What to pack for Ecuador

Luggage and bags: First of all, you need a bagback to travel in Ecuador. This is the best way to deal with transportation...
A protection for your bagpack is a good idea since it will be placed on the roof of the buses or in other places not particularly clean. So if you care, think about it.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: You need warm clothes (for the Andes) and light clothes (for the coast). Think about something to protect you from the rain as it may be rainy.
Take tennis shoes or even trekking shoes. Don't need to take you richelieu with you...
As far as warm clothes are concerned, however, please note that clothes in alpaca (very warm and sympathic souvenir) are sold everywhere for nothing. A good way to travel light and come back with souvenirs.

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: Toiletries are available even in the small towns but bring with you the needed medical supplies. Don't forget mosquitos' repellent!

Photo Equipment: Take your own photo equipment with you, as it is quite expensive and not always reliable in the country.
There are internet cafes everywhere where you can burn CDs or downloud pictures.

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Luggage and bags: If you are hiking between the villages in the Quilotoa area it is good to leave some of your luggage somewhere else, as you will be hiking for many hours at high altitude. I left many things at Hostal Tiana in Latacunga, where I stayed both before and after visiting the Quilotoa area. I was away for a week. I packed what I needed for that week in my big backpack which has good support around the hips and is comfortable to carry. In the photo you can see the backpack I carried. I also brought a smaller backpack, which is very light and can be folded, to carry around things in when I was in one of the villages, or went on the horseback riding tour and hiked around the Quilotoa crater.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Besides my hiking boots, which are very comfortable with good support around the ankles I brought a pair of sandals to use at the hostels. I brought three pair of socks, but also a pair of knitted woollen socks that I had bought in Ecuador, because in places like Quilotoa a pair of ordinary socks was not enough to wear with the sandals, even if I was inside.
I brought three t-shirts, one of them was to sleep in, and one thin long sleeved jumper, a fleece and a woollen sweater. And I brought a thin rain- and wind jacket, but no rain trousers. I brought two pair of trousers though, one pair to hike in and a pair of jeans to wear later during the day (and good to change with if it would rain during the hike). I also had a scarf, a hat and woollen gloves with me.

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: In every place I stayed I got a towel, but as I didn’t know that beforehand I had brought a small thin one. I also got a soap in each hostel (except at Llulu Llama in Isinliví). At Posada de Tigua I also got shampoo.

I have got a few small plastic bottles . In the biggest one I brought body lotion, in a smaller one soap, and in two, even smaller ones, I had shampoo and conditioner to be able to wash the hair at one occasion during the week. It is important to bring sun block as the sun is strong at the high altitude. And of course I also had a toothbrush and toothpaste with me. I brought contact lenses for every day, plus a few more, deodorant and a hairbrush. I never travel with a big medical kit, but I brought a few plasters, and a few tablets if I would get a fever or problems with the stomach from food. I didn’t have to use any of them.

Photo Equipment: Be sure to have plenty of space on your memory cards, to have more than you think you will need is better than to have to little space for new photos. I brought both my camera batteries and a charger.

Miscellaneous: Other things I carried in my backpack was sunglasses, copies of a few pages of my guidebook, a book to read, a notebook, a pen, a torch, my passport, my spectacles and water bottles. I also brought a few plastic bags to put things in if the rain was going to pour down (even if I have a cover for the backpack).

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Almost everything is needed in this small but so diverse country. If you want to be as smart and elegant as you are in your country, which, in my opinion, is absolutely unnecessary, carry your favourite clothes. Even if you come in summer you will need a jacket. How warm it should be depends on your sensitivity to cold. If your jacket is light at least take a good woollen sweater. A raincoat is useful, too, as the weather on the Andes is not so predictable. Those that fold into a very small packet are perfect.
Good walking shoes are necessary as you are going to walk a lot.
The good thing is shopping is a pleasure here as you can find almost everything at low prices.
Clothes are very cheap. Bathing suits, too.
Generally don't carry a lot of things as you are always a target for robbers. And don't carry your valuables in the big bag. Always in the day pack.

