Quito, the capital of Ecuador, lies on the slopes of the Andes’ mighty Pichincha volcano in the Guayllabamba river basin. The city’s Old Town is its main attraction - one of the most well preserved in Latin America and the first-ever UNESCO heritage site. Wander among ancient, colourful streets; pop into glorious historic churches; or spend an afternoon browsing the vibrant Mercado (markets) and learning about the unique, traditional Ecuadorian Sierra culture. Other bucket list items in Quito include a visit to the impressive Casa Museo Guayasamín; the Museo de la Presidencia which provides insight into Ecuador’s history; and a climb up the iconic towers of the Basilica. Numerous gorgeous public parks and a thriving and exciting culinary scene complete the package.
Situated in the northwest corner of the Metropolitan District of Quito, the Mashpi Biodiversity Reserve is a unique and magnificent destination. Spread over 1,300-hectares of untouched wilderness, it harbours both cloud forest and rainforest, and forms part of the globally-important Choco biodiversity ‘hot spot’. Mashpi is home to pumas, kinkajous, hundreds of amphibian and reptile species, thousands of insect and arachnid species, and over 500 species of bird. Visitors can spend days exploring, spotting a vast variety of fauna and flora, and immersing themselves in the biodiverse ecosystems of the reserve. Don't miss the two-kilometre-long aerial tram gliding visitors through and over the rainforest canopy.
The town of Otavalo offers a rich experience – in colour, nature and history. Surrounded by the peaks of three massive volcanoes, the town is best known for its Saturday market and the offerings of woven textiles for which the Otavaleño people are world famous. (This weaving tradition goes back to pre-Incan times.) Otavalo is also known for its traditional music, which forms a major part of Inti Raymi, the summer solstice festival. While in the area, visit the Artesania El Gran Condor weaving centre or retreat to the sacred ceremonial Cascades de Peguche, an 18m-high waterfall that plunges out of the thick forest. It is said that bathing naked under the upper waterfall cleanses your soul.
Puembo is a tranquil, pretty farming town located east of Quito, in the district of the same name, set ten minutes from the international airport. It functions as one of the best bases for hiking the magnificent inactive volcanoes in the area, such as Ilalo and Coturco. Ilalo, a striking triangular-shaped peak, is decorated with numerous wonderful hot springs, and there are several excellent spas to enjoy. Coturco is a large landmark volcano that can be seen from miles away, swathed in the beautiful dense pine forest, and offers both challenging hikes and a road to the summit for spectacular views. History and architecture enthusiasts visiting Puembo should make sure to see the Old Chapel, and head to Quito for fascinating heritage buildings and museums. Puembo is also known for its rich traditions and holds a wonderful celebration over Holy Week.
Located in the central part of the Galapagos archipelago, the small, flat island of Baltra (also known as South Seymour island) is the only island that is not part of the Galapagos National Park as it operates as a military base and is home to the local airport. With its extremely arid landscape and its sparse vegetation consisting of little more than prickly pear cacti, salt bushes and palo santo trees, arriving on this remote island can feel like landing on another planet. As the island has been designated as a non-visitor site, travelers who arrive in Baltra will immediately be taken by bus to one of two docks where they will either board a cruise ship or a ferry that will take them to the island of Santa Cruz.
Resting approximately 25 km northeast of Santa Cruz Island, in the exquisite Galapagos archipelago, the elongated shield volcano of Santiago Island, also known as San Salvador Island or James Island, is dotted with Holocene pyroclastic cones. The island’s best site is undoubtedly Puerto Egas where you will find a long, lava shoreline where eroded rock formations are home to an impressive variety of wildlife including an abundance of marine iguanas and fur seals. While geology aficionados should head to Sullivan Bay to witness its black lava flow covered with lava bubbles and tree-trunk moulds, diving enthusiasts can enjoy the renowed dive site of Cousin's Rock, a triangular rock that rises about 10 m (33 ft) out of the water and is made up of many layers of volcanic rock. Don’t miss Espumilla Beach which is fringed by a spectacular palo santo forest that shelters nesting Galápagos green turtles.
