Snow-capped peaks, cloud forests with breathtaking biodiversity, colorful markets and Ecuador's colonial heritage.
Quito is the starting point for trips into the highlands of the country, the northern Andes with many attraction such as: the colorful Otavalo market, the cloud forest of Mindo, the Antisana reserve and some others.
The capital of Ecuador is probably one of the most beautiful cities in South America. Located at 2850m above sea level and just only 22 km south of the geographic Ecuador, it has magnificent spring weather in a spectacular environment. The view of Quito is dominated by mountains and snowing volcanos. It preserves a great amount of colonial treasures.
The most famous indigenous market in Ecuador is held here. Although the market is bigger on Saturdays, you can visit it any day and find an impressive variety of all kinds of Ecuadorian handcrafts. You may visit the workshops of these local weavers working on back strap and Spanish treadle looms.
Lies 5km from Otavalo. This wonderful lake is located on the feet of the Imbabura Mountain and refuges on its borders many small indigenous communities. Windsurfing is very popular as well in San Pablo Lake.
A small town nearby Otavalo, its narrow streets is full of stores that sell a great variety of leather goods. This village is one of the safest in Ecuador, enjoy your stay without stress!
Located on the south side of Cotacachi Mountain has in its middle two islands surrounded by water. an impressive landscape of deep blue waters surrounded by hills. Take a hike around the lake or a boat tour around these islands.
Small village where everyone is in the business of carving wooden items. These items are sold in small shops around the village.
The western slopes of the Pichincha volcano are dressed with a wonderful dense ecosystem: the cloud forest, where Mindo is located. The cloud forest holds the greatest variety of birds and plants in the world.
The Antisana volcano is one of the highest active volcanoes in the world and it is surrounded by the 30,000 hectares Antisana Ecological Reserve. A big attraction is the Micacocha Lake, where locals practice trout fishing.
The "Avenue of the Volcanoes" with the snow giants Cotopaxi and Chimborazo, the famous train ride to the "Devil's Nose". A paradise for nature lovers and active people who like to move.
Tempting route for chancy "andinistas" that do not doubt to the climate and the height in their desire of reaching the summit of the Cotopaxi, the highest active volcano in the world!!! (5896m). This park is home to dears, pumas, condors, wild horses and llamas.
The Quilotoa is one of the most beautiful places in the Ecuadorian Highland due to it is a lagoon inside a crater. The water has a great mineral composition like sulphur hydrogen and carbonic gas.
Baños is a natural sanctuary, where tranquility and spirituality flow. It is the perfect setting for meditation and relaxation of the soul. Refugee for more than 60 waterfalls including Pailon del Diablo. Suitable for rafting, kayaking, mountain biking.
Chimborazo, an extinct volcano, is the highest peak in Ecuador. Factually, Chimborazo lies claim to being the highest mountain in the world, if measured from the center of the Earth due to its position near the equator.
Thirty kilometers into the ascent of the towering western range, the railway snakes up a mountain known as El Nariz del Diablo (The Devil's Nose). A nearly vertical wall of rock that represents an astonishing feat of engineering.
The Inca ruins Ingapirca, Cuenca, the Athens of Ecuador And the coast is not far off. From Cuenca Guayaquil reach a varied day trip with a stop in the beautiful Cajas National Park.
These vestiges are the most important architectural legacy of the Incas in Ecuador. Ingapirca means "Incas stone wall". It is believed today that Ingapirca was both a religious and administrative center, as well as a fortress.
Cuenca is located in a valley high up in the mountains surrounded by other smaller valleys of warmer climate. It has produced great artists, poets and writers in its unique ambiance and displays extraordinary architecture and museums.