Attractions and Tourist Sights of Ecuador

Quito was declared by the United Nations as a Cultural Patrimony of Mankind. This city offers visitors all you can imagine in an incomparable valley setting surrounded by the Andes! You will certainly enjoy getting to grasp the vibrant heritage of this city. Many consider that Quito has the best preserved colonial center in the world, depicted by striking colonial architecture, narrow cobblestone streets, government buildings, monuments, and an impressive history. Some highlights include a visit the Presidential Palace and a stop in "La Compania," a church that was envisioned as the centerpiece jewel of the Kingdom of Quito, and today considered the most beautiful church in Latin America.
 
A visit to the following sites is scheduled and it works out very nice since must of them are fairly close: El Panecillo, Congress, Independence Square, San Francisco Convent, San Agustin, Santo Domingo,and Crystal Palace. These venues add a different flavor to the local scenery, and will become an unforgettable memory for visitors.

A tour of Ecuador will not be completed without observing the several volcanoes that protect the cities as dormant guardians along the Andes Mountains. Traveling along the Occidental highway, you can appreciate several elevations and major geographic reference points. We actually ride on top of a train to arrive to our destination!
 
The Cotopaxi Volcano (highest active volcano in the world), at 17,000 feet above sea level, and sitting majestically above the horizon provides the city of Latacunga with unique character. We visited the Cotopaxi National park and enjoyed the variety of plants and animals protected in this reserve. 
 
Among the fauna endemic of this park, you will find little red brocket deers, an Andean fox named Colpeo, pumas, white-tailed deer, llamas, and some species currently under extinction such as the Andean speckled bear. 
 
The national park offers you a magnificent view of this Andean landscape, mountains, and lakes, where tranquility and the true color of nature will definitely captivate any visitor.

In the northern part of the city. Only 30 minutes from Quito, you will come across the Equatorial line, latitude 0º, a place where scientific expeditions confirmed predictions regarding the earth’s measurement and shape. In this part of Ecuador you can place one foot on each hemisphere. This location is where Ecuador derives its name from.
 
Here you will find “Ciudad Mitad del Mundo” which is a replica of a colonial town. This city offers tourists a wide range of attractions such as the ethnographic museum, an art gallery, a bullfighting ring, handicraft stores, and the Middle of the World impressive monument itself.
 
Later on the day, after a small hike towards the Pululahua crater. Several spectacular views welcome you. Colorful forests, mountains, farms, and the local population depict a unique scenario. The Pululahua (dormant volcano) has a 3 km-wide crater with the last eruption about 2,400 years ago.

Papallacta is a small mountain village famous for its natural thermal baths and hot springs. This village is located just 67 kilometers (40 miles) east of Quito. On your way there, you can enjoy an impressive Andean landscape, animals in the side of the road, and many rock formations. To reach Papallacta, you actually take the path that was taken by the Spanish conquistador Francisco de Orellana in 1542. He used this route to cross the Andes mountains and later arrived and discovered the Amazon River. The natural hot springs itself provide a relaxing and spiritual setting, which is covered by clouds in the early afternoon, giving this place the appearance of heaven on earth.
 
In the evening, after relaxing in the hot springs. Quito offers a great place for a nocturnal city tour. This will show you a different side of Quito; one full of colorful lights and architectonic magic. You will discover a new face of this delightful city. The colonial city recently remodeled offers amazing night scenery, where classic cuisine, folkloric music, and artists welcome tourists and locals.

Ibarra is a northern province of Ecuador. The “white city” is depicted by it gorgeous lakes and world famous Handcraft Indian Market, which is considered one of the most important and largest indigenous craft markets in South America.

The “Otavaleños” (Native group of this region) are one of the few ethnic groups that have fully preserved their culture and clothing style, while adapting to the changes of a modern city.
 