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: Get your medicine if it is something special; the usual ones, as painkillers etc are easy to find.
Toiletries and cosmetics are good and a little cheaper than at home.
Sunscreen and hats you will need but you can buy them here.

Photo Equipment: Batteries are not good at all here ; they get empty very easily even if you buy good quality ones, which cost about 2$ dollars a pair. Don't buy those sold in the street for 0.50$ because the next day you will need more....
Photographic equipment is supposed to be ok. But if you want to be sure get some supplies from home.

Miscellaneous: Don't please don't come wearing your gold jewels! You will never see them again!

Luggage and bags: Backpacks are by far the most comfortable - especially if planning to go to the Amazon and to the Galapagos. Also the best option if you shall be travelling by bus.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: So Ecuador has hot, humid lowlands as well as ice capped volcanos - so you have to pack both your swimsuit as well as your thick jackets ... Don't forget that the capital, Quito is at altitude 2800m so it can get quite chilly especially if it is windy or at night. It is best to take clothes you can layer on top of each other. A rain poncho is a must if visiting areas in the rainy season. Also be sure that you have some good hiking boots, preferably waterproof and good for all kinds of weather, be it snow & cold, or hot and rainy!

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: Malaria tablets are a must for certain areas in the lowlands, particularly the amazon. Consult your doctor about which ones are best for your use. Always carry a first aid kit as certain stuff is difficult to find in certain areas. If you are planning on visiting the Galapagos also consider seasickness tablets - they really work and are worth it!!

Photo Equipment: Lots and lots of film or memory cards!! It is quite common to find internet cafes that will burn your pics to a cd but it is best to get your own card reader as more often than not, they don't have any. It is also best to get full supply of good batteries as they seem to be lacking everywhere except for in Quito. Long lenses are a must if visiting the Amazon, but are also useful to get great close-up portraits in the Galapagos.

Camping/Beach/Outdoor Gear: Daypack for hiking

Miscellaneous: A leg pouch or money belt for the cash and any other items of value. Ecuador is know for its pickpockets so it's better to be safe than sorry.

Binoculars for the amazon - the animals don't get that close!!

Large plastic bags for non-waterproof bags & for buses - just not to get your packs wet or filthy

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: It is a good idea to bring clothing that you can layer, especially if you'll be travelling in more than one area of Ecuador. The mountainous Andean region can get very cold at night, sometimes reaching freezing in Quito for example. But since Ecuador lies on the equator, it can also get very warm during the day, esp. when the sun shines. Breathable but modest clothing is recommended for the jungle and the coastal areas.

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: Insect repellent is advisable for the jungle and for sub-tropical regions. Bring sunscreen, even if you are only in Quito. The sun is much stronger here since you're at the equater.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: - Waterproof gear. You'll be in the forest, it's wet, get used to it.

Photo Equipment: - Long lens, at least 300mm, to ensure the birds are up close and sharp.
- At least a monopod, if not a tripod. It can get dark, and you're shooting far away... don't want blurry pics.
- Fast film (or digital sensor) to combat the darkness of the forest.

Miscellaneous: - An umbrella. Without a doubt, the best thing I brought with me to Ecuador. Saved me a lot of pain and hassle. Kept my camera dry all the time.
- Binoculars. Helps to see the birds, usually look for around an 8x power (8x40 or 10x50 were very common).

Luggage and bags: - Waterproof sack for your backpack... something to slip over and keep it dry.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: - Waterproof jacket. Very waterproof.
- Waterproof boots. Even rubber boots to combat the mud.

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: - Mosquito repellent... even up to 100% DEET if you feel like it... these suckers bite.

Miscellaneous: - An umbrella. Without a doubt, the best thing I brought with me to Ecuador. Saved me a lot of pain and hassle.

Camping/Beach/Outdoor Gear: Sunscreen is a must in Ecuador. Even if its not hot or sunny, you can get burned. Becuase Ecuador lies on the equator, the sun's rays are more direct. Also, if you're in the sierra region (such as in or around Quito or Cuenca) you are closer to the sun.