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.
Established in 1975 as a protected area, Cotopaxi National Park – situated about 50km southeast of the capital Quito – represents the most impressive of what Ecuador has to offer by way of animals and birds, including the majestic Andean condor, as well as magnificent photographic opportunities in the form of spectacular valleys, lakes and a number of volcanoes. Centre stage is occupied by the snow-laden Cotopaxi volcano that rises to 5 890m – a favourite with mountaineers. An excursion might have you spying puma, the rare Andean spectacled bear, Andean fox or orange-headed caracara, which is endemic in the area. The ruins of Incan forts and other ancient stone building remains can be seen surrounding Santo Domingo Lake.
The picturesque rural parish of Angochagua lies in Ecuador’s northern Andes, where high-mountain landscapes, páramo, and Andean forest create a dramatic setting for hiking, wildlife, and cultural experiences. Much of the surrounding countryside is characterised by steep volcanic terrain, springs and waterfalls, including the Cóndor Yaku waterfall, reached by a trail through high-montane forest. Wildlife is another draw, with Andean condors soaring above the mountains and the Condor Huasi Project at Hacienda Zuleta working to conserve and reintroduce the threatened birds. The area also has a remarkable archaeological heritage, particularly the large Caranqui ramp-mound complex at Hacienda Zuleta, dating to the culture's Late Period. Visitors can round out their experience by meeting local Kichwa communities and discovering their distinctive embroidery, traditional cuisine, music and rural way of life.
Winding through the Ecuadorian Andes, from the Panamericana into the Cotopaxi province, the Quilotoa Loop is a circular road offering a variety of stunning hikes and tours for excellent value. The primary destination of the route is its magnificent sparkling Laguna Quilotoa, an awe-inspiring crater lake ringed by volcanic peaks and believed to be bottomless by some. Connecting several friendly rural farming villages, Quilotoa provides a beautiful and adventurous way to get to know the area’s culture. One of the highlights of this is the incredible array of town markets in Zumbahua (Saturdays), Guantualo (Mondays) and Sasquili (Thursdays). The hike is known for its diversity of trails and options, with its different lengths, difficulty levels, and routes. It is also excellent value for money in comparison to many of the other mountain trails in the country.
The bustling hub of Tena fringes the Amazon Rainforest of northeastern Ecuador. While many use the city - known locally as the ‘Cinnamon Capital of Ecuador’ - as a gateway for jungle excursions (there are many tour companies based in Tena), the town is also a major whitewater rafting and kayaking destination, with enthusiasts travelling from all corners of the globe to take advantage of the incredible network of rivers and tributaries surrounding the city. Other key activities on offer here include guided tours of the Sumaco Napo-Galeras National Park, an intense wilderness experience centred around the Sumaco Volcano (which rises 3,700 metres above sea-level), and visits to the Jatun Sacha Biological Station, where visitors can learn more about important reforestation and sustainability projects.
As previously described
