There’s nothing ordinary about Ecuador.Widely recognized for the endemically rich Galapagos Islands, the South American nation is also distinguished by Quito the capital city—a UNESCO World Heritage site that features one of the world’s best-preserved colonial districts. Three hours away by car is the Andean cloud forest, a world-class biodiversity hotspot.Of the many companies offering excursions across this fascinating country is Metropolitan Touring, which pioneered Galapagos travel more than six decades ago. It is set apart by its focus on combining land, sea and air to offer a full view of Ecuador.The company offers seagoing voyages (with three ships ranging from 48 to 90 passengers) and land stays at three hotels: the Finch Bay Galapagos Hotel, the Mashpi Lodge in Ecuador’s cloud forest, and Casa Gangotena, a boutique luxury property in the heart of Quito’s Plaza San Francisco.MORE Destination & TourismEcuador-born Francisco Dousdebés is Galápagos Product Manager for Metropolitain’s Yacht La Pinta, Yacht Isabela II and Casa Gangotena. A former naturalist and dive guide for the Galapagos National Park, he has led extensive scuba diving trips in the Galapagos Marine Reserve and completed over 500 dives there. TravelPulse spoke with Dousdebés recently to learn how the company introduces travelers to this fascinating land.TravelPulse: What is unique about Ecuador and why has Metropolitan Touring focused on bringing travelers to the country?Francisco Dousdebés: Ecuador is about the same size as the state of Colorado, with one immense difference: its tropical latitude.This means super high mountains inscribed right at the Equator, and that translates into tropical ice right in the Andes (which is the same chain of mountains as the Rockies, but with a different name). That huge bulk of massive rock amidst tropical latitudes will give you the fabric of biodiversity. The many ocean currents—some from the Pacific and others as far as the Atlantic—will congregate around here, providing suitable conditions for all living creatures.Thus, it is an oasis for tropical development, also known as biodiversityTP: Why is it best to visit the Galapagos by boat? What should travelers expect to experience while there?FD: The advantages of visiting the islands by boat is that you get to explore bizarre corners of the Galapagos where access to many unique features can only happen if you sail a great deal within the islands’ waters.Of course, for most people, it seems Galapagos covers a small area in any world map but, in reality, the islands are scattered over the Pacific Ocean within an area over 50,000 square miles (about the size of the state of New York). So, reaching out to these faraway places takes time, and that’s when a boat may be the most rewarding way of maximizing your exploring time in Galapagos.READMORE: Is Galapagos the Leading Beach Destination Worldwide?TP: There are a few companies traveling to the Galapagos. What elements and qualities make Metropolitan Touring’s itineraries distinctive for travelers?FD: Fortunately, because this destination is in high demand, there are more than a handful of companies operating in Galapagos. However, not every company will be fit for all types of discerning travelers out there.What will make the MT’s itineraries different than other companies is our deep focus at those selected locations we travel to by using snorkeling gear, wetsuits, sea kayaks, glass-bottom boat, stargazing equipment, stereoscope, exploration skiffs and more. All these activities are coupled by a team of naturalists led by an expedition leader, so it’s not only where you go, but what you do at those selected visitor sites.TP: What are the top things to see and do in Ecuador beyond the Galapagos Islands?FD: Travelers must always consider exploring the city of Quito at least for three days. This city is not only Ecuador’s capital, but it is the first Latin-American city inscribed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO as early as 1978.Also, Quito is a great springboard for exploring other nearby places: central Andes, Otavalo, hot springs and more.By having so much biodiversity in this area, Quito provides easy access for longer exploring programs. If more time is available, then adding the city of Cuenca in the southern highlands is highly recommended too. Same goes for a trip to the Amazon rainforest.TP: Can you describe the new helicopter tours over the “Avenue of the Volcanoes?”FD: This set of new aerial tour programs are really showing the hidden side of landscape Ecuador.From the air, a bird’s eye view of the Andes is a totally different way of interpreting these stunning mountains and their geological features. Cities and Andean quaint villages look absolutely amazing from above. A major visual highlight on these flights is the diversity of landscapes due to the extreme geological forces of this region.The helicopter operator owns and operates three units, all equipped for high-altitude flying, and each has a capacity for up to 5 persons (plus 1 pilot). Flying autonomy is 3.5 hours. Unlike other destinations, most helicopter tours are likely to operate early in the day and require last-minute operational confirmation.WATCH: Ecuador Reaches Out to U.S. Travel AgentsTP: Mashpi Lodge offers another distinctive Ecuador experience. What is special about the cloud forest and how does Mashpi present the environment to travelers?FD: Technically, a cloud forest is a rainforest, but a special one. In such high biodiversity area what makes the area special is the variation in altitudes. This means that microclimates can be witnessed in a relatively small amount of distance explored and time invested.Such variations will translate into different wildlife encounters where a representative species of lower elevations can easily overlap species from higher elevations.Henceforth, the delivery of experiences at Mashpi Lodge is presented from three basic angles: the stunning biodiversity in such a small area, the need for deeper scientific understanding of cloud forests, and the absolute commitment to preserving wild habitats in order to be able to withhold the forest’s biodiversity. (This includes, quite naturally, the community living here.)This triangle of connection is what’s been labeled, at a more technical level, as sustainable tourism. At Mashpi Lodge, we hope that the experiences felt in every outing are able to change the perception about the world around us and inspiration as to how to protect it.