Resting in the western part of the Galapagos archipelago, Isabela Island is larger than all of the rest of the islands combined. Comprising six volcanoes, the island is about 120 km long and covers 4,585 square kilometres. Travellers who make the effort to this visit this remote location will be richly rewarded with a profusion of fascinating wildlife including large numbers of flamingos, typically spotted at the lagoon in town or along the boardwalk to the impressive Giant Tortoise Breeding Center. Don’t miss Concha de Perla, a natural pool which is ideal for snorkelling and interacting with sea lions; Las Tintoreras, a lagoon where white tip sharks come to rest; and Los Tuneles, where you'll find an abundance of turtles, rays, and fish swimming in the canals and pools.
The island of Santa Cruz is home to Puerto Ayora, the largest and most developed town in the Galapagos. While many visitors use this island as merely a springboard for the more remote surrounding islands, those who dig a little deeper will discover that this island has plenty to offer. With numerous visitor sites, easily accessible beaches and remote highlands in the interior, Santa Cruz makes an excellent base for adventurous activities. The most popular attraction is undoubtedly the Charles Darwin Station which offers an impressive turtle breeding area and interesting information about the conservation of the unique biosphere of the Galapagos. Don’t miss the opportunity to swim or snorkel at one of the island’s magnificent beaches where you will find white sand and turquoise waters as well as an abundance of fascinating wildlife including: pelicans, blue-footed boobies and marine iguanas.
Located just off the east coast of the Galapagos' Santa Cruz Island, South Plaza is an extraordinary world of natural wonder. Uninhabited by humans, the island is home to a plethora of plant and animal life. Carpetweed paints bright scarlet and violet over landscape in the dry season, turning bright green in winter, along with several fascinating colour-changing cacti. This is the only place on earth where Galapagos hybrid iguanas can be seen. Visitors will also spot land iguanas, marine iguanas, sea lions, Sally Lightfoot Crabs, and an impressive number of several different seabird species. Take the one-hour boat trip from Santa Cruz, and then the guided one kilometre walk up to the ‘Wailing Wall’, where sea lions and birds celebrate life in an explosion of sound and colour. The waters just offshore also offer phenomenal snorkeling opportunities.
Resting approximately eight miles southeast of Santa Cruz, the relatively small island of Santa Fe is one of the oldest islands in the Galapagos archipelago with rock formations below the water’s surface dating back almost four million years. The island is best known for its endemic Barrington Land Iguana as well as its towering prickly pear cacti which have been known to reach remarkable heights of up to 20 feet. The magnificent Barrington Bay is the only visitor site on the island. There are two hiking trails that start here. One leads to a scenic viewpoint atop a cliff and the other wends through a forest of gigantic opuntia cacti. The beach is popular with sea lions and is an excellent spot from which to snorkel the radiant blue-green waters. You may even spot a Galapagos green turtle gracefully swimming by.
Also known as ‘Hood Island’, this small, flat island is the southernmost island of the Galapagos group. Dues to its secluded location, Española is home to an impressive number of endemic wildlife. Gardner Bay on the island’s eastern shore is renowned for its magnificent beach where visitors can swim or snorkel among the remarkable marine life including a large, transient colony of sealions. Visitors can follow a trail from Gardner bay towards Punta Suarez on the western tip of the island which considered to be one of the most outstanding wildlife areas of the entire archipelago. Here you will find a startling variety of exotic birdlife and reptiles including brightly colored marine iguana and the oversized lava lizard, which are unique to this extraordinary little island.
San Cristóbal is the easternmost island in the Galapagos archipelago as well as the most populated. Famous for its natural attractions, the island also boasts some wonderful shopping and dining opportunities as well as a local airport. Take a break from snorkeling and hiking to enjoy the best Ecuadorian cuisine, or admire some of the exquisite artwork and designs at local galleries and markets. Must-see attractions include the Galapaguera Tortoise Reserve; the Interpretation Center (which provides important background information on the Galapagos); and Puerto Grande, a protected cove on the north-western side of the island boasting a magnificent white sandy beach - ideal for a peaceful walk, swim or photography sesssion.