Spectacular sacred Inca lakes open the doors of this city. San Pablo Lagoon, famous for its national swim race and beautiful hotels is a must see. On this exciting trip, you can also visit and take boat trip in Yahuarcocha, one of the most important and sacred lakes for the INCA culture. Surrounding this lake, you can find the international recognized race track, where bike and some car race competitions take place.

We were delighted by some ethnic cuisine in this region...amazing!!!

Mindo Cloud Forest is one of the greatest ecosystems of Ecuador. Located only 2 hours from Quito, and known worldwide for its high biodiversity this place is a must see in you come to Ecuador. You will come across low subtropical forest, cloud mountain forest, and the high paramo. Mindo is the ideal place for activities such as hiking, canopying, bird watching, swimming, waterfall jumping, enjoy the flora, and bathe in immaculate rivers that resemble a tranquility only offered in this paradise.

• There are about 1.640 types of birds in Ecuador, and Mindo could definitely be defined as a bird’s watcher paradise with 400 species recorded.
  
• Ecuador also has the greatest number of different kinds of Orquids in the world: Around 500.

This is a great hiking adventure. Be ready to walk among clouds, given the altitude of the park, and feel on the top of the world.

This valley is one of the richest areas in the country regarding agricultural production. This warm weather valley offers a welcoming atmosphere, a variety of products, and a friendly population. You will find several varieties of plants, cactuses, and other endemic flowers that distinguish our country. On any given day, visitors can purchase all sorts of fruits produced on this region and the local cuisine is well recognized!

Later on that day, the Guayllabamba or "Quito Zoo" opened its doors for us. The "Quito Zoo" was opened to the public on August 18, 1997 and: "It has the biggest collection of native fauna in the country opened to the public. Most of it comes from the old Zoo of the Military School, to which several animals recuperated from the illegal fur trade have been added". (in-quito.com) From visiting many zoos across the world, this is definitely a place where you can get very close to the animals!

While in Quito, you must reach the sky by taking a ride in the new Gondola adventure that overlooks the capital city. Going up the hill in Quito’s recently inaugurated “Teleferico” (Gondola ride) is an exciting and breath taking adventure!

You start this adventure at 9,680 ft at the city level and arrive at the top of the ride located on the hills of the active Pichincha volcano at (15,000 ft). This offers an spectacular view of Quito in any day, and the mountain scenery will provide a magnificent setting for photography aficionados, capturing your attention as the city appears dormant between the mountains, but right at nightfall, a show of lights will give a colorful appearance to the capital city of Ecuador.

Horseback riding is provided by locals once you reach the top of the mountain!

If you like hiking and nature, this will be one of your favorite days. This is the highest waterfall in Ecuador (over 500 ft). A great day trip to enjoy an immense variety of plants, birds, animals, and a waterfall that is hidden in the middle of the forest. The smell of eucalypt trees dominates this area, and a miniature-cotopaxi volcano sculpture has been created by the river itself on its route towards the Atlantic ocean.

This is your chance to challenge your balancing skills across wood bridges, walk right behind/under the highest waterfall and its rock formations, and experience the power of water and its beauty. Local restaurants offer some great food, including freshly caught fish and other exotic meals prepared in this area.

If your interest is to enjoy nightlife in a city that never sleeps. Quito is definitely the right place. Quito’s atmosphere will satisfy a diversity of taste for music, dance, food, a variety of cultural events, entertainment, and a friendly atmosphere for tourists in most places. 
 
In any given night, you will have plenty of choices to satisfy your party needs. They range from large dance clubs, resembling the best party spots in South America or Europe, with 2-3 levels of fun and entertainment, to little and hidden Salsa Houses that definitely provide the city with its unique atmosphere. The mixture between local and tourists in several of this places create a unique tone for Quito’s nightlife, and you must experience this on your own to truly discover this metropolitan city.

One of the great things about Ecuador is its size, allowing you to travel across the country in a few hours. But if you think you will have the same weather, vegetation, or views, you are in for a huge surprise. Because the Andes divide the country in three regions, you can enjoy the highlands, adventure in the jungle, or relax in the beautiful coast.

