarely rising above 80°F. From May to December, when the winds blow in a southeasterly direction, the shores of the southern islands are bathed in cool waters, chilling the air and creating unusually cold conditions for equatorial islands. During this period, rain is scarce on the coastal regions. Only plants that can survive long periods of time without water -- such as lichens and cacti -- thrive in these areas. Higher up, however, clouds of moisture support the thick vegetation. The rainy season, which lasts from January to April, is marked by decreased winds and warmer sea currents. The days are warm and the seas are calm during these months. Heavy rains in the upper elevations send streams of water down the slopes to even the lowest island points.