Neighbouring Colombia and Peru, Ecuador is a relatively small country that nevertheless offers an enticing array of scenic landscapes, diverse wildlife species and interesting cities. Dense Amazon rainforest, towering Andean mountain peaks, palm-fringed Pacific Coast beaches and fascinating historical sites are all part and parcel of Ecuador’s prolific charms. The former Inca town of Cuenca is the nation’s third-largest city and a Unesco World Heritage Site. This alluring city, with its cobbled streets, beautiful architecture and photogenic plazas, boasts a huge variety of museums and art galleries. The vibrant capital city of Quito is also worth a visit. Arguably the most dazzling jewel in Ecuador’s crown is the Galapagos Archipelago in the Pacific, about 1000 kilometres west of the mainland. Their magnificent, pristine landscapes and prolific wildlife, which inspired Charles Darwin, have made this cluster of islands a world-famous travel destination.
The village of Mindo lies just two-and-a-half hours east of Quito in northern Ecuador. In addition to being one of the country’s most celebrated areas for bird watching (with more than 400 species to view), geographically unique Mindo has recently been branded the ‘Ruta de Cacao’ and offers supreme rafting, tubing, trekking, canyoning and even chocolate-making experiences in an invigorating cloud forest setting. Hike to pristine waterfalls (via the Ruta de las Cascadas), enjoy gentle woodland trails, visit butterfly farms (Mariposario de Mindo) and orchid gardens in this spectacularly beautiful region, which is also home the activity-rich Nambillo River.
