Everything about Quito – from its setting along the slopes of Pichincha volcano to its having the best preserved, least altered historic center in Latin America – makes it a capital city worth visiting. (The ‘old town’ as the center is known was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978.) Stroll along its narrow streets and enjoy the buskers, vendors, and locals going about their everyday business. Visit the monasteries of San Francisco and Santa Domingo, the Church and Jesuit College of La Compañia, the Cathedral of Quito or the hill of El Panecillo where you can view the 45m high statue of the Virgin Mary. Mariscal Sucre (Plaza Foch) offers a taste of modern Quito with its trendy bars, restaurants and nightlife.
Guamote is a village found in the geographical center of Ecuador. This remote place - which can be accessed from Riobamba (45 kilometers) or via the Nariz del Diablo (Devil’s Nose) train route - is bursting with charm and authenticity, and will appeal most to socially conscious visitors looking to make a positive impact during their travels. The village is centered around an indigenous community and is most famous for its local Thursday Market.
Stretching for 200 kilometres between the Eastern and Western Cordillera mountain chains, Ecuador’s “Avenue of the Volcanoes” encompasses as many as 14 of the country’s most impressive volcanoes. Cotopaxi, said to be the world’s most beautiful volcano, is situated in Cotopaxi National Park (90 minutes’ drive south from Quito). Only experienced mountaineers should tackle ascending this mighty peak, as reaching the summit requires glacier climbing. Cayambe, with its permanent snow cap, and Chimborazo, Ecuador’s tallest volcanic mountain, are also stand-out features along this spectacular route, while Sangay and Tungurahua are among the 10 most active volcanoes in the world. A number of tours start and end in the country’s vibrant capital city, Quito.
As previously described
Running along most of the length of the country, Ecuador’s subtropical Cloud Forest is a wonderland of phenomenal nature, thrilling adventure sports, and fascinating traditional villages. Set at around 2000 metres above sea level, the forest lives up to its name with sky-scraping trees decorated with brightly coloured orchids and bromeliads. It boasts more than 20 percent of the world’s bird species, including 35 species of hummingbirds, among other showstoppers. Animal lovers may catch glimpses of the endangered spectacled bear, as well as puma, Andean coati, and tayra. Activities on offer include sky-biking - pedalling over the canopies - as well as zip lining, mountain biking, rappelling down waterfalls, horse riding, and cable car rides. Discover the area’s unique culture in the village of Mindo, or visit one of the local chocolate farms.
As previously described