Traveling through several small towns, across mountains and valleys, and arriving to the coastal region in the northwest part of the country is an adventure on its own. In the northwest region of the country, enjoy the Pacific Ocean, eat some great sea food, soak the sun, and relax in one of the most beautiful areas of the country.

"The Quito Botanical Garden opened its doors to the public and shares a universe of plants of all colors, sizes, shapes and aromas. The garden includes plants that have adapted to the harsh climate of the high Andes, as well as tropical plants that are bountiful in the lush cloud and rain forests."

More than 1,200 orchid species and a number of hybrids are exhibited in "Crystal Palaces" inside Quito Botanical Garden. These palaces occupy an area of 800 square meters. One palace holds altitude orchids and the other tropical species.

Did you know?

• In Ecuador, one of each four plant species is an orchid.
• In one hectare of the Ecuadorian tropical rain forest there are more than 350 plant species, a true world record!
• Ecuador holds approximately 17.000 plant species, more than the whole European continent.
• The medicine that has saved the most lives in the world was discovered in an Ecuadorian plant, the "cascarilla".
• Ecuador is the most diverse country in terms of plant species per area.”

(Info by: This is Ecuador Magazine)

Quito offers great scenic lookouts, colorful markets, colonial cathedrals, historical sites, and a great local cuisine with an incomparable city atmosphere. However, it is also a city where art and culture must be experienced. Quito has several interactive museums that will introduce you to the past of this colonial city, but it also has a reputation for offering vibrant dance/theater performances that combine ancient traditions with contemporary city experiences. As part of your trip, you will experience indigenous culture first hand by attending a performing arts event.
 
In the past participants have attended dance performances exploring Ecuador culture and ethnic regions, where energy, vitality, music, and colorful clothes, come together to take you in a journey through the history of the country.

Quito is a city that welcomes visitors and will captivate them with all it has to offer. This city is the second highest in the world, sitting at 9,186 ft above the sea level. Its astonishing natural beauty is only compared by Quito's cosmopolitan looks, complementing and contrasting its colonial past.

We will be sure to show you around. Among many adventures, we will tour a local university, relax in the largest city park in Latin America, visit a fruit market, stop for delicious ice-cream and treats in the business district, and give you the opportunity to have a taste of how locals live in this beautiful City.

The group will also have the opportunity to learn how to prepare a local recipe, with the help of a local. This will be a great opportunity to go to the market, get the ingredients, and then adventure into the cooking world, so you can show-off cooking for all your friends and family back home once you return!

Have you ever seen a 3 km volcano crater filled with water. Well this is your chance to experience it! Approximately 3 hours south from Quito, you will pass by the ancient canyon of Zimbahua, and take a look at life in the country side, where indigenous families still fully devoted to agriculture.

As a result of a volcano eruption 800 years ago, today you can amaze your self by the Quilotoa lagoon, where the emerald color of the water (mixed of dissolved minerals, the reflection of a blue sky) will provide an amazing scenery to enjoy a hike. We will descend to the banks of the lagoon, as we are entertained by the views of the superb Andes mountains. That day you can also experience your first mule ride, as you get a little help to climb back to the top!

Chachimbiro Hot Springs are located 50 minutes northwest of Otavalo and Ibarra.  They approximately sit at an altitude of 8,000-10,300 ft, at the bottom of the Cotacachi Volcano.  Here you will find wet forests, paramo, and of course hotsprings of volcanic origin, which are also known as medicinal water attracting locals and tourists all year long.

The waters temperatures are between 30ºC and 50ºC.  They contain several minerals that act as digestive and purgative regulators, stimulating the cardiovascular, diuretic and nervous system.  After relaxing, nothing better than a little bit of adrenaline.  Head towards the zip-lines and other climbing adventures, and test your courage when flying from mountain to mountain!