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.
Stretching towards the border with Colombia, over the Ecuadorian provinces of Napo and Sucumbios, the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve covers more than 6000 square kilometres of the Amazon Rainforest. With its wide network of astonishing lakes and easy-cruising rivers and creeks, and set close to the Andes, the reserve is a favourite destination among travellers, offering excellent and optimal views of the forest and its animals from the waters. Visitors can trek through the jungle, canoe paddle, go on motorised canoe rides and swim in the lakes. There are night-time expeditions on offer, perfect for spotting nocturnal species such as crocodiles, and tours to meet the three indigenous communities: the Cofans, the Secoyas and the Sionas. Flora species include orchids, bromides, and many others; and fauna includes all the large Amazonian mammals (including jaguars), ten species of monkeys, river dolphins, and many more.
Resting on the northwestern hills of the Andean Mountain Range in Ecuador, the Bellavista Cloud Forest Reserve is a small but spectacular conservation area. This unique Andean getaway boasts incredible biodiversity and stretches for over 700 hectares of a subtropical jungle-covered landscape characterised by wooded mountain slopes descending into deep gorges carved out by cascading waterfalls and crystal clear streams. Bellavista is a magnificent place for visitors to discover the lush cloud forest and its exotic diversity of bird and plant life. The reserve is a nature lover’s dream and a bird watcher's paradise, boasting over 320 recorded species. Don’t miss the adventurous trek through the orchid-filled rainforest to the magical hidden falls.
The picturesque Ecuadorian rural town of Angochagua sits in the eastern foothills of the mighty Cerro Imbabura, within the magnificent Protected Zuleta Forest Reserve and surrounded by the Andes Mountain Range. This is a nature lover’s ultimate destination. Nearby, there are thick woodlands, extreme mountains, dormant volcanoes and an abundance of unique flora and fauna. Bathe in freshwater springs that spurt along the canyons, hike along craggy peaks, and watch the majestic endangered Andean Condors in flight. Highlights include the Condor Rehabilitation and Interpretation Center, an impressive 11th-century archaeological site, and the chance to learn more about local culture by meeting the neighbouring Indian communities.
The Galapagos Islands are an archipelago of volcanic islands off the coast of Ecuador, renowned for their amazing endemic species, especially the giant tortoises which give the islands their name. Only discovered in the 1800s, the islands are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the surrounding waters are a national park and biological marine reserve. Of the 18 islands Baltra, Floreana, Isabela, San Cristobal, and Santa Cruz are now populated by more than 25 000 people. The original names were given by an English pirate, but the Ecuadorians have given the islands Spanish names. The Islands were made famous by Charles Darwin after he visited them on his scientific voyage on the HMS Beagle, and the endemic species here contributed significantly to Darwinian Theory.
